by Laura Ziepe
‘The heating is up full,’ Rachel replied, ‘and staying in watching films sounds like heaven. I’d swap that for this awful date I’m about to go on any day.’
Rachel didn’t want to make a massive effort for daytime plans, so she wore jeans and a simple pale blue woolly jumper with a cream coat, hat, scarf and gloves. It had started to snow again and was so cold out that she hoped they were going for lunch in a cosy café or something; so long as it was warm she was happy.
Nick called thirty minutes later saying he was outside and Rachel felt a deep sense of anxiety as she carefully walked on the icy ground outside to his car.
‘Hi.’ He shot her a friendly smile as she climbed in the passenger seat.
‘Hey,’ Rachel replied in a timid voice, unsure what to expect. ‘How’s things? I see you’ve had your car fixed.’ She looked out to the wing mirror.
‘Yes. I like to get things done,’ he told her, his lips pressing into a serious line, looking ahead and putting his foot down on the accelerator.
He was wearing a smart navy coat and black jeans; he was actually quite gorgeous. Rachel just hoped he was in a good mood.
‘What do you do for work?’
‘I work in finance,’ he told her. ‘In London. It’s all pretty boring and sensible. Not like being a make-up artist I’m sure.’
‘It’s not always fun in the shop,’ Rachel replied, beginning to relax. ‘Sometimes it’s really quiet and there isn’t much to do.’ Nick didn’t seem as uptight as before. It seemed without his suit he was a different character – much gentler and softer. Less impatient and rushed.
‘How long have you worked there?’ he enquired.
‘About five years now,’ Rachel replied. ‘It’s really convenient because of location and I’ve always wanted to do something I love.’
‘Well, you’re obviously very good at it,’ Nick complimented, glancing at her quickly as they stopped at a red traffic light. ‘You look beautiful today.’
It was so unexpected to hear Nick say something nice that Rachel felt herself blush and was thankful when Nick shifted his gaze back to the road when the light turned green.
‘Thanks,’ she replied shyly. ‘Where are we going anyway?’
His lips turned upwards. ‘I thought I’d take you somewhere different. Somewhere fun. I used to love going here when I was younger.’
‘Which is where?’ Rachel asked feeling puzzled.
‘To the zoo.’
‘The zoo?’ Rachel repeated, her voice squeaky. ‘But it’s freezing outside!’
‘Oh, come on, where’s your sense of adventure?’ he asked, amused by her response. ‘You’ve wrapped up warmly. You’ll be fine.’
Rachel couldn’t believe it. She’d had Nick down as someone that would prefer fine dining in a top restaurant to traipsing round the zoo looking at animals. What else was he going to surprise her about? It wasn’t exactly ideal in this weather, but he was right, she had her hat and gloves on and she didn’t want to complain. She was going to try to enjoy herself whatever happened. She had never done anything like this before with Mark; he was Captain Sensible and wouldn’t have dreamed of going to the zoo in the cold. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she did anything fun or different with Mark at all. Mark knew what he liked and was scared of change; so much so that they’d been going to the same local Indian, ordering the same dishes ever since they moved in together two years ago. When it came to booking holidays, Mark always wanted to go back to Barcelona and stay in the same hotel. Once, Rachel remembered, she had turned her nose up and challenged his decision.
‘Mark, do you honestly want to go back to the very same hotel, again?’ she questioned. ‘There are countless other places we could try instead. Don’t you think it’s getting a bit boring? We know everything about the place. Why don’t we travel somewhere new, like Italy or Cape Verde? Or Amber has been to Croatia recently; what about trying there? She loved it apparently. I’m happy to research and plan it all. I’ll find somewhere great for a reasonable price with a bit of hunting on the internet. What do you think?’
‘I like it in Barcelona,’ he’d defended himself firmly. ‘It’s great value and we know what we’re getting. No disappointments. The staff are nice, the food is great and the place is clean. What more do you want?’ he’d asked her as though she was strange and difficult to suggest going somewhere different for once.
So, Rachel had just gone along with it because that was what Mark wanted. He liked to know what he was getting. It was funny that he hadn’t felt that way about his girlfriend, Rachel thought sourly. No worries about change there.
‘I feel like a child,’ she giggled, brought back to the present as Nick paid for their tickets at the entrance. ‘I can’t remember the last time I went to the zoo.’
‘Exactly. It’s different,’ Nick said, looking pleased with his decision. ‘Going for something to eat or to the cinema is so predictable. I wanted to surprise you.’
‘Well, you certainly have,’ she smiled, as they made their way to the lions. ‘I never had you down for the type of guy to come here for the day.’
He eyed her interestedly, cocking his head slightly to the side. ‘And what type of guy did you think I was exactly?’
Rachel cleared her throat, unsure how to word it. ‘You weren’t exactly nice to me the day I went into your car. Every time I’ve seen or spoken to you, you’ve come across so serious and snappy, like you’re annoyed about something, and not just the car. Like you’re annoyed about everything. I was quite nervous to come today,’ she admitted in a small voice.
His brow furrowed as he glared at her intently. ‘Yes, I guess you could say I’ve been fairly irritated and snappy.’
‘Fairly?’ Rachel snorted. ‘Any snappier and they’d have to put you in there!’ She pointed at the crocodile enclosure.
Nick stared at her blankly. ‘I have my reasons,’ he told her gravely, looking away after a long pause. ‘I apologize for my behaviour though. There’s no excuse and the last thing I’d want you to feel is nervous. I’m really sorry,’ he said, looking as though he meant it.
‘What are your reasons?’ she ventured, worried she’d overstepped the mark if there was an explanation for his previous behaviour.
Nick looked awkward. ‘Let’s move on, shall we? Do you want to feed the reindeer?’
‘Reindeer?’ Rachel squeaked. ‘Very funny.’
Nick looked both confused and amused. ‘What do you mean by that?’
‘There’s no such thing,’ Rachel laughed. Her forehead crinkled. ‘Is there?’ Suddenly she felt silly, unsure as to whether there really were such animals or whether they were just mythical creatures in Christmas stories.
Nick laughed then. A real belly laugh, before stroking her head fondly. ‘That’s cheered me up,’ he told her. ‘Of course they’re real. Come on, let’s go feed them.’
Rachel grinned as she kept catching Nick’s eyes, making him laugh gaily all over again about the fact she hadn’t known that reindeers truly existed. ‘Okay, okay,’ she giggled, ‘I’m not normally that stupid. I just can’t remember ever having seen them before. Not in real life.’
‘I don’t think you’re stupid for a second.’ He smiled warmly, linking arms with her as they made their way to the restaurant for a coffee.
Rachel realized she was actually really enjoying herself as she watched Nick walk over to the table she was sitting at. She liked Nick. Really liked him. He was a lot easier to get on with than she’d imagined. He was handsome, fun and had a good sense of humour; gone was the rude man she’d met that awful day.
‘That day I met you,’ Nick said seriously, sitting opposite, ‘you were upset about something. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I just wondered if it was all sorted now?’ he asked delicately.
He looked concerned about her and it made Rachel like him even more.
Rachel took a deep breath, determined not to talk about Mark and Bianca for more tha
n a minute. She was done with thinking and talking about them for a lifetime. ‘It was just to do with my ex,’ she explained.
He nodded understandingly.
‘And my best friend,’ Rachel added reluctantly. ‘We kind of overlapped,’ she indulged. ‘Now she’s pregnant with his baby.’
He eyes widened. ‘Oh wow. I’m so sorry.’
‘Don’t be,’ Rachel told him, realising if those things hadn’t happened then she would never have met him. ‘I’m sure if it wasn’t her it would have been someone else. Everything happens for a reason, right? I feel fine about it now. I’d just seen them together, before I crashed into your car. But let’s not talk about that for a second longer.’
He nodded thoughtfully and Rachel wondered whether he thought she wasn’t ready to be dating if she was still crying over her ex. She wanted to tell him she was. She hadn’t felt like this for a long time. She hardly knew Nick, but she could already tell there was something between them. On her part anyway; he was making her feel excited and happy, and she wanted to know everything about him.
‘I’ve had a nice day with you,’ he said, reaching across the table and squeezing her hand.
Rachel’s stomach flipped over with nerves and she shot him a smile. ‘Me too. I’m pleasantly surprised by you,’ she confessed. Just like Grace had said she might be.
Nick’s phone beeped then and his expression changed suddenly. He looked worried and intense and quickly put his coat on. ‘I’d best get going,’ he told her in a clipped voice, his gentle personality seeming to do a complete U-turn. ‘I’ll drop you home.’
‘Is everything okay?’ Rachel enquired in bafflement.
‘Yes, fine,’ he replied stonily, his face closing down. ‘I just need to leave,’ he said, marching ahead.
Rachel couldn’t help but feel confused and disheartened. Just as she thought she was really starting to like Nick, he was back to being standoffish and cold; what was going on with him? She followed along behind him, trying to keep up. The date had gone great, but it had been ruined by the text message he’d received. Why wouldn’t he say what was up? Rachel had been open about Mark and her life, so why was Nick being such a closed book?
The car journey back was tense and Rachel attempted to talk to him, but she could tell Nick’s mind was elsewhere.
‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ she tried asking again as he pulled up outside. She was also wondering whether she was going to see him again but didn’t want to be the one to ask.
He gave a weary sigh. ‘Yes, don’t worry. Everything is fine,’ he said looking distracted, giving her the impression he really needed her to leave.
Rachel bit her lip, unable to hide her disappointment. ‘Well, thanks for a lovely day,’ she managed.
‘You too,’ he replied hurriedly, looking at his watch.
Rachel kissed his cheek quickly before opening the car door and getting out, waving as he sped off. She was baffled; everything had been fine. He’d been enjoying himself, she could tell. Then everything had changed; he had changed as soon as he’d looked at his phone. Until he could find the words to explain it to her Rachel had made up her mind. She wouldn’t be going out with Nick Cunningham again.
Chapter 17
Grace giggled as Simon nibbled her earlobe and unhooked her bra. When she knew that Rachel was going out on a date with Nick, the plan had been to have Simon over for lunch and watch a film, but no sooner had they sat on the sofa together, they began kissing like two lovesick teenagers. It felt amazing. Natural, yet electrifying at the same time. Grace couldn’t believe that just from some time apart Simon was being this passionate. Somehow, everything seemed new and fresh again. Simon felt like a stranger.
‘Shall we go upstairs?’ he’d asked breathlessly with a suggestive glint in his eye after a short while.
‘Yes,’ Grace had laughed, wanting nothing more.
‘You’re sure this is what you want?’ he asked considerately.
Grace had smiled, rolled her eyes and pulled him off the sofa with urgency. ‘I’m certain.’
Now they were lying in their warm cosy bed. It was hard to believe that only months ago Simon had been sleeping here snoring, Grace awake next to him worrying about their relationship.
Grace snuggled up to Simon’s warm body, feeling his soft kisses all over her neck. How she’d missed this. How she missed being intimate with her husband and feeling wanted by him. She certainly hadn’t felt wanted at the end, both of them knowing they were only having sex in the hope that Grace would get pregnant. It hadn’t been enjoyable, and Grace had found herself thinking about things such as the washing that needed to be put on and emails she had to respond to.
‘That feels good,’ Grace groaned.
The sound of the front door banging downstairs made the pair of them freeze.
‘Hello! Grace?’ came Rachel’s voice from downstairs.
‘Shit,’ Grace muttered under her breath. ‘I didn’t think she’d be home this soon.’
‘Why does it matter?’ Simon whispered, continuing to kiss her collarbone.
Grace gave a heavy sigh. ‘I don’t want them to know about us just yet, that’s why. I’m just not ready,’ she said quietly.
‘Grace? I’m coming up,’ Rachel called out.
‘You’re going to have to hide,’ Grace hissed to Simon.
He looked horrified. ‘What? Hide? I’m your husband, for Christ’s sake!’
‘Please,’ Grace pleaded in hushed tones. ‘Things are going well between us. I don’t want anything to ruin it.’
‘Okay,’ Simon jumped up at lighting speed, slipping under the bed, just before Rachel knocked on the door.
‘Grace?’
‘Yes,’ Grace replied, sitting up in the bed. ‘You can come in.’ She almost laughed out loud at the thought of Simon under the bed in only his boxers. Just imagine if Rachel spotted him!
‘Oh, you’re in bed?’ Rachel looked surprised as she opened the door. ‘Are you ill?’
Grace stretched her arms. ‘Just had a little nap, that’s all. I wasn’t feeling too well, no, but I feel much better now.’ She forced a yawn. ‘How did the date go? You’re back earlier than expected.’
Rachel looked unsure. ‘It was weird. It was good and bad. I began to really like him, but then he went all peculiar at the end when he got a message on his phone. He wouldn’t tell me about it either. I’m not sure what to think.’
‘Why don’t we go out and you tell me all about it?’ Grace suggested, thinking it was a good idea to get out of the house so that Simon could leave unnoticed afterwards. ‘What about to Vic’s bar? I’ll just quickly throw some clothes on.’
‘Okay, good idea,’ Rachel replied.
‘Give me five minutes and I’ll be downstairs.’
As soon as Rachel had closed the door, Grace pulled on a jumper and peered under the bed, laughing. ‘Sorry about that, I tried to get her out as quickly as possible. I’ll get dressed and you can go after we’ve left.’
Simon stood up, pulling Grace towards him, kissing her hungrily. ‘Couldn’t you have made it fifteen minutes?’ he panted desperately.
‘Not now, Simon,’ Grace said in regretful tones. ‘We can’t. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea in the first place. We’re supposed to be taking things slow, aren’t we?’
Simon pouted looking like a child who’d just had his favourite toy snatched away and Grace kissed his cheek softly. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘No, you’re probably right,’ Simon told her. ‘We should be taking things slow. I want it to work and if that means waiting, then wait we shall. It’s not going to be easy though.’ He looked serious. ‘I’ve missed you, Grace. I’ve missed this. The thought that I’d lost you makes me realize how lucky I was to have you in the first place.’
‘Text me, okay?’ Grace said, kissing him once more before going downstairs to Rachel who was ready and waiting by the front door.
‘Ready?’ she asked.
Grace nodded, ‘Yep, r
eady. Right, I want to hear all about this date.’
Thirty minutes later they were sitting in Vic’s bar sipping two cocktails.
‘I think you should just ask him outright what’s wrong. You should demand to know why his mood changed so much,’ Grace advised, perusing the food menu on their table.
‘I did! He just changed the subject. He clearly wasn’t up for talking about it. Honestly, he turned from hot to cold in a few seconds. I feel like giving up on men altogether,’ Rachel exhaled, tapping her nails on the table in front of her. ‘We need to be single for the Christmas ball anyway, don’t we? We made a pact. So perhaps I should just wait until the New Year to start dating again. Maybe I should just accept that this year isn’t my year to be lucky in love. And you know what? I’m fine with that. I actually feel different about settling down since Mark and I split. There’s no rush. You can’t force it. So long as I’m happy in my life, who cares if I’m single?’
‘Exactly, though you shouldn’t give up on Nick just yet. He deserves a chance, at least, if you do like him. I’m sure you’ll find out what’s up soon.’
‘Maybe I don’t want to know,’ Rachel fretted. ‘Maybe he’s married or something and his wife keeps calling him? Maybe he’s in debt and owes lots of money? Or maybe someone in his family is ill? It could be anything, couldn’t it? It’s obviously something he doesn’t want me to know about.’
‘I guess,’ Grace said, her mind elsewhere. She wondered what Simon was doing with the rest of his day. He’d already sent her a message saying how he couldn’t wait to see her again. They were going to go to the cinema one evening in the week to watch the new Christmas film that was out and Grace was already looking forward to it. It was even more thrilling that she was seeing him in secret too.
‘Anyway, I shouldn’t moan and complain about being unlucky I guess. You’re in the same boat as me, most likely about to go through a divorce and you never complain, do you? I need to be more relaxed like you. You never panic about your age and the fact that you thought you’d have kids by now. Sometimes I can’t believe I’m still dating, but then I’ve come to learn it’s really not the be-all and end-all.’ She raised her eyebrows.
