by Jade Winters
‘Yes, ouch.’
‘Why did Lara tell you?’
‘I don’t think she meant to. It kind of slipped out.’
‘Sounds like you made a lucky escape from both of them.’
Carissa stared at her. ‘Yes, it does.’
Teal wanted to say more but she held her tongue. It wasn’t her place to get overly involved in Carissa’s personal life. Especially considering she was the last person in the world who should hand out advice on how to deal with people.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Carissa was on edge for most of the day. As hard as she tried to forget, Trudi’s betrayal had hit her straight in her heart. Several times she had picked up the phone to call her, but Carissa couldn’t do it. In the end, she did the cowardly thing and texted her. It was brief and to the point, letting her know that Lara had confessed, and that she felt let down by both of them. Trudi’s response had been swift and even more to the point—‘Shit happens!’
And that was it. No remorse. No apologies. Just two words. Once Carissa analysed the situation, she realised that Trudi had never been her friend. Not really. Just like Lara had never really been her girlfriend. Love healed and helped you grow, it didn’t hurt. But that’s all Lara and Trudi had done to her without a single thought. Like Teal said, I made a lucky escape.
Her mood improved later on in the day when Teal surprised her with a large bouquet of flowers. Although Carissa was touched by the gesture, she didn’t know how to take it. Were they still bound by their agreement? If so, flowers and breakfast in bed blurred the line slightly.
Carissa’s phone rang for the tenth time that afternoon. She didn’t need to look at the caller ID again, she knew it would be Lara. Carissa hadn’t answered because her mind wasn’t in the right place. She didn’t want to argue with her again. All Carissa wanted was for Lara to leave her alone. In order for that to happen, Carissa knew she would have to see her again. One last time.
‘Would you mind dropping me off at the B&B?’ Carissa asked as she put the paint pots she had just finished using to the side.
‘What? Now?’ Teal said, with raised eyebrows.
‘Yes.’
‘You melted, huh? Didn’t take very long did it?’
‘I’m not going to make up with her.’ Carissa spoke as she made her way to the kitchen to wash her hands. ‘If I’m going to put her behind me, I need to forgive her.’
‘You’re a bigger person then me,’ Teal said, coming up behind her and wrapping her arms around her waist.
Carissa leant back into her as Teal nuzzled her neck. ‘I’ve seen what happens to people who hold on to resentment. And it isn’t pretty.’
‘Carissa.’
Carissa closed her eyes, enjoying the tingling sensation Teal’s touch was eliciting all over her body. ‘Mmm?’
Suddenly Teal turned Carissa around by her shoulders. When Carissa opened her eyes, she stared straight into Teal’s and her heart leapt when happiness shone in them.
‘I’m really glad we met,’ Teal began, her voice slightly shaky. ‘Even if it did start off a bit unconventional.’
Carissa laughed gently. ‘A bit?’
‘You know what I mean,’ Teal said awkwardly.
Carissa reached up and stroked Teal’s cheek. ‘I do and I feel exactly the same way.’
‘No regrets?’
Carissa leant in and kissed her. ‘None whatsoever.’
‘Okay good,’ Teal said, shifting from foot to foot.
If Teal had wanted to tell her something in particular, it was obvious that she had changed her mind. For what reason, Carissa didn’t know, but it would have to wait for now. She had to deal with Lara and the mere thought drained her.
‘However, I do regret having to face Lara again,’ Carissa said, turning back to the sink.
‘The sooner you get it over with—’
‘Yeah I know.’
Carissa dried her hands and threw the dish cloth on the drainer. ‘I’d better get changed first.’
Twenty minutes later, Teal parked her car outside the B&B, but left the engine running. They both stared straight ahead.
‘Do you need a minute before you go in?’ Teal asked.
‘I’m trying to figure out what to say to her,’ Carissa said, distractedly as she looked out towards the entrance of the B&B. ‘I don’t want to say I understand why she did what she did, because the truth is I don’t.’
‘Just speak from the heart.’ Teal reached over and kissed her. ‘I’ll see you back at home.’
It was the way Teal said ‘home’ that made Carissa feel warm and safe inside. It conjured up a strange image that spoke of contentment and domesticity. It amazed her how natural it felt, especially considering Teal seemed to be at the heart of it.
‘Wish me luck.’
‘You don’t need it.’
Carissa climbed out of the car, walked into the B&B and towards the reception counter. The woman behind the desk was dressed smartly in a white shirt and a vest with a nametag on the front of it that read ‘Myrtle’. She looked to be in her mid-thirties, with red hair and startling green eyes.
‘Evening,’ she greeted her immediately.
‘I’m here to see Lara Larking,’ Carissa said. ‘She’s in room ten.’
‘She’s very popular today,’ Myrtle said brightly.
For one horrifying moment, Carissa thought Lara might have asked Deidre to come down to try and smooth things out between them. But then she remembered her mum’s tone when Carissa had told her about Lara and Trudi. The one that said her admiration for all things Lara was well and truly over. ‘Is she still here?’
‘Yes. She isn’t in her room though, she’s in the bar.’
‘Thanks,’ Carissa said before heading in the direction Myrtle pointed to.
The moment Carissa walked into the room, she spotted Lara nestled in one of the corner tables wearing a chic black wrap dress that made her stand out like a sore thumb. Her hair was combed to glossy perfection and draped over one naked shoulder. She was sipping Chardonnay and trying to pretend she didn’t notice the admiring glances she was being cast by every man in the room.
‘Lara,’ Carissa said, as she walked up to her.
Lara looked almost startled to see her. ‘Cass! What are you doing here?’
‘You expecting someone?’
Lara’s eyes darted around her immediate space. ‘No … I … of course not.’
Wearily, Carissa settled onto the seat opposite her. ‘I thought you would have left by now.’
‘My room’s been paid for. I’m not going to throw my money down the drain.’
Carissa looked at her pointedly. She was up to something. It was obvious from a mile off. ‘Why are you all dressed up?’
‘Because I want to. Is there a crime against looking nice? Besides,’ Lara smirked, ‘if I remember, you used to like me dressing up—’
‘Just stop. I’m not here to talk about old times.’ She inhaled deeply and let out a measured breath. ‘I just … I just wanted to let you know that … I forgive you for cheating on me.’
Lara eyed her with distain. ‘What are you? Some kind of martyr now?’
‘No. Just someone who wants to move on,’ Carissa said, refusing to be pulled into an argument. Carissa had said what she’d gone there to say. Whatever Lara did with it was up to her.
The truth was that Lara didn’t look like she cared one way or another. Unrepentance was written all over her face as she shook her head slightly. ‘You really think you’re in with a chance, don’t you?’
‘This isn’t about Teal,’ Carissa said truthfully. ‘This is about drawing the line under us. Forever.’
‘That’s what you say, but in a few weeks, you’ll be begging me to take you back when you realise all you were to her was a quick shag.’
Carissa didn’t want to hear any more of what Lara thought of her future, or Teal. She pushed herself to her feet. ‘My life has got nothing to do with you. Not anymore.’
Lar
a rolled her eyes. ‘If you say so.’
‘Goodbye, Lara,’ Carissa said with finality. And this time she really meant it. If Lara continued to call her she would change her number. If Lara didn’t leave town, Carissa would ignore her if she bumped into her. Eventually Lara would get the message.
Carissa had just passed the reception area, when a quick movement in her peripheral vision caught her eye. Carissa walked back to the entrance of the bar and hid behind a large potted tree so she couldn’t be seen. Lara was no longer seated. She was on her feet embracing a woman whose face was obscured from Carissa. The way Lara’s hands slowly roamed down the woman’s back suggested intimacy.
Carissa gasped. What a bitch! She’s barely been here five minutes and she’s found another woman already.
It was only when both women sat down opposite one another that Carissa recognised Lara’s companion. Her breath caught in her throat.
What the hell is Lara doing with Channing?
Chapter Twenty-Six
The front door slammed and seconds later Carissa stood in the kitchen doorway, breathless. Her hair was blown out of shape by the wind and her eyes were excitable. ‘You’re not going to believe this?’
Teal cocked her head and said in jest, ‘Don’t tell me. Lara’s moving here for good?’
Carissa crossed the room and planted herself on the worktop. ‘Better than that. I think Lara’s seeing Channing.’
Teal jumped to her feet. ‘What!’
Carissa laughed. ‘I know. I just saw them at the B&B and they were looking very cosy together.’
Hearing this should have made her happy. That Channing had found someone else to fixate on, but it didn’t, it made her worry. Not for Channing but for Lara. If it was true and Lara was involved with Channing, it would only be right for Teal to tell her what she was letting herself in for.
‘Under normal circumstances,’ Teal said, treading carefully. ‘I’d say that was a good thing ….’
Carissa frowned. ‘But?’
‘But I think Lara should stay away from her?’
Carissa jumped off the counter. She was a bag of nervous energy. ‘Why are you so bothered?’
‘I wouldn’t wish Channing on anyone.’
‘Well, who Lara chooses to spend her time with has got nothing to do with me,’ Carissa said as she walked over to the fridge. ‘Fancy something to eat?’
‘No, I’m not hungry.’
‘I’ll wait until you’re ready then?’ Carissa said distractedly as she turned her attention to the numerous drawings laid out on the worktop. ‘Who’s she?’
‘That’s the collection I told you about,’ Teal said.
Carissa turned back to the drawings and picked one up. As she studied it she said, ‘Is this Alana?’
Teal walked over to Carissa’s side. Her heart beat just a little faster. She had her drawings of Alana out for Carissa to see. It was time she let her in past the last remaining wall.
‘There’s a sequence,’ Teal said, peeking over Carissa’s shoulder. ‘Start from the left.’
Carissa eyed them more closely. ‘You drew them at different stages of her life. I didn’t realise you knew her for so long.’
‘Since we were five.’ Teal suddenly realised that it had been a long time since she’d seen the drawings. She’d looked at them plenty, but she had stopped seeing them.
‘She’s very beautiful,’ Carissa said, looking at the very first image. ‘I take it that this is the collection that you didn’t want to display?’
‘Yes.’
‘Because it was too personal for you to share?’
‘Yes.’
The first drawing depicted a five-year-old Alana, with her short, dark silky hair in two pigtails. Her smile revealed two milk teeth missing.
The second image featured a ten-year-old Alana. Her hair was scraped back into a ponytail and her eyes were the most prominent part of the drawing. They were large and bursting with life. She was smiling and looking straight ahead, as though a camera lens was staring her in the face.
The third image was of a fifteen-year-old Alana. Her hair was pulled back again and that highlighted the sculpture of her face. Her beauty had changed; it had become more prominent, giving her features the added depth of experience and warmth that was lacking in the previous images.
The fourth image depicted a twenty-year-old Alana. Her hair was loose and her beauty was raw and unadulterated.
The fifth sketch showed a twenty-five-year-old Alana. She was sitting in an armchair and her face was angled towards the window, but her eyes were elsewhere. There was a sparkling glow about them. She looked like a woman totally besotted.
Carissa blinked as the realisation dawned on her. She turned towards Teal and wasn’t surprised tears were brimming in her eyes.
‘You were in love with her, weren’t you?’
Teal nodded. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Carissa reached for her hand and whispered. ‘I’m sorry.’
A lump formed in Teal’s throat and a sob escaped her lips. ‘But I never got the chance to tell her.’
‘I think she knew,’ Carissa said tenderly. ‘You only have to look into her eyes to see that. What made you bring them out now?’
‘I wanted to share them with you,’ Teal said. ‘No more holding back.’
Carissa brought Teal’s hand up to her mouth and pressed her lips against it. ‘Thank you. It means a lot to me.’
Teal blinked away her remaining tears. There she had done it. And whether she was imagining it or not it felt like Alana’s presence was there and that she was smiling. That she was happy Teal had let go and was finally ready to move on with her life. ‘Do you want a beer?’
When Carissa nodded, Teal grabbed a couple from the fridge and flipped them open.
‘You were lucky to have made that kind of connection in your lifetime,’ Carissa said, taking the beer Teal held out to her.
‘I know.’
‘Do you believe love can strike twice?’
‘If you would’ve asked me that question a few months ago,’ Teal said slowly. ‘I would have said no. Now? I’m not so sure. Do you?’
‘Most definitely,’ Carissa said, pulling Teal into her arms. ‘Do you think it’s too early to go to bed?’
‘Do you even need to ask?’ Teal said taking Carissa by the hand.
Hours later, as Carissa drifted off to sleep, Teal found herself staring down at Carissa’s face, certain that the decision she had made was the right one. She would start putting things into action the following day. Once the house was finished, Teal would pitch her idea to Carissa and she prayed with her heart that Carissa would say yes.
The ping of Teal’s phone caught her attention and the light shone from her mobile phone on the floor. She craned her head over the edge of the bed and reached for her phone, careful not to disturb Carissa. Channing’s face was emblazoned on the screen.
Teal dropped the phone back on the floor. A minute later a text message pinged. This time Teal read it with much relief.
Meet me tomorrow to say goodbye
before I go home
***
Teal arrived outside the pub, where she had arranged to meet Channing. She hadn’t really wanted to but it was the only way she could make sure that Channing was really leaving. Teal hadn’t told Carissa about the extent of Channing’s past antics because Teal couldn’t bear for anyone else to know. She knew the first thing Carissa would say was to call the police, but Teal didn’t think she could do that. At one time in their lives they had been friends and that counted for something. At least it had back then.
Teal was just about to walk inside to grab a quick drink, when she caught sight of Channing heading towards her.
Teal took a deep breath and waited.
‘You managed to tear yourself away from your love nest then?’ Channing said as she neared.
‘Let’s make this a quick goodbye.’
‘Didn’t I say you were soft? And
gullible?’
‘So you lied to me?’ A knot formed in Teal’s stomach. ‘You’re not leaving?’
‘What do you think?’
‘That’s it. I’m going to the police!’ Teal said.
‘And what are you going to tell them?’ she sneered.
‘The truth. That you’re harassing me. That you’ve been harassing me for months.’
‘Do you really think the police scare me?’ Channing stared at her for a moment and then said, ‘You really have no idea what I’m capable of, do you?’
‘Oh, I think I do. I’ve been your victim for long enough to—’
‘I’ve done a lot worse than leave you a few gifts—’
‘Gifts? Is that what you call them? You’re fucking insane do you know that?’ Teal said incredulously.
‘No, not insane. I just know what I want.’ A creepy smile formed on her lips. ‘And when I want something, I get it.’
‘You’re all talk, Channing—’
‘Am I? Am I really? Look at Alana—’
‘Don’t you dare talk about her, do you hear me?’ Teal said, taking a threatening step towards her. ‘Don’t you say a fucking word.’
‘Why not? Don’t you want proof that I’m not all talk? If it wasn’t for me being proactive, you two would have finally got your shit together and been happily in love.’
‘What’re you talking about?’
‘The accident,’ Channing said, making quotation marks with her fingers.
Teal’s legs felt unsteady. ‘What about it?’
‘Didn’t you think it was a little odd that Alana tripped and fell in front of that car.’
Teal frowned, remembering what Channing had told the police. ‘You said her lace was undone.’
‘So I did.’ Suddenly her eyes turned cold. ‘But that doesn’t mean I was telling the truth.’
It took a few seconds for the words to register in Teal’s brain and when they did, her heart stopped. ‘Please don’t tell me you—’
‘That’s exactly what I did. We were walking along that narrow pavement on Ware street. It was dark. The perfect setting. All it took was one little nudge and it was all over. No one saw a thing.’
