by Carrie Stone
Glenda looked on as Zara rubbed her back and slowly bent down to pick up her handbag. No one could accuse her of not being a hard worker. How she cleverly managed to hold down a part time office job and a growing family was admirable. It saddened Glenda that the poor love had no family to help her. Thank goodness Steve was a good husband.
“I’m sure the meeting will go well. You’ve been at this job a while now so you’re certainly entitled to something.” Glenda said reassuringly.
Zara nodded quietly in response and hoped that Glenda was right. With Steve undoubtedly lavishing his wages on his new fancy woman, she would need all the financial help she could get.
Drawing the curtains, the pair headed out of the cottage and down the narrow pathway to their cars. Neither one noticed the neatly trimmed grass and rose hedge as they passed.
“Tonight?” Aidan repeated in an icy tone.
Avoiding his glare, Felicity continued picking at the steamed salmon dish in front of her.
“Yes, tonight. I have to leave for the airport in a few hours” she said, taking a mouthful of the bland tasting fish and wishing she was anywhere but lunching with Aidan.
“Wow, you certainly don’t waste time, do you? Thanks for letting me know, Fee - real friendly of you.” Shaking his head in disgust, Aidan dropped his knife and fork onto his half-finished steak dish with a clatter.
Felicity looked up in alarm. She hadn’t expected Aidan to take the news easily, but his immature and aggressive manner wasn’t something she appreciated.
“Did you really expect me to spend the next two months of my travel in Sydney, filling my days with pointless tasks?” she asked in exasperation.
Aidan’s face burned red with anger.
“Pointless tasks? Is that what I am to you? Well thanks a fucking lot.”
Felicity cringed, wishing she could retract her words. She felt her face burn with embarrassment as the middle-aged couple on the next table discreetly looked her way.
“Here I am, trying to help you settle into life here and going all out to accommodate your mostly selfish and materialistic ways and you throw the whole lot back in my face! Charming.” Aidan stood up throwing the napkin from his lap onto his plate.
Felicity looked on in panic, hoping he wasn’t going to cause a scene.
“I hope you find whatever it is you’re searching for in Brisbane, Fee. Clearly it’s not me.”
Picking up his jacket from the back of his chair, Aidan reluctantly glanced into Felicity’s eyes before turning around and walking hurriedly from the restaurant.
Felicity set down her cutlery and stared in mortification at the plate of food in front of her. Aidan had looked so hurt. The last thing she’d wanted to do was hurt him. He was a good person. It struck her that he’d called her selfish and materialistic. He’d never mentioned those things to her before. Did he really view her in that way?
Signalling to the waiter for the bill, she glanced outside through the glass window of the restaurant hoping to see Aidan. She wanted to put things right before she left. He at least deserved that.
Paying the hefty lunch bill and realising that her suggestion to eat at the exclusive venue had undoubtedly been a subconscious urge to compensate for her guilt, she made her way outside, ignoring the glances of other diners.
Aidan was nowhere to be seen.
Chapter Twelve
“Dan are you going to silicone the sink today?” Stacey asked, trying to keep exasperation from her voice. It was Thursday and he’d been threatening to do it since the previous Monday.
Ignoring her, Dan continued reading the sports section of the newspaper, wishing his mate Andy would be quicker to return his call. He hadn’t planned on breaking up with Stacey again so soon, but the past few weeks had been unbearable. Even Andy’s sofa was looking more appealing.
“Dan?” Stacey moved in front of him and snatched away the pages spread out before him.
His head shot up in fury.
“What the hell are you doing, Stace?” Standing up in alarm, he looked at her with the disgust and dislike he was currently feeling and heavy handedly ripped the papers from her grasp.
Stacey winced. It wasn’t in Dan’s character to be aggressive but she’d noticed a darker side to him since he’d moved back in. A side she didn’t like. And the way he looked at her; was that hate she saw in his eyes?
As painful as it was, she was slowly realising that Dan was no longer in love with her.
“I’m tired of you not listening to me. You walk around sneering in my direction. You haven’t even noticed I had my hair restyled for goodness sake!” Stacey’s voice rose with alarming speed.
Looking properly at Stacey, Dan noticed the new shorter, layered cut. How had he missed it before? She looked different. Good different, more mature perhaps.
“How are we supposed to have a future together if you don’t pay any attention to the relationship?” Stacey asked dejectedly.
Dan stared at Stacey with a tired expression. He didn’t want to hurt her; it wasn’t her fault that he didn’t find her appealing anymore or that she was a drain on his energy. She needed someone else that could put up with her. A fleeting feeling of anxiety set in. Although he wanted rid of Stacey, Andy hadn’t returned his call. And his bank balance was showing red. He could barely afford a bed and breakfast for a few nights, let alone find a permanent solution in a short space of time.
Pulling Stacey closer to him, he made up his mind.
“Babe, I’m sorry. I’ve been distracted with work; you know things are financially a bit tight for me at the moment and maybe I’ve taken it out on you.” Kissing the top of her head softly, he wrapped his arms around her and waited for her body to relax into his. He didn’t have to wait long.
“Oh Dan, I’m just worried for us. I feel you’re drifting away and I love you so much that it hurts me to see you like this” Stacey said, face nuzzled into his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, babe, we’ll get through it.” Stroking her hair reassuringly, Dan stared straight ahead as Stacey hugged him tightly.
Could his life get any more of a mess? He thought of Fee. He’d heard she was in Australia and he wondered if he’d ever have his chance with her again. Immediately the thought was broken as Sylvia’s face flashed before him. That bitch had set him up. Given him a taster and then taken it away again.
Stacey pulled gently away from him and looked into his eyes.
Quickly forgetting his anger towards Sylvia, he stared down at Stacey. She looked excited. Her eyes were twinkling.
“What’s up, babe?”
Stacey hesitated, biting down on her bottom lip. She knew it wasn’t the solution to all of their problems, but something was urging her to say it. She loved Dan wholeheartedly; maybe it was just what they needed.
Putting her arms around his waist, Stacey took a leap of faith. Looking into his eyes and seeing his confusion, she knew it would make things clearer for both of them. They needed a focus, a plan, and this was it. She took a deep breath.
“Dan, let’s get married.”
Dan’s world crumbled around him.
Felicity eyed her room with contempt. It wasn’t anything like the photos she’d studied on the internet. The wardrobe was barely a foot wide and the double bed was in fact a single, complete with a threadbare dolphin design duvet set. The idea of local bed and breakfast accommodation instead of a luxury hotel had lost all of its appeal.
“If you need anything you can find me downstairs in my private living quarters” Darlene, the B&B owner said kindly.
It was three o’clock in the morning and after taking a taxi directly to the out-of-the-city-centre B&B in Auchenflower, Felicity knew her chances of finding alternative sleeping arrangements for the night were beyond slim. She had no option but to retire herself into the small closeted room. Besides, she had already paid a full week’s board.
“Thanks, Darlene” she replied tiredly, closing the door behind the retreating owner.
Sinking herself begrudgingly onto the bed, she took off her dress and slid under the covers, giving in to the tiredness and exhaustion that had suddenly consumed her. Her last thought before she drifted into sleep was Maurice. If only he could see her now.
A loud rapping on the wall adjacent to her bed woke her with a start. It took a moment to recognise her surroundings as a clock face set into a mermaid statue caught her attention.
“Ten o’clock?” muttering to herself, Felicity jumped out of the lumpy bed, wincing as her back aligned itself correctly. In the light of day, the small room was even more chaotic and absurd than she’d remembered.
A desk lamp decorated in seashells stood awkwardly next to a wooden statue of a sailor. Two of the white walls hosted more mermaid references and figurines. Yet the most bizarre object was the lifelike large fish mounted on the wall opposite her bed. If she wasn’t so tired, she would have laughed at the situation. Instead, Felicity opened her suitcase taking out a change of clothing and her toiletries and headed next door to the bathroom.
The spotless, functional and modern bathroom was a far cry from her sleeping arrangements. Showering and dressing, she headed toward the kitchen, aware of a deafening silence all around her. Where was everybody?
“Good Morning. Sleep well?”
Felicity jumped, causing her to raise her hand to her chest in fright. Spinning around she saw Darlene’s large frame towering nearby.
“Goodness, you scared the life out of me!”
Darlene grinned warmly and chuckled. “Sorry, I have a habit of creeping up on people sometimes. Have you had your breakfast yet? Oh and how are you finding your room? If you need any help with local tourist spots today, I have lots of good recommendations.”
Taken aback by Darlene’s over enthusiasm, Felicity stumbled for something to say. It was Aidan’s fault. He’d constantly been on at her to find B&B accommodation in Sydney, telling her how much more of an economical and personalised experience it was. She’d thought that given her friendship with Aidan and how it had helped her to settle easier into Sydney, the B&B idea would help provide a similar situation in Brisbane. Regrettably, she had misjudged just how ‘personalised’ it would be.
“I wanted to speak to you about the room actually, Darlene” Felicity said, gathering her thoughts and feeling irked.
“Yes, I thought that might be a topic of discussion” Darlene replied solemnly. “I know you booked a double en suite but I made a mix up with the reservations, which is why I have had to put you in the Mermaid room.” Darlene shifted nervously from foot to foot.
Despite being almost half a foot taller and a lot weightier than herself, there was something innocent and vulnerable in Darlene’s stance that reminded Felicity of her mother. Softening her tone a little, she tried to be delicate about the matter.
“Well, I really need a double room. The room I have isn’t sufficient for my needs. If you can’t accommodate me then you’ll appreciate that I’ll have to find alternative arrangements.”
Darlene looked crestfallen. “Ok, I understand; but I was going to suggest that I refund you part of your money and when my guest in room number four leaves tomorrow evening, you can have his double room?”
Feeling compromised, Felicity knew it was her opportunity to regain her money and find a hotel more suited to her standards; but Darlene’s anxious nature was making her reconsider. She didn’t want to upset her.
“Ok; as long as it’s only for one night then I’m willing to wait for the double room to become available.”
“Oh, what good news!” Darlene clapped her hands excitedly and Felicity smiled. She may well have signed herself up for a week in a place totally out of her comfort zone, yet it was an adventure she needed. She was fully aware of every perk of five star accommodation, but a week at Chasely Fields was sure to be enlightening. Making a point to end the conversation, Felicity rubbed her hands together.
“Right, I’m going to get myself some breakfast and I’ll be sure to take you up on those tips for sightseeing at some point.”
“Glad to be of help. You won’t find any of the others about at the moment though. Three of the guests are long termers, all working internships at the hospital at the end of the road. Owen, the chappie in room four, he’s still in his room. Late riser, that one. Shame he’ll be leaving tomorrow, he’s been so entertaining. I’ll be sorry to see him go.” Darlene finally stopped talking and pursed her lips sadly.
Unsure how to respond, Felicity nodded, making a mental note not to divulge too much of her personal life to Darlene. The woman was a motor mouth.
“Go on then, get your breakfast as you’ve undoubtedly got a busy day ahead” Darlene said, shooing Felicity with her hand.
Relieved for the dismissal, Felicity quickly continued through the corridor towards the kitchen, pleased to see that Darlene was correct in informing that the others were nowhere to be seen.
Opening drawers in search of cutlery, she quickly closed them again, her stomach churning at the sight of crumbs and mould in every crevice her eye was drawn to. Opening the fridge, a stench of rotten eggs greeted her and she heaved in response.
“Go on, be brave; have some milk” an amused male voice said from behind her.
Spinning around in surprise, Felicity came face to face with an unshaven, dishevelled man, naked except for a tatty pair of grey boxer shorts. Drawing her eyes back to his face, she watched as he surveyed her from head to toe with open audacity.
“Do you mind? I’m not a cow at auction” she snapped in annoyance. Just who did he think he was? His shoulder length blonde wavy hair didn’t look like it had seen a brush in days. Not to mention the stubble desperately in need of a shave.
“Chill, woman. I was just observing you for bed bug bites.” He grinned at her, flashing perfectly straight white teeth.
Bed bugs? Felicity felt her skin crawl and looked down at her arms suspiciously. The man chuckled and she moved aside as he reached past her into the fridge, picking up a tied carrier bag.
“Trick is to store everything in a carrier bag. Keeps it fresh and avoids the contamination that’s running rife in there.”
She watched in fascination as he deftly opened the bag with one hand and retrieved a carton of milk from inside.
“Care for a coffee?”
Felicity hesitated, glancing at a nearby unwashed teacup.
The man smiled again; opening the wooden cupboard door above the sink, he retrieved yet another carrier bag.
“Disposable cups and plastic cutlery. Works a treat.”
Felicity laughed at the absurdity and looked at him with new appreciation.
“Well I must say, I’m impressed. I don’t know any other men with your level of hygiene standard.”
She watched as he smiled and the corners of his eyes creased deeply, smiling with him.
“When you’ve lived in as many hovels as I have, you learn the tricks of the trade to keep your stomach strong. Plus I’m a man. I don’t do washing up.” He heaped a generous amount of instant coffee into each of the polystyrene cups.
“So you must be Owen?”
He chuckled again and Felicity noted how his chest muscles rippled. His body was well defined, despite the scar that ran the length of his shin.
“Darlene been at you already, I take it?” he asked raising an eyebrow.
Felicity smiled in answer, watching as he carefully put away his carrier bags of essentials.
“I’m Felicity, the newbie, as Darlene likes to refer to me.”
Owen held out a steaming cup of coffee towards her.
“Yes, she’s already told me all about you. You’re early thirties, originally from the UK and you’ll be moving into my room as of tomorrow.”
Felicity took a sip of her coffee and noted its quality taste. Whatever instant coffee he used, it wasn’t the cheap stuff.
“How can you know all of that already?!” she asked in surprise.
Owen tapped his nose mysteriously as he gulp
ed a mouthful of his drink.
“Follow me” he said, walking out of the kitchen into the corridor.
“Well, I was going to prepare myself some breakfast” Felicity mumbled, voice fading as Owen’s retreating figure disappeared from view.
Despite having no intention of preparing herself food in the less than hygienic kitchen, Felicity reluctantly followed his lead toward the back of the house and the garden.
The large Zen inspired garden was a pleasant surprise compared to other parts of the house. Admiring the tranquil water features and small bridges, she followed a barefooted Owen across a stone path to a cornered seating area, taking care not to spill her coffee.
“Beautiful garden, isn’t it?” he said, placing his coffee on the wicker table and taking a seat on a futon.
Felicity nodded in agreement, thinking of her own garden and Dan. She pushed the thought away and sat down opposite Owen.
“So why have you brought me out here?”
Owen looked at Felicity with a confused expression.
“To enjoy your coffee. Why would you want to be stuck inside drinking it when you have all of this nature and tranquillity at your disposal?”
Felicity felt a little embarrassed for asking such a ridiculous question, especially as Owen had such a matter-of-fact way with his words.
“So what brings you to Auchenflower and especially to Darlene’s gaff?” Owen asked with a smile.
Felicity relaxed into the futon. Despite her stomach making soft growling noises, it was obvious she wasn’t going to be leaving the house for breakfast any time soon. Owen was an intriguing figure; so relaxed and carefree in his actions. The way he was absent-mindedly stroking a nearby leaf made her think of Dan again. Strangely, the feeling wasn’t the sadness or the mortification she’d been experiencing of late. It was a realisation that Dan held no attraction or common interests with her.
“Anybody home?” Owen said jokily, swirling his coffee cup and waiting for an answer.
Felicity noticed how the morning sun was reflecting in Owen’s eyes. His light green iris was slowly becoming as yellow green as a cat’s eye. A very beautiful and unusual colour.
