CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1)

by Delaney, Clair

  “Neither can I,” Joyce chuckles. “I bet you didn’t know where to put yourself.” We really start laughing, so much so that my belly is hurting. I can see Joyce is trying really hard to compose herself, but it’s just not happening.

  “I don't know who was more embarrassed, me or Malcolm?” I titter. Joyce chuckles some more, it’s nice to hear after all she’s been through.

  “Well, the cats out of the bag now!” She says, sighing again.

  “Sure is,” I say, trying to keep this light hearted.

  “How do you feel about it?” She asks.

  I shrug. Joyce scrutinizes me again – I don’t want to talk about it. I think she picks up on that, because she nods and hands me the new slices of cucumber.

  “Here, keep putting them on, replace them once they get warm’ – “But this is your cucumber.” I argue.

  “Well I can always get another one.” She says rolling her eyes at me.

  “Ok, ok!” I give in as I always do with Joyce. But I can tell she has more to say.

  “So it’s not me, and not Gladys?” She questions narrowing her eyes at me. I shake my head. I know she’s digging, but I can’t talk to her about it. “Want to talk about it?” She asks again.

  “No...I’m good,” I say swallowing hard. “I think I just needed a good old cry,” I say brightly. “I’m ok now.”

  “Are you sure?” She asks scrutinizing my expression.

  “Yes,” I smile. “Really, last night was...well once the crying was done I ate my pizza, had some wine and an early night.” I omit the part about taking cold medicine.

  “Sure?” Joyce asks again, she is so watchful of me, always looking for hidden clues or signs that something more might be wrong. “You can take the day off if you want to?” She adds.

  “No, really I’m fine. I’d like to stay, but thank you anyway.” I say hoping this will placate her and she won’t send me home.

  “Alright then, as long as you’re sure?” She says still eyeing me speculatively. “If you change your mind though....?” She adds.

  “I won’t I’m fine. Oh, but there was one thing,” I say remembering my lunch date with Rob. It’s strange that I haven’t heard from him. I wonder if he’s remembered? “Is it ok if I take half hour of my lunch tomorrow and snag it onto today?” I roll my eyes. “I have to shop for Lily’s birthday, Rob’s meeting me.” I add.

  “Coral, take two hours you can get something from me too.” Joyce replies.

  “Oh ok, thanks.” I beam brightly.

  “And you don’t need to take it off tomorrow’s lunchtime.” She sternly adds.

  “Yes boss,” I giggle. “What did you want me to get for Lily?”

  “Something pretty, a nice dress…” Joyce looks lost for a moment. “Have my card off me before you go.” She adds.

  “Ok, I will.” She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Then she takes my hand in hers, squeezes it once, then turns and walks out the kitchen. I still have the new pieces of cucumber between my fingers, so without a second thought I slap them both on.

  THE MORNING HAS FLOWN BY and before I know it, Joyce is handing me her card so I can go shopping. Plus, earlier today I had a text from Rob asking what time to come and meet me, so at least he remembered.

  “Hey trouble.” I say as I bound into reception and give Rob a big hug.

  “Happy today?” He asks.

  “Yes, Joyce has given me two hours for lunch, so we can take our time.” I beam, I hate rushing around trying to find gifts for people.

  “So what’s new?” Rob asks as we head out into the sunshine.

  “Loads,” I answer, not really wanting to think about it all. “But let’s shop first, then we’ll talk over lunch.”

  “Cool.” We link arms and make our way over to Rob’s car. “So where to?” he asks.

  “Churchill,” I say. “But can we make a stop at North Laine too?” I have no idea what to get Tristan, but I’m bound to find some inspiration there.

  “Shall we have lunch there too?” Rob questions.

  “Yes, good idea!” I answer.

  We make our way over to Churchill Square Shopping Centre in complete silence, I’ve tried making conversation but he seems miles away.

  “You ok?” I ask turning to face him as he parks the car. Rob shrugs solemnly – Uh-Oh! – “Things still rough with Carlos?” I ask, hoping he’ll say no.

  “Same-o, same-o,” he says, but there’s an odd look behind his eyes, one I can’t get the meaning to. I frown back at him. “Come on, we haven’t got long.” He says, changing the subject all together.

  I shrug. “Ok.” I step out of the car and decide its best left alone, if he wanted to share he would – Rob’s never been one for holding back.

  FORTY MINUTES LATER we have successfully reached our goals. I have found a pretty dress in Next for Joyce. Got a big box of crayons from Bob – You can never have enough crayons when it comes to Lily, and Rob has bought her a Magnetic Tile Art Gift. Debs is going to love that one, I can already imagine the fridge freezer covered in Lily’s designs, and I have bought her a Baboushka Russian Doll Painting Kit, I hope she likes it.

  Then I think the kid gets so many presents anyway it doesn’t really matter if she does, harsh but true. She is in my opinion, sweet but a little spoilt by her parents, but Debs did have two miscarriages before her so that’s probably why they spoilt her rotten.

  As we wonder down North Laine trying to decide on where to eat I am suddenly captured and have to stop. I am staring at a very large painting of an old E-Type Jaguar, the artist has captured it effortlessly and set the scene so you can just imagine yourself stepping out of the car and having a lazy evening picnic. Set high on a cliff with the sun setting and the sea for a background, the green Jaguar looks lovely, almost as though it’s bouncing out of the picture, begging you to take her for a drive. I don’t know why – because it’s not Tristan’s model, and I have no idea if he likes the classics – but something deep within me tells me to buy it. I know it will be a one-off and would look lovely hung in the main living area, above the over-large sofa. That’s if he buys that place?

  “Coral?” Rob pulls me from my thoughts. “You ok?”

  “Uh-huh,” I nod. “I’ll be back in a minute.” I say.

  I wonder inside the gallery and enquire to the price. Thankfully, it’s not so expensive that I can't afford it, but it will still make a dent in my savings. I quickly put a deposit down, explaining to the woman that I want to have lunch first, then come back to collect it and pay the remainder. She is animated and evidently happy for the sale.

  “What was that about?” Rob asks a little tersely as I walk back over to him.

  “It was for Tristan.” I tell him matter-of-factly.

  Rob beams from ear to ear, pulls me into him and squeezes me tight. “I knew you’d come around,” he chuckles.

  “No,” I bark. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

  “Have I?” he snaps back, I frown at him. “You should go for it with him Coral I really want you to try. I’m tired of seeing you on your own.”

  “Not you too…” I groan.

  “Me too?” he questions.

  “Yes, you, George and Gladys, telling me I need to find someone.” I mumble.

  “Well, he is rather delicious,” Rob states. “And you’re a fool if you don’t,” he adds tersely.

  I shake my head at him and roll my eyes.

  WE FINALLY FIND a place to eat, and decide to sit outside – it’s too nice to be indoors. We place our orders with the waitress, and I watch Rob pour cold, still water into both of our glasses.

  “So what’s your news?” He asks even though he looks distracted.

  I explain all about my day with Tristan, about him buying me an air-conditioner, and my thought of buying him a gift to say thank you, and that it can be as a moving in present too.

  “So he’s bought it?” Rob asks with renewed vigor.

  “I don’t know, but does it ma
tter?” I say shrugging my shoulders.

  “I guess not…” he sighs drifting off. I stare back at him, he really doesn’t seem right today. I can't help watching him observe everything that’s going on around him, like he’s sucking it all up for the last time. He looks kind of...sad?

  “I have other news.” I say hoping to bring him back to me.

  “Yeah?” He smiles back at me, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Our salads arrive and as I tuck into mine, I notice Rob is just picking at his, so something is definitely off – I feel my stomach drop fearing the worst – then I take a deep breath and remember that I shouldn’t be doing that, thinking that way, or worrying about the future. I really need to put into practice everything George and I have been working towards, so I carry on with what I was about to say.

  “So Gladys is getting hitched!” I say cheerfully. Rob’s mouths drops open, he is speechless – That’s a first. “And she’s leaving, going to Devon or Cornwall.” I add and take a big mouthful of my salad. Rob is glaring at me now, he looks really mad. I quickly chew and swallow. “Hey,” I reach over and touch his hand. “You ok?” Rob swallows hard and shakes his head.

  “I can’t believe it,” he whispers.

  “Well neither could I,” I bawl and launch into an animated story of finding Gladys with her new man. I use lots of sparkle, humour and dry wit, but there’s nothing, just nothing. Now as much as I’m really trying not to think the worst, I know whatever is wrong with Rob must be really bad, because I know Rob so well, and he would be rolling on the floor with laughter at that one, especially with how embarrassed I was through it all.

  I clear my throat and stare at my salad. “Rob, what’s wrong?” I look up at him he shakes his head at me. Still not ready to talk then? I sigh heavily. Isn’t that what friends are for, to always be there for each other, in their times of need?

  “You’ll tell me though, when you’re ready?” I add. I get nothing so I try a different tack. “Look whatever it is, we can sort it I know we can. I’ll always be here for you, whenever you need me.” I tell him softly.

  “It’s not really something you can help me with.” He croaks, his eyes glistening over - Oh no!

  “Oh Rob, won’t you tell me?” I beg. He silently shakes his head. I squeeze his hand again, trying to make him see I’ll always be here, he’s always got me.

  “I can't believe Gladys is leaving you,” he whispers, I frown at him.

  “Well, she’s not really’ – “I mean, I get that she’s getting married, not wanting to be on her own and all that. But why move away, why leave you?” He bellows.

  I turn and look at the people walking by us, who stop and stare at Rob’s little outburst. “Rob! It’s ok. I talked it all out with George last night.” He doesn’t look convinced. “Really, it’s ok. She wants to move away, have a new life with Malcolm and it’s not like I’m a kid anymore, she doesn’t need to stick around for me.” Rob clenches his jaw and stares blankly ahead – Why’s he getting so worked up about Gladys? It doesn’t make sense?

  I decide to get off this subject. “Hey, I was going to ask you...I’ve been thinking about doing something regularly, but I need a partner for it.”

  “What is it?” He asks his voice flat.

  “Salsa dancing,” I say. I know Rob loves dancing, I’m confident he’ll say yes.

  “I can't commit to…anything at the moment Coral.” He stares out into the distance again.

  “Oh, ok.” I look down at my salad.

  “I don’t want to hurt you or let you down.” He adds.

  I nod silently. The rest of the meal continues in awkward silence. I want to ask him if it’s me, if I’ve done something wrong. But deep down inside I have a feeling this is all about Carlos, and nothing at all to do with me.

  WE WALK IN SILENCE BACK TO THE GALLERY, and I pick up the painting for Tristan. Rob carries it back to the car for me. As we drive out of the car park, Rob finally speak to me.

  “How are you going to get all of this home?” he asks.

  “I’ll get a taxi.” I mumble.

  “Want me to drop it off at your place for you?”

  I turn and smile at him. “Really, you wouldn’t mind?”

  He rolls his eyes at me. “No, I don’t mind and I’ll drop the other presents off too.”

  I frown at him. “The other presents?”

  Rob stares ahead, his face blank. “Yeah…something’s come up, I won’t make it Saturday.” He looks sad again.

  “Oh...ok.” I don’t really know what else to say, not if he won’t talk to me.

  “Tell Lily I’m sorry.” He adds. I nod silently again.

  Rob pulls up outside work. “See you soon then?” I whisper.

  “Sure…” He stares straight ahead, still deep in thought. I lean across and peck him on the cheek. “Here for you, always.” His eyes glisten over again – Crap!

  He turns slightly and gives me a weak smile. “Love you.” I whisper and step out the car with the dress I purchased for Joyce. I wave at Rob as he quickly pulls away, he half waves back to me with a stony face, and I’m left standing on the street feeling totally gutted, and sad – sad for my best friend. He’s going through something and I don’t know what to do about it, but if he won’t talk to me, there’s not much I can do about it.

  I HEAD BACK TO THE OFFICE feeling somber. What a change from this morning. I actually felt like I was dealing with everything, and now I just feel lost. Back at my desk, I check to see if Joyce is on the phone, the line is clear so I knock on her door.

  “Come.” I plaster a fake smile across my face and buoyantly walk in.

  “Joyce, I got a lovely dress.” I say handing it over with her card. She pulls it out of the plastic bag and smiles. “Lovely choice Coral, Lily will look so sweet in this.” I nod in agreement. “Thank you for doing that. With everything that’s gone on…I completely forgot to get her something.”

  “Joyce, it was my pleasure, and like you say you have enough going on.” Joyce stands from her desk, walks around it and hugs me, kissing me lightly on the cheek, so as not to smudge her perfect lipstick.

  “Your eyes look better.” She softly says – Oh yeah, forgot about that!

  I feel even more melancholy now, because I know Rob must be feeling really, really bad, because he’d have drilled it out of me as to why I’d been crying. “I know,” I say making my lips smile. “I’ll definitely use that trick in the future.” I add.

  I go to walk out, then I remember there was a question I wanted to ask her. I stop and turn around. Joyce is already back in her seat; typing at full speed. “Um...Joyce.” I stare down at the floor.

  “Yes dear?” She looks up at me.

  “Can I ask you something? It’s not work related.”

  “Of course you can.” She smiles.

  “Well...I wanted to ask, you’ve met Malcolm?” I question.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you think...um...I don’t know how to put this?” I bite my lip.”Is he…do you think Gladys will be happy with him, do you think he’s a good man?” I blurt.

  “Yes,” she clearly states. “I do.”

  “Ok.” I go to walk out.

  “Coral, you’re worried?”

  I stop and turn around. “Yes.”

  “Malcolm is a good man. And don’t forget they’re not love struck teenagers. It’s different when you get to our age. Most people are very sure of themselves, of who they are and what they want. I think they’ll make each other very happy.” I feel better hearing that and decide to really give Malcolm his chance tonight, but above all to be happy for them both.

  “Thanks Joyce I’ll get back to my work. Can I get you anything first though?”

  “No, I’m fine thank you.” I smile back at her and skip out of her office, feeling a little lighter than before, but when I sit back at my desk and begin going through my in-box, my mind wanders back to Rob and that sinking feeling in my stomach reappears. Don’t think the worst Coral!

/>   Then I panic. How am I supposed to get to Worthing for Lily’s party? I was supposed to be going with Rob and Carlos. I sigh inwardly; guess I’ll have to get a lift with Gladys. Oh god! I hope they’re not all mushy over each other in the car!

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  JUST AS I’M FINISHING off for the day, I get a call from Gladys.

  “Darling, what time shall we pick you up?”

  “I don’t mind.” I answer.

  “Shall we say seven?”

  “Sure.” Great two hours of hanging around not doing anything!

  “Lovely, we’ll see you then.” Gladys sounds giddy with excitement.

  “Ok.” I almost hang up when I hear Gladys call me. “Coral, dress smart darling. We’re going to the Hilton.” I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

  “Oh, ok.” Wow, dining in style. Funny how things change, Gladys always used to like The Katarina Harvester at the Marina. “I’ll meet you by the Gym.” I tell her.

  “Ok sweetheart, see you soon.” I frown deeply wondering why Gladys has changed from her usual restaurant, then shrug it off. Maybe Malcolm prefers fine dining…?

  I AM STANDING OUTSIDE THE GYM, waiting impatiently for them to collect me. Although I shouldn’t be as I’m fifteen minutes early. I don’t understand why I feel so nervous? My foot won’t stop tapping and I’m chewing my tips again. Ugh! Stop it Coral! – I yank my finger out of my mouth and scan the road for them again, no sign. I take a deep breath and try, for the millionth time today to clear my mind of all things Tristan.

  I have wondered far too often about him today. His eyes, his lips, his chiseled cheekbones, his shiny dark hair, and whether he’s thinking of me like I’m thinking of him – It’s ridiculous!

  I knew the moment I got back to the studio I had to do something. I wasn’t going to give myself anymore spare time to daydream about him, and I couldn’t sit in the studio waiting around, twiddling my thumbs, so I grabbed my gym bag and spent an hour in the pool. My shoulders feel sore for it, but the water was so cool and inviting – I didn’t want to leave.