CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1)

by Delaney, Clair

  I AM STOOD STIRRING MY CUP OF hot chocolate when my mobile starts ringing. I spin around and dash over to it, hoping its Carlos calling me back. But it’s not, it’s Tristan.

  “Hello,” I mumble feeling a little deflated.

  “Convince me not to come down there and see you.” He replies sharply.

  “Um...” I pinch my nose trying to think of something to say. “I’m really ok,” I say.

  “You don’t sound it,” he states sternly.

  “Ok...ok,” I sigh heavily. “I’m not 100%, but I need to learn to stand on my own two feet Tristan, that much is evident.” I huff.

  “Coral, having your family around you to be there for you in times of need doesn’t mean you can't stand on your own two feet. You seem very capable of doing that to me.”

  “Look, it’s just’ – I sigh again – ‘there’s just a lot going on right now and...” Why am I telling him this? – I exhale loudly. “It just feels like my life has gone from being very organized and balanced, to messy and complicated in a nano-second. It’s a little disorientating that’s all.”

  “Spill,” he orders.

  “I...I” I stop there. I don’t need any more complications right now – Especially with him.

  “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” he reasons.

  I sigh again, and against my better judgment I start babbling it all out. “Ok, well my job is changing. I’m losing Joyce, Robs weirding out on me, Carlos won’t answer my calls and then I find out Gladys has kept this relationship a secret and well, I’m happy for her of course, but I’m so gutted she’s leaving. Gladys and Joyce are my family and in one foul swoop they’re gone, just gone...” I stop and think about what I’m saying. That must have been what it felt like to Tristan when he lost his folks, well his grandparents. “Incidentally, how did you know it was my birthday?” I say changing the subject.

  “Had something planned,” he tells me.

  “You...what? Why?” I gasp trying to get my head around it.

  “It’s not a problem I can move it. Do you have any plans the Saturday after?”

  “Um...I...” My head feels scrambled. He had something planned?

  “Coral?” Hearing his voice pulls me from my musing. I think back to what Malcolm told me while Gladys was in the ladies, “I’m taking her to Bali, she’s always wanted to go, we leave Saturday after the wedding”

  “Why?” I ask, wondering what he has planned. I'm not so great with surprises.

  “Believe me, you’ll love it,” he says with full confidence.

  “You don’t know me Tristan so how can you say that?” I argue.

  “Are you free?” He asks again changing the subject.

  I give in I'm too tired to argue. “I guess, but I warn you...I’m not too good with surprises.”

  Tristan chuckles. “How did I know you were going to say that?”

  “When’s your birthday?” I ask wondering who he’ll be spending it with now that his folks have gone. My mind instantly speeds forward to Christmas. Who will Tristan spend it with? And what about New Year? He can’t be alone, that’s just…just awful...

  “Coral, I heard you gasp then, what’s wrong?”

  “I...nothing, when’s your birthday?” I ask again.

  “November,” he tells me.

  I roll my eyes. “What date in November?”

  “25th” He answers.

  “Do you have any plans?” I ask sweetly.

  “It’s a little early to be’ – “Do you?” I ask more forcefully.

  “No actually, I don’t.”

  “What did you used to do?” I enquire.

  “Not much. I don’t really agree with the western way of thinking...you know the age thing.”

  “Age is just a number baby.” I giggle.

  “Exactly,” he says in agreement.

  “What about Christmas and New Year? What did you used to do then?” I question.

  “Hold on a second I thought this conversation was supposed to be about you?” I ignore that one.

  “Please,” I whine. “Answer me this one and we can go back to me.” I say with my fingers crossed.

  “Fine!” He barks, then he’s silent for a long time. “I’d.... be with my folks,” he answers somberly. I knew it!

  “I guess this year’s going to be pretty rotten huh?” I say my voice sounding a little sad.

  “I was planning to go abroad actually, completely forget the holiday season,” he says.

  “Really?” I squeak. “Where to?”

  “Oh…I don’t know somewhere warm and tropical, not really sure yet.” His voice sounds wistful.

  “Sounds delightful…” I’m already day-dreaming about it.

  “Want to come?” Tristan asks playfully.

  “Can’t, Gladys would never forgive me if we weren’t all together for Christmas. So I’m officially inviting you, I don’t want...I don’t think you should be on your own at Christmas Tristan...that...it’s just...wrong.” I stutter.

  “Is it now?” I can tell he’s smiling again.

  “Yes it is!” I state.

  “Well, thanks I accept your offer, if I don’t go away that is.” We sit in comfortable silence for a while. My eyes start to feel heavy, the evening’s events catching up with me.

  “Well I better go.” I stifle a yawn.

  “Am I boring you?” He chortles.

  “No. Just tired, it’s been a long day.” I offer.

  “I’m sorry Gladys is leaving,” he says.

  “It’s ok,” I yawn again. “I’ve got Rob and Carlos and my sister.” Well I think I have Rob!

  “And me,” Tristan says. I frown at the explosive feeling that begins fluttering away in my stomach. “Have you thought anymore about us?” He whispers.

  “Yes.” I answer breathlessly.

  “And?” His voice sounds hoarse.

  “Look Tristan, there’s a few things I need to sort out, get straight in my head, I...” I instantly think of George’s words “talk to Tristan” I shake my head, it’s just too hard.

  “So that’s not a no?” He questions. I sigh heavily. Is it?

  “It’s not a yes either.” I mumble.

  “I can live with that,” he croaks sexily. God damn it, please stop doing that!

  “I...I have to go.” I breathe.

  “Coral, I’m here for you either way, whatever you decide, you need someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on. I’m here.” He sounds so determined.

  “That’s sweet Tristan, and very kind of you, considering we don’t know each other,” I say, my stomach twisting at his words.

  “Getting there though.” I can tell he’s smiling again.

  “Goodnight Tristan,” I say, shaking my head at his confidence.

  “Goodnight Coral, sleep well beautiful.” Damn it!

  “Tristan,” I moan.

  “What?” he chuckles. “I can’t call you beautiful?” I shake my head at him.

  “Nevermind. Night, I’ll see you when I see you.”

  “Sooner rather than later,” he teases and hangs up before I can say anything. I growl at my mobile. What the hell does he mean by that? – Oh god, I hope he’s not coming back down here. I don’t think I could take it. I close my eyes and try to blank him out of my head, but all I keep picturing is him smiling at me. Man that smile gets me every time – Stop it Coral, you and him, it’s never going to happen you know that! – I nod in agreement with myself, pick up my hot chocolate, switch off the air-con, and drag my tired butt up the stairs...

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  THE ROOM IS FLOODED WITH SUNSHINE, but I can't work out where I am. I turn around and realise I’m somewhere strange, a place I haven’t been before, and the strangest part about it is the earth isn’t still. I am moving back and forth even though my feet are on solid ground? I hear Tristan call me, I walk forward trying to locate his voice, and as I do, I look down at my feet. No shoes? My toes look brown, my toe-nails pink, like I’ve been sunbathing. Ho
w odd?

  As I walk forward, I catch my reflection in a mirror. I’m in a khaki bikini and my body looks tanned and healthy. As I stare back at myself, I don’t recognize the girl staring back at me, I look so happy. I hear Tristan call me again, his voice connecting to me on some deep elemental level. It floods me with a feeling of complete and utter peace. I feel so content, and I don’t feel afraid anymore, just blissful, happy – very strange!

  Tristan calls me again, I try to locate his voice, it seems to be coming from above me; I step forward and climb a small, wooden staircase. As I reach the top, I am blinded for a moment by the sunlight. Then Tristan comes into view, he’s stood there with his hand held out to me, he has his aviators on and he’s wearing his sexiest smile. He’s dressed in a pair of navy combat shorts, no shirt and his feet bare – Wow!

  Reaching out I take his outstretched hand, and look around me, and it’s in that moment I realise we are on a boat, that’s why the earth is moving. We are moored in a little cove, surrounded by a beautiful rocky landscape. The sea is twinkling sweetly, the sky a perfect blue and the sun is high in the sky. I turn around again to look at Tristan. He is beaming at me, a smile so wide; his dimples are deeper than I’ve ever seen them. He leans down and kisses the back of my hand.

  “Mrs Freeman,” he croons and leans in to kiss me...

  I AM RUDELY AWOKEN by my alarm clock buzzing loudly at me. I jump up in shock and slam my hand over the top of it – Oh My God! What the hell was that? I run my hands through my hair and stare blankly at the wall trying to work it out. I...what? Mrs Freeman? I was married to him in the dream? But I, Noooooo, that’s just ridiculous!

  I shake my head in wonder. I have never in my life imagined myself getting married. I don’t even believe in marriage, I don’t believe it has any value, my parents are a good example of that. So why am I dreaming I was married to him? I shake my head, trying to work it out.

  When Debs got hitched, she told me it was all coming true, how she had dreamed it would be as a little girl. What her dress would look like, the church, all the bells and whistles. I shake my head in confusion. I’ve never done any of that, ever - How odd?

  I lie back down and stare up at the ceiling, trying to remember more about the dream. Then it comes to me, that peaceful feeling, almost as though it was a knowing, like I knew that there was no more pain, no more fear. That I was ok, actually happy, really happy - Weird!

  I decide it’s best not to be thinking about a silly dream for too long, it’s not healthy, it’s never going to happen and it’s not reality – The reality is that I have to get to the gym and do my morning swim, go to work, and then tonight I have training with Will. Just another ordinary day, nothing special, nothing new. The peaceful feeling quickly dissipates and is replaced with a deep longing, a feeling of wanting something, and wanting it so badly. It’s always been there, for as long as I can remember, but now it feels more profound – I just wish I knew what it was so I could get it and make the longing go away.

  THE REST OF THE DAY passes by in a blur; I cannot seem to concentrate at all – I just keep getting the dream playing over and over in my head. Joyce pulled me up on it several times, and I apologized several times. And as for the walk home…well, I don’t even remember doing that.

  After training with Will, and getting knocked on my ass far too many times. I decided to have an early night. I know it’s weird – but I wanted to watch Twilight again. So I quickly showered – wishing I was actually in that egg shaped bath, soaking my aching muscles – dressed in my pyjamas, and took my laptop up to bed with me. I don’t know how far I got in the movie before I drifted off, but I remember the dream.

  I was stood in the middle of a dark green forest, it was misty and cold. I could hear the rain crashing down on the canopy of branches above me, the air thick with the smell of pine. Edward was stood in front of me, then he blurred and changed into Tristan. He looked so sad as he held his hand out to me, when I looked down to place my hand in his, a red apple appeared, I looked up in confusion. He lifted the apple up between his long fingers and stepped closer to me.

  “Take a bite,” he whispered.

  I tried to step forward, but I was being held back by some invisible force. I pulled against it, desperate to get to Tristan; I wanted to reach out, to touch him, but I couldn’t free myself. The more I struggled, the stronger the force became, until eventually I had to watch Tristan slowly morph from a solid human form, to a cloudy mist, whispering my name just before he completely disappeared…

  I AM STARING BLANKLY at my computer; it’s 3.45pm and it’s Friday. I know I should be bricking it about seeing George, but I’m not – All I have done all day is daydream about the dream I had Wednesday night, just like yesterday. I feel like I’m losing my mind!

  I don’t know why I can’t stop thinking about being on that boat with Tristan, and every time it comes to me, I keep getting that Coldplay song Us Against the World playing in my head. I don't get it at all, and I certainly cannot understand the marriage part – I’ve been trying to convince myself that it’s because Gladys is getting married, and I’m subconsciously thinking about it. But then I thought no, that can't be right. I didn’t think about getting married when Debs did, and I was far more involved with all the wedding shenanigans than I am now – No, there has to be some other explanation for it all.

  But more than that, more than the whole married thing, every time my mind has wandered to the dream, I have felt the same sense of peace wash over me and quite frankly, I’ve loved it, so I’ve purposely allowed it. I have never felt like that before, ever – “Coral?” I look up in a daze.

  “Yes Joyce,” I answer dreamily. I hadn’t even noticed her standing there.

  “Are you sure you’re alright? You’ve been very pre-occupied these past couple of days.” Uh-Oh! I panic for a moment and quickly run through my in-box – No, I have definitely done all my work!

  “Have I?” I sigh.

  Joyce rolls her eyes at me. “Well, I’m leaving now, so you can do the same,” she tells me. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she smiles.

  “Ok, see you tomorrow.” I answer already on auto pilot.

  Joyce walks off shaking her head at me. I go through the motions of shutting my computer down, and heading out for the evening, all the while thinking about that wonderful peaceful feeling...

  I HEAR DOGS BARKING, in a daze I look up and realise I have reached George’s house. I ring the bell and after a moment, I hear George’s partner Phil, telling his two Maltese dogs to be quiet. He opens the door and smiles widely at me.

  “Hello Coral,” he says and ushers the dogs back inside.

  “Hey Phil.” I follow him in and shut the door. Phil air kisses both my cheeks. “You look well.” I tell him.

  “No!” He says flicking his hand – he’s so girly. “Although I have just come back from the Spa,” he says, smiling sweetly at me.

  “Ooh, lucky you,” I chuckle and almost go to say ‘lady of leisure’ but stop myself just in time.

  “My weekly massage, full body and face. You should try it, makes you feel amazing,” he glows.

  “It shows.” I say and bend down to greet Tinkerbelle and Princess, they’re totally adorable, fluffy little pooches. After licking me to death, I follow Phil into the kitchen.

  “You’re a little early,” he says.

  I shrug. “I know. Joyce let me go early.”

  Phil suddenly narrows his eyes at me. “You look different,” he says observantly.

  I shrug again. “Do I?”

  “Amour,” he says, with a twinkle in his eyes. Love? “That’ll do that to you,” he titters.

  I smile weakly at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I say feigning innocence.

  He gasps. “You have! You’ve met someone!” He says with animated glee. If I blushed, I swear I would be purple right now. Is it really that obvious?

  “Kind of…” He slaps his hands to his face and squeals, his eyes tw
inkling.

  “How marvelous!” I smile weakly at him. “Tell me everything” he says, leaning on the kitchen counter, his chin cupped in his hands. He’s dying to know, but I don’t know what to say. Thankfully the phone starts ringing; saving me. Phil pulls a sad face. “Back in a sec,” he says and skips out of the kitchen.

  I start day-dreaming again. I’m pulled out of it by George placing his hand on my shoulder. I jump a mile and have to calm my heart down. “Wow George, don’t do that to me,” I scold.

  “Are we in the land of the living?” he asks dryly.

  I pull a face and silently follow him out of the kitchen, as we pass Phil who’s gossiping on the phone, I mouth ‘sorry’ to him – I know he’ll want all the juicy details when I’ve finished with George, ‘later’ he mouths back; we smile at one another. I sit down on the couch, and wait for George to settle himself. Sitting in his leather chair, he takes out his notepad and pen, pops his glasses on, and smiles down at me – Ok, here goes!

  “So Coral, how’s the rest of your week been?”

  “Um...good,” I say.

  “You seem...relaxed.” He quickly assesses.

  “Yeah, I guess.” I shrug non-committed.

  “Care to share?” George asks. I stare down at my fingers - I’m not sure I want to share the dream. It felt so private so...like it was just mine and Tristan’s.

  “Coral?” George prompts.

  I sigh in resignation. “I had a dream,” I confess, keeping my eyes on my hands that are now twisted together.

  “And?” George says. I decide to tell him about my conversation with Tristan first, about asking for the time off and Gladys’s news about the wedding. “And his reaction?” George asks.

  “Shocked,” I answer. “And worried, for me,” I add. George chuckles, my eyes dart up to meet his. “Why is that funny?” I ask a little sharply.

  “I think it’s quite obvious he’s already developed a deep connection to you.” George states.

  I shake my head at him. “Doubtful, he’s very caring about his staff, that’s all,” I answer.