CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1)

by Delaney, Clair

  “I’m still mad at you.” I tell her.

  “About what?” she asks, sighing heavily.

  “You knew about Malcolm.” I bite.

  “For god’s sake Coral,” Debs says looking flustered.

  “Is there anything else I don’t know about?” Debs looks away from me, so I immediately know she’s hiding something. “Is there?” I probe.

  “No!” She barks, turning to glare at me.

  “Hope not.” I threaten.

  “Look, I’m really happy for Mom, why can't you be?”

  “Who said I’m not happy for her?”

  “You’re not acting like it.” She snaps.

  “You know, sometimes I don’t think you know me at all. I think it’s awesome, I didn’t know Gladys was feeling lonely, I’m really happy for her. But that doesn’t mean I’m not pissed with you both for not telling me.” Debs looks away again.

  “Well we thought’ – “We?” I interrupt. “So you all had a nice little chat and decided best not to tell Coral, hardly seems fair, and doesn’t really make me feel like I’m part of a family.” I hiss, feeling more hurt as I go on.

  “Oh for god’s sake!” Debs gets up and slams her cup into the sink. Then she turns and glares at me. “Maybe if you integrated yourself more with your family’– she says making little speech marks to the word family – ‘ever since you got this place you’ve just faded away, you never see me anymore, which means you don’t see Lily either and I know you only go to Mom’s once a month now, what did you expect?” I sigh heavily, everything she is saying is true.

  “I know that, I just – “Just what?” she barks, interrupting me.

  I look up at her big blue eyes. “There’s so much you don’t know about me Debs. It’s taken me a long time to get over Justin, to...get some normality back, and then before I got this place I...” I break off. I don’t actually want to spill too much to her. She walks over and crouches in front of me.

  “What don’t I know?” she softly asks.

  I shake my head at her. “I’m sorry I stopped coming to see you so much.” I offer.

  “And I’m sorry I stopped calling and nagging you to come over,” she says.

  We finally smile at one another. “Can’t blame you,” I tell her. “I wasn’t really very good company,” I admit.

  “So, you’re my sister. Always there for each other in hard times, right?” I nod my head and attempt a smile. Debs hasn’t always been there for me when I’ve needed her. But I’ve always understood, it’s not easy to go running off into the night when you have a husband and a child at home, they become your priority.

  I mean we love each other as sisters do or should, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we get along that well, we have nothing in common, and I’ve always thought she was pissed that I came along. Gladys gave so much of her attention to me, that I think it caused Debs to reject me in some way. And with such an age difference, we rarely spent time together as kids. Debs was always with her friends, while I was always with Gladys.

  “Listen Coral there’s something...” Debs stares off into the distance, she looks odd?

  “What?” I say trying to bring her back.

  “Nothing…” She says smiling up at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

  I frown back at her. “Are you ok?” I ask instantly feeling worried.

  “Of course,” she answers beaming even wider, but she’s not fooling me. I decide when I next go to see Gladys I’ll ask her if she knows why Debs is acting strange. And why the hell she lied to me about Debs knowing about Malcolm.

  “Well, we’d better get going.” I put my cup down and we hug.

  “Thanks for stopping by.” I say.

  “What’s a big sis for!” she says, hugging me a little harder, then whispers. “Shag his brains out.” Ugh! I pull away from her and frown, Debs is still tittering as she picks up her bags.

  I walk out onto the sundeck with her. It’s not as hot today as it has been, there’s quite a cool wind blowing and the sun is intermittent. I really feel like going for a walk, stretch my legs. I wonder if Tristan would like to go?

  We spot Tristan and Lily in the distance’ He has Lily up on the railing holding her carefully as he’s pointing things out to her, she’s laughing and giggling with him. Lily spots us and waves enthusiastically, we both wave back. Tristan helps her down, takes hold of her hand and they start walking back over to us.

  “I’ve never asked you this Coral, but do you want kids?” Debs asks watching Lily. It takes me by complete surprise; we’ve never had this conversation.

  “No,” I admit. “I don’t think that’s for me.” I tell her.

  “You’d make a great Mom,” she says warmly. I frown wondering how on earth she has come to that conclusion.

  “I doubt it, it’s different when you don’t have them all day...I don’t think I’d really have the patience.” I admit.

  “You would,” she says nodding her head at me. “They change you so you become patient it’s weird how it works.” I stare back at her wondering how Debbie became so wise and worldly. Lily runs to Debs who picks her up, embracing her and kissing her cheeks. I can't believe she’s five already – I'm reminded for a moment what happened to me when I was five – I wince at the memory and try to focus on what’s happening.

  “Thanks Tristan,” Debs says warmly.

  “My pleasure,” he croons.

  “Say goodbye then Lily.” She puts Lily down and I bend down and hug her.

  “Bye Lily, be good for Mommy.” I tell her.

  “I will.” She says sweetly and kisses my cheek, then surprising us all she turns to Tristan with her arms open wide, waiting for a hug. Tristan crouches down and they hug, awkwardly on Tristan’s part. “Thank you for showing me the boats.” She sweetly says.

  Tristan’s cheeks flush. “You’re welcome,” he chuckles. Lily turns her face and kisses his cheek, then she makes a funny face and rubs her lips.

  “You’re prickly like Daddy,” she says.

  Tristan rubs his hand across his face. “Yeah, I guess I am,” he chuckles as he stands up.

  “Come on then darling.” Deb says holding her hand out, Lily takes it and I silently watch them walk down the concourse together.

  I hear Tristan move to stand behind me. I feel the warmth of his body heating my skin; it’s a clear indication of how close he is. I turn around and gaze up into his eyes, he gazes back at me. I hesitate for a moment feeling torn, I'm still not sure if I'm capable of anything.

  “Well, I guess I better get going,” he says, looking torn. No, don’t leave!

  “I was thinking about going for a walk, get some fresh air.” I tell him decision made.

  “Yeah...sounds nice.” He says shyly.

  “Care to join me?” I ask.

  His amazing deep dimpled smile appears. “Love to.” I can't help the grin that starts to spread across my face, giving my feelings away.

  We walk back inside the studio, Tristan closing the door behind him. “I’d like to get cleaned up first though.” Tristan says.

  “Yeah, I could do with a shower too.” I say. Why am I feeling shy and nervous?

  “Can I stay the night?” he asks. My mouth pops open – Is he asking what I think he’s asking? “I’ll take the sofa,” he clarifies. “I just want to make sure you’re ok,” he says with his puppy dog eyes that instantly smolder me – Holy crap! “And get you to the doctor’s tomorrow,” he adds.

  I don’t even have to think about it, now he’s here I don’t want him to leave – at all.

  “I’d like that.” I whisper.

  Tristan grins widely at me, making my stomach flip over again. “Good. Now stay here, and don’t do anything. I’m going to dash over to the hotel, grab a change of clothes and then I’ll be back.”

  My face falls and my heart sinks. Tristan takes the couple of steps needed to be next to me and gently takes hold of my face between his hands. “Hey, I will come back,” he says running his
thumbs across my cheekbones.

  “You will?” I tremble.

  “Yes.” He whispers. “Try keeping me away.” His hands hold my face steady, as his eyes bore into mine. Is he going to kiss me?

  I surrender and close my eyes. I feel Tristan gently kiss my cheek, then his hands disappear from my face. Whoa! I open my eyes and watch him walk through the patio door, then disappear from view. I can't help wondering if I actually am still dreaming? My head feels light and giddy, my cheek is tingling from his kiss, and my stomach is full of butterflies. But more than that, the strange soul sensation that I’ve been getting whenever I think of Tristan suddenly feels empty and barren, just like I have always felt. Strange – I didn’t feel like that when Tristan was here? It’s like when he’s here he fills me up and the emptiness kind of...disappears, and when he’s gone...I decide I don't want to dwell on that too deeply.

  I look around my studio, this place looks a mess. I’d better do some cleaning up. Clearing my coffee table, I throw the leftover pancakes in the bin then I wash and dry up the cups. Picking up my quilt and pillows I carefully make my way up the stairs, as I’m remaking my bed with my quilt, I catch my reflection in the mirror. I seriously need some heavy makeup to hide the bruises.

  I quickly strip my clothes off me, throw them in the wash basket and pull on my robe. I need a shower and a change of clothes, that’s for sure. I poke around in my closet and find my chocolate cords, my long sleeved fitted mocha t-shirt, and throw them on the bed. Heading downstairs, I take a long leisurely shower, tenderly washing my hair so as not to start the headache off again. I don’t want to rock the boat as my head seems to be improving.

  As I’m rubbing my body with shower cream, I think about Tristan coming back. I think about us taking a walk together. I think about him taking my hand in his. I think about his tender kiss on my cheek. I think about what it felt like when my hand was in his. My body flutters with excited tingles, literally from head to toe. I giggle and roll my eyes at myself. Now I’m the one acting like a love-struck teenager, not Gladys!

  I wonder for a moment if that’s what this is, some silly crush? But if I’m completely honest with myself, I know it’s not that. After all, I admitted to George that I’m in love with him – I still can’t work out how that’s possible, but just being near Tristan makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Then I think about what George said to me about giving it a try, and how I argued with him that I’d self-destruct it, that all my fears and insecurities would come rushing to the surface, and in truth I thought they would. I thought my own self- preservation would kick in, to protect myself from any further pain or hurt, but it feels like all that worry and anguish literally melts away when I’m with Tristan. He makes me feel whole, normal...well as normal as I can be.

  I AM SAT ON MY BED slowly drying my hair. I have showered, creamed my skin, cleaned my teeth (again) put on my makeup, deodorant and perfume, and dressed ready for the walk. I am almost feeling human again. I can't help sneaking a peak at the time on my alarm clock. Tristan’s been gone an hour now. I hope he’s ok? Just as I think that, I hear the patio door slide open.

  “Coral?” I hear the worry in his voice.

  “Up here,” I shout. Tristan darts up the stairs his eyes searching for me. When he sees me, I can visibly see his shoulders relax, his eyes melt like butter. I notice his five a clock shadow is gone and that he’s changed.

  He smells fresh, of shower gel and aftershave, but his own distinct smell is over-powering those, making me tingle all over again. And he looks good, really good! He’s dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans that he’s matched with a light beige t-shirt and a zip-up hoody over the top. He looks...Irresistible!

  Tristan crosses his arms and frowns down at me. “I thought I said stay put,” he says trying to look crossly at me. I switch the hairdryer off, I think my hair is dry enough.

  I smile sweetly at him and shrug. “I get bored easily, and I wanted a shower. So that’s what I did after I cleaned up,” I say pulling on my Echo walking boots. “Besides you changed your mind didn’t you,” I quarrel.

  “I did?” He questions.

  “Yes. You said you’d be right back, yet you showered at the hotel.” I pout.

  “Ah yes! I did, guilty as charged,” he says mockingly.

  “What, my tiny bathroom not good enough for you?” I bite.

  “Don’t be daft. By the time I was there...well I just thought’ – “You thought what?” I interrupt crossing my arms defensively, mimicking his body language.

  “All my gear was already in the bathroom, it just seemed quicker that’s all. I’m sorry.” He says intently, his eyes searching mine.

  “Don’t do that again, you had me worried.” I scold.

  “I won’t, I promise.” Ugh I hate that word.

  “I don’t want promises Tristan, they can be broken. Give me your word.”

  Tristan frowns at me. “Alright you have my word.” He solemnly says. I instantly forgive him and uncross my arms. Tristan smiles, then comes and sits next to me on the bed. “You look beautiful,” he softly says. “But you should have waited for me, what if you’d have hurt yourself or lost your balance?” I gaze up at him and titter.

  “Tristan, I’m not made of glass, besides I’m feeling a lot better that I was earlier.” I tell him, then I look down and notice he’s wearing Echo boots too. “Snap,” I say putting my left foot next to his right.

  “They’re good boots.” He says nodding in agreement.

  “Indeed they are. Did you want a drink before we go?” I ask politely.

  “Right now I’m good, had a coffee at the hotel,” he says. “But I thought we could have something while we’re out?” He adds.

  “Like what?” I ask.

  Tristan shrugs. “Whatever we feel like?” I smile back at him. He’s so easy going, I really feel like I can be myself with him. In that very moment as we silently gaze at one another, I decide to let him know a little bit more about me. Bit by bit!

  We head downstairs and I place my shoulder bag over my head. Checking I’ve got my keys, my purse, and some Nurofen we make our way out.

  “So where are we off to?” He asks.

  “Somewhere I’m sure you’ve never been.” I smile popping the keys in my bag.

  “I think I’ve walked on a beach before.” He drawls sarcastically at me.

  “This isn’t a beach walk.” I retort dryly.

  We head north towards The Master Mariner, as we reach it we turn east onto Undercliff Walk. It’s a beautiful little gem of a walk, stretching right from the Marina all the way to Saltdean. As we reach the end of the Marina and carry on walking.

  Tristan stops and questions me. “We’re not going on the beach?” He asks.

  “Nah, gets a little crowded when it’s warm like this.”

  “So where does this lead?” He asks looking a little worried. I chuckle and nudge him. Then I decide I could give him a little local history, turning around so I'm walking backwards.

  I smile at Tristan and begin. “Ok, so this is called Undercliff Walk, as you can see’ – I say playing air hostess with my arms to the right – ‘this is the seawall, in the 1930’s the council decided they needed to do something with the cliff as it was eroding so badly, so the seawall was built. Of course to my left’ – I fling my arms again like an air-hostess – ‘you have the sea. It’s so cool to walk along here in the winter, the waves really come up high and the spray soaks you.” I chuckle.

  “That sounds kind of dangerous,” Tristan says darkly. “You could get washed out to sea,” he adds.

  I roll my eyes at him and continue. “This bright white flat, concrete pathway goes all the way down to Saltdean, there’s a really cute café at Ovingdean; we can stop there for a coffee if you want?”

  “Sure.” Tristan smiles shyly at me, places his hands in his pockets and gazes at me in that strange way of his, like he’s seeing straight through me.

  I try to ignore it and continue. �
�So when the tide is out a sprawling city of rock pools are revealed, and the remnants of the old Volks Railway can be seen; it’s tracks used to run through the sea. The train had spider legs that elongated, they rose up and up; it’s feet would be in the water and the carriage in the air.”

  “What happened to it?” Tristan asks animatedly.

  “I know that a week after opening in 1896, a huge storm hit, and it collapsed. I remember reading they got it all up and running again, but it cost the company a lot of money and then I kind of remember something I learned at school about some groynes being built right near it and it damaged the track, and that it was too costly to move it all to another place. It didn’t have electric motors so when the tide was in the whole thing would grind to a halt.”

  I shake my head in laughter. “Can you imagine being stuck eighty feet in the air with the sea beneath you, and not being able to get off for hours, because the damn thing won’t move? They had some crazy ideas back then.” I chuckle, Tristan is gazing at me again.

  “What?” I ask shyly.

  “You look very beautiful and free with the wind in your hair, the sun making it shine when it comes out.” I stop walking. Tristan doesn’t, and as he reaches me he picks me up and swings me around, making me giggle.

  Then placing me back down, he puts his arm around my shoulders, squeezes me tight and kisses my temple. I wrap my arm around his waist, and revel in the feel of it. It just feels so nice not to be walking on my own, and so comfortable with him. The conversation between us just seems to flow so easily.

  We carry on walking and I’m enthralled as Tristan tells me all about going to University, studying law and opening up his first company. I tell him about Joyce giving me my first job and how I liked it so much that I stayed. But as we walk along, I can’t help noticing the looks we are getting. It’s starting to make me feel self-conscious. Maybe a walk wasn’t such a good idea!

  Some of the women are really glaring at me some are looking at me as though they feel sorry for me. And I can see the men are sizing Tristan up, wondering if he’s the one that’s messed my face up like this.