It Always Rains in November

by Richard Hoffman

  “Carly,” he hissed, “don’t make it obvious. I don’t want them on our case.”

  “But you’ll still come over Friday afternoon, won’t you? For my birthday?”

  “Yeah, yeah course I will. You’re still off school then, aren’t you?”

  “Course, Nath. I’m suspended till the end of the week. Make sure you get here.”

  “I’ll be here – giving you a birthday you won’t forget...”

  Carly stood on the doorstep waving to Nathan. He walked down the street and never looked back. Lurking in the kitchen, Janice heard the whole conversation with a sinking heart. She would have to talk to Nathan later. Carly was only twelve.

  When they were all back in the living room, Carl asked his daughter if she liked Nathan but gave no indication he suspected the lad’s interest was sexual. Janice decided not to tell him what she’d heard. He might go ballistic. Or worse, end their relationship. The three watched ITV until ten o’clock with minimal conversation. Then Carly stood up and stretched.

  “I’m going to bed. Good night Dad.” She looked at Janice. “Are you staying over?”

  “I …I…no…I don’t…”

  Carl decided to be honest and firm. “Janice might stay over or might get a cab home. We haven’t decided yet. But my car is at work and we’ve both had a few drinks. OK with you?”

  It was impossible to interpret Carly’s expression.“S’pose so. Goodnight.”

  Janice waited until she heard Carly’s door shut.

  “Will she be OK, about me staying over again?”

  Carl smiled at her. “She has to get used to it. Come on, I’m not shouting to you across the room. The settee’s free now.”

  As she sat cuddled up with her new man, watching the Coca Cola Cup highlights, Janice anxiously anticipated their first entire night together. ‘What if I snore? Oh God – what if he snores? I’ll never get to sleep.’ Her panic intensified when she realized that, having come straight from the Pub, she had no nightclothes with her. ‘I’m going to have to sleep in my knickers or naked. I can’t do that. I’ll bet I’ve dribbled today as well.’

  She need not have worried. There was no sleep for either Janice or Carl that night and no need for any clothes either.

  Chapter 29

  Thursday November 11th – Quiet Day

  Marie and Louis spent the day at his place, mostly in bed. Marie was lying in his bed, waiting for her boyfriend/protégée/employee to bring her a glass of wine.

  “Louis, you’ve only got a small kitchen,” she called. “How come it’s taking you so long to find the wine?”

  “I’m coming now. Couldn’t find the corkscrew.”

  Louis returned, holding a mug of wine and a can of beer. Dressed in just his boxers, he looked good. Difference between most blokes in their 20s to blokes in their 30s – six pack so much better.

  “A mug of wine. Have you got no glasses?”

  “Take the mug and enjoy it. You’re lucky I found a bottle of white.”

  Marie took a sip and grimaced. “Eurgh. I can’t drink this. It’s horrible. Get me a can instead. You’re a bloody philistine.”

  Louis disappeared again and returned with a can of Tennent’s. He sat on the bed next to her.

  “Is that enough orders for me? You forget I’m not your gopher out of the office.”

  “I’m still the boss, boy. That’s why I was on top.”

  At that moment Marie’s blackberry beeped.

  “You’ve kept that on.” Louis grumbled. “Bloody hell, Marie, let’s forget work stuff.”

  Marie was in her underwear, out of bed reading the emailed message. Work came first and she was unconcerned with any flaws in her 34 year old body that might be apparent to Louis.

  “Come on, Marie. Let’s…”

  She interrupted him. “You’ll want to hear this. It’s about Crouts. The directors’ haven’t hung about.”

  “What are you on about, M…?”

  Again, Marie stopped him mid-sentence. “You know I emailed off a quick report before we left Crouts. Well, I’ve had a reply that Martin Miller and Simon Croft will be disciplined internally whilst Jeffrey Parker will be spoken to on his return from holiday next week.”

  “And the job?” he enquired.

  “That’s obvious. It’s finished for now. We have no data. I’ll try and arrange another client for the start of next week.”

  “So for the next two days…?” Louis grinned at her.

  Marie could have used the two days off to spend more time with Gemma, who was staying with her gran. Or she could have spent more time with Carly, who was in the middle of a three day suspension from school. She chose instead to spend Thursday with her toy boy, Louis, in bed together. She told herself that spending today with Louis and tomorrow with Carly was a fair compromise. One day for herself, one for her elder daughter. Gemma would have fun at her Gran’s, so everybody was happy.

  “I’m with you today, but tomorrow is Carly’s birthday, so make the most of me while you can.”

  Marie pulled Louis towards her and sat astride on top of him. Sex with Louis was so much more satisfying than with Gary, who cared only about his own orgasm, and Carl, who’d struggled to provide Marie’s orgasm. Louis was more caring and skilful than either. Apart from intercourse, they ordered a pizza delivery at lunchtime and a Chinese takeaway in the evening. The whole day was spent making love, drinking lager and munching on the food deliveries.

  The only downside was that Louis insisted on playing CDs by, in order, Pink Floyd, The Smiths, The Jam, Oasis, Blur and The Clash, none of which were mood generating music for passion. A bit of Kate Bush or 10cc might have suited Marie better. Still, they managed.

  At some point during the day it crossed Marie’s mind that Louis was in many ways the perfect boyfriend physically, mentally and intellectually. Except that at nine years her junior, this could be no more than a pleasant diversionary episode.

  * * *

  Thursday was Nathan’s second day back at school. He avoided all his ex-mates but was updated by acquaintances as to their whereabouts.

  Mark was still off school amid rumours that Sergeant Ellam had given him a good beating. Billy, Hannah and Charlotte, who had all been charged by the police, were all absent from school and the gossip was that they had been expelled. Only Jamie and Michael were back and Michael was ignoring his former best mate.

  So returning to school had been more tolerable than Nathan expected, having assumed he’d be a target. Maybe it was for old times’ sake, or maybe Michael was waiting for the other three lads to return, but there had been no retribution and the anticipated beating had not materialized.

  He went to all his classes and chalked up his first full day at school for over six months. He was even praised during the art class for his innovative quality. It was his finest achievement for some time, and although his street cred would never have allowed him to admit it publicly, Nathan was quite pleased with himself.

  * * *

  Carly Price also enjoyed an improved day on Thursday. She awoke to a text from Nathan ‘C U Fri N xxx’. At the beginning of the week, she had not been looking forward to her birthday. Receiving the text changed everything and was excitingly terrifying.

  Carly doodled ‘Nathan and Carly 4 ever’ on her pencil case and texted details – he’s proper fit and he’s 16 – about her new boyfriend to Bethany and Jacquie. She told them both that she loved him and that she was going to lose her virginity on her birthday. They, of course, promised not to tell anyone but the goss must have spread though year 8 because an hour later Carly received a text from Shane telling her that he had heard that she was a slapper who had been fingered and mashed by loads of boys including her latest boyfriend who was 19 years old.

  She sat listening to music. Her new reputation didn’t trouble her – spending the day dreaming about Nathan and the two of them together. Most of the dreams included under age sex with her new boyfriend
. She was looking forward to it, but hoped it would be painless and that she would not become pregnant.

  * * *

  Martin Miller did not enjoy Thursday. He was called in to face the board at 8.00 in the morning. On his way in he saw Simon Croft who had been called for a meeting at 7.45. He was relieved to hear that Simon had been sharply rapped on the knuckles, given a minimal pay review and told to bring his department up to a level of professionalism expected from a Public Limited Company. Martin anticipated a similar outcome.

  The board members of Crouts were all related, except for Jeffrey Parker. The rumour was that they didn’t like him much but tolerated him because of his intellect and knowledge. But now he had disappeared on a last minute holiday, leaving them to deal with serious concerns about his number two.

  The auditor’s report had accused Martin Miller of sexism, bullying, inefficiency, ignorance and a blatant inability to carry out his day to day responsibilities. In the meeting he was given a list of his personal and professional failings emphasising those which represented unlawful staff management. Martin did not even try and argue the issues. He sat on his chair sinking further and further down into it, and, after five minutes of allegations was offered the opportunity to resign, effective immediately, which he reluctantly accepted.

  Back at his desk, he telephoned Jeffrey Parker, who had gone with his wife to the Caribbean for a five day break in the company’s villa (all tax deductible obviously). Unfortunately, it was 3.30 in the morning in Barbados and, although he answered the phone, Jeffrey Parker was not best pleased.

  “Martin, what the fuck do you want? Don’t you know what time it is?”

  “Jeffrey, I wouldn’t phone unless it was an emergency,” Martin panted. “The auditor you hired, she has accused me of being no good and the Board has fired me.”

  “Fired you! OK, Martin. Calm down. I’ll phone them up and get straight back to you. Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out.”

  “I’m supposed to clear my desk and go, so will you phone me straight back?” he pleaded.

  He could hear Mrs. Parker in the background telling her husband to return to bed and asking what could be so important at this time of the morning. Nevertheless, Jeffrey’s reply was encouraging.

  “Of course I will, give me ten minutes.”

  Martin waited ten minutes, staring at the phone, willing it to ring. Meanwhile, staff started to arrive at work. Carl and Janice arrived together, smiling. Martin wanted to go out and scream at them for what they had done to him, but his overriding instinct was to see and speak to nobody.

  Whilst he willed the contact from Jeffrey there was nothing for Martin to do. Nobody to call, no work to delegate. He had to do something, if only to keep busy, so he began playing tetris on his mobile. Surely he would start playing a game and then the phone would ring, or maybe as he was about to achieve the high score.

  By 9.15 Martin had failed to obtain a high score and Jeffrey had not phoned him back. Unable to wait any longer, Martin called again. His ex boss answered immediately.

  “Hello Martin, what can I do…?”

  “You were going to phone me back half an hour ago.”

  “Yes, well, I have other issues. Apparently Marie O’Brien made one or two negative comments about me as well. Remember Richard Horton, the IT chappie? Well, apparently I bullied him into resigning, and he was a key asset for Crouts. The board are talking about not renewing my contract next year.”

  Martin attempted to stem a rising tide of panic. “Sorry about that Jeffrey, but what about me? I have no job now.”

  “There is nothing I can do for you, I’m afraid. Caused your own downfall – you said lots of politically incorrect stuff. You apparently talked about pushing one girl out of bed to get to Marie O’Brien. Very unsubtle, and whilst that was fine 30 years ago, it’s no longer allowed. You have to dust yourself down and move on to the next challenge, but it won’t be at Crouts.”

  Martin felt a wave of distress beginning to drown him.“So that’s it – I’m finished.”

  “Not finished, Martin. That’s a bit extreme. You are finished at Crouts but not finished full stop. Plenty more challenges ahead I’m sure.” His ex-boss sounded brisk,even chirpy.

  “But I’ve been asked to go, and it’s another blot on my CV and what sort of reference will I be given?”

  “Look, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Take a holiday with your wife and kids and…”

  “My wife left me, Jeffrey. My kids hate me. I’ve told you all this before. I don’t want a bloody holiday anyway!”

  This was the first time Martin had dared raise his voice to his boss in three years of working together. It appeared to make no difference to Jeffrey, who responded as if he hadn’t heard.

  “OK, Martin. Look, I have to go. It’s 4.30 in the morning here anyway. We’ll talk again.”

  Martin began to put the phone down.

  “Oh, Martin, there is one thing.”

  Finally, Jeffrey was going to give him some support. He put the receiver back to his ear.

  “Do you have the number for Richard Horton? Thought I might offer him a cash inducement to come back to us – usually works.”

  Martin hung up the phone. He had some items packed in a carrier bag ready to take with him. Instead, he placed the bag in the wastepaper bin, walked out the office, shut the door behind him and straight out of Crouts. After three years there, he never said goodbye to anyone.

  * * *

  Janice left Carl’s bed at six in the morning. She phoned for a cab and was home by 6.30. Sneaking back to bed without waking Nathan, she grabbed another hour of sleep before waking up. After showering, she dressed for work, woke Nathan and decided – as it wasn’t raining for a change – to walk to work. She smiled at strangers as she strolled to the office and she volunteered directions to a man in a furniture van, who had stopped and was looking at an A-Z.

  Arriving at 9.15, she met Carl at reception, as he arrived simultaneously. Given the previous day’s meeting, they anticipated a bollocking from Martin. Marion was already there when they arrived at their desk.

  “Hi, you two. He’s here, but he’s not asked after you. Looks a bit preoccupied with his mobile. Been on it…”

  Carl studied him through the window. “Looks like he’s playing a game on it…No, no now he’s on the phone. Sounds like an argument, but I can’t make it…”

  Janice thought Carl should start working and ignore Martin.

  “You’re making it ob…”

  “Can’t hear what he’s saying, but…”

  Janice persisted. After yesterday she wanted to leave Martin alone. In truth, she felt guilty for what she’d said to him. “Carl, stop staring. He’ll see you. If he’s in a mood he’ll take it out on you.”

  “No, wait a sec, Jan. He’s hung up. Looks like he’s emptying his drawers. Oh, shit. He’s coming.”

  Carl bent down and began rummaging among his files, to make his nosiness less obvious.

  Janice turned to him, bewildered. “Carl, he’s gone. Just walked out.”

  “Janice is right. Turned his PC off, taken his case. He’s gone.”

  Carl went into Martin’s office. He looked at the bag stuffed in the bin, and pulled it out. Then he checked his hands for any discarded greenies, and screwed up his face in disgust as he searched. Appeared clean. He quickly scanned the binned papers and called the others from the doorway, in a hushed but excitable tone.

  “Janice, Marion. Looks like he’s gone. Come over here. I’ll show you.”

  The ladies followed him in, and he showed them the paperwork that included Martin’s password data and company diary. They all looked at it. The computer was off and the single photo of his kids was gone. Carl was triumphant.

  “Well, ladies, looks like he has gone. We are down the Pub again this lunchtime. It’s going to be another good day.”

  Janice made no effort to copy Carl’s celebratory mood. She had watched
Martin leave thinking she’d noticed tears in his eyes as he rushed out of his office. Maybe they’d all gone too far yesterday. He was a pig, but it looked like he’d been fired. Didn’t deserve that. She hoped he’d be OK. Poor bloke.

  Chapter 30

  Friday November 12th – Carly’s birthday

  Carly was looking forward to presents from her dad, presents and a visit from her mum and a sleepover with Bethany and Jacquie. The present that she was looking forward to most of all was a visit from Nathan and as an extra special event for her 13th birthday she was going to lose her virginity.

  She awoke at 7.00 and went downstairs. Her dad was still asleep. There were two birthday cards sent through the post, from her gran and from Gemma to her favourite sister. Although Gemma had written the card out herself her gran had addressed the envelope. As she made herself tea and sat in the living room eating coco pops, she wondered why her gran rather than her mum had organized the cards. She heard her dad go to the toilet and then he came downstairs.

  “Happy birthday, love. Here’s your present.” Carl sat down and watched her.

  Carly looked at the package in suspicion. “It isn’t CDs, Dad. I hope it’s not a book.”

  She was pleasantly surprised. “The MP4 player I wanted. Dad, that’s brilliant.”

  “Better than CDs?”

  “Much better. All I need now is the laptop from Mum, and I can download straight from the internet.”

  Carl smiled at her, “do I get a thank you kiss?”

  She kissed his cheek.

  “Thanks, Dad. This is great.”

  Carl stood up. He was going to be late for work if he didn’t leave soon. Then he remembered that it was holiday time at the office. He asked Carly if she fancied a birthday breakfast and, as she did, he started making two full Englishs in the kitchen. As he began, he called out to Carly.

  “When is your Mum coming round with her present?”

  “She texted me yesterday that it would be around lunchtime, but…”