‘Give me a second, I think I may have something in the stock room,’ I say, as I leave her wiggling around in the changing room. The bell clangs again above the door as I walk through the shop, and I turn automatically, to see Robert filling the doorway.
‘Robert?’ I stop in my tracks, surprised to see him standing there.
Muriel’s face lights up as she looks from Robert to me and back to Robert.
‘I just wanted to drop this off, I thought you might need it,’ he says, holding out my purse. ‘I found it in the footwell of the car this morning.’
I hesitate for a second and Muriel shoots me another look, then a voice comes from the changing room. ‘I can’t bloody budge it.’
Muriel springs into action. ‘Do you want me to finish serving your customer?’
‘Yes please, Muriel. She’s got the zip stuck, oh and I was going to fetch the green suede mini from the stock room for her.’
She disappears into the back of the shop and I turn to Robert. I take my purse from his hands and tingle with pleasure as my skin brushes his. ‘Thanks, I didn’t realise I had lost it.’
‘That’s okay, it was more an excuse to pop in and see how you were after last night.’
‘Oh, I’m okay thanks. Don’t mind James, he runs hot and cold but he is a good sort underneath it all.’ I feel lately I am spending most of my time making excuses for him.
‘I was more concerned about you, Lola. You left pretty early this morning and I wanted to check things were good with you?’
I turn as I hear Muriel come out of the stock room and then disappear into the changing rooms. I turn back to Robert. ‘I’m okay honestly. I’m glad you dropped in actually, I wanted to say thank you for everything you did for me at the weekend.’
He pulls himself up straight and shrugs his shoulders. ‘No need to thank me.’
‘Well I do need to, you dropped everything for me and came out of your way, and lots of people wouldn’t have gone to that much trouble.’ The statement hangs in the air as I think again about James and his strop yesterday.
‘Like I said, it was no bother, in fact I really enjoyed it.’
I blush a little remembering the spooning on Sunday morning and Robert quickly jumps in to spare my embarrassment. ‘I meant I enjoyed Saturday night, sitting by the sea, eating chips with you and Harley.’
I smile. ‘Me too, in fact, if you were free, I’d like to cook a meal to say thank you, maybe Wednesday. I’m a bit short on spare time at the moment what with the re-launch but I’m sure I could fix something up.’
‘I’d love to, but I’ve got a date on Wednesday.’
The statement hangs in the air and I feel my whole body deflate, why have I assumed he would be free. I bet women were queuing up to get a piece of him. ‘Oh right, sorry, maybe another time then.’
Muriel comes back out of the changing room followed closely by chestnut haired wiggle hips whose face lights up as soon as she spots Robert. She tosses her long glossy hair over her shoulder, and thrusts her chest out in front of her as she wiggles past us. Muriel takes the green skirt and wraps it carefully in tissue paper.
‘Anyway, I guess I’ll catch you at home later then,’ Robert says, as he backs towards the door. I was conscious of Muriel’s eyes on me as she wraps the skirt.
‘See you later,’ I reply, as he leaves and the bell clangs again above the door.
Chestnut haired wiggle hips watches him leave then shoots me a look of pure contempt. She pays for her purchase, spins on her heel and leaves the shop without a further word.
Muriel is still staring at the door so I turn and head towards the back of the shop. ‘I had better sort out some space in the stock room ready for the delivery.’
She catches up with me and grabs my arm. ‘No you don’t, I tidied the stock room at the weekend.’ She turns me round to face her. ‘What is going on between you two?’
‘You two, who?’ I ask, full of innocence.
‘You and Robert, you could cut the tension with a knife.’
‘I didn’t notice anything,’ I lie. ‘Anyway, we’re just friends.’
‘Seems to me he wants to be more than just friends,’ she says, examining my face. ‘And he’s not the only one by the guilty expression you’re wearing.’
I pull myself from her grasp. ‘That’s ridiculous. He’s just told me he has a date on Wednesday so he’s clearly not interested in me, you’re reading it all wrong. Besides, I’m taken as you well know.’
‘I know you, Lola, and something is going on between the two of you. Perhaps you haven’t admitted it to yourself yet, but it’s definitely there.’
‘That’s just preposterous, Muriel. I thought of all people I could rely on you not to go all Bridget Jones on me. Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do.’
I march off into the stock room and close the door behind me. I sit down on a box and fan myself with my hand. My skin feels like its on fire yet I have goose bumps on my arms. I need to pull myself together and stop acting like a silly schoolgirl or I am in danger of making myself look really foolish. Muriel has noticed it, so other people were bound to see how I act in front of Robert. But I just can’t help myself, I go to pieces every time he’s near me. It’s ridiculous and I have to get control of this situation before it escalates further. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself and think logically. There is no other choice, I will have to ask Robert to leave or risk what I have with James.
I stay at the shop with Muriel until eight, planning, making lists and phoning contacts. The delivery from Katherine has arrived and we have put some of the dresses out on display and have sold two of them already. The pencil skirts and lace blouses I put in the stock room as I want to make a feature on forties office wear for the re-launch night.
By the time Muriel leaves for the evening my head is buzzing with ideas. I lock up the shop and go next door to collect the takeaway I have phoned through earlier. Sandip’s restaurant is decorated in a contemporary style with modern furniture and blue fairy lights dotted across the walls. My shoes clip across the wooden floor as I walk towards the counter. The restaurant is already busy and only a couple of tables remain empty. The waiters are rushing backwards and forwards to the kitchen.
Sandip greets me at the bar. ‘Hi, Lola, I haven’t seen you in here for a while.’
‘Hi, Sandip, no I’ve been a bit busy,’ I say, looking around the restaurant. ‘You’re doing quite well yourself I see.’
‘Yes, always busy on Monday night when we do specials. How is it in your shop, is business picking up?’
‘Not too bad.’ I nod my head. ‘We’ve just got a new line in, vintage inspired. In fact we’re having a re-launch party a week on Thursday if you want to pop in for an hour.’
He thinks for a few seconds. ‘Yes, I could bring my wife, she loves clothes, oh so many clothes.’
I laugh. ‘That would be lovely Sandip, I’ll look forward to seeing you both.’ A waiter emerges from the kitchen and places my takeaway bag on the counter. The smell of spices immediately hits my nostrils and I my stomach rumbles in response. I pay for the food and pick up the bag. ‘See you next week, Sandip.’
He waves goodbye and I leave the restaurant, bag in hand. All I can think about now is eating, followed by a quick bath, and then bed.
Chapter Seventeen
By the time I get home I am exhausted. I pull up on the drive and Roberts’ car is nowhere to be seen. James’ car however, is parked in my space. My eyes dart over to the portico and there he stands with a holdall at his feet. As I get out of the car I grab my bags and the takeaway carrier then walk over to greet him. Although I feel bone tired and ready to pass out, I make an effort and put a smile on my face.
‘If you gave me a key, I wouldn’t have to stand and wait for hours like a tradesman by the door.’ No kiss, no proper greeting.
‘Hello to you too, James,’ I say, harrumphing to myself and shuffle the bags up my arm to put the key in the lock. I haven’t got
the strength for another confrontation today. ‘I’ll get a key cut for you as soon as I can.’
‘No need, I called in earlier and saw Ned. He’ll do a copy of his key, but it would have been nice for my girlfriend to give me one voluntarily,’ he says, flicking through his mobile nonchalantly.
I spin on my heel to face him. ‘What, you asked Ned for a key?’
‘Yes, I don’t want to have to wait outside my own home do I?’ He looks most indignant and thrusts the phone back in his pocket.
I make a mental note to speak to Ned in the morning and bite on my lip to hold back any further comment, I can’t keep on doing battle like this. I drop my bags on the hall table.
‘Anyway, I’ve cleared my schedule for the week so I can spend every night with you.’ He steps in front of me and wraps his arms around me.
‘Oh.’ I say, I hadn’t been expecting that.
‘I bought a few things with me,’ he says, nodding down to the holdall on the floor. Then he runs his hands over my hips and back up to my breasts, where he slips one hand through the buttons of my blouse. He raises his eyebrows lasciviously and licks his lips. ‘How’s about a proper welcome.’
I pull his hand away. ‘I’m tired, James, and I wasn’t expecting you here. You said you would be away in London for the week.’
His face falls and a dark look comes in his eyes. ‘I wanted to surprise you and show you how committed I am to making this work, but I can see you’re not interested.’
‘I am interested, I’m just tired, I’ve been in the shop for twelve hours and I’m going to be there every night this week. We’re having a re-launch, I told you about it. We’re doing a bit of tidying and some painting just to freshen things up,’ I say, as an idea comes into my mind. ‘You could come and give us a hand if you’re free?’
A nervous looks appears on his face and he pulls away from me. ‘Oh painting, I’m not sure. You know the fumes play havoc with my sinuses. Besides, when I said I’d cleared my schedule there are still a few things I couldn’t get out of sorry, babe. You know I’d help if I could.’ He gives my buttocks a quick squeeze and nods to the takeaway bag. ‘Is that Indian food I can smell, I’m really starved.’
The shop has been really busy all morning. Muriel and I have just finished dealing with the latest rush of customers when my phone beeps a message from Chrissie. She is on her way back from Brighton and is going to call in the shop, so I leave Muriel and pop out to the Coffee Pot to pick up cappuccinos and chocolate muffins. When I return, Chrissie is already in the back of the shop with Muriel checking out the website.
‘Hi,’ I say, dropping the muffins and coffee on the desk. ‘You look lovely, Chrissie, all fresh faced and radiant. Must be all the sea air.’
‘Do I?’ She peers into the mirror on the wall. ‘It’s more likely the sex and good loving.’
I look over at Muriel whose face is steadily turning a furious pink and she is starting to fidget around uncomfortably. ‘You could have just said you were happy.’ I nod to where Muriel is intently examining the website.
Chrissie turns to Muriel. ‘Sorry, Mu, but you know I like to share these things.’
The bell clangs in the shop and Muriel quickly rises from her seat. She gives Chrissie’s shoulders a little squeeze as she goes past. ‘That’s okay sweetheart, I’m happy for you. And it’s nice to know someone is still getting it.’ With that she disappears into the shop.
I look at Chrissie. ‘Subtle as ever, can you stop talking about sex for just five minutes do you think? At least in front of Muriel, you know she gets embarrassed.’
‘I could, but I like it. Anyway, Muriel’s okay, she’s not as prudish as you think she is.’
A definite subject change is in order, although I doubt I will ever get Chrissie to find anything she likes talking about more than sex. ‘How was the rest of your weekend?’
‘Fantastic,’ she says, leaning back in the chair, her face beaming. ‘Poor Cal is worn out, honestly I have worked him so hard. But, I’m going to give him a rest now we’re back and look after him, you know cook him some special meals and give him a relaxing massage or two.’
‘That’s nice, I’m really pleased it’s all worked out for you two.’
‘We’re going to look at engagement rings at the weekend. We’re not going to have a massive engagement party though, just an intimate dinner for a few friends. You’ll come won’t you?’
‘Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for anything,’ I say, giving her hand a squeeze and we both fall silent.
‘So, how are things going with you and sexy Robert?’
I roll my eyes and sigh. ‘There is no me and sexy Robert. James on the other hand, is moving in with me soon.’
‘What, why?’ A look of pure distaste puckers her face.
I shoot her a warning look. ‘Don‘t, Chrissie, he just is. Not straight away though, just a few nights a week at first, and then he’ll move in completely in a few weeks time.’
‘And how is that working out?’ The puckered expression is still evident, curling her lip slightly at the corner.
‘Well to be honest it’s exhausting. Every time I get home he’s jumping on me for sex. For instance, last night we had just had dinner, I was clearing the plates away into the dishwasher, when I heard Robert pull up on the drive. James just leapt on me and dragged me upstairs for sex. I wouldn’t have minded but I had loads to do.’
She thinks about this for a second and then says, ‘scent marking.’
‘What?’ I say, frowning.
‘He’s scent marking, showing Robert you belong to him. Let me guess, was James the one to suggest moving in together?’
‘Yes, he kept going on and dropping hints.’
‘There you go, he’s asserting his ownership on you.’
I think about this for a few moments and let it sink in. James has been very possessive over the last few weeks. But then again, he had always been a little insecure underneath, I had never thought it was anything to worry about, until now. ‘Oh my god, you’re right. What should I do?’
Chrissie gives a little laugh. ‘Don’t do anything, you’re getting lots of sex aren’t you?’
‘Chrissie,’ I say, tutting. ‘I don’t want him to think he has to assert his ownership on me for goodness sake. Maybe I haven’t been paying him enough attention what with the re-launch and everything.’
Chrissie grimaces. ‘Yeah, right.’
Muriel pops her head around the door and holds out my mobile phone to me. ‘Your phone was ringing but I couldn’t get to it while I was serving.’
‘Thanks, Muriel.’ I take the phone from her and glance at the screen. ‘Oh, missed call from Robert.’
I look up and see glances passing between Muriel and Chrissie. ‘What are those looks for?’
‘No reason.’ Chrissie stands and grabs Muriel’s arm. ‘How about you show me this new range you’ve got, Mu, I could do with something really sexy for the weekend.’
They both disappear into the shop and leave me to call Robert. The phone rings just once before he answers. ‘Hi, Robert, everything okay?’
‘It depends,’ I hear him say, ‘did you ask an estate agent to come round and view the house?’
‘No, why?’ I sit bolt upright in the chair.
‘Because I’ve just caught some guy snooping round and taking photo’s. He was in the kitchen when I found him - he said he’d been instructed by the owner. I thought I had better check it out with you.’
My heart is beating furiously. ‘Has he gone now?’
‘No, I told him to sling his hook but he refused.’
‘Okay, keep him there. I’m on my way.’ I hang up the phone and grab my bag and keys.
I find Robert and Ned in the hallway with a greasy looking man. He is dressed in a suit, holding a clipboard to his chest and keeps pushing a pair of glasses up the bridge of his nose, which slide back down again as soon as he moves his hand away. He pounces as soon as I come through the door.
‘Mrs Page, I have been asked to survey the house, but these gentlemen are being very obstructive,’ he says, indicating both Robert and Ned on either side of him.
‘Mrs Page?’ I frown as I drop my bag onto the hall table. ‘Can I ask who instructed you to carry out the survey?’
‘Yes, Mr Alex Page. He said it would be okay to drop in this week. He even gave me a key.’ He holds out his hand to show the little gold key nestled in his sweaty palm. ‘Now I have a lot of work to do today, so can you please ask these gentlemen to let me get on?’
I feel my blood begin to boil in my veins. Bloody Alex has gone a step too far this time. He has pushed me to a point where there is no other alternative - I will have to commit fratricide. I smile to hide what’s going on inside me. ‘Okay, Mr...?’
‘Johnson, Mr Johnson.’
I nod. ‘Mr Johnson, we’ve decided to put the sale on hold for now I’m afraid. My erm, my husband was supposed to call you and let you know. So for now, I’ll have my key back please...’ I hold out my hand. ‘…and I apologise for any inconvenience.’
He looks most indignant. ‘Well, I’ve never experienced anything like it. I will speak to my client forthwith.’
‘And so shall I, Mr Johnson,’ I say, smiling through gritted teeth.
He leaves through the front door harrumphing to himself and I turn to Ned and Robert. Ned speaks first. ‘We didn’t know he was in here, missus.’
‘Has your brother got a key?’ says Robert.
‘I didn’t think so, but apparently he has, which is weird as I had the locks changed when I moved in to keep my mother out.’
Robert raises his eyebrows.
‘It’s complicated.’ I smile at him. ‘If you met my mother you’d understand.’
‘Do you want me to change the locks again, missus?’ Ned says, scratching his head.
‘Thanks, Ned, but I don’t think we’ll have any more problems in that department. Not once I’ve spoken to my brother.’
Lola's House (Lola Series) Page 14
