Riding Solo

by Woods, Karen

  Harry stripped down to his boxers and stood shivering. “Can I have a blanket or something to wrap around me, I’m freezing my balls off here?”

  Amanda left the room and came back holding a pink dressing gown. “Here, you can put this on until you’re warmer. It’s my favourite one, so don’t be dribbling all over it.”

  Harry put it on, he was still shivering and his teeth were chattering together. Amanda sat down and they both just sat staring at each other. “You’ve hurt me Harry. I let myself fall in love with you and you shattered my heart into a million pieces.”

  Harry sat forward, did he hear her right? Did she say she loved him? “I love you too Amanda. All I can say is I’m sorry. If you gave me another chance I would make you the happiest woman ever. I love you with all my heart you know.”

  Amanda sat fidgeting, her mouth was moving but no words were coming out. Hands held across her stomach she dipped her head low, she had to tell him about the baby, it was now or never. “I’m having a baby, Harry. It’s yours.”

  Harry’s jaw dropped, he was lost for words. Amanda just sat staring at him waiting for his reaction. Harry jumped up and paced the room. “Why didn’t you tell me before? What were you going to do, just have the baby and never tell me?”

  Amanda nodded. “I didn’t have a choice Harry. You left me, for fucks sake, you were getting married. I didn’t want you to know.”

  “I had a right to know,” Harry shouted at the top of his voice.

  “You lost that right when you got back with Jenny. What, did you expect? That I’d turn up at your house and tell you?”

  Harry blew a laboured breath. “I was ringing you constantly, you never once answered, why?”

  Amanda was sticking to her guns and she snapped. “I never answered you because you were back with Jenny. I could never be your bit on the side, give me some bleeding credit.”

  Harry sank to his knees, and held his hands out to her. “I love you so much Amanda. A baby is a bonus. Can you forgive me and let’s try again. Honest, hand on heart, I’ll never hurt you again.”

  Amanda nodded, she’d planned to send him packing, but her heart was stopping her, she loved Harry too much to let him go. The couple kissed passionately and on that day the two hearts that once were broken were mended once again.

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  Grace sat at the kitchen table and she had lots of paper scattered about in front of her. Today was the day Martin had suggested they should meet if they still loved each other. Winnie had just left and she was alone. Grace looked tired; dark black circles were visible under her eyes. Both of her sons had been to visit her and they both wanted what was best for her, well, one of her sons did. Phil was still angry with her. Listening to radio she raised a smile. A song from her past was playing, a song that reminded her of Martin. The ashtray on the table was overflowing with cig ends and Grace was still sat there smoking like a trooper. Checking the clock on the wall, she grabbed her coat from the side of the chair and left the house.

  Grace loved shopping and every time she was upset she hit the town centre for a bit of retail therapy. There was just one hour left before her deadline was up to meet Martin. You could tell by the expression on her face that she still hadn’t made her mind up. Carrying her bags she made her way to a coffee shop. Once she’d got her drink she found a seat and sat staring out of the window. The weather was cold and even though the sun was shining outside, it was still freezing. Grace was dressed smartly today, her hair was nicely blown and she’d even applied some make-up. Sipping her latte she watched the passers-by through the window. People always seemed in a hurry, they were rushing from one shop to another. Reaching in her coat pocket Grace pulled out some paper. It was the list she’d made about her husband. Touching the paper slowly she raised a smile. From the distance she could hear her name being shouted, her neck stretched to see who it was. It was her old friend Donna Jones; she’d not seen her in years.

  The woman was holding a cup in her hand and trying to get to Grace’s side. “Fancy seeing you here, it’s been years since we’ve seen each other, how are you sweetheart?” Donna sat down and peeled her coat off. Grace began to talk and both of them were giggling as they remembered the days gone by. Donna had moved out of the area years ago and somehow they’d both lost touch. Donna was telling her all about her life and how she’d split from her husband two years ago. It was weird, because her husband had also been unfaithful to her. Grace was listening to Donna talk with eager ears. She was telling her all about her husband’s infidelity. “We got back together for a short while you know? I think I just didn’t want anyone else to have him, even though I didn’t want him myself,” she stressed. Grace filled her in on her own torments and they both sat deep in conversation. Donna was a wise-head and without her knowing it she was making up Grace’s mind up for her. She was telling her all about the single life she led and how much better her life was now. “I thought I would be lonely when Phil left me, and don’t get me wrong on the odd night after a few glasses of wine I wanted to phone him to come back home, but I always stopped myself at the last minute. We sold the house, so I was quite well off, if you know what I mean. The world was my oyster so to speak.”

  Grace chipped in, she was desperate to know more. “So, where do you live now then?”

  Donna chuckled and kept her voice low. “I’m kind of a free spirit. I stay some nights at my sister’s house when I’m in this country but most of the time I’m at my apartment in Spain. You’ll have to come and stay with me. You’ll have the time of your life.” Grace was excited as the women swapped phone numbers. Donna kissed Grace on her cheek and held her hand as she left. “Life’s not that bad on your own darling. It’s scary at first, but day by day, it gets better.” Grace watched her friend leave and started to put her coat on. Heading outside she started to walk slowly. Checking her wrist watch, she picked up speed.

  Martin stood at St Patrick’s Church in Collyhurst. Every car that went past he was trying to see who was inside it. Checking the time on his wristwatch, his heart sank; it was nearly half past two. He knew in his heart his wife wasn’t coming. Swallowing hard he sat on the grey concrete step at the front of the church. A blackbird was nearby and it was squawking loudly. Martin picked up a small stone and flicked it at the bird, but it still wouldn’t move, it was beginning to annoy him. The hour passed and Martin was still alone. Standing to his feet he had to realise that his marriage was over. Making his way back to his car he cried every step he walked. Martin sunk his head over the steering wheel and punched his fist into the dashboard with force, he’d dented it. All of a sudden he nearly jumped out of his skin as a hand banged on the driver’s side of the window. His vision was blurred and he was struggling to see who it was. This area was well known for crime and he was preparing himself for a fight as he opened the car door. Martin’s legs wobbled and he fell back onto the car as he was gripped by the neck.

  “You get one more chance Martin Willis, and if you ever so much as look at another woman, I’m gone, do you hear me, I’m gone?” Martin threw his arms around Grace and he kissed her. The both of them were crying and it took a while before any of them spoke.

  “I thought you weren’t coming Grace?” She smiled and walked around to the passenger side of the door and opened it slowly.

  “I nearly wasn’t Martin, but after seeing my old friend Donna I changed my mind. She split from her hubby too and even though she’s saying she’s fine. I could see it in her eyes that she’s not. She’s still bitter and her heart still aches for her husband.”

  They both got into the car and Martin was still shaking. “Thank you Grace, for giving me another chance, you’ll never regret this day, ever. I never want to be without you again. I’m nothing without you Grace, nothing.”

  The engine roared as Martin pressed the accelerator. Grace smiled and tried to keep a straight face. “I’ve only had you back to sort that garden out; it’s grown like the Amazon rain forest since you’ve b
een gone. So count yourself lucky.” Martin chuckled, he knew her sense of humour so well and in a way, this was her way of saying she was glad he was back too. The car drove off into the distance and as it passed you could see Martin’s hand resting on his wife’s lap. The couple were back together.

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  This was a sad day for Marcy. This was the last day of the classes for Harry, Amanda, Fred and Grace. She’d become so close to them all and she knew they would always be part of her success story. The following week she had a full class of new clients already booked in and she was eager to try and help them too. On the table were a box of chocolates and a few bottles of wine. This was Marcy’s way of saying goodbye. Her clients were due any minute now and she sat waiting for them, eager to hear their news.

  Harry walked into the class first and he was ranting and raving. “Marcy, I’ve ended it with Amanda and I’m never going back with the hormonal cow, she’s a crank, she’s tried strangling me.” Marcy swallowed hard; this was not what she wanted to hear.

  She stood up and she was about to start calming him down when Amanda popped her head inside the door giggling. “It’s a joke. Aw...” Harry looked at Marcy’s face; she’d gone as white as a ghost, “I told him not to do it, but you know what he’s like the joker.”

  Marcy blew a breath and waved her hand in front of her face. She seemed to be swearing under her breath. She hugged them both and congratulated them on their new found happiness. Grace and Fred walked in together and they were nattering. When everyone was sat down Marcy began her farewell speech. She’d taken great care writing it, and her heart and soul had gone into it. Harry poured everyone a glass of wine, not Amanda though, she was having water. Marcy looked at them all and the corners of her mouth started to rise. This was a happy time, and even though in the past she never thought she would see the day, all her clients had come through the other side of their heartbreak.

  “I wish you all well in the future. And I know you will all keep in touch with each other. This has been one hell of an emotional roller coaster and I for one, am so happy that we all got through it. We all had ups and downs, but ay, we got there in the end.” Marcy jerked her tears back as she thought about her own mother and all the other broken hearts in the world that hadn’t been saved. “Time is a great healer, and no matter what happens in life with your friends you can get through it. I hope you all pass on what you’ve learned to people who are going through the same. Heartache, in no matter what shape or form, is still painful. We are the lucky ones, and I’m so proud to say that I’ve helped with your healing.”

  Grace was blubbering, and Amanda was crying too. Fred sat next to Harry and they were both struggling to hold it together. Each of them in turn now said their goodbyes to Marcy. Harry went first. “Marcy, the work you’ve done here with me is unbelievable. If I look back at where I’ve come from I would never have done it without you. In fact without you, I would have been dead. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for repairing my heart and letting me believe in love again.”

  Marcy dabbed the crumpled tissue into the corner of her eyes. Grace went next; she was fidgeting and blowing her nose constantly. “Marcy, like Harry you helped repair my heart. I’m not saying I’m fully repaired, but I’m on my way. Although at the time I thought you were talking through your arse sometimes, you really did help me,” the class giggled as Grace walked to Marcy’s side and hugged her.

  Amanda was next and everyone thought she was going to crumble with the pressure, they were so wrong, her words were heart wrenching and she left everyone in tears even Harry. Fred was smiling and he repeated what everyone else had said. Raising their glasses to the ceiling they all celebrated the journey they’d made together.

  Fred proposed a toast, “To healing hearts”.

  “To healing hearts,” the class cheered.

  Marcy watched her clients leave and held back her emotions. She’d done what she set out to do and in her heart she’d paid back the debt of her own mother’s death. Healing hearts was rewarding, and she knew she’d made the right choices in her career. The following week she would start the journey all over again and she hoped her next lot of clients would be a success story too. Watching Harry and Amanda kissing at the bottom of the path, she held her hands around her body and felt a gentle flow of love filtering through her veins. It was true what people said though, love does move in mysterious ways.

  *

  The week passed quickly and Marcy sat reading through her notes of her new clients. The name of one of her clients seemed familiar and she was wracking her brains trying to work out where she’d heard the name before, her mind was blank. Her office door opened slowly and Marcy’s jaw dropped. Before she could speak, the man came to her side and begged her for her help. “Marcy, I know I haven’t been booked in with you, but if you don’t help me I don’t know what I’m going to do, you’re my last hope.”

  Marcy held her father Steve in her arms and she felt his pain. She knew he’d been suffering since her mother’s death, but seeing his face today, let her know that he was at breaking point. “Off course I’ll help you, dad. That’s what I’m here for.” Steve sat down in a seat and watched as another woman walked inside the room.

  Marcy began the class and each of the new clients introduced themselves. The first woman was shaking from head to toe and she was struggling to speak. “My name is Jenny and I’m here because my partner Harry has left me. He’s with another woman now and they’re having a baby.” Marcy covered her mouth with her hand in shock. This was Harry’s ex-partner Jenny. She knew she was familiar with the woman’s full name. Harry had said it enough times in class; he always called her by her full name. Marcy carried on with the class and even though she knew she shouldn’t have, she smiled secretly. Here in the room were two people who’d broken someone’s heart in the past. Karma always finds a way in the end, doesn’t it?

  THE END