A Home In Sunset Bay

by Rebecca Pugh

‘I’ll be with you in five minutes. I’m just grabbing my car from the B&B. Make sure you’re outside yours when I get there. We need to be on the move pronto!’

  Cal was in the car before it had even completely stopped, snapping on his seat belt and staring at Laurie as he waited for an explanation. ‘Tell me, what’s this about? It’s about Mia, isn’t it? I knew it.’

  Laurie didn’t want to chat. She wanted to get there as quickly as possible, while at the same time obeying the low speed limits in Sunset Bay. ‘Turns out Mia’s date tonight is my cheating, scumbag of an ex. He deliberately asked her out, knowing full well she’d know where I was. I don’t know what he’s got planned but I don’t want to wait to find out.’ She went as fast as the speed limits would allow, aware of Cal’s head shaking from side to side in disbelief.

  ‘I can’t believe it. Well, actually I can. I knew there was something weird about it. I just had this gut feeling that something was wrong, but Mia was all for it when I spoke to her in the diner. I tried to talk her out of it but there was no stopping her.’ He ran a hand through messy hair and rubbed at his eyes tiredly. ‘Do you know where the restaurant is?’ he asked moments later, realising the car had turned back on itself.

  ‘No idea,’ Laurie muttered. ‘Reason number one why I decided to take you with me. Tell me where this place is. We need to get there ASAP.’

  Cal proceeded to reel off the directions to the restaurant, all the while chewing his bottom lip anxiously.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Laurie asked him. ‘Chew any more and you won’t have a bottom lip left.’

  Cal let out a huff of laughter. ‘Oh, it’s nothing. I just …’ He grew silent for a second or two. ‘I split up with Hannah.’

  Laurie raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh?’

  ‘Yep.’ Cal nodded slowly but didn’t continue.

  ‘Why’s that then?’ Laurie glanced across at him, trying to read his expression but it was difficult to make out in the darkness, when the only light was the passing street lamps.

  ‘Mia. Isn’t it obvious?’ He exhaled heavily and ran his hands over his face as if he was stressed to the max. ‘It’s ridiculous, trying to carry on in a relationship when I only have one woman on my mind. And today? When I realised she was off out tonight, on a damn date? No, that was the last straw. I tried to keep it cool, tried not to show how I was feeling, but I just couldn’t do it. I was angry, jealous … I couldn’t stand the thought of some other man wining and dining her. She’s mine to wine and dine.’

  ‘That’s very sweet Cal, but she has no idea you feel that way so, she wouldn’t see the issue in being wined and dined by … Actually, do you know what? Let’s not talk about it. I’m so angry right now, and I feel stupid. I should have known something fishy was going on. I should have expected this. He’s always been slimy and conniving and urgh!’ Laurie slammed her hands against the wheel, thankful that the roads were clear and quiet. ‘Sorry, Cal.’

  ‘Don’t apologise, but don’t blame yourself either. Mia’s sweet. She usually sees the good in people, sidestepping the bad completely. She was flattered, I could tell. I feel bad. She’s going to be so gutted she was used like that.’

  ‘That’s reason number two why I’m bringing you with me. She’s going to be pretty devastated when she finds out what’s going on, and who better to comfort her than you? Do you think you can handle that?’ She smirked as she glanced across at him.

  ‘It will be my pleasure.’ He turned and stared through the passenger window.

  ***

  ‘What shall I do?’ Cal asked once they’d parked and were in the restaurant lobby, lingering on shiny marble flooring as Laurie tried to formulate a plan. People were milling about, women click-clacking to and from the toilets in their heels, men waiting politely for their other halves. ‘Do I come with you? Do I stay here and wait?’ Cal narrowed his eyes as he tried to locate Mia in the busy dining room ahead.

  ‘Yes!’ Laurie spun to face him and clapped her hands together. ‘Yes, that’s an excellent idea. You wait here’ she placed her hands on either shoulder as if planting him firmly in place – ‘because when I find them and reveal Mr Perfect’s true identity, Mia will no doubt get up and leave. She wouldn’t want to stay and be humiliated. She’ll come through here and leave immediately, I’m certain of it.’ Laurie nodded and turned, peering towards the dining area where the sound of cutlery hitting plates and chatter could be heard clearly.

  ‘I could break his neck,’ Cal growled beneath his breath. ‘It’s not on. Treating her like a pawn in a game of chess, using her to get to you. Wait until I get my hands on him. I swear I’m gonna …’

  ‘Cal, no. You leave Neil to me. He’s not worth it. Trust me, I know.’ Laurie licked her lips and realised there was no other way around it. She was going to have to head in there, find Mia and Neil, and approach them. There was no point in sneaking around, trying to make a big song and dance about it. In her head, she’d imagined the restaurant growing quiet as she pointed a raging finger into Neil’s face, a round of applause firing up as she spat out scathing words and showed the world what he was really like beneath that sleek and well-kept appearance. She’d watched too many movies, apparently, because real life wasn’t like that. In reality, what she’d be doing was smashing right through Mia’s date night and probably playing right into Neil’s hands. She took a deep breath and turned to look at Cal who was waiting patiently for her to make the next move.

  ‘Right, I’m going in. Remember, stay here and when Mia leaves, go after her. Don’t let her go out into the night on her own. She’s sensitive, she’ll be upset.’

  Cal smirked. ‘You’re forgetting that this is me we’re talking about, Laurie. I know her almost as well as you, and if you thought there was a chance I wouldn’t go after her then you’re wrong. I’d go to the ends of the earth for your sister.’

  Laurie stalled. She cocked her head to the side as she studied Cal and felt her heart soften. He was lovely, really. At first glance, he appeared like a bit of a lad, attractive and cocky, but deep down, he was a genuine man who clearly had her sister’s best interests at heart. She was thankful for that and would have to remember to thank him once this was over. With a small nod of acknowledgement, Laurie turned, raised her head with determination and headed towards the dining area, trying not to appear too conspicuous.

  A delicious smell filled the air when she entered the large, opulent room and glanced around at the numerous tables filled with families and couples, drinking wine, laughing merrily and enjoying good food in even better company. Waiters hovered around tables refilling wine glasses and asking if guests were enjoying their meals. It really was a very appealing place and the bustling atmosphere indicated it was a popular choice for the people of Sunset Bay as well as out-of-towners. Laurie realised she’d become sidetracked by the appearance and forced herself back to the task at hand.

  She walked slowly around the outer edges of the room, taking in the deep red tablecloths and glittering glasses and cutlery. She glanced at the faces of each person, trying desperately to locate Mia within the busyness of the place. Finally, she found her, sitting at a far table with slimy, disgusting Neil opposite, leaning back in his seat and looking very comfortable indeed. Well, that would soon change once she got hold of him.

  Her heart began to pound as she approached. She didn’t know which way to go about it, but in the end the decision was taken from her when Mia saw her approaching and her eyes widened with bewilderment at seeing Laurie and confusion as to why. Laurie adopted a serious look, hoping Mia would realise that something was wrong. Neil must have noticed Mia’s attention being focused on something behind him because he placed his glass down and turned slowly in his seat. Rather than shock, an amused grin appeared as he locked eyes with her.

  ‘Laurie, how good of you to join us.’

  Laurie’s nostrils flared as she arrived beside their cosy table for two. She looked down at Mia who seemed unsure of the new situation, her mind working over
time as she tried to put two and two together.

  ‘Neil.’ Laurie nodded her head in greeting. Hopefully just the mention of his name would bring realisation to Mia. Thankfully, it did.

  ‘Neil?’ Mia said slowly, mouth turning down at the sides. ‘As in, your ex Neil?’

  ‘The very same,’ Neil replied with undisguised satisfaction. ‘I’m so sorry, Mia, please don’t take it personally, but I had to find Laurie somehow and this seemed like the best way to go. Don’t leave on my account though. Stay, enjoy your meal.’ He picked his glass back up and raised it in Mia’s direction.

  Mia shoved her chair back and threw her napkin down, her meal half-eaten, glass half-empty. Laurie felt a flash of guilt at ruining what could have otherwise been a wonderful evening, if only Mia had been joined by someone else entirely. Cal, perhaps. But the guilt didn’t last long as Laurie realised she’d saved Mia from any further humiliation and game-playing. Who knew how long Neil would have carried on for if Laurie hadn’t realised who he was?

  Laurie watched Mia hurry out of the dining room, knowing that Cal would be there to soothe and comfort her. The thought filled her with warmth but it soon dissipated when she turned back to the complete idiot who was still sipping wine as if nothing had happened. She glared as she took Mia’s seat and stared across at him.

  ‘What exactly are you doing, Neil? Have you completely lost your mind?’

  He smiled down into his glass, then slowly brought his gaze up to meet hers. His dark, steely eyes were beguiling enough to tempt any woman, but she knew now what he was like, and she wouldn’t fall for it. Not a chance. She waited for him to reply while he faffed about with his napkin, adjusted his cufflinks.

  ‘I needed to see you, Laurie. Did you really think you could just disappear, that I wouldn’t end up coming to find you?’

  Laurie’s fingers twitched. She wanted so badly to reach across the beautifully set table and smack him across the face. He deserved that and so much more. ‘As far as I was aware Neil, if a woman no longer wants to be in a relationship with a cheating pig, then she has a right to walk away and not be followed and stalked like prey. You had no right to bring Mia into this, my little sister of all people. Have you not got even a tiny bit of heart in there somewhere? What lengths would you go to? It doesn’t even bear thinking about.’

  ‘Now, now, Laurie,’ Neil grinned with amusement. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen this feisty side of you. It’s very sexy, I must say.’

  ‘Oh, is it?’ Laurie barked. ‘Well, such a shame that it’s not yours to admire any more, isn’t it?’ She bit her lip. ‘Did my mother tell you where I’d be? Is that who sent you down here, to spy on me? To try and drag me back to London? Back to you?’

  Neil tilted his head to the side. ‘I suppose so. I didn’t realise you’d still be this angry, though. Laurie, listen to me. What you walked in on that day was a mistake. That woman? She meant nothing to me. Not a thing. She was a toy. A play-thing, if you will. That was nothing like what you and I had; it didn’t even come close. That was all about the sex, the physical side of things. Me and you? We have so much more than that, don’t we? We always have. A connection, emotions, a deep love for each other.’

  Laurie laughed hysterically, causing a few surrounding guests to glance their way curiously. She managed to pull herself together. ‘You … You are just impossible. I have no idea what to say to you right now, I really don’t.’

  Neil licked his lips and moved his hand into the middle of the table, touching his fingertips to Laurie’s. ‘Say you’ll forgive me and come home? It’s not the same without you there, Laurie. I miss you. I miss us. Everybody makes mistakes, don’t they? Are you really going to punish me for ever because of one mishap? I’ll do anything to have you back, absolutely anything to show you how much I love you.’

  To Laurie’s shock, Neil pulled out a small, red, velvet box from the inner pocket of his suit jacket and placed it in the middle of the table. ‘What’s that?’ Laurie cleared her throat. ‘Is that what I think it is?’ she asked, eyes narrowing as she studied the box, Neil, and then the box some more.

  Neil smiled softly, his eyes pleading but his mouth twitching at the corners. ‘It is. Laurie, life is too short for this. I made a mistake, I know that. A big mistake, and I’m sorry. I will spend the rest of my life begging for your forgiveness, while at the same time making you the happiest woman alive. You will never want for anything with me, you know that. I will give you everything that your heart desires at the click of a finger. What happened that night will never, ever happen again, I swear to you. Didn’t Rosa’s death teach you that life was far too short? To be happy? To move on and not dwell on the past?’

  Laurie swallowed. Rosa’s death had taught her a lot of things, and the funny thing was, Rosa probably had no idea that her tragic demise had had this effect on Laurie. She stared wide-eyed at the box between them, tempting and teasing. There was a time when this had been everything she’d ever wanted. When she’d sit and wonder when Neil would finally ask the question, wonder if he even loved at her all. And now it was happening. Now, that wished-for box that would bring with it her own happy ever after was right there in front of her, waiting to be opened like a beautifully wrapped gift full of promise. She glanced up to his face, took in the familiar shape of it, the dips and the curves that she’d grown to know so well. She took in a breath. She thought about how they’d been before they’d fallen apart, before he’d shattered her trust in him. Was life too short to throw away what they’d had all because of one mistake?

  For a couple of seconds, Laurie forgot all of the bad, and the good began to flood through her mind, taking her back to much happier times. They’d been good for each other at one point, hadn’t they? There’d been a time when Laurie would have trusted this man with her life. She’d always believed everything he’d said to her because she’d had no reason to doubt him. But now? She studied him momentarily, staring at the face she’d known for so long but was about to say goodbye to. Neil was right – life was too short. Too short for relationships with men who couldn’t be trusted. She had no idea if the red-head had been Neil’s first side-piece, and she probably never would know, either. He’d never tell her, and even if he did, how would she know that he was telling the truth? The trust that she’d once cherished so much was shattered, and there was no going back from that.

  ‘You’re unbelievable,’ she said quietly. ‘You really are the lowest of the low. First, you sleep with another woman in our bed. Then, you propose to me, after tricking my sister and taking her out on a date.’ Laurie stood and glared at the box that would have no doubt brought her great happiness if he hadn’t done what he’d done. ‘Stick your ring where the sun doesn’t shine, Neil. It’s for nothing but show anyway.’ She stormed back through the dining room. She could feel his presence following her, but she didn’t care. He could say all he liked now, it wouldn’t make a single bit of difference to her. He’d done the damage and now he’d have to live with it.

  ‘Laurie, please. Wait a minute. Let’s talk about this!’

  She stepped outside into the cool night air and headed in the direction of the car park for the restaurant. His steps echoed behind her, growing quicker in pace. ‘Go away, Neil. We have nothing left to talk about, so there’s no point in trying.’

  At that moment, she felt a tight grip take hold of her arm and swing her around. She came face to face with him. ‘Don’t walk away from me,’ he snarled, his demeanour completely different now. ‘Who the hell do you think you are?’

  Laurie gasped. She glanced down at his fingers. They were digging into her arm now, and she was sure it was getting more painful with every passing second. ‘Neil, let go of me. You’re hurting me.’ She tried to shake him off but he refused to let go, gripping tighter, harder.

  ‘I got you that ring specially, Laurie. How can you say no?’ He shook her like a doll, eyes wild and manic. ‘Do you have any idea how much it cost me? You didn’t even open it, didn’
t even look at it!’

  ‘I don’t care!’ she cried, desperately trying to wriggle free from his grip, but it was relentless. ‘Get off me, Neil! You could spend all of the money in the world and I still wouldn’t think twice about turning away from you.’

  To her shock, Neil’s eyes flashed with an animalistic fury and he lifted his free hand in the air. Her eyes widened as she stared at it, then she braced herself for the impact, the inevitable slap that would sting her skin like she’d been burnt. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited.

  ‘If you even dare to lay a hand on her, I will break your arm. Let her go, right now.’

  Laurie froze and dared to open her eyes. Marco. It was Marco. He was there.

  ‘Who the hell are you?’ Neil didn’t let go but his grip lessened. He narrowed his eyes as he tried to make out Marco, half-hidden in the darkness.

  Marco began to walk towards them. ‘I said, let her go.’

  ‘Or what?’ Neil asked, laughing. The sound echoed around the three of them. ‘What are you going to do? This has nothing to do with you, so get lost.’ He turned back to face Laurie, choosing to ignore Marco’s presence, so it came as a surprise when Marco shoved Neil backwards with all of his strength. Neil stumbled, tripping over his own feet and landing on the floor with a groan. Once the shock had gone, he looked up at Marco, furious.

  ‘Oh, I see,’ Neil spat nastily, venom laced around each word. He looked at Laurie. ‘And there was me, thinking you’d been keeping yourself to yourself while down here, but apparently I was wrong. Looks like you have made some new friends after all.’

  Marco moved to Laurie’s side, ignoring Neil. He rubbed her arm where Neil had been digging his fingers into her skin and looked at her with concern. ‘Are you okay? Are you hurt?’

  Laurie swallowed as she shook her head quickly. ‘No, I’m okay. Honestly.’

  ‘Come on, let’s get you home.’

  ‘What about him?’ She nodded towards Neil who was still on the floor with his hand pressed to his lower back, wincing with pain.