A Safe Pair of Hands

by Ann Corbett

  She juggled her bag and little Pete again awkwardly.

  “Because…” she ground out tiredly, “he couldn’t settle at my house, not without Billy.”

  “Billy?”

  “Billy the bear!”

  Pete gave a sleepy little sob. “Wan’ Billy!” he mumbled.

  Sadie rubbed his back gently. “I know love; we’ll go and get him now.”

  She looked pointedly at Nicholas who just continued to hover on the porch.

  “Why don’t you go and settle him, and I’ll wait here,” he suggested firmly.

  “Why don’t you go home, and then I can lock up?” Sadie countered defiantly.

  He leaned in dangerously. “Because I need – demand some answers.”

  Sadie could tell that arguing was a waste, so she bowed her head in defeat.

  “I won’t be a moment…” she glanced back at him. “Why don’t you put the kettle on – I’m gasping for a cuppa.”

  She heard his little exclamation, but didn’t linger to see how annoyed he was with her this time. That he was annoyed; was a given, he was ALWAYS annoyed with her.

  Little Pete was absolutely shattered, so by the time she pulled back his covers, he rolled into his own bed, snuggled up to ‘Billy’ and promptly fell into a deep sleep.

  Sadie sat on the edge of his bed, and tenderly stroked back his hair. “Sleep tight little man – I’ll see you in the morning,” she whispered huskily.

  She sat for another five minutes – just to make sure that he was indeed out for the night – and absolutely not to delay facing, ‘Mr Angry’.

  Sadie glided silently down the stairs, coming to the bottom step just as HE walked back in through the front door.

  He glanced up at her and stopped dead in his tracks.

  Sadie looked down, to find that her coat belt had come undone at some point, leaving it to hang down and show off her little nightdress – almost ALL of her curvy breast, and a great deal of shapely leg, with the definitely seen better days fuzzy pink slippers, hanging on her little feet.

  She blushed furiously as she pulled the coat together and tied the belt savagely.

  “You had no milk…” he muttered in a gravelly defensive voice that she’d never heard him use before, “so I nipped back to mine for some.”

  “Oh.” She took the last step as he stepped forward which brought them together.

  Sadie held out her hand for the milk. “Thank you,” she whispered nervously.

  As soon as he handed it over, Sadie whirled around and almost ran for the safety of the kitchen.

  She didn’t know why, but Nicholas was making her feel incredibly nervous tonight... maybe it was because she was so tired?

  She switched on the kettle and pulled down a couple of mugs.

  “So what do you want to know?” she asked in a low voice, not even bothering to turn and look at the man, who she just knew was standing there – watching her.

  He was silent for so long that Sadie glanced back to check that he was actually there.

  He was.

  He moved suddenly to sit at the kitchen table but she had seen the look before he moved, he had been looking at her as though he was looking at a demon... or a rattle snake... or some other hideous creature.

  Sadie turned back and gave a sad little sigh as she poured the boiling water into the tea pot.

  ‘He hates me,’ she thought to herself. ‘I don’t know why, but he absolutely hates me!' of course that was not quite true, she had a very good idea of why he hated her.

  She felt her eyes fill with tears, and blinked them back furiously. What on earth was the matter with her tonight?

  She put the tea pot and the cups on a tray and dumped it down on the table.

  “Shall I play mother – or will you?” she asked primly as she sat down across from him.

  His lips twitched, and his eyes narrowed, but there was absolutely no other sign from him that anyone was home.

  “Please... will you do it.” he finally murmured huskily.

  Sadie shrugged her shoulders and picked up the heavy tea pot. She swirled it gently a couple of times and then filled the two cups.

  “Milk and sugar’s right there... help yourself.”

  Sadie watched him as he added a sprinkle of sugar and stirred in a small quantity of milk.

  As he sat back she reached out to add milk to her own, and a light sprinkle of sugar to her cup before stirring the brew with the spoon.

  She sipped at her tea, waiting for him to speak... she had tried once and got nowhere, now it was his turn – if he wanted answers, then he had better come up with some questions.

  The silence stretched out between them, and Sadie cupped her hands around her mug and waited tiredly for him to find his voice.

  “What happened... three years ago… what really happened?”

  The question when it came was not the expected one. She shrugged her shoulders.

  “You were there... you saw well enough.”

  “I thought that I did, that guy seemed genuine... you seemed cold and unmoved by his pleas. I thought I saw it all.”

  “So there you go then... you have good instincts, you have good eyes.” Sadie shrugged again and sipped at her tea.

  “He threatened to kill himself... he said that he couldn’t live without you?” he persisted firmly.

  Sadie’s grey eyes met his brown. “And so I should have given in? I should have stayed with him? Given up my life for him?”

  He didn’t answer her, he looked troubled.

  “WELL?” Sadie demanded in exasperation. “You had enough of an opinion three years ago to condemn me – so what about now? Was I wrong?”

  “I don’t know... maybe you should have tried to be more – understanding?”

  Sadie laughed bitterly.

  “What makes you SO sure that I didn’t... that I hadn’t before?”

  Nicolas looked at her sharply.

  “That wasn’t the first time that he’d threatened...?”

  “Not even the fifth time!” Sadie snapped. “And every SINGLE time I gave in and gave him another chance!” Her voice thickened with emotion, but she blinked back the tears defiantly.

  “You didn’t love him?”

  Sadie shook her head. “The first time that he hit me, he killed any love that I felt for him.”

  “Hit... first...?” the colour drained from his face, and for a moment she thought that he was going to be sick.

  “Are you okay?” she asked concerned.

  He gulped down some of the tea and placed his cup carefully on the table... he kept his attention fixed firmly on that cup – unable for the moment to meet her eye.

  “Start at the beginning…” he demanded suddenly. “And tell me everything.”

  Sadie sighed. “It’s very late, I’m very tired, and what does it matter now anyway? It was after all three years ago!”

  He looked across at her suddenly, and Sadie sat back.

  “Please…” he said huskily as he reached out to touch the back of her hand. “Please Sadie… I NEED to know!”

  “Why?”

  “Because I thought three years ago that I knew what kind of woman you were… and now… now I think that I might have got it all wrong.”

  Sadie shrugged again. “It’s not really made any difference – has it? I mean I work for you now and keeping that distance is probably a good thing?”

  “Please, Sadie,” he begged her huskily. “Three years ago I never gave you a chance to explain, but now I am asking you… please TALK to me!”

  Sadie sighed as her mind went back to a terrible time for her.

  “I met Rick, about six years ago;” She smiled ruefully. “I was just turned twenty at that time, and I suppose, ripe for falling in love…”

  Chapter Three

  “It’s your birthday and we’re going out for a drink!” Shelia told her firmly.

  Sadie grinned cheekily. “Oh well, if you’re going to insist…”

  The ol
der woman chuckled ruefully. “I really thought that it was going to be harder than that.”

  “After just getting my hair done?” Sadie exclaimed in mock surprise. “And this gorgeous new skirt and top?”

  “And very nice you look too…” Shelia murmured approvingly. “So straight after work?”

  “I’ll be ready!” Sadie promised.

  The two of them worked in the typing pool of large legal firm, along with several other women.

  At five minutes to five, just as she was logging off her computer, she sensed someone standing behind her.

  She turned around slowly…

  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” the small group all cried out excitedly.

  Sheila stepped forward with a little party hat and a small placard, which stated; ‘Birthday girl – kiss me quick!’

  She hung it around Sadie’s neck and slipped the brightly coloured cone on to her head.

  “There now – we’re all ready to go!”

  Sadie was then dragged from her chair and hustled along to the double doors, just as they were pushed open and Mr Peterson their manager stepped in, leading another man, who looked at the little party in surprise, and then smiled devilishly at Sadie as he read the sign hanging around her neck.

  “Oh well since you insist, who am I to argue?” he murmured as he stepped forward and swept her into his arms to kiss her passionately on the lips, in a very dramatic fashion.

  “Ahhh!” the other women all sighed in approval of the good looking newcomer.

  “Ladies…” Mr Peterson began in a slightly superior fashion. “I just thought before you all leave for the weekend; that I would introduce you all to Mr Matherson. He’s going to be our new junior solicitor he’ll be covering a lot of the legal aid work and I expect you all to offer him your help and support.”

  “Oh absolutely,” “you bet,” “and no problem at all!” were the general responses from the group of ladies and they giggled together and whispered about the newcomer, as they eyed him with a kind of what a ‘dreamboat’ or ‘hunk’ or whatever it was they were thinking.

  All except for Sadie who was still reeling from his unexpected kiss, and how it had made her feel.

  She looked up at the newcomer with a kind of bemused wonder, her lips felt swollen and sensitive, and as she tentatively touched them with the tip of her tongue, the man watching her so intently, drew in a quick silent breath. She was so lovely... he would have her for his own...

  “Happy birthday Sadie,” Mr. Peterson said a little pompously.

  Mr Matherson leaned forward a little and his blue eyes glittered dangerously.

  “Yes, Happy birthday... Sadie.”

  Laughing merrily the small group of women gathered around her and hustled her through the doors, out of the building and over the road to the nearest bar.

  It was a fun evening, and at any other time, Sadie would have loved and relished every moment of her little party. Tonight though, all she could think about was the dreamy new junior solicitor.

  “Come on, Sadie; let’s get up and have a dance,” Jacquie, one of the younger girls suddenly called out. “You’re sitting in the corner being far too quiet for the birthday girl!”

  “Oh that’s because she’s dreaming about that gorgeous new junior solicitor!” one of the others laughed.

  “I am NOT!” Sadie denied hotly, although her guilty blush told its own story.

  “So come on then and have a dance!” Jacquie challenged.

  The bar had a small dance floor with a chunky funky jukebox squatting in the corner.

  Laughing and shouting, the party moved over to the floor and for the next hour music blared out and the group enjoyed some energetic dancing.

  “Heavens its nine o’clock!” one of the women suddenly gasped. “I’d better get home before my family divorces me!”

  Several of the other women all agreed reluctantly, leaving only Sadie, Jacqui and a couple of the younger girls, to carry on the evening.

  “See you all on Monday! Have a great weekend, you all!”

  The group split and Sadie’s half decided to go in search of some food.

  It was gone eleven o’clock when the girls ended the evening on the pavement – planning to share a taxi home.

  “Cos’ it makes sense,” Jacqui declared bossily. “We do all live within five minutes of each other; after all!”

  A sleek silver Mondeo car slid to a halt by the kerb – just ahead of them.

  “Hello again ladies!” the voice was familiar enough to Sadie to cause her skin to prickle, but she was obscured from vision by Jacquie who for some mysterious reason, suddenly stepped in front of her.

  Sadie looked across at Nicholas, who had sat silently as she told her story, almost as though she was reliving it. “It’s funny how some people can look straight at a person and know what they are like!” she said a little enviously. She gave a short bark of laughter and Nick winced at the bitter edge to it. “Me, I’ve never had that knack!”

  She looked away again as his eyes darkened with some emotion.

  “I looked at Rick Matherson and I saw our handsome new junior solicitor. I saw a man who seemed to be falling in love with me!” her lips twisted as she remembered her naivety back then…

  Rick had given them all a ride home, and even though Jacquie had obviously not been happy about it, he had made sure that Sadie was the last one to be dropped off.

  “Ring me when you get home ducks,” Jacquie murmured to Sadie as she stood on the kerb beside his sleek car.

  Sadie was in the front seat – something else that Rick had arranged, and she smiled at her friend as Jacquie leaned into the window to kiss her on the cheek.

  “Happy birthday again, Sadie, and…” she looked across to the smirking man behind the steering wheel. “I know who you are, so make sure that she gets home safely.”

  He continued to grin at her obvious threat, and Jacquie’s scowl deepened.

  Sadie suddenly realised that her friend really did not like one Rick Matherson, and her surprise made her look across at the man uneasily.

  He caught her look as he set the car in motion once more.

  “Where to now then?” he asked in an easy carefree tone that relaxed her shoulders and made her breath again.

  “Turn left at the end, and straight down to the bottom, please,” she requested huskily.

  When he pulled up outside her parent’s house, Sadie was surprised when Rick climbed out of the car and walked quickly around to open her door for her, and help her out.

  He had not done that with any of her friends.

  “Thank you.”

  He did not let go of her hand immediately as he looked up at the house. “I’m guessing that you don’t live here on your own,” he said with obvious regret.

  She followed his gaze, to see that her parent’s bedroom light was still on – visible behind their drawn curtains, despite the lateness of the hour.

  “No, this is my parent’s house, and since it’s getting late – I really should get inside.” Again she felt that fluttering in her stomach, as he turned her around and pulled her closer to him.

  “I can see that you won’t be inviting me in for a – nightcap,” he murmured. “So I’ll just be wishing you a good night.”

  Sadie braced herself for another one of those hard kisses – like the one that he had given her earlier.

  So she was monumentally surprised, when, after a quick look into her worried eyes, he changed his mind, and swooped down to kiss her lightly on the cheek instead.

  “Good night, sweet Sadie,” he whispered ruefully.

  He let her go immediately and Sadie – feeling totally flustered, and more than a little bit disappointed – spun on her heel and almost ran for her home.

  “Good night, Rick,” she threw over her shoulder. “Thank you for the lift home.”

  “He was such a gentleman,” she whispered now. “Always opening doors for me, and making sure that I was comfortable and happy. He made me feel
like I was someone so… precious!”

  Nick grimaced as he heard the raw pain in her voice. ‘How could he have gotten it all so wrong?’

  “So when did it change?” he had to ask, when she seemed to have stopped talking.

  Sadie gave a little sigh.

  “It was every girl’s dream, the handsome, caring suitor, the marriage proposal… the wedding!”

  “You married him!” Nick had not realised that it had gone that far with them, and he felt a rush of pure jealousy rip through him.

  She had felt like she was in a fairy-tale, her virginal white dress that was so appropriate too – because Rick had wanted to wait until after they were married. The pretty little bridesmaids and the proud and handsome groom.

  He had looked at her with such love – that everyone in that church on that day had been fooled by him.

  “He took me away for our honeymoon, to a nice little house in the country, all private and secluded…”

  Nick tensed when she hesitated; he just knew that here, was when things began to change.

  She smiled suddenly and the bitterness and self-disgust, in that smile, made him want to take her into his arms and hold her tight, and tell her that it wasn’t her fault – that she wasn’t to blame for any of it – that she was a good person, a wonderful person, that was why he’d fallen in love with her…

  “At first it was wonderful,” she said oblivious to the change in the man across from her. “He was wonderful. Caring, considerate, passionate!”

  The colour came to her cheeks as she obviously relived her honeymoon night – and Nick felt the rush of jealousy again.

  “But it didn’t last?” now how he managed to keep his voice calm and casually interested like that, Nick would never know.

  She gave him a quick glance. “No, although it did last for several days. But it was close to the end of our honeymoon and so I started to pack my things together…”

  “Come on Sadie,” Rick laughed. “Leave that until later.”

  He was lying on the bed with that look on his face, which she was beginning to recognise.