Stuck With You

by Carla Burgess

  ‘Sore.’ He held up a piece of paper. ‘You’ll have to draw a scar on me next time.’

  ‘What?’ I snatched the paper out of his hand and looked at it. It was one of the drawings I’d done of him in college. ‘Oh God! Where did you get that?’

  ‘It was just on the floor down there.’

  ‘Really?’ I peered over the side of the bed to check there was nothing else embarrassing left out for him to see, only to remember the line of pants my mum had left drying on the radiator. I glanced across and was relieved to find they were decent ones and not great big ancient ones. ‘How did you get here anyway? Did you drive?’

  ‘No, my dad dropped me off. I’m sorry about my mum, by the way. She’s so embarrassing.’

  ‘Oh no, I liked her.’ I laughed and swung my legs over the side of the bed. ‘Would you like a cup of tea or anything?’

  ‘I’ve had enough tea to last a lifetime.’ He lay down on the bed where I’d been lying and pulled me back down with him. He kissed my cheek. ‘I’m sorry about last night. You must think I’m a right nightmare. First you get stuck in a lift with me, last week you ended up ill, and now this.’

  ‘Don’t be daft. I was thinking you might think I was jinxed or something.’

  ‘Why would I think that?’

  I shrugged. ‘Alex used to say things always went wrong when I was around.’

  ‘Alex was wrong, not you.’

  I smiled and lifted my hand to touch his cheek. ‘Your eye looks really sore. Can you see okay?’

  ‘Yes. I’m not to drive for a couple of days though.’

  His hand was on my stomach, his thumb moving rhythmically over the knot in the belt. I could feel my nakedness beneath the towelling material. My nipples hardened and my breath quickened. I throbbed with desire. He rested his head on my pillow, just watching me. This was no good, Daniel needed rest and recuperation. I went to sit up and he pulled me back down again. The gown loosened slightly.

  ‘If I asked you really, really nicely,’ he said, pushing open the top of the bathrobe with his nose and dropping a kiss on my collarbone so that my skin tingled, ‘do you think you’d play the cello for me?’

  ‘It’ll be out of tune.’

  ‘I’m sure you could tune it.’ He kissed my collarbone again, a little lower this time.

  ‘I don’t think so. I haven’t played in ages. It would hurt your head.’

  ‘No, I think it would soothe my head.’ He kissed lower, and the gap in the dressing gown got bigger. ‘Especially if you were naked.’ He pulled the tie and the bathrobe came undone.

  ‘Daniel!’ I meant it as a protest but it just came out as a whisper, loaded with desire. His mouth came down on mine and his hand slipped between my legs.

  ‘Elena!’ My mum’s voice was accompanied by the sound of her running up the stairs. I was off the bed in a flash, retying my dressing gown before she could get into the room.

  ‘You are a naughty, naughty man!’ I said to him as he sat up, covering the bulge in his jeans with a cushion. He smiled at me, fire in his eyes. Mum burst into the room. ‘Oh good, you’re awake. Derek just told me he let you in, Daniel. Would you like a cup of tea?’

  ‘No, thank you.’

  ‘Ooh, look at your poorly eye. Is your head sore?’

  ‘It’s not too bad. I’ve got some painkillers.’

  ‘Oh good. Well, if you need anything, I’ll be downstairs.’ She stopped and looked me up and down. ‘And do get dressed, Elena.’

  ‘I’m going to get dressed now,’ I said, frantically pulling clothes out of drawers. She gave me a meaningful look, which I returned with wide-eyed indignation. ‘I’ll go to the bathroom, okay?’

  She went out and we heard her footsteps going back downstairs.

  ‘Well, that was awkward,’ he said. ‘She just burst in! I was about two seconds away from getting little Daniel out.’

  I laughed. ‘Well, you should be resting anyway. Stuff like that’s no good for your blood pressure.’

  ‘Since when were you a nurse? It’s a pain in the arse living with parents. Let’s buy a place together, get married and have sex everywhere, all of the time.’

  ‘Ermmm?’ I raised an eyebrow.

  ‘What? Well, it’s the only way if your mum’s going to play gooseberry the whole time.’

  ‘To be fair to my mum, she probably wouldn’t expect me to be sleeping with a man I’ve only known for two weeks.’

  ‘Ah, but you’re discounting our close friendship at college. Have you told her we’re engaged?’

  ‘I told my dad. I said the wedding’s in June.’

  ‘June as in next month?’ He sucked air in through his teeth. ‘Bit soon that.’

  ‘I thought it would tie in with our whirlwind romance.’ I winked at him as I gathered my clothes together and went into the bathroom to dress.

  Daniel was downstairs talking to my mum and dad by the time I got dressed. I could hear him laughing and bounded downstairs to see what they were talking about.

  ‘My dad’s coming to pick me up,’ he said, turning as I came into the kitchen. ‘We’re going to the police station.’

  ‘Are you pressing charges?’ I felt anxious at the thought. Zach had looked so distraught when he’d seen Daniel lying on the floor. He shouldn’t have done it, I knew that. But I still didn’t want him to go to prison or anything.

  ‘No, of course not. They’re letting him go but they want to take a statement or something. I don’t know. I just got a garbled message from my dad.’ He rolled his eyes.

  ‘Do you want me to come too?’

  He shook his head. ‘No point.’ There was a beep from outside and Daniel said goodbye and left. Mum followed us so he couldn’t even kiss me. He gave me a meaningful look as he stepped out onto the drive and I smiled. ‘I’ll call you,’ he said. ‘Good bye, Rosa.’

  ‘Bye, love. Get some rest.’

  ‘Will do.’

  I waved to his dad who was waiting at the end of the drive in a silver Jaguar. He smiled and waved back.

  ‘Nice car,’ Mum said, beaming happily as the car pulled away from the curb.

  ‘Mmm.’

  ‘His dad looked nice too.’

  ‘He is.’ I shut the door and went back to the kitchen.

  ‘Is his Mum nice?’

  ‘Yes, she seemed nice. Everyone’s nice. Is there anything to eat? I’m starving.’ I wasn’t in the mood to talk about him with my mum. I wanted him back in my bedroom right now. I wanted to feel his hands on my body, his skin on my skin. My head spun just thinking about him.

  I mooched about the house, getting under my mum’s feet. It was too late to go into town shopping or anything like that, and the sky had clouded over, threatening rain. I went up to my bedroom. There was a piece of paper on the bed and I picked it up, thinking it was the drawing Daniel had been looking at. Unfolding it, I let out a gasp. It wasn’t one I’d done of him at all, but one he’d done of me, playing the cello. He must have taken the one of him and left this in its place. I laughed. What was he like? My hair was a long sweep of black, rapturous face tilted upwards, eyes closed in concentration. It was really good drawing. Daniel had taken A-level art at college. I stared at the drawing. Had I really looked that good when I played? I doubted it. He must have been remembering the past through rose-tinted glasses. Still, it was flattering. I wondered when he’d done it. Perhaps today, while he was waiting to be discharged from hospital? Reaching for my phone, I took a photo of it and sent it to him with a text saying: What is the meaning of this?

  He replied immediately: Plenty more where that came from.

  I didn’t know what he meant by that. One thing I did know was the drawing made me want to play the cello again. It was next to my wardrobe; a big hulking shape with my dressing gown draped over it. I picked it up and unclipped the case, inhaling the familiar woody smell. It was like meeting up with an old friend. I ran my hand over its smooth red wood an
d thrummed the strings gently. It needed a clean, but still seemed to be in quite good shape. None of the strings were about to break. I felt bad for neglecting it for so long. Sitting on the bed, I tuned it and played a few notes.

  There were some music sheets in the bottom of the case. Bach Cello Suite No. 1. Could I still read music? Would I still be able to play? I tacked the sheet to my wardrobe door and began to play. I was rusty and needed to practise, but it was starting to come back to me and it felt good to play. Amazing, in fact. This was something I had loved. How had I lived without this for so long?

  Mum brought me a cup of tea and watched me, a pleased look on her face. ‘I’m making boeuf bourguignon tonight,’ she said before she went out again. ‘It’ll be ready in half an hour.’

  Daniel texted to say he was with Zach so wouldn’t be able to see me tonight. Biting back disappointment, I replied that it was fine. I carried on playing after tea, completely lost in the music. I couldn’t remember why I’d stopped playing in the first place. It had been a gradual process that had started with university. I couldn’t really blame Alex for not taking me seriously when I hadn’t played it in so long anyway. Mum came upstairs after nine to say I needed to put it away else I’d disturb the neighbours. I felt like a little girl being told off, but did as I was told.

  Lying on my bed, I sent a text to Daniel: Guess what I’ve been doing tonight?

  He replied within seconds. Ooh. Now you’ve got me all hot and bothered. Can you send photos?

  I tutted and called his number and he picked up, laughing. ‘Honestly! You’re such a base creature. I’ve been playing my cello.’

  ‘Well, send me pictures of your cello then. What did you think I meant?’ He laughed again. ‘Seriously though, have you been playing?’

  ‘Yes. I was inspired by your drawing.’

  ‘Really? Ha ha! My dastardly plan worked. Can you play some down the phone for me now?’

  ‘No, because I’ve just been told off by my mum for being too noisy. I have to put it away and go to bed like a good girl. Are you still with Zach?’

  ‘Yes.’ He sighed, heavily. ‘I’d rather be with you though.’

  I felt myself flush red. ‘So, what’s going on with Zach? Is he all right?’

  ‘Yes, strangely enough, he’s not the one with a bandage on his head and a splitting headache.’

  ‘Awww, poor baby. Can’t you take some painkillers?’

  ‘I left them at home. My mum’s coming to pick me up soon.’

  I giggled. ‘This is like a conversation we’d have had when we were teenagers.’

  Daniel laughed. ‘If we’d actually had the bottle to talk to each other back then, that is.’

  I smiled and smoothed out his drawing on the bed. Looking at it made me happy. ‘So, is Zach really sad and sorry?’

  ‘Yeah, he’s mortified. A night in the cells hasn’t done him any good either. At least him and Kev are talking now.’

  ‘Oh good. So the band is still together?’

  ‘For now.’

  We were silent for a moment. ‘Right, well I guess I’d better let you go then,’ I said. ‘Will I see you tomorrow?’

  ‘Oh no, I forgot to tell you. I’ve got to go to some dreadful family lunch in honour of my grandma’s ninetieth birthday.’

  ‘Ninety? Wow!’

  ‘Yeah, it’s miles away in some hotel in the countryside, so I’ll be gone all day.’

  ‘That’s okay.’

  ‘It is? I don’t think it’s okay. I want to be with you.’

  My heart fluttered and I took a deep breath. ‘Your grandma’s birthday is a pretty big deal. You need to be there.’

  ‘She’s never liked me.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I’m sure she adores you.’

  ‘She won’t when she sees my black eye.’

  ‘Just play the victim card. She’ll love you more.’

  ‘Oh no, she likes strong men. She won’t be impressed by any display of feebleness.’

  ‘Aww. Tell her he was a big guy and you won.’ I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. ‘I’m going to play the cello all day anyway.’

  ‘Naked?’

  ‘No! What is wrong with you? Are you some kind of deviant?’

  ‘Possibly.’

  ‘You’ve drawn me with clothes on in your picture.’

  ‘Hmm, that was an early prototype. There are others where you’re not wearing anything.’

  ‘Yeah, right!’ I laughed, disbelieving him. ‘When did you do this anyway?’

  I heard the smile in his voice. ‘Now that would be telling.’

  ‘Was it today, while you were waiting to be discharged?’

  There was a pause. ‘You seem to forget that it was me who kissed you at the prom, Elena. You don’t have the prerogative on college crushes, you know.’

  I was silent, my heart beating hard. ‘What are you saying?’

  ‘My dad’s here. I’ll have to go, Elena.’ There was rustling and the sound of a door opening, background voices and laughter. ‘I’ll speak to you later.’

  Chapter Eighteen

  Daniel texted me throughout the following day, keeping me updated on the happenings at his grandma’s party. He sounded bored and complained he wasn’t allowed to drink because of his painkillers. I told him to enjoy having his grandma around while he still could. He replied saying she was probably going to outlive them all.

  I practised the cello and looked at Daniel’s drawing. Was that really how he saw me? It was so romantic. I wished I really had been that girl. And yet there had been times when I’d felt like that while playing. Completely transported by the music.

  Rachel phoned that evening to tell me about her mini break in Paris with Patrick. When she told me that Patrick had proposed, I screamed.

  ‘What did you say?’

  ‘I said yes, of course! What do you think? I am completely and utterly over the heels in love with the man!’

  I laughed in delight. ‘Congratulations! I’m so pleased for you. Do you have a ring yet or are you going to choose one together?’

  ‘I’ve got it already. It’s gorgeous. A big square diamond set in platinum. I love it I love it I love it.’ I could tell from her breathless voice that she was jumping up and down.

  ‘Can I come and see it?’ I said, kneeling up on the bed in excitement.

  ‘I’ll come round if you like? I’m just on my way out to get bread and milk from the shop.’

  ‘Yessss!’

  She hung up and I ran downstairs to tell my mum and dad.

  ‘What? She’s coming round now?’ Mum rose to her feet and went to look out of the front window. ‘Oh wow, I can’t believe it. A wedding! How wonderful!’ She put her hands to her face as she watched for Rachel’s car.

  ‘Calm down, I doubt they’ve set a date yet.’

  Dad got up and came to the window too. ‘I hope you told her he needs to meet us first,’ he said. ‘We can’t let our Rachel marry just anyone!’

  ‘I haven’t met him either yet,’ I said.

  Rachel’s car appeared round the corner and Mum and I squealed and ran to the front door. Rachel came running up the path and we all squealed again before embracing and jumping up and down in each other’s arms. Dad hung back, rolling his eyes and smiling.

  ‘Congratulations, love,’ he said, pecking her on the cheek when we’d all calmed down enough. ‘I’ll go and get the fizzy stuff from the fridge.’

  ‘Show us the ring then,’ Mum said, ushering Rachel into the lounge. She held out her hand to display the huge diamond and Mum and I stared in hushed awe.

  ‘Ohmygod it’s huge!’ I tilted her hand from side to side so that it sparkled in the light. ‘Look at it! It’s gorgeous.’

  ‘My goodness! That must be worth a fortune,’ Mum gasped.

  ‘What does he do for a living, Rachel?’ Dad came back into the room carrying four champagne glasses full of cava. He p
assed them around before peering at the ring.

  ‘He’s managing director of an IT company.’

  ‘Wow!’

  ‘Am I ever going to meet him?’ I asked. ‘Come on, you need to sort something out. A meal or something where we can all sit down and have a good old chat.’

  ‘Yes, I will do.’ Rachel bit her lip. ‘He’s just so busy all of the time.’

  ‘So, how did he propose? Tell us everything.’

  Rachel grinned and sat down on the sofa. ‘It was really romantic. We went out to this really posh restaurant and these violinists came out and surrounded our table and everybody stopped eating to look at us. Then he got down on one knee, opened the ring box and proposed. It was perfect. Just like in the movies.’

  ‘Awwww.’ We all sighed. ‘That’s lovely.’

  ‘What’s that on your finger?’ Rachel looked down at the green cracker ring on my left hand. ‘Why are you wearing that?’

  ‘Oh, Daniel gave it me. As a joke.’ I looked at it and laughed.

  Rachel looked appalled. ‘Take it off then. You don’t want to be the butt of his jokes, do you?’

  ‘Oh! Well, he didn’t mean it horribly. He asked me to marry him in front of his two young cousins, and then he gave me this. So I’m pretending to hold him to it by wearing it. It’s just a bit of fun, that’s all.’

  Rachel still looked worried. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes. Besides, I’ve not really had chance to think about it since.’ I told her about the accident with the mic stand and Daniel ending up in hospital. Her face got even more disapproving.

  ‘So, let me get this straight. While I was on a lovely romantic break getting engaged, surrounded by violins, champagne and red roses, you were accepting plastic engagement rings and waiting around in hospital corridors while covered in blood?’

  I opened my mouth to protest. She’d missed out all the magic. It was like she’d described the night sky but left out the moon and stars. I didn’t know why she was being like that. Didn’t she want me to be happy?

  ‘We love Daniel,’ Mum said, stoically. ‘I’m sure he meant well. And it really wasn’t his fault he got hit. He was trying to calm his friend down. He was just in the way.’