Tolerance (Heart of Stone)

by Sidebottom, D H

  I dropped back to sleep immediately after ending the call, sleeping heavily and waking in a panic at 7 O’clock. Rushing round trying to get ready on time, I was happy to see my swollen feet had recuperated ready for my dancing shoes and I was determined to have fun tonight. The last few weeks had been a long struggle and I was so ready for a catch up and night with my girlies.

  We all piled out of the mini-bus outside ‘The Loft’ and I did as Mason asked and walked up to the doorman.

  “Hi” I smiled timidly; I was rather embarrassed to be jumping the queue and had received some rather vicious looks from the waiting people “Miss Stone?” The doorman asked with a cock of his head “Yeah” I nodded. He grinned widely “Thought I recognised you. I’m John” To say he was a huge tough bloke he had the softest eyes and gentlest smile I had ever seen and I realised it was the doorman from the night I had gone up to Mason’s office when I had broken sweaty guy’s nose.

  “Pleased to meet you again John” I greeted with a handshake and a smile which he returned widely “Come with me” he smiled to us all and jerked his head inside for us to follow.

  He escorted us through the bar, over the dance floor and up to a large round table cordoned off by a thick rope “For you ladies, courtesy of Mr Fox” he smiled and gestured with his arm for us to take a seat “Oh Wow” we all gasped.

  The table was decorated with pink rose petals, a huge bowl sculptured from ice was filled with an assortment of seafood and crunchy raw vegetables, another ice bowl filled with the most amazing tropical fruit and four silver buckets, filled with ice and pink champagne…and a jar of peanut butter. God, I loved my man!!!

  I beamed at John “Wow” I breathed wide eyed. He chuckled and tipped his head “And this is your waiter for the evening ladies” he winked and turned to a man. We all gasped again…and drooled.

  A tall blonde haired Adonis was stood next to him; he wore tight black shorts, a black bow tie and a huge smile “Good evening ladies, I’m Frankie and I’m all yours for the evening” he winked and Courtney fell backwards into a chair “I sooo love Mason right now” she breathed, fanning herself with a napkin from the table “Hands off bitch, he’s mine” I growled playfully as we all took a seat.

  “There is champagne in the buckets or could I get you something else?” Frankie asked “Erm…I’ll have a cranberry and soda” I pouted sulkily and he smiled softly “Miss Stone?” he questioned and I nodded.

  Frankie reached over the table to the nearest bucket “Mr Fox made sure you were catered for Miss Stone” he took the bottle and presented it to me “Non-alcoholic pink champagne Miss Stone” he winked when I beamed at him “Hit me Frankie” I giggled, holding up my glass.

  He poured me a large glass and I took a suspicious sip then I nodded in approval “Not bad”. The girls giggled and held their own glasses out for Frankie to pour them the proper stuff.

  I stood and gestured to the girls I was going to make a phone call and walked to the edge of the room and dialled Mason. After trying three times I presumed he was busy or in Rebecca’s company so I sent a quick text

  ME

  I love you so so so so much. Forget the DJ, our waiter is ultra-hot ;-)

  Thank you Baby, for the most wonderful surprise. My girlies thank you too.

  I will show my ultimate appreciation tomorrow night…anything you desire Sir!!

  Love you Baby xxxxx

  I returned to my seat and my phone buzzed almost immediately

  MASON

  Sorry couldn’t answer; with company…if you can call ‘it’ company!!!

  I’m happy that you are happy. I would do anything to show the world your beautiful smile Baby.

  I now can’t wait for tomorrow night. I’m hard just thinking about all the things I am going to do to you.

  I love you too Ava, so fucking much

  See you tomorrow xxxx

  I grinned happily but felt a sharp sting in my chest as I thought about him with her. Courtney nudged me and grinned and I put all thoughts of Rebecca aside and resolved to have a good night, which we did.

  The Best!!

  Especially as we left and discovered Mason had sent a limousine to take us home.

  I sighed deeply when I climbed into bed, wishing Mason was beside me. I actually ached for him tonight, with every bone and every breath in my body. I eventually snuggled into the duvet and dreamt of my man…and all the things he was going to do to me.

  CHAPTER 23

  After spending the morning shopping for food and some new lingerie to surprise Mason with I met Kerrie for lunch and I was surprised how rough she looked when she joined me in the pub “Hey” I said softly, kissing her on the cheek.

  “Good to see you Ava, it seems ages since our last lunch” she said quietly and I realised how tired she was “Oh Kerrie, why the hell didn’t you cancel? You look shattered” I scowled at her but she just shrugged “I enjoy our lunches Ava, I wouldn’t miss it for anything” she scowled back and we grinned at the waiter, Tristan. He was our regular waiter every time we came here and we had become quite friendly and chatty with him

  “Ava, Kerrie” he smiled at us and then turned to me “Do I need more paper Ava?” he smirked and I narrowed my eyes on him as I snatched his little note book from him and faked counting the pages “Should be enough but you can use the back of your hand if not” I pursed my lips in mock offense and him and Kerrie laughed “Okay Ava, go for it” he grinned and poised his pen

  “Right…gammon, two eggs, double chips, peas, carrots and mushrooms…oh and some garlic bread I think. Have you got any gherkins in today?” I asked and he smiled slyly and nodded “I’ll have some of those too then please” I sighed happily at the thought of food and chuckled as my little peanuts kicked “Ahhhh quick Kerrie” I said and grabbed Kerries hand, pushing it against my stomach and Tristan pushed her out of the way gently so he could cop a feel. I rolled my eyes as they both ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhhed’ over the babies’ gymnastics.

  “What can I get you today Kerrie?” Tristan asked and cocked his head sadly at her, obvious as well to how ill she looked today “Can I just have a fruit salad Tristan” she asked and I sighed “Hun, why didn’t you say you weren’t feeling great. I could have brought lunch to you today” I rested my hand over hers “Oh Ava, I am so sick of seeing my four walls” she huffed and I nodded “Yeah, I know” she looked at Tristan “Usual drinks Tristan please” he nodded and rubbed her arm kindly to show his sympathy and she smiled at him…I noticed they held eyes for a moment longer than normal and my own eyebrows raised.

  “Okayyyyy” I grinned at her when Tristan had left us to prepare our drinks “What?” she blushed furiously “Someone has the hots for youuuu” I practically sang and she narrowed her eyes “Don’t be silly Ava” she blushed some more but gave me a little smirk “How’s things going with David?” I asked and she huffed “It’s not, I broke it off” she declared, squaring her shoulders “What happened?” I asked with concern and she snorted “I caught him with someone else” she said, anger flashing through her eyes. I bit my lip to bite back my rage “Fucking men!” I snarled

  “Yeah, I caught him humping someone called Steven in my bathroom” she announced bluntly and I choked on the drink that Tristan had just put in front of us.

  Me and Tristan stared at her with wide eyes “What the hell?” I scoffed and Tristan puffed out loudly. She shrugged “Yeah, It wouldn’t feel so bad if he hadn’t let himself and his boyfriend into MY house and fucked on My bed” she said angrily

  “What a dick” Tristan voiced and Kerrie and I nodded in agreement. “Does Mason know?” I asked cautiously. She looked at me with raised eyebrows “What do you think Ava?” she snorted and I frowned “Do you want him to know?” I smirked as I caught her checking out Tristan’s backside as he walked away “No I don’t. The police will come knocking on my door not Masons” she rubbed her eyes in exhaustion

  “When was the last time you saw Mason?” I narrowed my eyes at her, kno
wing Mason would be horrified to see her like this but she just shrugged “That’s not like him” I said perplexed “He’s busy” she looked down at her plate as Tristan placed them down but I could sense her hurt “When Kerrie?” I asked more sternly “Middle of December sometime” she divulged and my eyes widened “That’s not like him. Did he sort out the nurse he promised?” she shook her head and popped a piece of apple in her mouth “Ava, he’s busy…probably with his bitch” she curled her lip and I pursed my lips

  “Do you know what’s going on his life at the moment?” I asked around a mouth-watering piece of gammon and she shrugged again “Kerrie, who’s been caring for you after your chemo sessions?” I asked slowly already knowing the answer. She looked down at her plate, avoiding my eyes “Ava, I’m fine honestly” she sighed and I bit my lip in anger “No Kerrie, you’re not fine! Why the hell didn’t you ring me? I would be more than happy to help” I scolded and she smiled gently “Ava, you have your own life to take care of and it can’t be easy for you, losing Mason to that…that bitch!” she hissed. I didn’t tell her about mine and Mason’s relationship or that he was being blackmailed, she had enough on her plate at the moment but I was sad that she hadn’t asked me for help

  “Right missus, when’s your next session?” I asked “A week on Monday” she mumbled “Okay and how long are you usually ill for?” she sighed “Ava really, you don’t…”

  “How long?” I interrupted she sighed at me but gave me a small smile “A couple of days” she admitted finally “Okay, I will pick you up Monday morning and I’ll stay at yours until you feel better…no arguing” I pointed my finger at her as she opened her mouth to speak. She sighed but smiled at the same time “Thank you, I must admit I’m feeling relieved already. It’s been a bit of a nightmare, not being able to get out of bed but having to look after myself as well” her eyes filled with tears and right at that moment I could have slapped Mason for doing this to her. I grabbed her hand “Kerrie I told you I was just a phone call away, besides I feel responsible. If it wasn’t for me Kade would still be here to look after you” I confessed but she shook her head “He would have gone anyway Ava, don’t blame yourself, Kade knew what he was doing as well” she smiled at someone over my shoulder and I turned to see Tristan smiling at her while he was serving another table.

  I pursed my lips at her and raised an eyebrow “Get in girl” I grinned wickedly and she giggled for the first time and I was happy to see the familiar twinkle in her eye and as we left I wrote her number down on a napkin and handed it to Tristan, smiling as he grinned at me, his tongue poking out between his teeth when he realised what I had just slipped him.

  Popping the Garlic and Thyme chicken, baby potatoes and pancetta wrapped asparagus in the oven, I raced upstairs for a quick shower and prepare myself. I was hugely excited at the prospect of seeing Mason. I hadn’t seen him for days and I was practically hyperventilating at the thought of his lips wrapped over mine, his fingers in my hair and his arms around me, holding me close; the smell of him, the sight of his beautiful face and the feel of his hard muscled body over mine. I closed my eyes and sighed in appreciation at the thought of spending the night with him.

  Slipping on my new red lace thong and bra set, I fastened the matching suspender belt and rolled on my black fishnet stockings and smiling at myself in the mirror I pulled on my new black wrap-around dress…easy access and all! I fixed my hair loosely above my head, leaving stray locks framing my face and took extra effort with my make-up and slipped into my red stilettos and at 6:50 I was already for him.

  I paced impatiently, tidying things that didn’t need tidying, checking the food every two minutes, lighting the candles I had adorned the table with and tapping my fingers rhythmically on the table.

  At 7:20 I checked my phone and turned the oven to warm and poured myself a glass of wine.

  At 7:45 I checked my phone and turned the oven off and poured another glass of wine, apologising to my babies for their weak willed mother.

  At 8:00 I checked my phone and scooped a few fingers full of peanut butter and removed my shoes from my aching feet.

  At 10:00 I checked my phone and swilled down a full glass of wine, scraped the meal into the bin, blew out the candles and curled up under a blanket in front of the TV, trying to concentrate on something other than the feeling of utter loneliness, hurt and the deep ache in my chest.

  At 2:36 I checked my phone and climbed the stairs to bed.

  I woke to an empty bed and an aching heart but straightened my shoulders, climbed out of bed and ran a bath; the deep need for the comfort of warm bubbling water to ease the hurt inside me.

  I checked my phone to find no messages or missed calls and I frowned, now getting a little worried. I took the risk and rang him but he didn’t answer so I sent a simple text to his now new number

  ME

  Where are you?

  Xxx

  I left it at that but by late afternoon I still hadn’t heard from him so I decided to ring Sam. “Hi Ava” he greeted and I smiled at his jovial voice “Hi Sam, Erm have you heard from Mason recently?” I asked and I sensed his pause “He hasn’t rung you Ava?” he asked hesitantly “Erm no, he was supposed to come round last night but he didn’t turn up and I’m getting worried” I divulged and I heard Sam hiss and then sigh “He’s gone out to America Ava” he said quietly and slowly, barely more than a whisper “Oh” I frowned.

  We were both silent for a while “Why has he gone out there?” I asked, utterly puzzled that he hadn’t told me. There was a long pause before he answered “Erm…he should have told you this Ava, not left it to me” he said angrily and my suspicions rose at his tone “Tell me what Sam?” I urged and I heard him inhale deeply “Erm…he’s gone for a couple of weeks…with Rebecca” he gulped loudly.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat “Oh” I choked “Oh” I repeated “Ava! I don’t think he had much choice sweetheart” Sam tried to explain but I ended the call and went back to bed, refusing to cry.

  CHAPTER 24

  The following week I was a complete mess. I botched up nearly every document and meeting at work, my fingertip was chewed to soreness, I hadn’t been sleeping and looked like utter crap, my appetite had disappeared and to top it off I still hadn’t heard anything from Mason. I was equally heart broken and fuming but I still couldn’t understand why Mason had refrained from telling me about his trip. I could understand to a certain extent why he had had to go, if Rebecca or Daddy had put their foot down demanding a holiday but why couldn’t he have let me know, that is what hurt me the most and by Friday I was looking like the walking dead.

  “Ava! My office” I heard Nate bark at me and I sighed, grimaced and entered, forcing a smile on my face “Yep” I said as I approached him “What the hell is this Ava?” Nate narrowed his eyes on me and passed me a sheet of paper.

  I scanned it and passed it back to him “It’s the agreement for the Allendale contract” I informed him and he pursed his lips and nodded and then passed it back to me “Read it again Ava” he growled and I fidgeted nervously, nibbling on my finger furiously.

  I timidly took it and read each word slowly, checking for any mistakes and everything looked okay until I reached the last paragraph and my eyes widened, very very widely and I gulped “Shit” I grimaced.

  Nate nodded slowly and raised his eyebrows “You care to explain why it says and I quote ‘Either party may terminate this contract at any time by providing written notice of intent to terminate the contract on a specified date to the other party, you are a complete bastard, at least two weeks prior to the intended date of termination’”

  He looked really angry, which he had every right to be “Have you sent them a copy?” I asked tentatively, my stomach rolling as a tear finally decided to make an appearance after nearly a week of managing to keep them at bay.

  Nate sighed heavily “No but you’re fucking lucky Ava, I don’t usually check the standard finishing paragraphs but for some reason after
your catastrophic week I thought I had better, AND IT’S A FUCKING GOOD JOB I DID!” he bellowed and I flinched “I’m so sorry Nate” I choked out around my little finger, the tears now free-falling “I…I…I’m…so..Sorry N..Nate” I sobbed and he rubbed his face in his hands. “Sit down Ava” he said gently and I stumbled into the chair “What’s going on with you this week? If it wasn’t for the fact that you’re a good friend and usually really good at your job I would have been well within my rights to fire you Ava!” he reprimanded and I nodded “I know, I’m sorry. I think I must have been thinking it as I typed it” I squirmed and he pursed his lips “Well I gathered that much Ava” he snorted.

  I sighed “He fucked off to America last Saturday with Rebecca” I told him and his eyes widened “What? Why?” he spluttered “Fuck knows. He was supposed to be coming to mine last Saturday. I cooked, dressed up and everything and he never turned up and I haven’t heard from him since. I had to prise it out of Sam where he had gone” I sobbed and he stood up and came round to me, crouching on the floor in front of me “He didn’t even text or ring?” he asked, a deep frown on his face and I shook my head “Nope, absolutely sod all!” I said angrily

  “Oh Ava. What am I gonna do with the pair of you?” he grumbled and I shrugged “I am sorry Nate. I’ll work late and double check everything I’ve worked on this week” I resolved and he nodded “There’s nothing urgent, just spent a couple of hours tonight and we’ll both look through the rest Monday” he rubbed my arm and stood up “We still on for tomorrow?” he asked as he cringed slightly and I chuckled “What are you so scared of?” I laughed and he rolled his eyes “It’s Liv, she’s a bit eager” he sucked in his lips and I widened my eyes “Oh you’re in for a fun night. Wait till she catches the stage show” I teased and I wasn’t sure if he grinned or cringed.