Don't Want To Miss A Thing

by Mansell, Jill

  To look at him, anyone would think he’d be a brilliant dancer.

  But he wasn’t.

  Some people just weren’t the type.

  ‘That was amazing,’ sighed Muriel, once they were back at her house on the Downs. ‘Did you love it?’

  ‘I did.’ Molly smiled at her across the kitchen table. ‘Thanks so much for inviting me along.’

  ‘Darling, thanks for coming.’ As Vince left the room in order to reply to an urgent message on his phone, Muriel leaned forward and lowered her voice. ‘I don’t think it was quite Vince’s cup of tea, bless him.’

  ‘I noticed.’ Molly pulled a face.

  ‘But wasn’t it lovely of him to come with us, despite it not being his thing? That’s Vince all over, he’s such a caring, thoughtful person. Want some?’ Muriel held up the silver hip flask she’d just used to add a dash of brandy to her coffee.

  ‘No thanks. Driving home.’

  ‘Not staying over?’ Muriel tilted her head helpfully in the direction of Vince’s flat.

  Yikes. ‘I really have to get back,’ said Molly.

  ‘You couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend, you know. He’s kind . . . generous . . .’ There was a touch of desperate saleswoman creeping into Muriel’s voice now. ‘He’d never let you down. Vince isn’t one of those who’d mess you around.’

  Oh dear, this was awkward. And they both knew it. Molly hesitated and said, ‘I know he wouldn’t.’

  ‘He’s been paying into a private pension scheme since he was twenty-one.’

  ‘That’s . . . great.’

  Cutting to the chase, Muriel said, ‘OK, call me a nosy old bat if you like, but do you think there could be a future for you two?’

  Oh dear, here we go.

  Molly said gently, ‘I don’t think so. Sorry.’

  ‘Me too. Bugger.’ Muriel heaved a sigh and added another slosh of brandy to her cup. ‘Well, that’s a real shame. But it can’t be helped.’ Ruefully she went on, ‘I just want to see my grandchildren settled before I die. But that’s never going to happen, is it? It’s like trying to squash an octopus into a jar.’

  They heard Vince coming back down the staircase, finishing up his business call. Molly drained her coffee and said, ‘I’d better be off.’

  Hugging her goodbye, Muriel whispered, ‘Oh well. Thanks for trying, darling. We’ll get there in the end. I’ll find him a nice girl if it’s the last thing I do.’

  ‘There, all sorted. Oh, are you off?’ Vince looked disappointed as Molly reached for her bag and keys. ‘Well, it’s been a wonderful evening.’

  She couldn’t bring herself to do it now; it would be too cruel. Molly took the decision to leave things as they were, just for tonight. She’d come over and tell him tomorrow.

  ‘I know.’ She waved goodbye to Muriel and left the kitchen with Vince; giving him a quick kiss, she said, ‘Thanks again. It’s been great.’

  ‘What are you doing here?’ Molly’s heart sank when she opened the door the next day and saw Vince. ‘Didn’t you get my text? I said I’d come over to you.’

  ‘I know you did.’ He was smiling down at her. ‘But I thought I’d surprise you instead. I’ve booked a table for dinner at the Manor House.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘And we’re also going to take a look at these!’ Having led the way into the kitchen, with a triumphant gesture he produced a handful of travel brochures from behind his back. ‘No arguments, this is my treat. You were saying you’d always wanted to visit Venice, so that’s where we’re going to go!’

  Aaargh. ‘Oh but—’

  ‘Unless there’s anywhere else you’d prefer. Florence . . . Paris . . . Timbuktoo?’

  He’d said Timbuktoo in a comedy voice. Oh help, here we go. Molly held up her hand to stop him in his tracks. ‘Vince, wait. Hang on. Was this Muriel’s idea?’

  ‘No!’ He paused. ‘Well, she may have mentioned it, but I’d already thought about doing it myself. We deserve a break, don’t we? A few days away, so we can get to know each other better . . .’ He faltered at the expression on her face.

  ‘I’m sorry, Vince. I can’t go away with you.’ This was why she’d been putting it off; this was the bit Molly hated. ‘I can’t see you any more. You’re lovely, but it just doesn’t feel right.’

  ‘What?’ He looked stunned.

  ‘It’s not your fault. It’s me.’ Oh no, was she really coming out with that old line? ‘You deserve someone better than me. There’s a girl out there who’ll fall madly in love with you and truly appreciate everything you do for her.’

  Silence. At last Vince said. ‘But it’s not going to be you?’

  Molly slowly shook her head.

  ‘Oh.’ He gazed blankly at the brochures in his hand.

  ‘Sorry.’

  ‘But . . . my grandmother really likes you.’

  Was he trying to break her heart? ‘I like her too. But you’ll find someone else.’

  ‘People always say that.’ Putting the glossy brochures on the kitchen table and straightening them so the edges were lined up, Vince said sadly, ‘But I never do.’

  Vince left the cottage and started up his car. Well, that was that. So much for pinning his hopes on Molly to be the one.

  And he was thirsty too. Annoyingly, as a rule he made sure to keep a bottle of mineral water in his car for emergencies. But yesterday Muriel had drunk it on their way home from Mamma Mia and this morning he’d forgotten to replace it. And he could hardly go back to Molly and ask for a glass of water now.

  It was seven o’clock; the village shop in Briarwood was closed, as was Frankie’s café. The only place open was the Saucy Swan. Driving around the green, Vince pulled into the pub car park.

  It was a warm sunny evening and all the outside tables were occupied but inside the pub it was cool, dark and almost completely deserted.

  ‘Hello there!’ The friendly barmaid greeted him with a broad smile. ‘And what can I get you?’

  ‘Just water please.’

  ‘Still or sparkling?’

  ‘Still.’ He didn’t like water with bubbles in it.

  ‘And is Molly coming over?’

  The sound of her name made Vince flinch. ‘No. No, she won’t be.’

  ‘Oh! Is everything . . . OK?’

  Vince looked at the barmaid and remembered that she was actually the landlady of the pub. Louise, was that her name? He’d seen her at Delphi’s birthday party at the café.

  ‘Not really.’ He paid for the bottle of water and drank half of it down in one go.

  ‘Oh dear, sorry to hear that. Not your decision?’

  Vince looked at her. It was Lois, that was it, not Louise. Big hair, big earrings, plenty of crimson lipstick and sooty-black mascara. Suddenly, completely out of the blue, a massive wave of emotion welled up and he shook his head.

  ‘Hey, it’s OK. Don’t worry.’ She rested her hand on his. ‘I’m not being nosy and I don’t gossip.’

  He exhaled slowly, paying closer attention to the dark eyes and compassionate smile. It wasn’t like him to confide in a virtual stranger but Molly’s rejection this evening had felt like the last straw.

  ‘It’s happened before.’ Pausing to drink more water, Vince realised his hand was trembling. ‘And I don’t know why. No one can ever give me a proper answer. They tell me I’m a good person and I haven’t done anything wrong, but they just don’t want to see me any more. I mean, am I that ugly?’

  ‘Are you kidding?’ Lois shook her head in disbelief. ‘You’re the opposite of ugly. Come on, look at you. You’d give Brad Pitt a complex.’

  ‘But I always end up on my own. I was going to take Molly away on holiday with me and she wasn’t interested. What’s that?’ said Vince as she put a small glass tumbler in front of him.

  ‘Whisky. It’ll make you feel better. My treat.’

  ‘I’m driving.’

  ‘One is fine.’

  Not a great drinker, Vince tried it. The whisky was surprisingl
y nice. He said, ‘Thanks very much,’ and watched as Lois turned away to serve another customer. She was wearing a black dress printed with huge pink roses. The neckline was ruffled and elasticated so as to expose her tanned shoulders and impressive cleavage. She looked over-the-top and brassy, like a parody of a good-time girl, in her bright pink court shoes with scuffed heels. But she was being kind to him and there was a warmth to her character that was making him want to stay and talk some more.

  If he went home now, what would he do? Nothing.

  Apart from bear the brunt of his grandmother’s unspoken disappointment.

  Again.

  ‘You’ve finished your drink.’ Lois was back and the other customer had headed outside, leaving them alone once more. ‘Would you like a coffee?’

  ‘No thank you.’ Vince stared at the empty tumbler, then raised his head and gazed steadily at her. ‘I’ll have another Scotch.’

  Chapter 47

  ‘I thought I’d better give you a call,’ Lois whispered into the phone. ‘Let you know.’

  ‘Oh God.’ At the other end of the line she heard Molly heave a sigh. ‘I thought he’d just go straight home. How is he?’

  ‘Bit drunk. Not too bad. Not causing any trouble.’

  ‘I can’t believe this. He isn’t the getting-drunk type.’

  ‘He’s drowning his sorrows. So you’re not interested in coming over, talking things through with him?’

  ‘No,’ said Molly. ‘Look, I’m sorry, but there’s really no point. It’s over.’

  ‘Am I allowed to ask why?’

  ‘You know what? I don’t even know the answer. On paper, he’s perfect in every way. Vince is kind and thoughtful and handsome . . . he even treated the rust spots on my car. But he just isn’t right for me.’

  ‘OK.’ Lois softened. ‘Well, these things happen. I’m sure he’ll live.’

  ‘Damn, he’s got his car with him. You’ll have to call a taxi to take him home. Don’t let him drive.’

  Watching Vince through the doorway, Lois said, ‘Don’t worry, I won’t.’

  It was one o’clock in the morning. Lois was wide awake in bed, staring up at the ceiling with her brain in overdrive.

  At eleven thirty the rest of the customers had left. The taxi she’d ordered for Vince had been a no-show. She’d finished clearing the bar and cashing up for the night and still it hadn’t arrived.

  ‘It’s all right, don’t worry about me.’ Somewhat the worse for wear but not wildly so, he’d said, ‘I’ll sleep in my car.’

  ‘You can’t do that. Look, you can have the spare room.’

  Upstairs, he’d stood in the doorway and watched her pull out the sofa bed. Lois had taken sheets and a duvet out of the airing cupboard and said, ‘This won’t take me two minutes to make up. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Anything else you want, just say.’

  ‘Really? What I want more than anything is for someone to want me.’

  Lois turned to look at him and saw the expression on his face. His chiselled, oh-so-handsome face.

  And that particular expression.

  ‘You mean Molly?’

  ‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘Wow, this isn’t a situation I’m used to. You’re not the kind of woman I’d usually go for. At all.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘But you’re actually very attractive . . . sexy . . . God, sorry, listen to me. I shouldn’t be saying this.’

  Lois’s heart was racing now. ‘You can say it if you want to.’

  ‘Can I?’

  ‘Yes. You know, you’re not so bad yourself.’

  Ooh, bold.

  They gazed at each other in mutual astonishment. Vince was swaying slightly. Lois’s mouth had gone dry. Where had this come from, bursting out of nowhere?

  The next moment they’d launched themselves at each other and begun to kiss. Just like that, with virtually no warning at all. The adrenalin had coursed through Lois’s body and there had simply been no stopping them. Out of the spare room with the unmade-up sofa bed and into her own bedroom . . .

  And now it was an hour and a half later. The alcohol had caught up with Vince and he was fast asleep, out for the count beside her. But not before they’d done it twice. Twice!

  It had been a while for both of them, it turned out. His relationship with Molly, Vince had admitted, hadn’t got that far. Which Lois was glad about. Although when she’d confided that she hadn’t slept with a man for the last two years, she’d known he hadn’t believed her. This came as no surprise; when you looked like she did, everyone tended to assume you were a good-time saloon girl, always up for a bit of fun with anyone who happened to show a passing interest in you.

  Oh well. She was used to it. Whereas in reality the number of men she’d slept with was almost laughably small. And they hadn’t been the most charming characters either. She’d always managed to go for the brash swaggering bullies who ended up treating her like dirt and on more than one occasion had become physically abusive. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that she’d begun to find decent, polite, gentle men attractive. The drawback being that, thanks to her own brash exterior and upfront manner, she always seemed to scare the decent gentle types rigid; the moment she demonstrated the smallest amount of interest they ran a mile.

  Until tonight.

  In the darkness, Lois broke into an unstoppable smile. Talk about a turn-up for the books. Vince was everything she could have dreamed of. And somehow, miraculously, he had decided he liked her too. Well, enough to spend the night in her bed, which was an excellent start.

  She wasn’t stupid, she knew the situation wasn’t ideal, what with Vince having arrived here fresh from being dumped by Molly, but never mind that now. The basic attraction was there, she just knew they’d be perfect for each other.

  Sliding closer to him as he slept peacefully beside her, Lois revelled in the blissful warmth of his body and, still smiling, felt her eyelids begin to close. Little by little she could win him round, she was sure of it.

  Life was looking good . . .

  Lois’s internal alarm clock woke her, as it always did, at six thirty. Easing herself out of bed, she washed, brushed her teeth, tousled her hair, applied a touch of smoky eyeshadow and mascara, made two mugs of tea and slid back under the covers.

  Mmm, he even smelled gorgeous.

  Lightly running her fingers across his torso, she leaned over and murmured huskily in his ear, ‘Good morning . . .’

  Vince’s eyes snapped open. He sat upright like those toy snakes that burst out of a tin. The look on his face when he realised where he was made Lois wish she hadn’t witnessed it.

  Talk about abject horror.

  ‘Oh God, what’s the time?’

  ‘Six forty-five.’

  ‘I have to go. I’m late for work.’

  This wasn’t true; he’d told her last night he didn’t have to be at the office until nine. It was also a million miles from the romantic fantasy she’d concocted about them waking up in each other’s arms and Vince whispering between kisses, ‘Well, good morning to you too, isn’t this a nice surprise?’

  And maybe, just maybe, wondering aloud if it might be permissible today to phone in sick.

  Instead, a small part of her soul shrivelled with shame as he rocketed out of bed, grabbed his discarded clothes and stammered, ‘I’m s-so sorry, I’ve never done anything like this before.’ The next second he’d locked himself into the en-suite bathroom and Lois just knew he was struggling to get dressed, Benny Hill style, faster than the speed of light.

  When the door opened again, she was waiting for him.

  ‘You don’t have to apologise. We had a nice night together, didn’t we? And there’s still plenty of time before you have to leave. Why don’t you let me cook you a full English?’

  ‘Really, no.’ He was unable even to meet her gaze.

  ‘But I’ve already made you a cup of tea. Look, it’s here!’ Oh God, listen to me, I’m practically begging.

  Vince blurted
out, ‘You don’t understand.’ He gestured at her, then at himself, then the bedroom. ‘This isn’t the kind of person I am. I got drunk last night and did something I never do.’ He was now visibly hyperventilating with fear. ‘Please don’t tell anyone.’

  ‘I won’t.’ Lois held the mug of tea out, forcing him to take it. Politeness winning over panic, he glugged the tea down in one go, his face flushing red with pain when he realised just how scalding hot it still was.

  ‘Right, I have to go now.’ He fumbled in his jacket for his keys, palpably relieved to locate them.

  ‘I enjoyed last night.’ It sounded completely pathetic but she couldn’t help saying it.

  ‘Um, me too, thanks for everything. You’re very . . . nice.’ He darted forward and jabbed a kiss at her cheek like a panicky woodpecker.

  It made Lois, who never cried, want to cry.

  ‘I am, actually. Nicer than you think.’ She managed a brief smile to mask the pain of rejection.

  ‘I know, I know.’ Vince, clearly longing to be gone, said, ‘You won’t mention anything to Molly, will you?’

  It was evidently killing him that he’d made such a complete fool of himself, getting drunk and ending up having sex with the kind of woman who wouldn’t normally feature on his radar.

  Lois shook her head. ‘Don’t worry. I won’t.’

  After he’d left, she went to wake Addy who slept at the other end of the landing. While Addy was brushing her teeth and Lois was downstairs making breakfast, Molly phoned.

  ‘I just saw him driving out of the car park. Everything OK?’

  ‘Fine. The taxi didn’t turn up last night so I made up the bed in the spare room.’ Well, this much was true.

  ‘Thanks.’ Molly sounded relieved. ‘So he wasn’t any trouble?’

  ‘No trouble. He was a bit drunk and a bit upset, but that’s all.’

  ‘Poor Vince, I feel bad about that. He’s a good person and finishing with someone’s always horrible.’ Sounding resigned, anxious, Molly said, ‘What I really hate is when they won’t take no for an answer, like Graham last summer. Remember when he brought me that massive fish?’