Through the Dark Keyhole

by Rosalyn Richardson

  As we sat enjoying our food, Neil said that he would go and do a “proper shop” as he called it as there wasn’t any food in the cupboards or fridge, but he would sort that out for me the next day.

  Neil poured me a glass of my favourite Chardonnay. He also poured himself one and held his up to mine and said, “Cheers, out with the old and in with the new.”

  I laughed and said, “It’s not New Year.”

  “No, Tash, but it’s a new start. It will take time to recover from this ongoing nightmare you have been through, but that’s gone now and it’s time to move on,” Neil said reassuringly and positively.

  The conversation between us seemed to flow, like old times, and we had a few laughs about the events and antics of the past, and occasionally he would have something to tell me about Oksana, which was amusing but not unkind.

  This was then followed by a glass of top notch port. It wasn’t a drink that I had really tasted before, but Neil swore by it when a good sleep was needed, which was fair enough, sleep had evaded me for the last few nights, and I welcomed it.

  Finally, I said, “I really must go to bed, I’m exhausted.”

  I turned to go up the stairs, and suddenly I had to hold on to the bannister as I was rather unsteady.

  Neil quickly came to my aid and helped me upstairs. As we reached the top, he hugged me and said softly, “Can I stay tonight, Tash?”

  I burst out laughing, “Why are you asking me, it’s your house at the end of the day? Anyway, I think that it might be a good idea after all the alcohol we’ve consumed between us,” I said amused.

  Neil then gently tilted my chin towards him and added, “No, I mean, can I stay tonight?”

  “I know exactly what you mean. The answers still yes!” Then I added provocatively, “Your settee is really comfy you know.”

  Without saying another word, I looked up at his lips, longing for him to kiss me, and as he did so, it was like being in a time machine. The years just flew by, as if we were back to our first kiss.

  I giggled as Neil scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bed. I was excited with anticipation.

  Neil quickly undressed before me and I savoured every moment. I had missed being with him, especially in a sexual relationship. Maybe the wine and the port had gone to my head, but no, I knew exactly what I was about to do. I didn’t really think about Oksana or feel guilty. Why should I? It was delightful to be back with Neil, even if it was for just for one night. I ached for him to satisfy me. It had been a long time and despite the hurt that had gone before, I had moved on and I felt safe with Neil and tonight felt right.

  I lay on the bed in a haze, longing for Neil to enter me. Neil looked at my body and first kissed me tenderly, and then more forcibly as we engaged our tongues in our prolonged kisses. Then came the surprise!

  “Please Tash, just stay as you are,” he asked politely.

  I giggled, pre-emptying the surprise he would very soon get. Neil started sucking my nipples and kissing between my breasts and softly kissing each part of my body on his way down, past my navel, etc. He then came to my “landing strip.”

  Neil sat bolt upright as he took in the sight before him. He then uttered affectionately, “WHAT?”

  “What’s what?” I replied amused.

  Then I continued, “Oh that,” I giggled. “Oh well,” I carried on casually, “I suppose I’ve learnt something about the modern woman and her sexual prowess. I never knew if I would meet somebody in the meantime. Here I am with you tonight, let’s enjoy every moment to the full.”

  Neil started to kiss me again, including that part.

  I ached with agony and pleasure for him to enter me. My body arched in anticipation as he positioned himself to thrust inside me, and within seconds we both gasped in sexual climax as we both came at the same time. We wrapped ourselves around each other, satisfied and contented and ready to fall asleep.

  I must have slept like a baby in the peacefulness of my surroundings as it was around nine thirty a.m. when I finally awoke.

  I felt a pang of disappointment that Neil wasn’t beside me. However, he had left a note on the pillow next to me, which read, “Just gone shopping. Will cook you breakfast. Won’t be long xxx.”

  By the time I was showered and dressed, Neil was coming in with a pile of goods that he put down on the farmhouse kitchen table.

  As he whistled ‘Mozart’s Andante – piano concerto No. 21’, Neil made my favourite blend of coffee in his machine and his unprecedented scrambled egg on toast, while I glanced through the morning paper that he had brought in.

  At first, we just sat in comfortable silence as we both tucked into our breakfast.

  Then Neil said, quite apologetically, I noticed, “I’m sorry Tash, but my flight back is at six p.m. this evening from Manchester.”

  “That’s fine, Neil,” I replied cheerfully.

  “Are you sure?” he asked concerned. “It’s still such early days since everything,” he continued, obviously not wanting to say the actual words about the past few days.

  “Look Neil. Despite all the water that’s gone under the bridge, you are and have been an extremely good friend to me. You have literally saved me from a fate worse than death and out of the clutches of that awful couple,” I started reassuringly and then I continued …

  “I know that you need Oksana and that she needs you. I know that you will always be here for me, at the end of the telephone, so no grudges or regrets, we’ve both been through enough.”

  Neil smiled and paid me a tremendous compliment as he said, “You truly are amazing, Tash.”

  “I know I am,” I replied, giggling teasingly.

  “I’ve been so stupid at times,” Neil began reflectively. “I forgot what an outstanding person you are, and underneath that gentle exterior is a real fighter and warrior. I miss you Tash.”

  I took charge of the situation. “Now Neil, don’t go back, go forwards. We are and always will be the best of friends, nothing else. Thank you for letting me stay here and giving me the chance to get back into work, I really appreciate that.”

  Neil looked emotional for once in his life, and came across and hugged me and kissed me on my head.

  “Well, I’ve to go down to the factory for about an hour and then I will be back to say ‘Au Revoir’,” Neil said, with a glint in his eye. That glint I had come to know as meaning he was up to something, but something pleasant.

  I began unpacking my suitcases and then unpacked all the shopping. It felt good to be back here. I was almost sure I would settle in. I knew my three neighbours quite well from before, and I couldn’t foresee any problems for the future, especially nothing like the past ones! I put on some soothing, easy listening music and started to prepare Neil some lunch, which I was sure he would appreciate before he left. He had brought in some smoked salmon and plenty of salad and new potatoes, so I made sure that it was already in the fridge for him when he came back.

  I heard the Bentley in the distance, driving slowly up the drive to the cottage. He stepped out of the car, and as he came through the door, I noticed that he had a sheepish look.

  “I’ve two things I would really appreciate your help with as soon as possible,” he said, still in an unusual manner.

  “Right?” I replied with an air of query.

  “I’ve some files that I’ve brought back in my briefcase, and I would like it if you could ring the clients with outstanding invoices for me, and if need be, reissue them. You know what to do anyway. I just thought you might not be ready to go straight down to the factory on Monday as you will be busy getting sorted here.”

  “Yes,” I replied expectantly.

  “Well, the other thing is,” as he said those words, he turned to the car and brought out a small bundle a cocker spaniel puppy called Sam. I was bowled over straight away.

  “I hope I haven’t been presumptuous,” he started, “but, I thought he might help you settle in and he’ll certainly be a safeguard.”

 
“He’s lovely,” I said immediately falling in love with him and put my arms out to this lovely black and white spotted bundle of fur. “We’ll be just fine, thank you,” I said, stroking Neil’s arm.

  Neil came into the kitchen and sat and had his lunch while Sam sat on my knee, snoring those lovely baby snores.

  Neil took the time to just go over the paperwork he wanted me to do and he made sure that I had all the keys that I needed for the factory and the cottage.

  Finally, Neil had to go. I did feel a mixture of emotions. I didn’t want him to go, I had enjoyed our time together, but deep down I knew it wasn’t to be and Oksana would always be a big part of his life that I wasn’t prepared to share.

  I knew that Neil and I would still have plenty of contact due to the business side of things.

  I soon got back into the swing of things and, although there had been such a mixture of emotions and events surrounding my previous time at Ryedale Business Park, I still looked forward to a new start.

  Neil had very thoughtfully rearranged his factory slightly, and moved his office to the back with new furniture that he had let me choose, so the purpose was for it to be more like my office and not to remind me of that fateful day when I had caught him and Oksana in the act!

  Rob and Tim were still in accounts and made me feel welcome, and, although their jokes and humour no longer centred on Neil, they were still very humorous and I enjoyed their company.

  There were one or two new businesses that had sprung up in the meantime. One was a curtain-making business which looked as though it was run by a mother and daughter, and another one was a sports outlet with other amenities attached to it, such as bicycle repairs, etc.

  Neil kept in touch almost daily, usually by email, but I’m sure that this was to keep an eye on his “baby”, his business. We did keep in touch as friends and on one of his regular visits, when he was staying at the Newsholme Inn, we went out for dinner.

  It was on one such occasion, that I decided to put it to him that I would like to buy the cottage off him, as my sale of the Marton Manor apartment looked as though it was going to go through successfully.

  A few weeks previously, I had telephoned Mr Bates down in Broughton about the sale of the apartment at Marton Manor and he had given me a date on which to meet up with him and go through the formal procedures for the sale. Jayne’s mother had been across to stay with her and agreed to look after Callum for a couple of days while we came down to Broughton.

  I was so glad to have Jayne with me that day; just going back into the place had brought back so many ugly memories.

  The meeting with Mr Bates went well, and the apartment was put on the market straight away. Apart from picking up a few small sentimental items from the apartment, I assured Mr Bates, that, for obvious reasons I would not be back and could the viewing and hopefully a consequent sale go ahead under his direction, without me having to be physically present, and this was agreed with the estate agents. I knew that someone else, as I originally had felt, would be eager to live there and think that it was close to paradise, and I was quite confident that it would sell easily.

  I kept in regular contact with Alison. That had been to my advantage as I was able to arrange the meeting with Mr Bates for the week that Alison had told me that Ian would be away on a medical training course for the week.

  Alison did tell me sometime later that year that Clare had died while still in Residential Care. Alison believed that it was due to a similar heart condition to the one her father had suffered from. Of course, it was sad for her family; however, as they say, it was: “Gone but not forgotten”, but my memories of Clare would always be unhappy ones.

  I kept in touch with my friend Grace, who I am pleased to say, had successfully built up her practice and it had gone from strength to strength.

  I told her that she was always welcome to come up for the weekend to stay with me, but I would never be able, for the foreseeable future, to go back down there. Being a Counsellor herself, she understood perfectly.

  We would still meet up each year for our annual holiday and would even venture abroad.

  One morning, on arriving at Ryedale, I caught sight of a removal lorry with a vast amount of various types of equipment being moved in to the new extension across the yard. Everywhere, there was a rush of activity.

  On entering our reception area, there was Tim as usual with his mug of tea and a cigarette. I asked him what the new firm was going to be.

  “As far as I can gather, it is going to be a veterinary practice, run by a Mr Jacob and Sons,” Tim said.

  “Oh,” I replied. “That sounds posh for around here.”

  “Mm,” Tim murmured, then continued, “When you think about it though, it is really what we need, as the one in the town centre is small and quite limited. This will be a farmer’s dream for agricultural livestock, don’t you think?”

  “Yes,” I said firmly.

  As the day went by, I kept having a mosey at the comings and goings over the yard.

  I always took Sam to work with me, and it was ideal up at Ryedale for him. Each break time, Sam and I would have a wander around. There was a lovely place nearby, called Langside. You could either drive up the track past the business park, or if you were feeling fit and the weather was good, you could walk up to it. It would be about two miles from Ryedale Business Park. Once up there, the view was breath-taking. It was like being on another planet. It was like a crag cut out from the hillside on the edge of the Dale. I would often take Sam up there at lunchtimes and take along a picnic. Sam could have a good old sniff round and play and even the sheep up there didn’t seem to worry him.

  Everything seemed to go into overdrive at once, but I must say that didn’t bother me, I liked the excitement!

  Firstly, about two weeks after Mr Jacob and his son had finally moved into their veterinary practice, they were hooked up and ready to go. I arrived at work one morning, with Sam under my arm and my briefcase in the other hand. As I passed Tim’s office, he opened the door and said he had been chatting to Mr Jacob the previous evening. “More being nosey than anything else,” said Tim laughing. “Anyway, Mr Jacob had mentioned that he and his son were hoping to open the following week. They had most of the staff they needed, like nursing assistants etc., and two receptionists, but just needed one more.” Tim said sheepishly, “I mentioned you.”

  My eyes lit up with delight, and I said that was perfect, but how did he know I would be interested.

  “Well, Natasha, forgive me but I’ve noticed that you aren’t exactly rushed off your feet. Knowing Neil, he’ll still be preoccupied mostly with his work from overseas.”

  I nodded, almost wanting to giggle as Tim had Neil well and truly summed up!

  “I thought that it would be practical and ideal as you are already working in the park, so there isn’t an issue of getting here, and you are already well and truly familiar with the area, and you are more than qualified as a receptionist. One other thing, I think you could do with having a more sociable job. You would certainly have the opportunity to meet some characters!” Tim quite rightly reasoned with me.

  “Everything you say is absolutely true. I couldn’t agree more. The only thing is, you make it sound so simple as though it’s already in the bag,” I reminded him.

  “No problem,” Tim quickly responded. “All you need to do is go over there sometime today and have an informal chat with one of the office staff and go from there. Right; must get on Natasha, see you later.” Tim conveniently took his leave.

  I was in a complete whirlwind, but a very appealing one. “No time like the present,” I thought.

  I rushed back to the office and quickly read through my emails and listened to the messages on the telephone. A quick look in the mirror to see if my makeup was still intact and my hair was still tidy.

  “Come on Sam, what better place to take you with me for an interview!” I said.

  As I hesitantly entered the building, the lovely aroma of new fur
niture and surroundings entered my nostrils. The smells of disinfectant was heavily present, which would be natural of

  course.

  I approached the bright shining round reception desk. A lady with greying hair and rather sporty pink glasses, looked up at me, smiling welcoming.

  “Can I help you love?” she asked in a broad Yorkshire voice.

  “Yes, I hope so. I’m Natasha Cunningham, I work just across the car park here for Mr Garside. I was told that there may possibly be a part-time vacancy for a receptionist?” I said expectantly.

  “Hello Natasha, my name’s Kim. Yes, Mr Jacob did say that we really need three of us on the team, and someone who could cover at short notice,” she replied

  “That would be ideal for me, seeing as I am here every day anyway,” I replied, trying not to sound too pushy.

  “I see that you are animal friendly,” Kim said chuckling looking down at Sam in my arms.

  “Oh! Sam goes everywhere with me,” I said as I looked down at him and stroked his head softly as he nestled into my arm contentedly.

  “Well, Natasha, I’ll just go and see if I can find Mr Jacobs to come and have a word with you. We are all very informal here, but you will need to know all the details of the post before you apply. Won’t be a minute. Have a seat, and there’s a coffee machine if you fancy a drink,” said Kim as she bustled away.

  ‘Wow!”’ I thought to myself. This might be in quite an agricultural setting, but it’s all very up-market at the same time.

  Sam settled on my knee, totally oblivious of my heart beating fast and my mouth going dry, as I tried to think of the right words to say when I met Mr Jacobs.

  As usual, I heard the ping of my text mail go off on my mobile, always at the wrong time. I promptly switched it off, it was Neil and he would have to wait.

  Mr Jacobs came into the reception area. He looked rather like farmer Giles. He had his flat cap on over his thick, dark but greying hair. His face was very weathered. His eyebrows were also thick and dark and almost met in the middle. His expression was friendly and his smile seemed very warm and genuine. He wasn’t much taller than me and his build was stocky but not overly so. He had a thick brown checked shirt on under a green, warmer jacket with tan working trousers covered up to his knees, by industrial-looking green wellingtons.