by Clare Revell
“Then how about Munchies on the High Street?”
“I don’t have time to get there and back. There are a couple of places to eat in the precinct. I’ll see you there.” Jacqui hung up and stood there, hands clenching and unclenching. He’d managed to get right back under her skin. It had taken her months to get over him and now, now he was back. Well, she wasn’t going there again. She’d go to lunch, hear his pitch, and then leave.
Liam took a few steps towards her and she raised a hand to stay him. She dialed Eve’s number, hoping to catch her in. She left a message on Eve’s answer phone, pointing out that she’d left specific instructions not to give her private phone number to anyone including the Horatio Corporation.
She put her phone back on her belt and took a deep calming breath, praying hard for peace and guidance. She’d go to the phone shop in the precinct and get a new SIM card for her phone. Then she’d get the contract changed to that new number. No way was she using this number again, not now Vince had it. And she wasn’t giving it to work either. Then she’d meet Vince, probably play nice and hear him out, before she said a firm no to whatever he was proposing. She’d accept whatever apology he offered and tell him to refrain from contacting her again.
Still what if this was just an act? She had to show she wasn’t afraid of him, and even then knowing Vince it might not work.
Jacqui crossed back over to Liam. She hoped she looked a lot better than she felt. “I’m going to have to take a rain check on lunch. Something’s come up.”
“It must be a pretty big something.” She could see the disappointment written on his face, conflicting with the concern still showing in his eyes and it warmed her heart.
This was new for her, having a bloke care about her, and at times she wasn’t sure how to take it. One thing Vince had never done was cared about her. She had been an asset and a means to an end, nothing more. She stood there, not sure how to answer or react. She didn’t want to stand Liam up. That was the last thing she wanted. But this was business.
“Is everything OK? You seemed pretty upset on the phone.”
“Just something I wasn’t expecting to have to deal with. He’s an old acquaintance. He says he has a project he might be able to throw the Foundation’s way.”
“He?”
Better to be as honest as possible here. Else this relationship won’t even get off the ground.
“Yes, his name’s Vince Devlin. I haven’t seen him for a couple of years. What about going out tonight, instead? I’ll pay, make up for missing lunch.”
Liam smiled. “I’m not averse to letting a woman treat me, so sure. I’ll see you tonight. Pick you up about seven? Maybe we could see that film you wanted and go for a stroll afterwards.”
“Sure, sounds great.”
He turned to go, and then looked back over his shoulder. “You might want to put some sunblock on your neck. It’s a very pretty shade of pink.”
She raised a hand to her neck, the skin hot under her fingers. “Thanks. I definitely will.” She watched him walk into the building, her fingers still on her neck. It wasn’t just the sun making her hot. The tall, handsome Irish teacher had something to do with it, as had the one man she never wanted to see or hear from again.
The mental scars from that relationship would never fade. Neither would the physical ones.
****
The lunch bell sounded, and Liam headed out of the school. He needed to get to the building society during his lunch break. Then he’d mark the papers as he wasn’t meeting Jacqui.
Who was this Vince Devlin? Someone from her past—that much was evident. Was he a school friend, work colleague, or boyfriend? He’d ask tonight. He headed first to the bank and withdrew the cash from his current account, then cut crossways across the precinct toward the building society.
There was a queue at the building society. When wasn’t there? He glanced out the window. Was that Jacqui? Yes, it was. He knew her anywhere. She was standing with a tall man, blond haired, wearing a white shirt, tie, and suit trousers. No jacket, but he looked like an exec type. It must be that Vince guy.
The man slid an arm around Jacqui, then leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek. An old acquaintance? One she knew well by the look of things. Had she stood him up for a date with this bloke? Was he wrong about her? She said she loved him, but maybe she didn’t know her own heart. Or maybe an old flame was rekindled…
A cough made him turn back, and he moved up in the queue.
Liam paid the money into his savings account and headed back outside. He glanced around but didn’t see them, so he headed back to the school. As he walked past the small Italian restaurant, he glanced in and saw Jacqui sitting opposite the man. The two of them looked very cozy. She was smiling and laughing. As Liam watched, Vince topped up her glass and knocked his against hers.
He turned away, unable to control the jealousy. He needed to get out of this relationship before either of them got hurt. He’d do the decent thing and back off, let her see this other guy. He couldn’t compete with him—he probably had money and undoubtedly had a flashy car to go with the suit.
But she was special. He’d started to leave the shadows of the past behind and find happiness again. He’d been wrong—very wrong. Yes, Jacqui was special and far too good for the likes of him. She didn’t need baggage like him. He was destined to be alone. The dream had been nice, but that’s all it was, a dream. Any chance of love died with Sally. Besides, he had to go back to Endarra. At least now he could go back without any emotional ties.
Back at school, he ate lunch and buried himself in his marking. When class started, he taught with a ferocity and had the class busy for the entire lesson.
Looking out though the open windows he watched Jacqui plant the flowers. Her hair fell in her eyes, and she wiped the dirt from her hands on her jeans before pushing it behind her ears. As she glanced up, he turned his back and stared at the class.
With the exam group next, he’d set up the TV so they could watch a DVD of the book they were studying. That way he could shut the blinds.
His heart was breaking—again. He tried focusing on the class, and then happier times with Sally, but nothing helped. He knew what would. And as much as he didn’t want to drink now... maybe if he just had one or two drinks it would help. One would be enough to take the edge off the need and help him focus on something other than Jacqui.
Once school finished, Liam drove home via the off license and bought a six pack. He hadn’t taken a drink since he promised Jacqui he’d give it up, but promises were something he’d never been good at. Except one— a promise to remain faithful only unto Sally until death parted them. He’d done that—he’d remained faithful since death too. Until now, and he’d broken that with a couple of stolen kisses.
Tossing the beer on the back seat, he drove on and put the car in the garage. He unplugged the landline, turned off his mobile, and removed the batteries from the doorbell. As far as Jacqui Dorne and the rest of the world were concerned, he wasn’t in. He wouldn’t be very good company. It wasn’t the first time he’d done this. In the early days after Sally’s death, he’d hidden from the world, diving into the bottle and not coming out.
Opening the beer, he turned on the TV and flopped on the couch. He’d watch Wimbledon for the rest of the day and hope play continued well into the evening. He looked at the beer can, a battle waging within him. He liked how he felt without it, sharper, stronger…but he was alone now and without someone to help him, the will to resist wasn’t there. He closed his eyes, raised the can to his lips and took a long sip.
8
Jacqui glanced at her watch again, wondering if it had stopped working. She was sure Liam said seven, and yet it was almost half past. It wasn’t like Liam to be late, and after the day she had, she needed to talk to him. She tried calling his landline, but it rang and rang, and his mobile went straight to voice mail. “Hey, Liam, it’s Jacqui. Are you all right? Ring me back when you get this message.”
Eight o’clock came and went. This wasn’t like him. Beyond worried now, she left another message on his voicemail and grabbed her bag and car keys. She had to make sure he wasn’t sick or something. Outside his house, there was no sign of the car. Maybe he was in an accident on the way to meet her.
She pressed the doorbell, but she didn’t hear anything, so she knocked on the door. No answer. Moving to the window, she could see the TV on in one corner of the room. He was in. She went back to the door and knocked again. “Liam?”
Still no answer. She hunkered down and opened the letter box. “Liam, please, I know you’re in there. Are you all right? I don’t mind not doing anything if you don’t want to.” She paused. “Liam?”
“I’m fine.” The tight reply came through the closed door. “I want to be left alone.”
“I tried ringing several times and didn’t get an answer. Are you sure you’re all right?”
His shadow appeared the other side of the glass. “I’m fine.” His stilted voice was tinged with anger. “I’d like you to leave.”
“I don’t understand. What’s happened?” The figure turned away. “Liam, please, at least tell me what has upset you.”
The front door flung open. He stood, tall and stiff, his eyes glinting with barely contained emotion, his lips drawn in a thin taut line and his hand shoved into his pocket. “Why should I tell you what happened? You already know. So, now you can get off my front step, get back in your car and leave me alone.”
The distraught and very quiet tone he used scared her. Whatever was bothering Liam, he was upset with her. First, she wanted to know why and then maybe find a way to fix this, through prayer if nothing else was possible.
“We need to talk, but I don’t think the doorstep is the best place for this, though.”
“Fine,” he said, still not raising his voice. “Then we’ll talk in the living room.”
Swallowing, she moved past him and into the hall. The door slammed shut behind her. She jumped as the sound reverberated.
Was this the right move? He seemed so angry. Maybe the wind just caught the door and blew it out of his hand.
“Second door on the right, Miss Dorne.”
Her stomach sank like a stone, and she plodded in the direction he indicated. The smell of alcohol hit her as she passed him. Perhaps this was the wrong move. Too late now.
He stood between her and the exit.
Lord, help me, so I can say my bit and leave.
She hadn’t been here before, and the masculinity of the room struck her as she entered. It was bare, with a minimum of furniture, the small table bearing several empty beer cans. She stood on the carpet waiting to hear whatever had sent him over the edge.
He stood in front of her, hands in his pockets, his body taut with distress as he studied her. “Well?”
“I thought we were going out tonight. You were meant to pick me up over an hour ago. I was worried when you didn’t show.”
“Worried now is it? You were worried. Well, there’s nice.” The sarcasm wasn’t lost as his voice slurred.
“Yes, I was worried. You didn’t call, and you didn’t answer your phone. I thought you’d had an accident, but I see you’ve been drinking.”
“The fact I didn’t show up, should have given you the answer you came looking for.” He paused, pointing a finger at her. “And what I do has nothing to do with you, Miss Dorne. If I want a drink after work, then I’ll have one.”
“What?” Jacqui looked at him. Miss Dorne? What on earth is going on here? “What are you talking about? What has upset you so?”
“Lunch. You could have told me. Instead, you stood me up.”
“Lunch? Is that the problem? I told you I was meeting an acquaintance for business reasons for lunch. I even told you his name. You didn’t seem to have a problem with it then. Perhaps you’d have preferred it if I’d said nothing and snuck around behind your back.”
“An acquaintance who knew you very well from what I saw. And there’s no need to go sneaking off anywhere. Snuck is not a word, by the way. Least not how you’re using it. It means grassed, or snitched, or told tales. You mean sneaked. Which was what you did. You sneaked.”
“I’m sorry?” Jacqui couldn’t keep up. “You’re not making any sense, Liam.”
“I saw you with him, at lunchtime. This Vince Devlin. In fact I imagine half the people in Headley Cross did.” His quiet tone didn’t falter. “You were flirting with him in the middle of the precinct for Uncle Tom Cobbley and all to see. Look, I get it. Old acquaintance, successful businessman, it’s easy to see he’s a much better—”
Anger flashed through her before she pulled it in. Yelling at him would only make this worse. “You were spying on me?”
“I was not spying on you. Why would I want to do that?”
“What were you doing, then?”
“I went to the building society to make a deposit. Figured I’d make the most of not seeing you for lunch to run some errands. What I didn’t expect to see was you and this bloke looking right cozy. He had his arm around your waist, and he kissed you. Then a bit later you were laughing with him and toasting something.”
Jacqui turned away. “I don’t believe this. You were watching me.”
“I was not. I told you I was running errands.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Errands, really? Yet you seem to know my every move.”
Liam moved over to the side and picked up his account book. He held it out to her, his fingers hiding the amount saved column. “I was in the building society, transferring money from my current account to my savings account. Check if you don’t believe me. The entry is time stamped today at twelve fifteen.”
She looked at him. Guilt flooded her. “OK. It’s fine. You don’t need to prove it. I should never have asked or doubted you.”
“Why would you think I was spying on you? If you don’t want to see me anymore, then at least have the common decency to tell me to my face, before doing a public display of affection in the precinct. I was a fool to even think you loved me.” He paused, his tone hardening. “I think you should go now.”
Her stomach twisted, and she felt sick. “Liam, please let me explain.”
“I don’t want to hear your excuses.” He pointed to the door. “Please leave.”
Jacqui reached out, not surprised when he pulled away. His eyes glittered and she wondered if that was anger mixed with the grief now. “I’m not making excuses. All I want is a chance to explain and then I’ll go.” She took a deep breath as he jerked his head. “You’re right. Vince and I were more than old friends. We were together a long time, dated for seven years in all, but any feelings I had for him are long gone. He put his arm around me, and he kissed me. I picked at my lunch while he ate. I may have laughed at his jokes because I learned a long time ago, it’s a lot easier that way. It was all him.”
“I think you should go.”
“Don’t you even want to know what he wanted?”
“Well, from where I stood, it looked like he wants to pick things up from where he left off, and you didn’t object too much.”
She looked at him. If he wasn’t going to listen, then what was the point? “Fine. I’ll leave.” She’d said what she needed to say, she’d leave, but her traitorous heart was shattering into a million pieces.
“You do that.”
Jacqui left the house, tears burning her eyes. She’d been honest from the outset, telling him she was having lunch with a guy. This wasn’t her fault. She sat on the bench in the street and closed her eyes. Had her association with Vince once again managed to mess up her life? She’d finally found a wonderful bloke who seemed to care for her. Yet Liam wore his heart on his sleeve, and she could see how hurt he was because of this.
Lord? You know Vince is in my past, and. I have no desire to rekindle things with him, now or ever. Please, overrule here. I didn’t intend for this to upset Liam, but it did. Right now, he feels hurt and jealous and won’t listen to a
nything I say. I feel I should have done something to prevent him from falling off the wagon, but I know I’m only human. All things are possible for You. You can see a way where I can’t. I don’t want to lose what I have with Liam. Lord, please, if it’s Your will, please, find a way for us to work this out. I leave it in Your hands.
****
Liam pressed his forehead against the doorframe, tears burning his eyes. Tears he wasn’t going to let fall under any circumstances. How could he have let himself get sucked in like that? One day she loved him, and the next, she was sneaking behind his back with an ex-boyfriend. He didn’t even know she had a boyfriend before. What other secrets was she hiding? Did she have several kids stashed away? Was she a bank robber or...
He broke off. The alcohol was wearing off, because he could see he was being ridiculous and full of blarney. Of course a woman her age would have had a boyfriend in the past. Maybe even several. It was part of growing up.
But why did it hurt so much? Normally drink dulled his emotions, this time it exacerbated them.
He peeked through the glass panel of the front door. Guilt flooded him as he saw Jacqui was sitting on a bench by the roadside. He’d asked her to explain, and then cut her off. Idiot. Didn’t even try to hear her out. Humble pie wasn’t exactly his favorite thing, but sometimes you just had to suck it up, like now. Grabbing his keys he left the house and walked down the path. He flopped down on the bench beside her, wanting to set her straight, let her know what a fool he’d been.
“Jacqui…”
“Liam.” Her quiet tone held barely contained tears.
“I’m not drunk.”
“Yes, you are. I can smell it. And you’re not a very nice drunk either. I thought you said you were going to stop.”
“I did. I have…I…” He looked down, his face burning with shame. Sally would be furious if she saw him now. And very disappointed. Just like Jacqui was. He looked up. “I’m sorry. I’d only intended to have one, but one led to another and another. And before I knew what was happening…” He sucked in a deep breath, a stale taste in his mouth. “It’s not easy. They say once an alcoholic, always one. It’s like there’s a constant war going on inside me and sometimes the ‘I need a drink’ side wins and sometimes the ‘Oh no you don’t need one’ side wins. But tonight I lost a battle.”
