Red Letter Day

by Colette Caddle

  Fergus looked up his notes. 'I've got just the thing, you're going to love this.'

  Sarah watched as he chopped fruit and dropped it into the juicer. Within minutes, he presented her with a pink concoction in a tall glass. 'It looks pretty,' she admitted and then took a tentative sip. 'Oh, it's lovely, Fergus.'

  He grinned. 'You see, I told you I was good.'

  Sarah fluttered her eyelashes over the rim of her glass. 'Have you any other talents?'

  Fergus felt his face redden and he busied himself tidying up behind the counter.

  'A few of us are going out for a drink on Wednesday, would you like to come?'

  Fergus stopped. 'Er, well, I'm not sure—'

  She shrugged. 'No big deal.'

  Fergus nodded. 'Yeah, why not, that would be fun.'

  Sarah smiled. 'Great.'

  An hour later, he was on his way to the hospital to visit his mother. She probably wouldn't be back in her ward yet but when Vincent had come in search of a coffee and seen him drumming his fingers nervously on the counter he'd told him to go.

  'You'll make the customers nervous,' he'd said with a sympathetic grin. 'Go and check on your mother and we'll see you later.'

  Fergus smiled as he looked out the window of the bus. This job was turning out to be great. An understanding boss, free workouts and a gorgeous girl like Sarah chatting him up. The bus pulled up outside the hospital and he jumped off. When he arrived in St Bridget's ward on the second floor, the nurse recognised him immediately. 'You're Rose's son, aren't you?'

  He nodded. 'How is she?'

  'Why don't you see for yourself?'

  Fergus hurried in and was amazed to see his mother awake.

  'Hello, love,' she croaked.

  The nurse followed him in. 'How are you feeling, Rose?'

  'A bit groggy and my throat hurts. Can I have a drink?'

  'Not yet, love. I'll get you some water and swabs and you can wet your lips.'

  When she'd left, Fergus sat down beside his mother. 'Are you really okay, Ma?'

  'Fine, love, but I could murder a cup of tea.'

  'Did they tell you if everything went all right?' He looked nervously at the cage that covered her leg.

  'The surgeon said it all went fine but he's going to come and talk to me tomorrow.'

  The nurse returned with a glass of water and swabs and handed them to Fergus. 'Just wet her lips for the moment. She can have a proper drink in a few hours. Now, Rose, as soon as you feel any pain, let me know and I'll get you something.'

  Fergus held a wet swab to Rose's mouth and she sucked on it. 'I don't think you're supposed to do that, Ma.'

  'Are you going to tell on me?' Rose asked, her eyes twinkling. 'How's work going?'

  'Fine. Really good.'

  'You haven't met any of them, have you?'

  Fergus sighed. 'No, Ma, I haven't. Now stop worrying about me and concentrate on getting well.'

  She nodded and then froze, a grimace on her face.

  'Pain?' Fergus asked.

  'Yes.'

  'I'll get the nurse.' He stood up and went out to the desk. 'My mother's in a bit of pain.'

  'I'll be right in.'

  Fergus went back to his mother. She had her eyes closed and Fergus thought she looked very vulnerable — not at all like his ma.

  The nurse appeared at his side. 'Now, Rose, I'm going to give you an injection and then I think you should get some sleep.'

  'Right, I'll go, Ma. I'll be back in this evening.'

  Rose opened her eyes. 'Leave it until tomorrow, love.'

  'Are you sure?' He looked at the nurse.

  'Sleep is the best thing for your mother now,' she assured him. 'She'll be off the drip and ready for visitors tomorrow.'

  'Okay then. Do you want me to bring in anything, Ma?'

  Rose shook her head. 'Just you.'

  He bent to kiss her forehead. 'See you tomorrow.'

  As he left the hospital, Fergus took out his mobile and sent Richard a text message. SURGERY SUCCESSFUL. NO VISITORS TIL 2MORO.

  Celine was on her knees taking up the hem on some trousers when Richard came in. She removed pins from her mouth. 'Do you want to go through and I'll be with you in a minute?'

  Richard disappeared and Celine smiled up at the girl balancing on the chair. 'Nearly finished.'

  'I'd hurry too for a guy like that,' the girl said.

  Celine's smile got broader. 'There! Now, have a look in the mirror.'

  The girl stepped down and studied the shortened trousers. 'Oh, that's great! They hang so much better now. So how much for these and the jacket?'

  Celine picked up the jacket. 'The collar is a little worn so let's say fifty-five for the lot.'

  'Great, thanks.'

  Celine nipped out the back while the girl went into the dressing room to change. 'Hi, there.'

  Richard pulled her into his arms and kissed her. 'I just dropped by to tell you Rose is fine.'

  Celine grinned. 'You could have phoned.'

  He shook his head. 'Then I wouldn't have been able to do this.' And he kissed her again.

  Celine broke away. 'So tell me about Rose.'

  'All I know is she's fine and she's not allowed visitors until tomorrow.' He bent his head to kiss her again.

  'I've got to get back to my customer,' Celine whispered, her cheeks flushed. 'Don't go away.'

  Celine quickly wrapped the clothes in tissue paper, put them in a bag and waited until the door had closed before she hurried back to Richard. 'Sadie will be back from lunch soon and then I'm free for the afternoon,' Celine told him after another long lingering kiss.

  Richard slipped a hand under her jacket. 'Oh?'

  'If you've nothing better to do, you could go on up to the flat and make yourself a drink while you're waiting.'

  Richard's hand hovered around the catch on her bra. 'I don't like waiting.'

  'I'll make it worth your while,' Celine assured him.

  'Okay, then, but don't be long.'

  'Fifteen minutes at the most,' she promised, leading him back into the shop.

  When Sadie returned, Celine grabbed her bag and jacket.

  'Is there any news on Rose?' the older woman asked.

  'Yes, she's fine.'

  'Thank God.'

  'Yes, I'll see you later then, Sadie.'

  'You will be back, won't you? Only I can never manage that bugger of an alarm.'

  'I'll be back,' Celine promised, halfway out the door.

  'Is there enough change in the till?'

  Celine took a deep breath. 'Yes, there is.'

  Sadie nodded. 'Okay, then, see you later.'

  Richard had left the front door open and Celine went in, shut it firmly behind her and hurried upstairs. The kitchen and living room were empty so Celine went into the bedroom. 'Presumptuous, aren't you?' she said when she saw him stretched out on the bed, his arms behind his head.

  'Optimistic,' he countered. 'Come here.'

  Chapter 22

  After Celine had closed the shop, she decided to go and see Brenda but on the two bus rides to Killmont, it was thoughts of Richard that filled her head. She had been sexually attracted to him from the beginning, but she hadn't been prepared for his tenderness and consideration. Lying in bed with him this afternoon, talking and laughing, had reminded her of how good it was to be part of a couple. She hadn't thought she'd ever want to be with any man like that again but Richard was changing her mind. His paintings were a part of it. He had to be a sensitive soul to create such beauty. It was such a pity that he wouldn't let anyone see them. She smiled slightly. That he'd shown them to her, that must mean something.

  The bus pulled up at the end of Brenda's road and she hopped off. She walked quickly, her head held high. Somehow she didn't feel like apologising for being alive today. As she turned into the drive of the modern, detached bungalow, Celine hoped that Brenda wasn't regretting talking to her yesterday, so she was relieved when her sister-in-law opened the door, smiling.
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  'Celine, what are you doing here?'

  Celine hugged her. 'I just wanted to make sure that you're okay.'

  Brenda nodded. 'Getting there. Come on in, I'll open some wine.'

  'Wine?' Celine followed her inside. Brenda never drank during the week and she rarely offered alcohol to anyone else either.

  Brenda noticed the look on Celine's face as she fetched a corkscrew. 'It must be the tablets.'

  Celine chuckled. 'It's good to see you smile.'

  Brenda poured the wine and handed her a glass. 'Don't get your hopes up, I'll probably be crying again in a minute. But I felt better after our talk yesterday.'

  Celine shook her head. 'I had no idea that Dermot's death was still such a problem for you.'

  Brenda sighed. 'Neither did I. My GP says it's quite normal for people to lapse into depression years after an event. He says talking to the psychiatrist will help.'

  'How do you feel about that?' Celine knew Brenda would not find it easy opening up to a stranger.

  'I don't have much choice. If I don't pull myself together soon I'll lose Alan.'

  Celine's instincts were to assure her that Alan would never leave but she didn't know that so she kept her mouth shut.

  'I called him last night,' Brenda continued. 'I knew he'd be happy that you and I had talked.'

  'When will he be home?'

  'The week after next. He did offer to come home straight away,' Brenda assured her, 'but I thought it might be a good idea if I had some time to myself.'

  Celine nodded. 'Can I ask a question?'

  'Sure.'

  'Why were you so upset about me and Kevin?'

  Brenda studied her hands. 'Alan had an affair last year.'

  Celine instinctively reached out a hand. 'Oh, Brenda!'

  'It wasn't really an affair. It didn't last more than a couple of weeks.'

  'How did you find out?' Celine stared at her, wide-eyed.

  Brenda gave a mirthless laugh. 'A well-meaning friend told me she saw them together. I wish she hadn't. I would have been better off in ignorance.'

  'Did you confront Alan?'

  'Yes. He admitted it straight away. It was already over by then. He said he was sorry, I forgave him . . .'

  'But you didn't forget?'

  'I tried but I knew things would never be the same again.'

  'And finding out about me and Kevin didn't help. I'm so sorry.'

  'To be honest, when he hightailed it to London I was afraid he'd found someone else.'

  'He hasn't, has he?'

  'No. it's strictly business, thank God. I asked him last night. We talked for ages, Celine, it was wonderful. He may be miles away but I feel closer to him today than I have in years.'

  'I'm so glad.'

  'Don't get me wrong, I know I'm not out of the woods yet. The doctor said there would be plenty of ups and downs.' Brenda shook her head. 'I'm glad I finally cracked, to be honest. It was going to happen sooner or later.'

  'I know it's not going to be an easy time but I'll be with you all the way. You know, I don't think I'd have got through those first few months after Dermot died if it wasn't for you.'

  'It was such a horrible time,' Brenda murmured. 'Poor Dermot.'

  Celine was wistful. 'I used to hate it when people said that. Part of me was furious with him for getting himself killed.'

  Brenda looked surprised. 'I didn't know that.'

  'Nobody did,' Celine admitted. 'Why do we keep these things locked inside? Do you think it's just women that do it?'

  'I doubt it. And we don't do it consciously, isn't that half of the problem?'

  'I suppose.'

  'Did you get counselling at the time, Celine? I can't remember.'

  'I was supposed to but I couldn't face it.'

  Brenda frowned. 'I think you should seriously consider it.'

  'Now?' Celine looked at her in surprise. 'But I'm fine now.'

  Brenda raised her eyebrows. 'Is that why you had an affair with Kevin Gilligan?'

  Celine sighed. 'I told you, Kevin has nothing to do with Dermot.'

  'I'm not so sure.'

  Celine laughed. 'You're supposed to be getting counselling, not giving it!'

  'But I've been thinking about it a lot. We all handle grief differently. I transferred my attention to you and you' — she shrugged — 'had an affair with a man who was unavailable.'

  Celine's fingers tightened around the stem of her glass.

  'I'm sorry, Celine, I should learn to keep my mouth shut.'

  'It's okay, Brenda.'

  'Alan's right, I just don't know when to mind my own business.'

  'You care,' Celine told her and knew it to be true. 'And I do appreciate that.'

  Brenda shot her a tremulous smile. 'You're more understanding than I am.'

  'Ha! Don't you believe it! Are you okay?' she asked when she saw the smile fade from Brenda's eyes.

  'Yes, I just get so afraid sometimes. I don't think I could cope if I lost Alan.'

  Celine reached across and squeezed her hand. 'Alan's a good man and he loves you. He made a mistake but it's in the past now. You're the one he wants to spend his life with.'

  Brenda took a gulp of her wine. 'I hope you're right, because I'm not as strong as you. I don't think I could go on alone.'

  Celine's eyes narrowed. 'Don't talk like that, Brenda. You're not alone. You've got me and Daddy too.'

  'I know.'

  Celine stood up. 'I think you should have a nice bath and an early night. Do you have anything to help you sleep?'

  Brenda nodded. 'The doctor gave me tablets that knock me out for the count.'

  'Good. Look, I'll phone you tomorrow. Will you be all right?'

  Brenda went with her to the door. 'Sure. Thanks for coming over.'

  Celine hugged her. 'No problem. And call me any time, morning or night, if you need to talk.'

  She was lost in thought as she walked down the road and never noticed the woman walking towards her.

  'Well, really! I didn't think you'd have the nerve to show your face around here again.'

  Celine smiled thinly at the lady captain of Killmont golf club. 'Hello, Audrey, nice to see you too.'

  Audrey almost snorted. 'Some people have no idea how to behave!'

  'I agree,' Celine said through gritted teeth. 'You should do something about that.'

  Audrey stood staring, her mouth opening and shutting like a goldfish, as Celine marched off.

  Celine prayed that a bus would come soon. She was sure that once Audrey got her breath back, she'd be back for round two. She sneaked a look over her shoulder but Audrey hadn't moved. Out of the corner of her eye, Celine saw the bus rounding the corner. With a cheery wave, she climbed on and went to the back of the bus so that she could continue waving until Audrey was out of sight. 'Totally childish,' she murmured, turning around in her seat, but the old bitch deserved it. Maybe she was the one behind the red letters. She was self-righteous enough to do something like that. Celine let out a long sigh as the bus headed for the city and left Killmont behind. Leaving home had definitely been the right thing to do for a number of reasons. And though it had only been a couple of months, Celine felt as though she belonged in Hopefield.

  It was just gone nine when she got home and there was a note on the floor. Fleetingly, Celine wondered if her tormentor had discovered her new address, but the paper was an innocuous white. She picked it up and smiled as she read.

  Fancy supper in my place? Home-cooked this time, I promise! Richard.

  Celine picked up the phone and called his apartment. 'I only just got in. Am I too late for supper?'

  There was a short silence. 'I thought you might have got a better offer,' he said finally.

  'I was visiting my sister-in-law,' Celine told him.

  'Oh.'

  'So, does the invitation still stand?'

  'Yes, of course, I'm sorry.'

  Celine smiled. 'That's okay. See you in five minutes.'

  When she step
ped out of the lift, Richard was waiting for her. He took her in his arms and kissed her. 'I'm sorry for behaving like a jealous schoolboy.' He looked down at her, his eyes suddenly serious. 'I've never felt like this before.'

  Celine laughed. 'Then you're very lucky.'

  He continued to study her. 'No, I just never cared before.'

  Celine sidestepped him and went into the apartment. 'Where is this supper? I'm famished.'

  Richard smiled. 'I'll allow your pathetic attempt to change the conversation but we will return to it later.'

  Celine shot him a flirtatious look. 'I'd hoped you'd have other plans for me later.'

  'Cheeky!' Richard said, leading her to the kitchen. 'I hope you like Italian.'

  'Let me guess, spaghetti bolognese?'

  'How did you know?'

  Celine chuckled. 'Because that's all most men can cook.'

  'I can cook more than that,' he protested.

  'Oh, yes?'

  'Yeah, I can do a mean mixed grill and my beans on toast are amazing.'

  'A regular Jamie Oliver,' Celine teased.

  'Pukka!' Richard grinned back as he gave the pasta a stir. 'So you and your sister-in-law must be very close, seeing each other two days running.'

  'Not really, but she's going through a difficult time and I wanted to make sure she was okay. Can I do anything to help?'

  'Just pour the wine.'

  Celine filled two goblets with the Barolo that was open on the counter. 'I'm only going to have one. I've already had a couple with Brenda and I don't want to be hung over in the morning. Did you get any more news on Rose?'

  'No. I'll go in and see her tomorrow, do you want to come?'

  'I don't think we should go together. Why don't you go in the afternoon and I'll drop by in the evening?'

  Richard raised an eyebrow. 'Are you ashamed of me?'

  'No, I just like to keep my private life private. Anyway, she shouldn't have too many visitors so soon after surgery.'

  Richard ladled the food onto two plates and carried them to the table. 'Yes, you're probably right.'

  'Looks good,' Celine admitted.

  He grinned. 'You must be hungry!'

  'Ravenous.'

  'Well, eat up, you're going to need the energy.'

  Celine frowned. 'Actually, I have a bit of a headache.'