by J. A. Kerr
Steve had chatted easily to him during the drive home. Luke didn’t know much about him; they weren’t close, but he knew he lived nearby. In fact the conversation was mainly about Abbey, what a beauty she was and how Steve had been attracted to her immediately. Luke had felt himself tense. Steve had continued to sing his wife’s praises, complimenting her lovely brown eyes, her toned body, and her sweet, dimpled smile, saying glibly it was her dimples he liked best. Luke was getting angrier and angrier. He doubted Steve would ever share these thoughts with his wife; he just took her for granted and treated her appallingly. Again Luke wondered why she stayed with this arrogant, selfish man and was relieved when he pulled up at Steve’s house. He’d frozen when he saw Abbey at the window, his heart somersaulting.
He knew then he wanted her but had dismissed the thought at once, although to his annoyance, his feelings for her had persisted.
He shook himself and turned his attention to the task at hand and brought several boxes into the hall, stacking them neatly before turning to Abbey.
“I’ll be back tonight, I’ll bring food.” And he was gone.
Abbey looked out of the window as his car disappeared, her shattered heart beating faster.
Chapter 44
THE BRAILLE CLUB
Braille Club, London, Present Day: The Braille Ball generates a lot of excitement for everyone involved. Patrons and Assignees often loved by proxy. This annual event gives them the chance to be close to each other in a different environment. They all have unique characteristics and trademarks; the challenge is to find them with their eyes open.
Gabriella
Gabriella and Max always returned from The Braille Club in high spirits. Max had returned twice more to complete his sensory sessions and outstanding paperwork.
Max had also met with his lawyer. As Guy suspected, he was interested in more than an Elysian Membership. He’d approached Guy first with his proposals, and then after several weeks he’d eventually met Benedict, the only member to do so. Benedict had listened carefully to what Max had to say, but it would be several more months before they finalised a proposal that he was happy with. The timing was right, and Benedict had his reasons.
Gabriella ran a successful travel company. Started at home, her website offered bespoke travel, and she’d had few customers in those early days, but had persevered, fortunate her lifestyle allowed her to try new hotels which she then recommended via her website. She was good at networking and soon she started to get some bookings. Friends mainly; delighted by her service, told their friends, and her reputation started to grow.
Holidays were so important; your reward for working hard. Getting it right was crucial; she spent most of her time selecting hotels, apartments, and destinations to suit all types of budgets. She didn’t work for free, charging a fee for her service, but clients never felt disappointed and repeat business followed.
Thirty years on her business was still thriving, but she had taken a backseat. She still had an interest but had sold out the main share of the business. Would The Braille Club be her next challenge?
Max had plans, big plans, and he was sure an agreement could be reached. He was right; the only snag was he couldn’t change anything. The format of the club must remain the same if he had any chance of acquiring the first ever Braille Club Franchise.
Chapter 45
THE BRAILLE CLUB
Braille Club, London, Present Day: The Braille Club is responsible for all manner of relationships between its members, the atmosphere in the club after each zone session finished charged with a roller coaster of emotions. Quite a few single members get together with each other, neither knowing if the other is a Braille Member but trusting their intuition, while other married members begin affairs.
London, 2012
Siena
Benedict handed Siena the pregnancy test; he had never looked so handsome, his opaque eyes registering surprise.
“Benedict, what are you doing here? I’m due to fly out, I must get through to departures, my parents are waiting,” said Siena anxiously, her face burning with embarrassment. She put the test down and moved away from him.
“What’s your flight number?”
“Um, I’m not sure.” She rooted around her bag before producing her boarding pass. She read out the number and then put it safely back in the side pocket. “Why do you want to know?”
“So I can check the departure information. Were you just going to leave? Siena, I’ve been so worried I came down to reception to call you on some pretext or other and saw your father organising the car. I followed you here just so I could speak with you; why are you leaving?”
“Benedict, if you care anything for me, please let me go through to departures. Nick doesn’t know I’ve left and if he suspects and comes here…”
“Forget Nick, he’s still at the hotel,” said Benedict.
“How do you know?”
“I called and asked if he had checked out and they said no, he was still there.”
Siena relaxed a bit then remembered her parents were still waiting outside.
“Let me speak to my parents and then we can talk.”
It was a few minutes later that they headed for a busy bar situated further inside the airport and located a table. Benedict got them drinks and they sat down. Siena felt trapped, embarrassed, and happy all at the same time, their first time in a social setting.
“I don’t have long, my parents will worry,” said Siena.
Benedict took her hand and lifted his eyes to meet hers. She saw his eyes were clear now and shone intensely.
“Siena, I want to be with you. I want to get to know you, spend time with you.” His eyes glittered with passion. “I want to undress you, make love to you, but I will not share.”
Mesmerised by him, Siena felt her heart flutter. “Benedict, it’s not that simple. I’m not even divorced and I think—I think I might be pregnant.” Siena’s eyes started to fill with tears. “God, everything is such a mess. I’m scared of what Nick will do when he finds out I’m gone, and I’m not even sure who the father is,” said Siena wretchedly. Benedict’s phone vibrated and he picked it up.
“I need to take this.” He headed out of the bar, his mind spinning at Siena’s revelation. Siena looked around, scared she would meet Nick at any moment. The next ten minutes felt like hours as she waited for Benedict to return and then she saw him. He was smiling, and he motioned to her that it was time to leave. Disappointment surged through her. They walked together to departures. Siena started to hunt in her bag for her boarding pass and passport. As she located it, her heart plummeted at the thought of leaving him.
“So this is goodbye for now,” she said, biting back her tears.
“Siena, this is not goodbye, this is our beginning.”
He handed his passport and boarding card to the surly airport attendant as Siena’s mouth fell open.
“How did you get on the flight?” she said, amazed.
“I booked it, rather expensive, first class. You need to think about that in the future,” he said, grinning.
“But how did you get your passport?”
“As soon as I realised you were heading to the airport, I phoned Alex. Told him to get over to mine and get my passport couriered out to the airport.”
They went through security without incident.
“Where’s your luggage?”
“Courier brought that too; it’s all checked through.”
“Impressive,” Siena murmured, before reaching up and kissing him. It was like igniting their internal fires, and they stood, momentarily lost in the freedom to kiss. They broke apart, both struggling to get their emotions under control.
“I need to meet my parents, they’re waiting for me.”
Benedict took her in his arms, his eyes fixed on hers.
“Whatever happens in the future, and we will have one, we will face it together.”
Siena nodded, dumbstruck at the change in her life. No longer alone,
but still frightened about her future. Her parents were surprised when she introduced Benedict as a friend, her eyes pleading with them to accept this until she could explain in more detail. Benedict had them eating out of his hand in a way that Nick could only dream of. He didn’t try to impress them or make small talk, but strangely they were charmed.
They were bound for Boston; Siena didn’t want to return to Malibu, as she knew Nick would look there first. Benedict had charmed his way into the seat beside her on the plane, and they spent the long hours of the flight talking and getting to know each other. Benedict didn’t worry about his work, he would manage somehow; he had big plans for their future.
***
Boston, 2012
Siena
He didn’t mention the pregnancy, but spoke at length about their new business venture. Exhausted, Siena struggled to keep her eyes open and woke several hours later refreshed but appalled at her lack of manners, hoping she didn’t have drool on her face. Benedict was unruffled and finished off what he was working on. They landed and travelled to the hotel by private transfer before checking into separate rooms. For appearances, it was the only way.
Both tired and wrung out from the journey, they entered their rooms alone. Siena would have to deal with Nick. Picking up her cell, she gingerly switched it on and saw a barrage of missed calls from him. She dialled her lawyer in Malibu and got to work. Then she called her home in London and disconnected when she heard the answering machine come on.
Next, she dialled Nick’s cell, and he answered on the first ring.
“Where are you? I woke up, and everyone had gone—you, your parents…” He was angry and confused.
“Nick, it’s over. I’m not coming back.”
“Siena, what are you talking about?” he demanded angrily.
“It’s not working anymore, we’re not working anymore. My lawyer will be in touch. We can talk then if you need to,” said Siena in a rush.
“Siena, you’ve not been yourself, that’s been obvious. Let me help you. We don’t need lawyers; we just need to talk about us…about our future.”
“I won’t change my mind, I want a divorce.”
“You need help, Siena, let me help you. I’m the only one who can help you; I understand you and I can fix you like I did with Leo…Siena? Are you there?”
But Siena disconnected; she knew better than to listen to Nick. He brought out a deep fear in her, and something happened when he started to talk. She felt herself become passive, agreeing with him. It was almost like she was hypnotised…and often after they argued she would wake up in bed having had no recollection of how she got there. Nick was dangerous; she’d been unconsciously fighting against him for years. If she hadn’t defied him that night in Marbella, taking Lucy to the party, she would never have encountered Benedict. She didn’t know him of course, but they’d had a connection. Nick never suspected. When she and Nick had played their little games, having him under her control had felt powerful and essential, and it had somehow balanced their relationship for a while. Consumed with the idea, she had spent time devising the cuffs and hoods until she got them just right.
The cards she carried had taken her longer to create, so they could enjoy their games anytime, anywhere, and they did. Was that the reason she wouldn’t let Nick speak? Yes, silence was necessary so she would have complete control. She must have suspected on some level Nick could talk her out of anything.
She heard a tap on her door and checked the peephole before opening. As soon as Benedict saw her he drew her into his arms, her face twisted in fear and misery. He held her as she cried, rocking her like a child. Eventually, her tears subsided and she could talk.
“I just spoke to Nick and I told him I’d left him and I wanted a divorce.” Her voice trembled with emotion.
“How did he respond?” asked Benedict.
“The usual way,” replied Siena, her voice catching.
“What’s the usual way?”
“Benedict, it’s taken me nearly ten years to figure out Nick must be using hypnosis on me in one shape or another. Whenever he talks to me…I seem to give in to him. He always uses the word ‘help,’” Siena paused, “and he always brings up the death of my brother Leo. I was his patient, you see; it’s how we met. Not very romantic to meet in a mental health facility, but there you go. My parents were always against it, but I was madly in love with Nick.” Siena smiled sadly.
“He was my world, and after my therapy ended we started seeing each other. I was only sixteen when I met him and fell head over heels in love. I didn’t like him at first, but he seemed to get under my skin and four years later we married.”
Benedict squeezed her hand, encouraging her to go on.
“Because of my illness, I had a lot of catching up to do, but I finished top of my class. I didn’t notice I hardly had any friends or the fact Nick was so controlling; I loved that he was so supportive of my work, not realising that working for my father reassured him. We both concentrated on building our careers. We decided early on we wouldn’t have kids.”
Siena’s face flushed with embarrassment. Benedict didn’t speak but pulled her close, again encouraging her to go on.
“I worked my way through the ranks of my father’s firm until I had proved myself. He made me his financial director, and it was one of the proudest moments of my life. I know; nepotism, favouritism, I’ve heard them all, but I worked hard for that position, and I was the best in the business. It wasn’t luck we sold when we did, at the peak of the property boom. I had been monitoring the markets, and I don’t know, call it a gut feeling perhaps, but I kept thinking this can’t go on forever. It took a while to persuade my father selling was our best option but eventually I got through to him.
“He didn’t want to sell, but the deal I brokered was too good to refuse and six months later when the recession started to hit, we were among the few people who had got out unscathed. We had moved our investments out of property, we were safe; but that’s when things started to go wrong between Nick and me.
“He couldn’t cope with me being at home, with so many hours to account for when he wasn’t around. He started calling me; at first I thought it endearing, but then I found it scary. Of course, I was busy tying up the loose ends of the business. They had offered to keep me on, which seemed to calm Nick, but I wanted a change, so, flattered though I was, I turned them down. It wouldn’t have been the same with my father gone, and I needed a new challenge. With everything taken care of in the business, I found myself very rich with time on my hands. I wanted to spend some of that at home, I guess to contemplate my future, maybe decorate or try a new hobby…but Nick was constantly on my case.
“We started to argue, it was awful—and he started to change. He’d accuse me of having an affair when I was out at the gym. I told him he was paranoid. He became unbearable; checking my movements, following me when I went out, and our rows got worse. When I woke up a few times in bed after an argument with no recollection of how I’d gotten there, I was even more afraid. I didn’t know what to do. I got suspicious Nick had some kind of hold on me subconsciously; because no matter what happened, I realised I wouldn’t leave him. I mentioned London; that’s when he became interested in opening a practice and then the villa came on the market…things just seemed to go from there. Somehow we stopped fighting, and it seemed like just a rough patch until the night I saw you. Nick would have the answers to my actions in Marbella. He’d call us an exit affair.”
“No,” said Benedict. “Siena, I have been looking for a connection for years. It’s like I’ve been dead inside since I lost my mother…and to some extent my family. I was desperate to love someone, but I couldn’t—until I met you. It’s like I’ve been stumbling around in the dark.”
Siena looked away from him.
“Benedict, I’m totally screwed up, can’t you see that? I’m a wreck, and now this?” Siena’s hand rested on her abdomen. “This complicates everything. I’m not sure I want to keep it.�
��
“Siena, I will not tell you what to do, I can see you’ve had enough of that in your life. I will love you whatever you decide, but I know it’s our baby inside you.”
“You can’t know that. What if it’s Nick’s?” Siena replied angrily. “I’d never be free of him; he’d be in my life forever. You don’t know what he’s like; I couldn’t trust my child with him. No, Benedict, I don’t think I can take the risk…I’ll get a termination and we can start again.”
The tears poured down Siena’s cheeks, tears of despair and misery; she hated Nick with all her heart. Benedict thought of his mother and what it had cost her to have him and his brother and shuddered. Siena was also diabetic; why had fate been so cruel? Would a termination be for the best? He couldn’t even think about the possibility the baby might be Nick Waters’. Was there a baby? Maybe it was a false alarm.
Chapter 46
THE BRAILLE CLUB
Braille Club, London, Present Day: The Braille Ball’s atmosphere is heavy with promise and laughter as diners move to sit down, their names checked off the list as they go inside. Every year has a different theme and this year, it’s a celebration of Scotland. The tables are named after whiskies, the linens finished in tartans, and stunning thistle arrangements adorn each table’s centre. Menus offer the country’s best produce with prawns, lobster, and rare breed meats the star attractions.
Abbey
Abbey felt strangely calm as she waited for Luke to return. She passed the time looking over the contracts and proposals that Olivia had sent her, shutting out all thoughts of Lucy until everything was up to date. She placed the paperwork in piles; projects she was interested in and projects she wasn’t. She suppressed a small tremor at the last proposal. It was perfect for her, launching her career stateside, but these projects were not without risk. There were no guarantees; other stars had tried and failed in their attempts to conquer the USA, damaging their careers as a result, but she would be different. She would succeed because right now she needed something good to hang onto.
