Two Years After ; Friends Who Lie ; No More Secrets

by Paul J. Teague

  Terry was fooling around ahead of them. He’d messed up the passport machine, in fact he seemed to be making more of a pig’s ear of it than the old woman. The poor security guard who was there to help the British tourists navigate their way through the automated devices looked as if she was dreaming of the days when a grumpy guy at passport control would coolly take your passport directly from your hand, pretend to scrutinise you and your photo, then wave you through as though he’d done you a big favour.

  ‘Travelling alone,’ he replied. ‘Just how I like it. Where are you staying? I haven’t got my digs sorted out yet. I don’t know this area very well. I’m heading for Benidorm.’

  ‘Us too,’ Caitlen replied. Normally she’d have been more protective about her information. But she was with a big group of friends. What could possibly go wrong?

  ‘Amazing!’ he beamed back at her.

  What an easy charm compared to the forced jollity of Terry. It had taken her a while to see that. Terry’s eyes seldom gleamed when he told a joke. It was the laughter that was more important to him. He liked an audience.

  ‘How are you getting there? I was going to jump in a taxi, but that’s quite expensive. I do bar work and music stuff when I travel. I like to keep things cheap.’

  ‘We’ve booked a shuttle bus, it works out really well in a group. Do you have luggage to pick up?’

  ‘Yes, just my guitar, they won’t let me bring on my instrument as hand luggage.’

  He turned to the side to show Caitlen the rucksack that was strapped to his back. Wesley seemed to travel very light.

  ‘I play in bars sometimes. It saves me from having to get a proper job. Benidorm is full of pubs and clubs and packed with Brits. I’m hoping that somebody will pay me to play covers. That way I can stick around for a couple of months.’

  The queue shuffled forward, it was almost Caitlen’s turn. She looked ahead, trying to figure out which way round to hold her passport.

  ‘That’s wonderful, I’d love to be able to play an instrument. Being a musician is like being a hairdresser. You can make money wherever you go and people always want your services. So long as you can play well, that is.’

  Wes laughed. What a smile he had.

  ‘Can I hitch a ride in your bus? Is there room? I’ll pay my way. It’ll work out cheaper than a taxi. I take it you’re heading for the centre – you haven’t booked somewhere rural?’

  The money was making Caitlen more reckless than she might have been normally. Day-to-day life meant planning for the worst, covering the downside and always thinking ahead. Well, from where she was standing, ahead was looking pretty darn good.

  She thought for a minute. Kasey had ended up with his own apartment. Harriet had been up for sharing with him, but she figured that it would be nice for them to have some privacy.

  Would Wesley be alright sharing with a gay guy? He looked like he’d be cool, not the macho type. He was a musician, after all, not the sort of man that Terry was. She truly believed that Terry didn’t care that Kasey was gay. But he just couldn’t leave it alone. He’d always make quips if they went to the bathroom together. Ridiculous and old school. Kasey was the straightest gay guy she’d ever known. She never even thought about it.

  Caitlen decided to keep quiet about the room going spare in Kasey’s apartment. She’d see how he fitted in with the others first. But she liked him. He may not be around all the time but she felt that Wes might inject a new dynamic into the holiday. He looked like he was a man with interesting stories to tell.

  ‘It’s my turn with the passport. Look, jump in our shuttle bus, there will be several seats spare, I booked a big one. That’s my group standing together on the other side of the machines. Come and join us when you’ve scanned your passport. And don’t worry, the bus is paid for. Have this trip on me!’

  Wesley touched her on the back as she moved towards the machine. She thought that odd, but forgot it immediately as she placed her passport into the device and it gave a churlish electronic sound of rejection. She turned it around, annoyed that she’d messed it up. She looked into the screen, holding as still as possible so that it could scan her eyes. It messed up again. The Spanish security guard intervened and set Caitlen right. Her face reddened, she’d made more of a mess of it than the old lady. Eventually, the barrier opened and she was on her way.

  Wesley had already made himself known to the group. They were all teasing Caitlen after rejoicing in her struggle to get through passport control. Wesley looked as if he’d always been part of their crowd. Already, he’d slotted himself in.

  Chapter Five

  Benidorm: June

  In spite of the general enthusiasm for the trip, the heat got to the travellers straight away and they were pleased that the shuttle bus was waiting for them in the airport parking bays with the air conditioning set to super cool. The driver seemed relieved that he wasn’t transporting a party of drunken Englishmen. A mixed group was always his preference, the women tended to rein in the worst excesses of the men.

  ‘We’re carrying one extra,’ Caitlen said, as Wes waited at the bottom the steps, expectant that permission to board would be granted.

  Caitlen was grateful that the driver was Scottish. She didn’t speak Spanish and had studied French at school.

  ‘You’ve paid fer the whole bus, lassie!’ he announced. ‘You can bring yer entire family fer all I care. Hop on board, son. Yer welcome.’

  Wes moved to the back of the bus. He was getting on really well with Kasey. She hadn’t even considered that their new recruit might himself be gay – he seemed to be sending out all the right signals in her direction. Maybe he was bisexual. Or maybe, Caitlen, you silly cow, they just get on well together because they’re both human beings! She checked herself, cursing the way Terry’s comments had worn her down over the years. But it was good that they seemed to like each other. Maybe Kasey would suggest the room of his own accord, he might see it as welcome company. It was only for a week – it would give Wes some time to find a place of his own. It seemed harmless enough.

  Caitlen stood at the front of the bus making sure they were all on board. It wasn’t lost on her that the way they were seated told its own story.

  Kasey and Wes were chatting away at the back of the bus. Wes was touching Kasey’s arm as they spoke. Maybe he was just a touchy-feely kind of guy.

  Emmy was talking across the aisle to Terry, with Porter next to her looking out of the window, like a spare part in their conversation. Emmy and Terry got on well. She was a journalist on the local paper and he was a detective sergeant. Their jobs often brought them together, either on a crime scene or at the receiving end of a press request for a statement or a comment. They’d known each other before the friendship groups moved into the same orbit. In fact, Emmy and Porter were the common elements. Caitlen knew Porter, Emmy knew Terry, and that’s where their less than beautiful love story began.

  Naomi had been a sour-faced cow since she’d learned about the money. Caitlen had expected her to be pleased for her but, as usual, Naomi just couldn’t find it within herself to be happy for her younger sister. Caitlen had almost considered removing her from the guest list, but she liked Rhett and didn’t want to cause a scene over it. Naomi might have had a little more grace about accepting the invitation. It was as if she thought it was the least that Caitlen could do.

  Naomi was deliberately avoiding Caitlen’s gaze, cursing her sister for surveying her kingdom – a cheap shuttle bus heading for a Spanish resort. Harriet was sitting alone at the back, well away from Becky and Matt who were at the front, next to Rhett and Naomi. Perhaps they were hoping that some of Naomi’s marital bliss might rub off on them. She’d done well with Rhett, he was a good-looking guy. They’d been together forever. They’d met at university and had set up their own business, whereas Caitlen had drifted between relationships and lasted longer in her job than she had with any man. And now she was stuck with Terry. Naomi had done much better in life than she had.

/>   Caitlen moved past Terry, who barely acknowledged her, and sat next to Harriet. She seemed grateful for the company.

  ‘Sorry Harriet, it must be difficult at times with all these couples.’

  She realised what she’d just said.

  ‘Sorry. Again. I know it’s tricky for you with Matt here. I haven’t really had a chance to talk to you since the meal. Are you okay?’

  Harriet looked stoic.

  ‘I’m fine, Cait. You know how it is. He liked it so he put a ring on it. What can I do about it?’

  ‘But it came out of nowhere, didn’t it? Am I the only one who thinks that was a bit fast?’

  ‘You know what Matt’s like. He’s the marrying kind. We only separated because I asked him to cool it. I mean, I love ... I loved him, he’s a great guy. But it was too fast for me. Becky seems to be lapping it up, though.’

  ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody who was so proud to be engaged. Have you seen the size of that ring? I like Becky, but she can be hard work sometimes. I hope Matt doesn’t live to regret it.’

  Harriet looked as if she was about to say something, but stopped and looked out of the window. They were moving now.

  ‘This place looks amazing, Cait. Thanks so much for treating us like this. I couldn’t have afforded it on my own. I’m really grateful.’

  ‘It’s fine, Harriet. I love being able to do it. You’re my friends and I am making you earn it, after all. You can still remember your two passwords, I take it?’

  ‘Don’t worry, I won’t forget them. It’s a crazy way to keep your money safe, I’ve never seen anything like it. Where do you keep the actual cash – or bitcoin – or whatever it is you’ve got?’

  ‘That’s just it. I’m geeky and even I struggle to get my head around this stuff. It’s all stored on a secure device which is ... er ... let’s just say it’s safely stored where nobody will find it. All I’ve got to do is not die between now and when we move the funds over. Hopefully I can manage that. I know some people say Benidorm is a bit rough, but I think I’ll make it to the end of the week, don’t you?’

  They laughed. The countryside was becoming hillier and more rural, every now and then they’d catch a glimpse of the sea sparkling in the sunshine. The lack of greenery and the burned soil hinted strongly at a blissful week of sunshine.

  ‘I certainly hope so!’ Harriet smiled. ‘Did you give Terry anything to remember? He seems a bit put out about the whole thing.’

  Caitlen felt her face reddening. Had she been that obvious? She lowered her voice.

  ‘Can you keep a secret, Harriet?’

  ‘Of course I can.’

  ‘Seriously? You and I have known each other since secondary school. I trust you as much as my sister, even if she does walk around with a face like she just sucked on a lemon.’

  ‘Yes, Cait. I won’t tell anybody.’

  Caitlen lowered her voice even more.

  ‘I’m not sure if this is going to involve Terry. I think this might trigger the end of the line.’

  ‘Oh Cait, I’m sorry.’

  ‘It’s okay, it’s been brewing for some time – well before the money came along. It’s not that I hate him. I just feel like we’re done. Like it was a just a three-year thing. It’s run its course, I think.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Cait. Terry always seems so much fun to be with.’

  As if on cue, Terry let out a loud guffaw. Wes looked up, startled and not quite sure what was going on. He returned to his conversation with Kasey.

  ‘Well, it gets a bit wearing after a while. You can have too much of a good thing. I’m going to see how things work out on this break. I want to give it a chance, but I honestly think it’s over. Getting this money means I can move on cleanly.’

  ‘Will you give him any of it?’ Harriet asked. Perhaps she should have been the journalist, rather than Emmy.

  Caitlen’s face gave her the answer. Terry was going to see very little of the money.

  ‘I’ll keep my mouth shut,’ Harriet said, squeezing her friend’s hand. ‘I hope you’re alright. I just want you to do what makes you happy.’

  ‘You too,’ Caitlen replied, grateful for the unconditional support. She’d already sensed the change in attitude towards her among her friends. Only Kasey and Harriet seemed not to care.

  ‘Maybe you’ll get yourself laid out here, you certainly deserve it after the drought you’ve been through. I hope it wasn’t too obvious giving you an apartment on your own?’

  ‘Of course not, I’m grateful. I wouldn’t mind a holiday fling. Something completely casual, that’s just what I need at the moment. Do they have Tinder in Spain?’

  Caitlen laughed and stood up to walk over to Terry. She was for real about giving it another try. Terry had the week of the holiday to convince her. He didn’t know it yet, but he was on his yellow warning. She’d picked up that much from his interminable football games.

  The road signs were now indicating that Benidorm was just a few kilometres away and the air of excited anticipation increased. Caitlen’s mobile phone began to ring and she looked for a spare seat to sit in.

  ‘Who’s this, I wonder?’ she said aloud, as she moved along the aisle of the bus. She looked at the screen, as she sat down to take the call.

  ‘Oh, it’s my money guy!’ she announced as she pressed the green button on her phone.

  She only just caught the words from the seat in front of her as the voice of her financial adviser came through the speaker.

  It was Naomi and she was mocking her sister.

  ‘It’s my financial adviser!’ she sneered. ‘Of course it is, Caitlen. Who else would it be?’

  Chapter Six

  Matt and Harriet: May

  ‘Good morning, beautiful,’ Matt said as he opened up his eyes to greet the new day. The love of his life was beside him. If it could be like this forever, he’d be a happy man. But he’d blown it and it was his fault.

  Harriet smiled at him. It was just like it had been before. Only, he had to go back to Becky now. He’d have to see it through. He was in too deep.

  ‘Make sure that you text Becky. You know what she’s like. She needs to know your every waking move.’

  Matt wasn’t in the mood for it. He’d managed to sneak off for what Becky thought was a night away on a business trip. It had been hard work. She insisted she’d travel with him when they were married. He was trapped and it was all his own stupid, impetuous fault. If only he’d been more patient with Harriet.

  ‘What time are you in work, Harry?’ he asked.

  ‘Ten o’clock, it’s the joy of flexitime. Council wages might be crap but the perks are superb.’

  Matt looked at her, the curve of her breasts barely concealed by the sheets. Their clothes were strewn across the floor, the debris from a frantic, passionate encounter. It had been six months. Half a year of tortuous separation, wound licking and posturing. And an unhealthy rebound relationship with Becky who’d always had her eyes on Matt since the day she met him. But Becky was possessive, erratic and demanding. If he tried to paint her in a more sympathetic light, he might have wondered if there was a history of mental illness there. When he’d realised his mistake, she’d threatened to harm herself – she couldn’t live without him now, she said. And so he was stuck in a crawl towards a marriage which could only imprison him.

  He rested his head on his arm and looked closely at Harriet as she struggled to keep her eyes open. They’d made love three times the night before, once had never been enough for them. With Becky, it was more than enough. She was demanding, fussy, exacting and functional about sex. With her it was like working through a Haynes mechanical manual. The car only ran if the adjustments were perfect.

  With Harriet it was free flow, passionate, urgent and sensual. He could hear the sound of her gentle breathing inches away from him.

  Her long auburn hair rippled over her smooth shoulders, the soft pink of a nipple revealed by the movement of the sheet.

  What
had he been thinking of? He’d been so angry with her when she refused to get engaged. Why hadn’t they talked it through?

  ‘I’m so sorry, Harriet,’ he said quietly, not for the first time.

  She stirred, turning to face him now, the sheet moving below her waist and exposing more of her perfect body. Matt wanted to reach out and touch her, to kiss her neck and immerse himself in her beauty. But they had to talk. This might be the last chance they’d get. Like a persistent outbreak of damp rot, Becky was permeating all elements of his life. This would be his last night away from her – she’d made that clear. It was probably his final time alone with Harriet.

  ‘You were an idiot, Matt. What were you thinking? I know you were cross with me, but we could have talked it through.’

  ‘When you handed me back the ring, and said you weren’t ready ... I’d just assumed that you would say yes. I was hurt and confused. I was angry with you. I couldn’t understand why you were rejecting me.’

  ‘I wasn’t rejecting you, Matt. You know I love you, I always have. But you also know how my dad used to beat my mum. I grew up around that. And when the bastard finally did us all a favour by having a heart attack, she moved a pervert in with us. It just made me nervous about marriage. I was happy as we were. I felt that getting married would jinx everything. And I should have told you, I know that now.’

  ‘I had no idea. Yes, you should have told me. If I’d have known what your childhood was like, I’d have waited. I’d have understood why you wanted to take things slow. I can see that you weren’t rejecting me, it was those men that you were pushing away. But I’m not like that. You know that, don’t you?’

  She placed her hand on his face and stroked it gently, enjoying the feel of his stubble against her palm. She wanted him to make love to her and to luxuriate in the feeling forever. But they had to talk and plan. This couldn’t continue, however much they both desperately wanted it to. Becky was a monster, they’d not even realised that until Matt had begun his relationship with her. In mixed company, she was like anybody else, just a little needier. Behind closed doors she was manipulative and demanding. And now she was Matt’s problem.