Bridge Over the Atlantic (33 page)

On the Sunday night of October thirtieth, Mallory pulled on black tight jeans over a fitted black all in one T-shirt body. She tied her wavy brown locks in a high pony tail and donned contact lenses and an eye mask. She drew on fake whiskers with eye pencil and attached a tail to her jeans that she had made out of a fluffy black scarf. She looked in the mirror.
It’ll do
, she thought.

She’d had to buy new jeans whilst she was in
Yorkshire
as it appeared her curves were returning. She could’ve felt down about that, but she reminded herself of Josie’s words ‘Men LOVE curves!’ So she felt comfortable in her changing shape and happy in the knowledge that when the next Mr. Right came along, he would love her for
her
just as Sam had.

She wrapped a warm coat around her and headed for the spooky pub. Greg was there in his Dracula costume. She hated to admit it, but he made rather a sexy vampire. Kate came through from the back carrying a tray of sandwiches to pass around. She was dressed as Morticia from the Addams family. Mallory smiled and said hello. Greg swung around when he heard her voice and Mallory saw him do a double take. His eyes widened as he scanned her body. Mallory couldn’t help smiling to herself.

Greg took to the stage at eight and the atmosphere was electric. Many of the customers had dressed up in costume. Colin had a fake axe attached to his head so that it looked like it was embedded in his skull. Mallory thought it was hilarious. Ron had even joined in, dressing in a suit and a very tall hat. When asked what he was dressed as, he indignantly informed people that he was an undertaker and couldn’t seem to understand why this wasn’t blatantly obvious.

Stella had painted her face white, back combed her hair and made herself up as a zombie; Christine was a mad scientist in a white lab coat covered in fake blood. Frankenstein was there, along with a giant pumpkin, a werewolf and several vampires, amongst many other ghoulish guests. Everyone was having a brilliant time.

Greg kicked off with ‘
The Monster Mash’
and managed to somehow to follow that with an acoustic rendition of ‘
Thriller’.
The tone changed slightly, however, when he announced his next song.

“Now I know this isn’t a high school disco, but I have to say that all these decorations are taking me back. I think, in true high school disco fashion, maybes we’ll have a smoochy number. So if you’re here with a loved one, grab them and give ‘em a cuddle. This one is dedicated to all those who are lucky enough to be in love.” He smiled and briefly looked at Mallory for the first time in a long time whilst he was performing. As he looked away he announced, “This one is by The Calling and it’s a lovely song called ‘
Wherever You Will Go’.
”

People in the pub paired off and smooched in the small space. Greg’s rich voice sounded gravelly and filled with emotion as he sang the beautiful lyrics. He hadn’t done this in quite a while. She wondered if she was being conceited. Maybe the song was for Kate. She looked over to where Kate was sitting only to find her gone. She looked over to Greg who was now singing with his eyes closed, oblivious to the absence of his girlfriend. Mallory felt unable to move as the tears pooled in her eyes and she listened to Greg, hoping that the message in the song
was
meant for her.

As the song was finishing, Mallory’s thoughts transferred to Kate. She had been there at the end of the previous song so where was she? Wiping her eyes, Mallory decided to go outside and check. She clambered through the freakish, smooching couples and made it out into the chilled October evening. Kate was sitting, shivering on one of the seats outside. She was crying. Her make-up was now streaked down her face. Mallory immediately felt sorry for her.

Making her approach Mallory asked the sobbing woman, “Kate? Is everything okay?”

“No. Everything is most certainly
not
okay. I’m an idiot!” she blurted out.

Mallory twisted her hands together. “Mind if I ask what’s wrong?”

“
You
really need to ask that?” Kate scoffed.

Feeling affronted by the unspoken accusation she asked, “Have
I
done something, Kate?”

“He won’t let go of you will he? He
still
thinks there’s a chance. I was willing to get passed the marriage thing until it’s dealt with but, oh no,
Mallory
can’t be replaced.”

“Kate…I’m sorry but Greg and I are not…together. We’re friends but that’s all. He is with you now and I won’t stand in your way.” She swallowed the lump that had appeared in her throat as she spoke the painful words.

“Well don’t waste your time helping
me
. He lives in hope that someday you will forgive him. He told me tonight that he can’t see me anymore. That it’s unfair whilst he still loves you.”

Mallory’s heart skipped a beat. “Oh, Kate, I’m so sorry. Really I am. I did have feelings for him. But…Look you should come inside and I will call a taxi for you…if you like.” She offered.

“Thanks. I’d appreciate that…but I’ll wait here.” Her resolve appeared to be set firm.

Mallory went inside and called a taxi for the broken hearted woman. She waited near the door to make sure that Kate was alright. The taxi turned up ten minutes later.

Before making her getaway Kate looked over to Mallory. “You know, I don’t know you so I can’t pass comment on you as a person, but I think I know Greg well enough now. He’s such a wonderful, caring man and he clearly adores you. You’d be silly to let him go over a piece of paper that means absolutely nothing to him. If I were you I’d be getting back in there and telling him how I felt. And if you say you feel nothing then you’re kidding yourself girl.” She climbed in the taxi and it pulled away.

At the end of the night Greg was surrounded by his groupies. Mallory watched in amusement as the cell phones came out one by one and they all took photos of their friends with the minor celebrity. She resolved that she would give him a little space after what had happened with Kate and that she would speak to him over the next couple of days and see how things went.

She waved goodnight as Greg was packing his gear away and she headed for home. She felt a tingle of anticipation about what could potentially be the start of something official if Greg still wanted her. She would have to wait and see.

Monday morning was very cold. She had decided to spend a day in the workshop getting some stock made up for the shop in
Leeds
and the potential new place she had seen up the road at
Easdale
. She received a phone call from the estate agent. The young couple who had viewed her property twice had made an offer. Mallory was shocked and didn’t quite know what to say. She had almost forgotten about the house being for sale as nothing had really happened in a while. She asked if she could take some time to think about it which had annoyed the agent. She would need to think; and a lot was riding on speaking to Greg.

She had a very productive day in the workshop and produced some lovely new designs that she knew Josie would be happy with. It felt good to be creating again. She had listened again to the beautiful CD that Greg had made her with heartfelt songs on and mentally made a list of songs she could put on a CD for him. She thought back to her conversation with Edith on the train and wondered if there was a song called ‘I’ve been a silly cow can you forgive me now?’
Maybe I should write one
! She laughed to herself.

She knew she had a shift with Greg on Tuesday night. It was November already. She mused, shocked at how quickly the last seven months had passed. She decided she would dress up nicely and invite him round for a nightcap after work. She had planned some of the things she wanted to say, but was concerned it was all sounding a little contrived and so she had decided to say whatever came to her when he was here. She hoped he still felt the same. Kate seemed to think so.

November 2011

On Tuesday night the weather was atrocious. The worst she had experienced since moving here.
Bang goes dressing up nice!
She thought to herself, feeling rather disappointed. She had showered and heard the rumbling thunder as the water cascaded over her body. She hated storms. When it was time to go to work she wrapped up warm and pulled on her big waterproof jacket. She checked her watch after messing around trying to ensure that her hair would stay dry and realised it was seven already which meant she was late.

She opened the front door just as the lightening lit up the sky as if it was daylight; making her jump almost out of her skin. She pulled the door closed and locked it behind her. There seemed to be an awful lot of people hanging around which was really odd in this weather she thought. She trudged over to the pub, head down against the rain. The pub was heaving when she got inside. But no one seemed to be drinking and there was an eerie hush around the place. It was then that she noticed the two police officers.

Stella pushed through the crowd of people toward her. “Oh Mallory thank goodness! We weren’t sure if you’d gone with him!” She hugged Mallory hard. “Colin banged on your door, but you didn’t answer.”

Mallory was puzzled. “Gone with whom? What’s going on, Stella?” She could feel the panic rising inside her.

“Greg…Didn’t you know?” Mallory felt a strange ringing in her ears and everything began to spin. Stella’s words sounded muffled, but she made out odd words. “Boys in a dinghy…out sailing…got into trouble…Greg went out…little blue…Mallory!” Everything went black.

When Mallory came to and opened her eyes, Stella and Ron were hovering over her. Someone was pressing something to her head. It hurt. Everything echoed. She blinked her eyes open.

“She’s waking up, Ron.” a familiar female voice said.

“Stay still Mallory. Just let’s make sure you’ve no neck injury.” That was not a familiar voice. She glanced in its direction and a man in a bright fluorescent yellow and green coat was looking down at her. He was the one pressing something to her head.

“What happened? What’s…what’s going on?” Mallory tried to sit but she was held down. The room was spinning.

“Don’t move, love, you’ll be fine we just need to stop the bleeding and check you over in case of concussion.” The man said.

Mallory began to panic again, “What? Why? What’s going on?”

“Oh, sweetheart, you blacked out. You hit your head so it’s bleeding a little.”

“Aye but the table’s fine so don’t worry.” Ron chuckled trying to lighten the mood.

“Ron! Not the time or place!” Stella snapped. “Sweetheart, Greg hasn’t been found yet.” Stella informed her.

“Found? What do you mean? Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” She shouted, getting angry.

The Paramedic helped her to a sitting position and checked her eyes with a little torch.

He examined the back of her head. “You won’t need stitches, I’ve dressed the wound you’ll be fine, but you must take it easy, okay?” He demanded as he ensured the gauze was firmly in place, making Mallory wince.

“Yes fine. Thank you…Stella?” She pleaded.

“Mallory, please don’t black out again…There was a terrible incident. The Carrick boys, you know, Tom and James? They were out fishing in their dinghy when the weather turned for the worse. They managed to ring their dad from Tom’s mobile and Greg was with him, fixing their kitchen sink, when they got through. They contacted the coastguard but Greg took Little Blue out to try and reach them. That was two hours ago and the wind has really picked up and now with the storm…The Coastguard is out there now.”

“Oh my God no!” Mallory pushed the paramedic away, clambered to her feet and bolted for the door. She was dizzy but she ran and ran to the marina where Little Blue was usually moored.
This can’t be happening, not again. Please no.

Colin came out after her. “Mallory, love, the Coastguard is doing all they can, please come inside. You’ll freeze out here especially with you being in shock.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “You won’t help anybody by getting yourself ill, hen.”

She knew he was right. Her legs were like lead as she walked; propped up by Colin, back to the pub.

An hour later they were told that the boys had been found. A mumble of relief shuddered around the room. There were tears of joy at the news that, although they were in severe shock, they had only suffered minor injuries. There was, however, no report on Greg. They sat in the pub for hours, waiting.

Mallory was horrified when the news came in that parts of Little Blue had been found, but there was still no sign of Greg. Her heart was breaking all over again. She couldn’t bear the thought of Greg being hurt or worse still being found dead. She cried out in physical agony at the terrible thought of losing him; tears relentlessly pouring from her clenched eyes. Ron, Colin, Christine and Stella fussed around her as her body shook uncontrollably and her anguish poured out.

The pub telephone rang at eleven o’clock. Stella ran to answer it. Her colour drained and her hand came up to her mouth as she sobbed.
That’s it, he’s gone too
. Mallory’s subconscious concluded.

Stella spoke to Colin in low murmurs. They both came over to where Mallory sat. Colin sat beside her and took her hand.

“Mallory, you need to come with me. I need to take you to the hospital in
Oban
.”

Mallory began to shake her head frantically and recoil in her seat as if gripped by absolute terror. “No! Please no! Please don’t make me be the one to identify his body! Please! I can’t do that again! I can’t do it! Please?” She was almost hysterical, remembering what she had gone through after Sam’s accident. Colin took a firm grip of her shoulders.

“Mallory, stop! Please calm yourself and listen to what I have to say!” His voice was firm, forceful and quite loud. She had never heard him raise his voice before, it grabbed her attention. When he could see that she had calmed down, he spoke again, softer this time. “Greg was pulled out of the water an hour ago. He is in a critical condition, but he is asking for you. I would like to take you to him.”