CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1) (31 page)

“What about Phil? Maybe he wants
a romantic night in?” I say, feeling a little embarrassed.

“We have all the time in the world
for romance darling.” George says wistfully.

“I-I just don’t know…” I say
feeling confused. Then I question – Do I really want to be on my own tonight,
glugging more Night Nurse to chase away the horror? I’m sure it’s going to come
back again.

“I don’t want to pressure you
Coral, I just don’t want you to be on your own.” I think about George’s offer
for a moment, the food sounds amazing and I already know how much of a
wonderful chef Phil is, but wouldn’t it just feel really awkward staying here?

I decide it would, but then I
think it would be rude to say no –
What to do?

Then it hits me. “Ok, I’ll be
honest. I don’t want to stay. I never sleep too well in other people’s beds.
But I think most people like the comfort of their own bed.” George nods in agreement.
“But I’d love to stay for the meal and a movie if that’s ok, I mean that’s not
rude is it George?”

George starts chuckling at me.
“Oh Coral, you are such a sweetie.” I frown at him, shake my head in
disagreement and sip more brandy. “Now, I’m going to inform Phil we will be
three for tea, then I’m taking the dogs for an evening walk. Would you like to
join me?”

I nod my head. “Yes please.”

“Alright, back in a moment.”
George says and steps out of his office.
Whoa!
That was a weird session.
Ok, I got it out about being raped, but I’m more mind blown about Tristan –
Am
I in love with him? Do I really want to date
– “Coral.” George calls,
pulling me from my musing. I drain the last of the brandy, put down the glass
and skip out of his office.

Half an hour later we step back
into the house. The walk was quiet refreshing and blew the cobwebs away. George
hasn’t asked me anymore about what I told him, which I’m grateful for. In-fact,
he and Phil seem to be on fine form, and are determined to make this a fun,
relaxed evening.

I AM FULL TO THE POINT OF BURSTING
. I ate far too much Moules Marinieres – George was right, Phil did
way too much – and I ate far too much French baguette too, but dipping it in
that delicious sauce that Phil made was just too good to resist – A lot like
Tristan.

I haven’t gone too mad with the
wine. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of George, and I already have
enough brandy swishing around inside me. When I’ve finally helped Phil clean up
in the kitchen – after a lot of arguing and debating whether I should – he tops
up all our wine glasses and I guiltily follow them into their snug. George
turns the ambient lighting down low as Phil switches on the T.V and the DVD
player. I instantly feel as though I’m intruding.

“Um...I think I might’ – “Sit
down.” George barks.

“Honestly woman, you should do as
he says,” Phil says winking at me. I smile back at him and curl up on the end
of the large, plush leather sofa.

Phil and George get comfy too,
both propping their feet up onto the matching leather footstool. Then the movie
starts and I’m instantly surprised. For some reason I was expecting the latest
blockbuster, but no, it’s a black and white, something called ‘The Shop Around
The Corner’.

“Heard of it?” Phil asks. I shake
my head. “Well you know, You’ve Got Mail?”

“Tom Hanks,” I nod. “He’s
awesome.” I roll my eyes at myself –
Of course you think he’s awesome Coral,
he’s your favourite actor!

“Yes,” Phil smiles. “This is the
original,” he says then turns back to the face the screen.
Well what d’ya
know, I did not know there was an original to that film.

As the movie begins I already
know that the main actor is James Stewart, but I’m not sure of the woman and I
should, I’ve watched enough black and whites with Gladys in my time.

“Who’s the actress?” I whisper to
Phil.

“Margaret Sullavan,” he whispers
back. “She didn’t make many films, preferred the stage.”

“Oh!” That explains that then. I
relax back into the sofa, slowly sipping my wine and completely lose myself in
the movie...

TWO HOURS LATER THE MOVIE ENDS.
I sigh blissfully, stretching my legs as I do.

“Enjoy that?” Phil asks. I nod
vigorously.

“Yeah, it was really good, you
can't beat the oldies.” I chuckle.

“I quite agree.” Phil turns to
George who is softly snoring on the sofa and leans down to wake him.

“Don’t wake him.” I whisper.

“Ok, you sure you won’t stay?
You’re more than welcome.”

“No Phil, but thank you. I had a
lovely evening, and your cooking was just delicious.” I rub my belly in
appreciation.

He chuckles at me. “I’m glad you
liked it.”

I silently follow him out of the
snug. Once we are back in the kitchen Phil calls me a taxi, while I check my
mobile for messages –
Nothing! Damn it Rob why haven’t you called or text
me?

I try not to get angry at him or
think the worst, but we keep in constant contact and I haven’t heard from him
for two and a half days now – that just isn’t Rob’s normal behavior? I decide
after Lily’s party, I’m going up to their place and knock down the door if I
have to – I want some answers, I can't go through this worry if there’s no
need. As we are stood in the kitchen waiting for the taxi, Phil hands me his
cucumber eye gel, which he has been getting me to apply all evening, apparently
it takes away puffy eyes.

“Take it,” he says. “Put a load
on before you get into bed, and in the morning when you wake, no-one will
know,” he adds.

“Thanks Phil.” We hear the taxi
pull up, Phil opens the door and air kisses both my cheeks again. I get into
the taxi and wave happily at him as the car pulls away.

WHEN I GET BACK TO MY STUDIO
I instantly dive towards the air-con and switch it onto full. Today
has been swelteringly hot and going straight to George’s from work has allowed
the studio to get to melting point. I feel dog tired again and I’m surprised
that when I check the time it half past twelve. I really feel like a long hot
shower to relax my aching muscles from swimming hard this morning, and I know
it will help me feel better. But I also have a nagging feeling that the
nightmare might return, and the last thing I want to do is turn up at Lily’s
birthday party, looking and feeling like shit.

So,
against my better judgment, I pull out the bottle of Night Nurse and take two
large glugs of it knowing full well that by the time I’ve showered, and curled
up in bed it will have kicked in, and I’ll be out for the count. I dash
upstairs, strip my clothing, pin my hair up and pull on my robe. In the shower
I take my time, letting the hot water cascade across my tense shoulders, down
my back, turning around I let it warm my breasts and my slightly swollen
abdomen.

Tutt,
tutt naughty Coral!
That’s too much bread and pasta for you!
I chuckle
back at myself –
Yeah but it was so worth it!
I think I may have to ask
Phil to show me how to make that dish, then I think it might be dangerous – I
may make it too often and turn into a big fat bloater.

I
chuckle again and turn off the shower. Just as I open the door and reach for my
towel I feel myself wobble slightly –
Uh-Oh! Drugs kicking in!

I carefully step out, dry myself off
as quickly as I can, wrap my robe back around myself and head out the bathroom.
As I pass the air-con I decide to leave it on low for the night. I’m going to
give myself a rare lie-in tomorrow, and I don’t want the heat waking me up. I
groggily make my way back up the stairs unpinning my hair as I go, feeling more
and more sleepy with each step I take. As I reach my bedroom, I strip my robe
off me and collapse onto the bed, curling up, I pull my quilt over me so that
it’s covering my torso, leaving my legs free and slip easily into a deep and
dreamless sleep...

I HEAR A STRANGE KNOCKING NOISE
. I turn over in my bed trying to make the funny noise go away, but
it won’t. I hear it again, the strange tapping noise. I groan and slam my hand
over my alarm clock, but that makes no difference either. My eyes flutter open,
sunlight is flooding into my bedroom. I’m totally disorientated and I still
feel so sleepy.

I turn
over and hide my head under the duvet, I just want to go back to sleep, but I
can't help glancing at my alarm clock, 10.15am –
Shit! I’m late for work!
I go into a full blown panic attack and scramble out of bed, stubbing my toe in
the process.

“Shit!” Ouch that really hurt. I
start hopping on one foot then I freeze. I can hear voices down on the sundeck?

“Coral, can you hear me darling?”
Knock, knock, knock.

“Gladys?” I question, not
understanding why she’s here. Then it all comes flooding back to me, it’s
Saturday –
Shit Lily’s party, Gladys is picking me up, Shit!

I grab my robe wrap it around me,
and dash down the stairs. I am mortified. Gladys and Malcolm are stood on the
sundeck, they look like they are being baked alive –
How long have they been
there?
I scramble for my keys out of my bag, dash over and un-lock the
patio door, yanking it open in the process, the heat almost knocking me over as
I do.

“Sorry, sorry...come in,” I usher
with my hands. “Mornin’ Bob,” I grab hold of him and pull him in too, as he’s
stood there looking as though he doesn’t know what to do with himself, I slam
the door shut. Then I dash over to the air-con and switch it onto full power.
As I turn back around I see Malcolm and Bob exchange a smirk.

“What’s that?” Gladys asks,
fanning herself.

“Air-con’ it’ll soon cool down,”
I say feeling guilty. “Sorry, overslept, help yourselves to drinks.” I say as I
walk into the bathroom and slam the door behind me.
Oh god, how
embarrassing!

Then I see myself in the mirror –
Holy crap!
My hair literally looks like I’ve been electrocuted, it’s
sticking up all over the place – What the hell did I do in my sleep last night?
No time - no time to think about that, shower Coral
– Right yes shower!
Just as I turn it on another thought comes to mind –
Damn it!
I yank the
bathroom door back open and see that Malcolm is already making drinks for
everyone.

“Coffee Coral?” He’s trying so
hard not to laugh.

“No thanks, Gladys!” I screech.

“What!?” She jumps half a mile
and stares back at me in wonder.

“I didn’t wrap the presents!” I
bellow.

“Coral!” She softly scolds.

“I know, I know, terrible aunty
and all that. But it’s not just mine,” I say frantically lifting the bags that
hold the presents from the side of my sofa. “It’s mine, Bobs and Rob’s,” I
squeak.

“Alright darling calm down, I’ll
wrap, you shower.” Gladys soothes. I finally breathe.

“Oh...good...ok, thanks Gladys.”
I say my heart settling down. I hand her the wrapping paper, sellotape and
scissors.

“Which is which?” Gladys asks, I
quickly point out who’s bought what, then dash over to the kitchenette, grab a
large glass and fill it with my pre-made veggie juice.

“That looks disgusting.” Bob
pipes up.

“It good for you,” I bark back.

I hear him chuckling hard as I
dash back into the bathroom and slam the door shut. I have the quickest shower
on record, cream my skin from head to toe, apply my makeup, add coconut-oil to
my hair, pull my robe back on and dash back upstairs.

Twenty minutes later I am ready
and making one last check in the mirror. Gladys, Malcolm and Bob are relaxing
downstairs discussing the merits of air-conditioning and sounding very relaxed.
I’ve decided to go casual because it’s a kid’s party, and well truthfully, I
need to take a visit to the launderette. So I pulled on my only pair of jean
shorts that I’ve had forever, as it’s too hot for jeans, a t-shirt and my
flip-flops.

Grabbing my hoody just in-case it
gets chilly later, I make my way down the stairs. “Ready,” I say still feeling
flustered. Malcolm and Bob both stand, I walk over to them, giving them both a
kiss on the cheek and a normal un-rushed good morning. Then I turn to Gladys
and hug her hard.

“Thank you,” I say again.

Gladys chuckles and pats me on
the back. “Well come on then, we’re late as it is.”

I grab my bag and my keys,
leaving the air-con on low we all usher out of the studio. I notice Malcolm has
hold of the presents – I roll my eyes at myself, that would have been the next
thing I would have forgotten. Locking the door behind me we all turn to make
our way to the car.

Walking in front of me Gladys
links her arm in Malcolm’s and for a moment I feel a pang of jealousy –
Why
can't I be that free and happy?
I guess Bob must have picked up on it
because he stops, and holds his arm out to me with a big smile on his face. I
smile back at him and curl my arm around his; I’m instantly surprised by how
firm his arm feels.