New beginnings by the su.., p.10
New Beginnings by the Sunflower Cliffs, page 10
Bea felt as if Shani had slapped her. Hard.
‘Bea? Are you there?’
‘Yes,’ she murmured. Hearing Luke’s footsteps on the landing as he walked towards the stairs, she took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind. ‘I have to go, Shan. I’ll call you later.’ Bea ended the call without waiting to hear Shani’s answer. She took a sip of her coffee, ready to confront Luke.
‘That’s better,’ he said, taking her in his arms and going to kiss her, his damp hair sticking up at all angles. Bea shivered at his touch, hardly able to look at his tanned face. She now knew he could never be hers, not in the way she would like him to be. She let him hold her for a second longer, not wishing for the moment to end. The pain of knowing how perfect it felt to be made love to by Luke only compounded her misery to learn he belonged to someone else, and she was probably nothing more than another conquest.
She pushed him away. Luke frowned. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘This can’t happen again,’ she insisted, staring at the steam rising from her cup and ignoring his confused but gentle expression.
‘What do you mean?’ He frowned, water dripping onto his face from his wet hair.
Bea struggled to find her voice. She had to look away from him. She wanted to be with him, but she could not ignore he had a girlfriend. Wasn’t the threat of the investigation against him enough to put her off, she mused? I’m so stupid, she decided, aware that by being with him she might be putting into action something that could result in her losing her home. Annabel’s house. No, she owed too much to her aunt and her trust in her to let that happen, despite how much she was attracted to Luke.
A black look shadowed his face. ‘If you don’t want it to happen again, then it won’t.’
Bea moved away. She’d hurt his feelings and didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. ‘You have a girlfriend.’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘You knew that when we slept together last night?’
‘No. Shani phoned a few minutes ago and told me.’
He shook his head slowly. ‘It’s not like that.’
‘Okay, then,’ Bea said, determined to know the extent of his relationship with this woman. ‘Just answer me this. Do you live together?’
He smiled and folded his arms. ‘She stays on my boat sometimes, but that doesn’t mean…’ He shook his head. ‘Bea, we’re just friends.’
Bea swallowed the lump forming in her throat. ‘Have you ever slept with her?’ She didn’t want to know the answer, but wasn’t going to be made to look a fool yet again by some man, however gorgeous he might be. ‘Well?’ she asked, when he didn’t answer immediately.
Luke sighed. ‘Yes.’
Bea stepped back and leant against the sideboard. ‘So, she lives with you and you’ve slept together, but you’re just friends. Sorry, Luke, we’re not looking for the same things, obviously,’ she said. ‘I’m going through a divorce and however it may look to you, I don’t go in for one-night stands.’
He walked up to her and stood so close she could smell the soapy scent of his skin. ‘Bea, look at me.’ He lifted her chin, but Bea snapped her head away from his touch. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke. ‘I don’t know what you think I’m looking for, and I can see that the situation with Leilani sounds a little odd, but you must believe me when I tell you that there really isn’t more to our relationship than friendship now.’
‘Now?’ Bea couldn’t hide her anger towards him. ‘I think it’s best you leave.’
Luke stared at her for a moment. She could see he was upset, or was it annoyance with her for being so — what was it Simon called her? — oh yes, naive. Well, naive or not, she wasn’t going to put up with being second best again.
‘You’ve obviously made your mind up about me already, so I’ll let you get on. Goodbye, Bea,’ he said, leaning forward and kissing her on her cheek. ‘I’m sorry it had to end this way.’
Me too, thought Bea, letting him see his own way out.
‘I can’t believe he has a live-in girlfriend,’ Bea admitted to Shani on the phone the following day after work. With her voice lowered, she gave a vague outline of what she’d said to Luke.
‘How could you have known? Bastard. If nothing else though, it’ll do you good, getting a taste of a new man. Out with the old, and in with the new, I say. So it’s not the end of the world, is it?’
That’s a matter of opinion, thought Bea miserably, trying to push away the memory of her night with Luke. ‘I feel so stupid.’ She wished she’d never taken his number from Mel. She’d been doing so well before that. Her house might have been crumbling, but she’d slowly been learning to cope without Annabel, and her anger towards Simon had helped her deal with Luke’s betrayal. Now, it all seemed so raw once again. ‘He wasn’t happy when we argued about it.’
‘Are you surprised?’
‘No,’ Bea said miserably. ‘He’s probably relieved to have had a lucky escape from the mad divorcee.’
‘Relax,’ Shani said. ‘He had fun that night too, don’t forget. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You’re young, free and single. You’ve been betrayed by your louse of an ex-husband. You deserve a bit of spice in your life. Sleeping with a guy doesn’t have to mean you need to be in a full-blown relationship with him. This isn’t the dark ages, you know.’
Shani was right. ‘Yes, look at you and Harry. How is he, by the way? I still haven’t met him,’ Bea said.
Shani groaned. ‘He’s driving me nuts.’
‘Why?’ Bea couldn’t help smiling. Shani was always so in charge of her men; she only wished she was as tough.
‘Nothing much, just a little disagreement we’re having.’
Bea could tell something wasn’t quite right. ‘You’re always so in control of your relationships. You are okay, aren’t you?’
Shani sighed. ‘When have you known me not to be? Tell you what, I’m booked up for a few extra classes this evening, but I’ll give you a call tomorrow. If you’re not busy, we can take a walk on the beach.’
The thought appealed to Bea. If only she could discuss what Tom had told her, but she’d signed a confidentiality agreement when she joined Malory’s and couldn’t divulge any information about a client, even if it was about Luke. ‘Lovely, and Shani?’
‘Yes?’
‘Why don’t you bring Harry along sometime? It would be good to get to know the man in your life. It feels weird not knowing him at all. A bit too mysterious, if you ask me.’
‘Bea?’
‘Yes?’ Bea replied hopefully.
‘Shut the hell up. You and Paul will meet him when I’m good and ready, and not before.’
Bea laughed. She knew when she was beaten, and hung up feeling sure Shani was behaving a little too secretly. Then again, thought Bea, I’m probably being over-anxious about everything. Shani was tough and never had a problem admitting if something was wrong in her life – and then, mused Bea, sorting it out without needing anyone’s approval or assistance.
Shani and Bea drove straight to L’Etacq.
‘So, Shan, how are things going with Harry?’
‘You’re not going to let this drop, are you?’ Bea smiled and shook her head. ‘Not so good. In fact, I haven’t heard from him for about a month.’ She kicked a lump of sand with the toe of her worn, white trainer.
‘A month? Why?’
‘No idea,’ Shani said, looking away from Bea.
Something wasn’t right. ‘Are you okay? You would tell me if there was something wrong, wouldn’t you?’
‘Yes. Now stop going on. When have you known me to have a problem I couldn’t cope with?’
Bea couldn’t think of one solitary occasion. ‘True. Maybe it’s just me.’
‘It is, now shut up.’
Bea picked up a piece of pale green glass, frosted by the sand and tide, and brushed the dried sand from it before dropping it again. ‘Did I tell you the bank manager has called me in for another meeting?’
‘No, when?’
‘Next week. I’m hoping Simon’s estate agent did a decent enough valuation so that I’ll be able to get the full loan, but I’m not feeling all that confident.’
‘What will you do if you don’t get enough money?’
Bea shivered and breathed in the fresh, sea air. ‘I’ve had sleepless nights over this, Shan. If I don’t come up with the money, then I’m going to have to sell the house. He’s entitled to half.’
‘But that’s unfair. Annabel loathed him ever since she caught him with Claire, and she left the house to you, not him.’
‘I know, it seems unfair to me too, but I inherited it while we were still together so he considers it a matrimonial asset.’
‘But you’ve signed separation papers now.’
‘Yes, after Aunt Annabel had died, not before. So, if I do sell,’ she continued, nauseous at the thought of an unsatisfactory outcome, ‘I suppose I’ll have to move in with Dad and Joyce until I sort something out.’
‘You’d go mad living with that old bag.’ Shani grimaced. ‘You always hated being in the same house with her, even when you were small.’
‘I think she found it harder having me there. It messed up their little family unit somehow, which is why Dad agreed to let me spend most of my childhood with Aunt Annabel.’
‘I don’t know why they ever made you go back home again.’
Bea had spent many miserable nights wishing they hadn’t. ‘Me neither, and it never lasted very long, but I suppose it would have looked bad at her charity lunches if her husband’s dead first wife’s daughter was sent to live somewhere else.’
‘Despite his inability to stand up to Joyce, your dad does love you. Don’t forget that.’
Bea smiled. ‘I know he does. He’s just too under her thumb to be able to show it. Poor man has spent most of his life doing things he doesn’t want to so that she’ll be kept in a good mood.’
Shani shook her head. ‘It’s a shame that Joyce always stirred you and Mel up. You’re always so competitive towards each other.’ Bea nodded. ‘Do you think that’s why she chose Liberation Day to hold her wedding?’
Bea didn’t doubt it for a second. ‘More than likely. The date’s set now, so I have to deal with it.’ She didn’t add that she also had to try and find a way to get through the day without falling apart. ‘I’ve no idea what she was thinking.’
Shani folded the front of her jacket over her stomach. ‘I can’t believe we all ever liked Simon.’
Bea smiled. ‘I know. It makes me wonder if I can really trust my judgement in people,’ she said, thinking again about Luke. ‘I’m not sure if he fooled everyone with his charm, or if we’re all –me in particular – simply gullible. Getting back to Harry though, you do know if you need any help you can come to me.’ Bea stroked Shani’s arm. ‘However, I do think if Harry won’t speak to you, then maybe you should go to his surgery. He’ll have to talk to you then.’
‘Don’t worry, I will.’ Shani said. ‘How I ended up sleeping with a dentist, I’ll never know. Tell me all about you and that delicious man you slept with the other night.’
Bea cringed. ‘What’s there to say? I thought we had something special, but obviously I was the only one who felt that way. But I want to know more about Harry.’
Shani groaned. ‘He’s a little older than me, interesting to talk to and fun – especially when he comes to boxercise – but I’m not sure how I really feel about him right now.’
‘Okay, I know when you’ve had enough interrogation for one day.’ Bea nudged her. ‘It’s getting cold out here so let’s go.’
10
NOVEMBER – DISHING THE DIRT
Bea hadn’t seen Luke since they had spent the night together two weeks ago. She tried to push the whole episode further to the back of her mind, as she made a few notes in one of the meeting rooms at work. She couldn’t help feeling slightly deflated, even though she had been the one to tell him to leave. Surely if he felt anything for her at all, he could have contacted her by now, even on some pretext?
Her mobile rang. Bea scrambled for it in her pocket, aware she should have it on silent in the office. She quickly answered it.
‘Hi, where are you?’ Tom asked. Bea tried not to let her disappointment show. ‘I’ve called your extension and walked by your desk. I couldn’t see you anywhere. I need to chat to you about a couple of things, if that’s all right?’
Bea tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder, continuing to scribble her notes. ‘Talk away; I’m just putting together a few details for a client. I’ve come into Room Three to get a bit of peace.’
‘I’d rather we speak out of work?’
She thought he sounded quite unsure of himself. It wasn’t like him at all. ‘I can meet you outside in about half an hour; we could get a coffee and have a chat.’ Bea didn’t know why Tom couldn’t simply make time to talk to her at the office. Maybe, she mused, he wanted to keep their friendship away from prying eyes. She’d heard enough gossip at Malory’s to not want her private life being the next morsel passed around.
‘So, Tom,’ she said, finding him outside the coffee shop. He handed her a latte and went to kiss her on the cheek.
‘I thought we could take a stroll along the promenade overlooking the marina.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ Bea said, happy to be outside. ‘How are things?’
‘I wanted to let you know Vanessa and I spoke about what happened, and you can rest assured it won’t happen again. She understands how rude it was for her to phone you like she did.’
‘That’s a relief, I suppose,’ she said, not sure why he was bringing this up so long after the call.
‘I was also wondering if you and your friends would like to join me at the opening of The Dark Side?’
‘The what?’ Bea frowned, taking a sip of her milky drink.
‘The Dark Side,’ he explained. ‘It’s a new nightclub. The opening night is next weekend. If you’re free, I was hoping you might want to come along?’
It sounded like fun, but she wasn’t sure. Then again, it wasn’t as if she had anything else in her diary for the foreseeable future. Bea knew she could do with letting her hair down, and somewhere new and exciting sounded tempting and fun. She hesitated. ‘I’ll speak to the others,’ she said after a moment, ‘and get back to you. I’m sure neither of them will want to turn down an offer of an opening night anywhere.’
‘It’s great to see you again.’
‘Tom, you can see me most days at work.’ It was good to see him too, she realised. How did he manage to look so immaculate when the wind was so strong? She suppressed a smile, pushing away the thought of how much hairspray he must use to keep his hair in place.
‘I’ve got something to show you,’ he said, opening an attachment on his phone. ‘I have to be careful at work and these files are confidential, so I thought I’d take a photo.’
Bea waited silently, not wanting to see the proof of Luke’s guilt. Tom handed her the mobile. Bea’s mood plummeted when she read the report from the financial commission confirming her worst fears – Luke was under investigation, and she knew as well as Tom that there had to be enough evidence to warrant investigating his finances. Her hand began to shake so she quickly returned Tom’s phone. ‘So, it’s true,’ she said, wishing more than anything that he hadn’t shown it to her.
She took a deep breath and began walking. Walking down here always relaxes me, she thought, but not this time.
‘You didn’t think I’d lied, did you?’ Tom came up beside her, concern obvious on his face.
Bea realised what she’d done. It wasn’t Tom’s fault Luke wasn’t the man she’d hoped him to be. Like Simon, she’d read him wrong. When would she learn, she wondered, holding tightly onto her cup. ‘Sorry, no. I suppose I was hoping you’d been wrong.’
‘I’m not. I’m sorry, I know you’re upset.’ Without any notice he gave her a bear hug, holding her so tightly it almost took the air from her lungs. ‘Thanks for agreeing to meet me today,’ he said over her shoulder. ‘It’s been a relief to clear the air.’
Confused by his reaction, Bea waited a second or two before gently pushing him away. ‘Tom, you do realise I’m only agreeing to go to the club as a friend, don’t you? If you’re going to get the wrong idea, then I’m going to have to turn down your invitation.’
He shook his head, looking hurt. ‘Not at all. You’ve made your feelings clear and I understand where you’re coming from. I want us to be friends, too. We’ve known each other for so many years it would be a shame not to spend some time together outside that air-conditioned breezeblock we call an office.’
‘We’ll see. I’m not going to get in the middle of whatever odd situation you and Vanessa have between you. I’ll give you a call about the club, but knowing Shani and Paul, they’ll be only too happy for an excuse to go out and party.’
Tom went to kiss her on the cheek, stopping before actually doing so and raised an eyebrow. ‘Sorry, force of habit,’ he said. ‘I’d better get on, I’m meeting a client in ten minutes in Colomberie.’
She watched him go, wondering if maybe she was doing the wrong thing accepting his invitation. Then again, she didn’t really have any reason to be anti-social. She looked up, coming eye to eye with Luke as he drove past. Her stomach lurched and she pushed away the memory of those lips pressing down hard on hers. Bea recalled the image Tom had shown her, unable to force a smile as Luke nodded to acknowledge her before driving on.
Bea drove into town to meet Tom, Shani, Mel and Grant at The Dark Side. Paul turned up a few minutes later with Guy, a French chef he had met the previous month.
‘He wanted to make sure they had some sort of a future together before introducing him, or so he says,’ Mel whispered from the corner of her mouth as she eyed Guy up and down. ‘They look cute together, don’t you think?’
‘He’s hot,’ Shani murmured, as they stared at the tall, brooding Frenchman. ‘Don’t you just love that accent? How Paul’s managed to keep him a secret I’m not sure. Mind you, I’ve been so involved with my own stuff I probably wouldn’t have noticed if he’d moved him into the flat.’
