Forget Me Never (19 page)

              The rain had stopped, but everywhere looked so wet and dismal. As we drove up my street I recognised a car outside of my flat. Saffron’s VW Beetle, she was sat in it as we stopped outside of my building and she looked angry.

              “Um, maybe it might be a good idea if you go home,” I muttered suddenly afraid that her wrath would scare him off completely.

              “That’s Saffron I take it,” he sighed.

              “Yes and I am in so much trouble, seriously, Alec, you don’t want her fallout, she is catastrophic.”

              “I can handle her,” he smiled as David opened the car door.

              I climbed out first and stood as David began unloading my bags from the boot. Saffron climbed out of her car behind us and slammed her door shut as Alec stood beside me.

              “I wondered if you’d come back tonight,” she said sourly on approach. Her blonde hair was tied up in a messy knot on top of her head, wearing her striped shirt that hung off her shoulder and black leggings. Her blue eyes looked as cold as ever and she stared at Alec.  

              “We landed this morning,” I replied, “But we went to Alec’s and fell asleep, we didn’t sleep during the flight.”

              “Well, at least you’re back,” she huffed and turned around.

              “Don’t you want to come in?” I asked.

              “Am I welcome?” she asked.

              “Of course you are,” I smiled. “Saffron, I’d like you to meet Alec Richards.”

              Alec held out his hand, “It is nice to meet you properly, Saffron” he said as she shook his hand.

              “And you,” she smiled slightly. Though she was not letting me off, it was a start.

              “Let’s get these bags inside,” Alec suggested lifting my case and hooking my flight bag over his shoulder.

David drove off as Saff and I carried the rest of my bags down the steps to the front door of my basement flat closely followed by Alec. Saff had her own key, she was keeping an eye on my flat while I was away, and informed us that she had kindly got in some milk and bread.

              I opened the door and switched on the light. The place was as I had left it and I expected no less. Alec gazed around the living room and smiled at my pictures on the walls. I had also kept to mutual colours, the flat didn’t need to be made darker with colour. Saffron put on the kettle and I removed my jacket and kicked off my canvas pumps.

              “You can sit down,” I told Alec.

              “Thanks,” he smiled and sat on my cream sofa.

              “So, how was Vegas?” Saffron asked returning from the kitchen.

              “Amazing,” I smiled.

              “I believe I owe you a huge apology, Saffron,” Alec added. “The whole trip to Vegas was my idea and because I kept Grace so busy, it slipped her mind to call and inform you. So, I am extremely sorry and will reimburse you with everything that wasted trip to Gatwick cost you.”

              “Thank you, but it’s fine. After I calmed down a bit I realized that had I been in Grace’s shoes, I would have done the same thing.”

              “None-the-less, please allow me to at least pay you for the fuel and parking cost.” Alec insisted pulling out his wallet.

              “Tell you what, you treat us to a takeaway and I’ll call it quits.” She smiled and looked at me, I was forgiven, her cold eyes had softened and we were besties once more,
thank you, Alec and your incredible charm.

We ordered Chinese food and Saff popped down to the shop for some wine before it arrived. Alec seemed to relax in my home and that was reassuring, because the last thing I wanted was for him to be on edge or feel uncomfortable there.

              After eating far too many chicken balls and rice, we sat on the couch and talked about our trip. I showed Grace my pictures and gave her a huge bag of gifts, she sprayed the perfume around the room and it did smell nice, but I think Alec would disagree seeing as it made him cough. After the she finished her one glass of wine she said she was going, I walked her out to her car,

              “He is every bit as charming as you claimed him to be,” she smiled. “Not to mention drop dead gorgeous.”

              “He is wonderful,” I agreed, “I think he is the one, Saff, I am truly, madly and deeply in love with him.”

              “And any fool can see that he feels the same about you.” She grinned and hugged me. “I have missed you, but I am so glad you found your prince.” We said goodbye and I watched as she drove away.

              When I got back inside, Alec had removed his shoes and stretched out his long legs, resting his head back on my couch. I collected the glasses and plates and took them out to the kitchen, placed them in the sink and began filling it with hot water.

              “Need a hand?” he asked.

              “No,” I shrugged, “I’ll wash these and then I am taking a shower. I feel yuck.”

              “You don’t look yuck,” he remarked, I turned my head and smiled at him. “I love your flat, it’s not as bad as you made it out to be.”

              “Wait till tomorrow when it will be daylight and we’ll still need to put the lights on, that’s if you want to stay of course.”

              “Try stopping me,” he smiled. “I’ll finish those, go and take your shower.”

              “Are you sure?”

              “Yes, I am not above washing a few dishes, you know.”

              “I know,” I smiled and dried my hands on a tea-towel. “Thank you,” I added before leaving him in the kitchen.

My bathroom was nowhere near as extravagant as Alec’s, but the best room of the flat in my opinion. My shower was a stand-alone and I had a bath big enough for two. The walls were tiled in sky blue and he floor white ceramic. I allowed the warm water to wash over me, washed my hair, massaging tropical shampoo and conditioner through my curls.

              After showering, I wrapped my hair and body in towels and brushed my teeth, it woke me up even more than the shower did and just what I needed. I put on a small nightdress and my robe before returning to the living room. Alec was watching the news at ten and smiled as I entered the room,

              “Better?” he asked.

              I nodded and sat beside him, “Much.” I replied and began to yawn.

              “Shall we go to bed? I am exhausted.”

              “Me too,” I nodded.

He cuddled in behind me and began kissing my shoulder, his hands began to wonder across my body, stroking it lightly, finding ticklish spots causing me to wriggle.

              “I thought you said you were tired.” I smiled.

              “I am, but not so tired that I can’t ravish your body. It always helps me sleep and it will be our first time in London.” He added.

His hands moved lower over my pelvis and his long fingers slipped inside of me, a moan escaped my lips and already throbbing, I opened my legs to allow him to explore. Pushing my nightie off over my head, he threw it across the room, and keeping his hand and fingers moving around me, he managed to slip inside from behind, I hooked my leg over his waist as he began to move, kissing my neck, caressing my body with his free hand.                          

              Unable to take any more of his teasing, I moved away from him slightly, pushed him back onto the bed and climbed across his waist so that he could entre me once more. As I rocked with his pelvis, he caressed my breasts, playing with my nipples, then as he grew inside of me, he held on to my shoulders, pushing me harder against him. The pressure burst between us and we came together, groaning loudly as we peaked. Every single nerve in my body was on fire, burning with desire and tingling as came to rest, I leaned towards his mouth and kissed him deeply. He stroked his hands up my body and smiled.

              “That didn’t take us long,” he said breathlessly.

              “No,” I smiled. “I love you, Alec.”

              “And I love you,” he smiled and kissed me again.

Entwined in the sheet, our naked bodies, weary from jet lag and lack of sleep, were finally relaxed enough to fall into a blissful sleep.

I woke early the following morning, still entwined with Alec’s body and the sheet. I turned my head to look at him. He slept soundly beside me and as I tried to reach my phone so that I could check the time, he began to stir. I froze so as not to wake him. The birds sang from outside and I could tell the sun was shining by the golden glow radiating from my small courtyard garden outside of my bedroom window. It was the one thing that lured me into renting the flat in the first place. A completely private garden, surrounded by breeze block walls and fruit trees. It was no bigger than a few feet, but it was mine and it caught the sun first thing every morning for about an hour or so. My own private piece of heaven.

              The beds in America were comfortable, but none of them fit quite like my bed. I smiled as I gazed around my room, glowing lavender from the curtains at my window. I stretched out my arms as Alex moved from the dead lock, hold he had on my body and I slowly sat up.

              “Where are you sneaking off too?” he asked.

              “The loo,” I smiled and pushed off the sheet. He traced his fingers slowly down my spine as I lifted my robe from the floor.

              “Hurry back,” he said as I stood and wrapped my robe around my body.

              “Would you like a cup of tea?” I asked.

              “No, I want to seduce my woman,” he winked his eye. “Hurry back.”

              I freshened up in the bathroom and brushed my teeth before returning to him, he was led back against my headboard.

              “There is a spare toothbrush in the bathroom if you want to use it,” I explained sitting on the bed.

              “Do I need it then?” he asked.

              “Well,” I smiled, “I didn’t want to be rude.”

              “Is it a used spare toothbrush or…?”

              “Brand new, I got it for… well, he never used it, I think it’s still in the wrapper.”

              “I would rather let my teeth fall out than use a toothbrush you bought for Kevin,” e huffed. “Has he slept with you in this bed?”

              “No he has not,” I frowned. “He doesn’t even know where I live.” I stood from the bed, “Look, forget I mentioned about the stupid toothbrush, I was trying to be helpful.”

              “Grace, I am mucking around,” he smiled.

              “Well, how am I meant to forget about him completely when you keep bringing him up?” I demanded sitting back on the bed.

              “You can’t forget about someone who was the most important part of your life for such a long time. I am actually glad you met him first.” He added.

              “Glad?”

              “Yes, because now I can show you the right way to treat a woman.”

              “So you are glad that he hurt me and humiliated me?” my eyes filled with tears. “Do you know how many times I have been home since I found out about his cheating? Once, once. I am petrified of bumping into him and my worst nightmare will come true and I will see him with her.”

              “No, Grace,” he moved towards me and took me into his arms, “I would never be glad of anyone causing you pain. How could I be? He is an idiot, a complete and utter arse and he will get his, Kama always prevails. I meant that I am glad he let you go because I have you now to show you what it’s like to be loved, truly loved.” He pecked my cheek and wiped away the escaped tears. “Don’t cry, my love, don’t waste anymore tears on someone who doesn’t deserve them, okay?” he swept my hair out of my eyes.

              “Okay,” I sniffed. “I’m sorry.”

              “Look, let’s get up and go out for breakfast we can make the most of our last few work free days.” He pushed off the quilt revealing he was still very much naked. “Mind if I take a shower?”

              “Of course not,” I smiled slightly. “There are clean towels in the cupboard by the door.” I frowned wondering how he could tolerate Kevin coming up in conversation all of the time. Why couldn’t I just drop it?

              “Care to join me?” he asked, disturbing my thoughts. I turned my had and he grinned raising his eyebrows.

              “My shower is tiny,” I said and stood from the bed, “I’ll make some tea and jump in after you.”

              “If you are sure,” he shrugged and left the room.

              “Alec, I will stop talking about him, comparing everything to him, it’s just going to take a bit more time.” I added before he left.

              “Well, I am not going anywhere.”

Sixteen

We went to the café on the corner of my road and had a massive fry-up, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, all washed down with tea and I loved every bite. We then returned to my flat where I unpacked my cases and began the arduous job of washing everything. My mother called after lunch as we waited for David to arrive to take us back to Alec’s house. He also had a few things to do and asked if I would stay the night. How could I refuse? Besides that, I didn’t want to go home yet.

              I felt foolish for getting upset over the toothbrush thing and I suppose it aired out a few things that had been niggling at us both. Everyone said that what happened with Kevin was not my fault, but when I thought we had a perfect relationship, it was hard not to think that. I just didn’t want to make the same mistakes that caused me to lose Kevin and for him to seek comfort between another woman’s legs.

Mum and I chatted about our trip and I told her that Alec and I were still seeing each other. She sounded so pleased for me and said she couldn’t wait to meet him. That meant that I would have to take him home which was the last thing I wanted to do. What if I saw Kevin, what if he saw me? Worse than that, what if Alec met him and Kevin told him that I was not worthy of love, I would lose him… No, I could not take Alec home, I couldn’t risk that happening. So I suggested she visit with my father and she promised to talk to him about it. That meant that it would be a no, they never wanted to leave Molly, the family King Charles, with Mrs Kitchener next door.

David arrived just after my call finished and I threw my overnight bag over my shoulder and locked the door behind me. We drove across London in the Saturday traffic and it seemed to take ages. Even Alec got fed up after a while.

              “I want to invite you to Oxford next weekend, do you have any plans?” he asked.

              “No,” I frowned, “is this to meet your family?”

              “It is, but I also have a few other things to do.”

              “Okay,” I smiled weakly.

              “She’ll love you, I promise.”

              “My mum hinted about us going there also, they want to meet you.”

              “Alright, we’ll go the following weekend.”

              “Great,” I smiled again and pushed my hand into his. He squeezed it before lifting it to his lips and gently kissing the back. I had no choice now, I had to go home.

We finally got to his house and I followed him inside. A woman in her forties smiled as we entered the house.

              “Hello, Angela,” he smiled and pecked her cheek. “Grace, this is my housekeeper, Angela. She is the reason this place looks impeccable,” he added. I shook her hand hello.

              “I have unpacked your case, all of your laundry is done and put away. You have pork chops for dinner, they are in the oven in my white wine sauce. All you need to do is cook the potatoes and vegetables.” She explained. “There is enough for you both,” she added.

              “As always, Angela, you are amazing.”

              “Someone has to look after you,” she smiled and left us in the hall. Returning while putting on her jacket she handed him a new pile of mail. “These came for you, postman hadn’t been yesterday when I left, so sorry if you had a huge pile of male to come back to.”

              “I coped,” he grinned. “I’ll see you next week then.”

              “Okay, goodbye, Grace, nice to meet you,” she said and left the house. 

              “She’s nice,” I remarked.

              “She is a diamond, a true diamond,” he agreed.

              “So, what would you like to do now?” I asked.

              “Let me take you upstairs so you can put your things in my room.” He said.

              “As long as you behave, I know what you are like. You see a bed and immediately think we should be in it.” I chuckled.

              “That’s a thought,” he grinned.

The rest of the weekend flew by. Saturday evening, we enjoyed an amazing dinner and drank wine until our eyes could stay open no longer. We talked about so much, how this would work with me living the other side of the city. Sunday morning, we laid in bed and watched a movie on his huge TV, then after dinner later that day, he arranged for David to come and take me home. He had to prepare for work and in truth, so did I.

              Kissing him goodbye on his doorstep pinched a bit, truth be told. It was a hard realisation that life had to continue now as normal. That our blossoming love had to take the back seat so that work and deadlines could take over once more. The only thing I looked forward to at work was telling the girls about Alec and how amazing he was.

Monday morning started with yet more thunder and lightning. Alec and I had spoken on the phone the night before and I so wanted to be with him. Not having him sleep beside me and the warmth of his body kept me on the brink of semi consciousness all night. I couldn’t seem to relax without him there.

              I woke feeling heavy from hardly any sleep, showered and dressed in my grey trouser suit with a white blouse. I lifted my laptop bag and hooked it over my shoulder before heading out of the door.

              I got onto the tube and headed towards Canary Wharf which was about two a minute walk from my office. Just as I got to the top of the station’s steps, the heavens opened up. I hadn’t planned on jogging which is why I had worn my high heeled shoes. I hurried as fast as someone can in four inch heels, dodging the clever sods who had remembered to bring their umbrellas.

              I pulled open the glass doors to the office, relieved and dripping from rain, I looked back outside and in true British style, the sodding sun beamed rays through the clouds.

              “Hi, Grace,” Holly, our bleach blonde receptionist said chirpily.

              “Hello, Holly.” I replied turning to face her.

              “Wow, you look fantastic,” she grinned looking me up and down with her hazel eyes.

              “Thank you,” I smiled. “Is uh, is Kim in yet?”

              “She’s been here since half seven this morning. We are releasing the new feature today.”

              “Of course, sorry. My head is anywhere but work right now.” I explained.

              “Well, she’s on the rampage so you had better hope it returns and soon,” she smiled apologetically.

              “I had better get in there then,” I sighed.

              “It suits you,” she added as I turned to leave.

              “What does?”

              “Being in love.” She grinned, I smiled and blushed slightly before pushing the main office door open.
Great, everybody knows, Grace has a boyfriend!

The office, as always, was buzzing with life. Whenever we had a new publication coming out or a feature, it was all hands on deck and we loved the excitement it caused. I sat at my desk and switched on my computer. It had been three weeks since I sat there and I felt I had changed so much in that time. I had grown in mind and soul, I had opened my heart again and I liked the new me. I just wondered what my friends would think when they heard how serious Alec and I already were.

              Stephanie Albert, the robust, red haired girl who sat opposite me grinned from ear to ear,

              “Are you new?” she asked.

              “What do you mean?” I frowned trying to log in.

              “Well, the girl who sat there three weeks ago was a broken, burned out shell and you do not resemble her at all.”

              “Let’s put it this way, I am nothing like the girl who flew to America three weeks ago, she is gone, hopefully for good too.” I added.

              “Aside from the obvious tan and the fact that you have lost a few pounds, I would say that you are a completely new person, Grace Matthews and you look absolutely amazing. This guy you met must be a miracle worker or a doctor, because he has bought you back to life.”

              “He’s not a doctor, but the miracle thing could be true,” I winked.

              “Grace?” Kim called out, “Can you come in for a moment?”

              “Sure,” I smiled and stood. I crossed the office and entered her office.

              “Close the door,” she told me. I did so and sat in front of her. Her black hair looked like silk and her dark brown eyes sparkled in the lights. “It’s so good to have you back,” she began. “I can see the holiday did wonders for you. How are things with Mr Richards?”

              “Brilliant,” I replied though didn’t feel comfortable talking to her about Alec.

              “Good to hear it. As you know, ‘Celebattack’ starts this week,” I frowned, not aware of the new name. “Sorry, we thought the title fit the magazine better, after all, featuring Celebs who have battled with addictions and weight issues to look amazing needed a title that kicked arse and we felt this fit better.”

              “Okay, so what do you need me to do?” I nodded.

              “To start with, you have a new assistant, he is called Jason…”

              “What?”

              “Jason, he is the son of Max Williams in Finance, he is fresh out of a design degree and going to be the new you, so you have to train him over the next six months…” Was I losing my job? “so that when you step in for me, he will know all there is to know for setting up the pages.”

              “Have I missed something, Kim?” I asked feeling a little hot under the collar all of a sudden.

              “Oh yes, God, for some unknown reason, has blessed us with twins, so I have to take a five-year career break. I want my best girl to take over and that happens to be you.” She smiled.

              I almost laughed, it sounded so crazy, “Congratulations, but me, really?”

              “Yes, Grace, really.”

              “Wow,” I frowned. “I um, I don’t know what to say.”

              “Well, I am staying until I can, so you had better get out those managing skills training modules you did in training and brush off the cobwebs, apparently, twins like to arrive early.”

              “Kim, you must be thrilled,” I smiled once the shock had settled.

              “I am, in a way. Hoping for a C-section, I have no desire to push them out and stretch my… whatever, anyway. So, Jason started last week, he has been going through emails and stuff but cannot wait to meet you. It seems you have become a celebratory yourself of late.”

              “I have not,” I grumbled.

              “Just promise me you will let us have the rights to your wedding.”

              “We have been going out for three weeks, Kim, I doubt there will be wedding bells yet,” I scoffed. “Is that all?”

              “Yes, there are some emails you need to read and here,” she handed me a letter. “Your new contract as of September. We started it a month early just in case.”

              “Thank you for believing in me,” I smiled. “Please take it easy, Kim, anything you need, just ask.” 

              “I intend to, Grace, so good to see you back.”    

I called Alec at lunch time to tell him my good news. He seemed pleased for me, but if I am honest, he was a little distracted by something. I promised to call him after work and got back to it. We had too much to do to have lengthy lunches and that is exactly how the week panned out.

              One minute I was racing through the rain to the office on Monday and the next it was Friday. The sun was shining and although I hadn’t seen Alec since Sunday, I hadn’t really had much time to think about it. We had both worked long hours that week, but the Magazine was ready for print by three that Friday afternoon, then I could relax for a few days.

              Our planned trip to Oxford had to be cancelled because Paige, Alec’s youngest niece had been sent home from school with a tummy bug and neither of us could afford to be home from work sick. A last minute change of plans meant that we were heading for my home town of Lowestoft instead.

I changed out of my suit into some black trousers and a white camisole, I then packed a small bag while I waited for Alec to arrive. We had a two-and-a-half-hour train ride to the Suffolk, coastal town where I grew up, where I left to start a new life and where I left Kevin.

It’s not a big town either and I was positive that I would bump into him, in a way, part of me wanted to. I wanted him to see me happy and in love. I wanted him to see that I was worthy of love, that someone as incredible of Alec was capable of loving someone like me.

When Alec arrive, he carried my bag out to the car and David opened the door so that we could climb in. He drove us to Liverpool Street station and all Alec did was complain. He didn’t like the idea of catching a train at all.

“Well, my car is at home and you can’t expect David to drive us all the way.” I chided.