Guess Who I Pulled Last Night? (41 page)

“Niall, that’s awful for any woman, although I can’t say
that I feel sorry for her.  Did she not realise though that you would work
it out when there was no sign of a baby on the way?”  Charlotte shook her
head in disbelief.

“She had no intention of letting it get that far, she
planned to tell me on the wedding night and make my life hell for a few months
before divorcing me.  She was then going to take what little I have, my cottage,
my car, my savings, my job, all out of spite; pocket money to her, yet she
wanted it even so."

Charlotte was amazed that someone could be so cruel and go
to such lengths due to a little jealousy.

“So what happened then?” she asked, still in shock.

“Well I walked out obviously, but such is her need to have
everything her own way and be centre of attention. I do believe that Mr and Mrs
Beddows will now be on a flight to Barbados, as we speak.”

“No, she didn't marry Grant did she?”

Charlotte and Niall both erupted into gales of laughter at
the thought of such a well-matched couple.

“I’m not sure it was totally legal, but I think her da gives
a lot to the church so Father Kelly could make sure he didn’t end up wasting
the money he’d spent on the wedding.  Grant got what he always wanted; a
woman with money, and she got a fancy big wedding and the man whom she
supposedly loves, and hopefully I got you, so everyone is happy. 
Although, yer do know I’m unemployed now, so I may just have to start that
decorating business, what do yer reckon?”

As Charlotte grinned, Niall leaned in to kiss her, just then
Charlotte’s mobile rang out from her pocket.

“Sorry I’d better answer it, oh its Bets…hello.”

“Hi Charlotte,” Bets said breezily, on the other end.

“Oh hello where did you get off to, or do I need to ask, how
is Tom by the way?” Charlotte grinned at Niall, who was staring at her
intently.

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line. 
“Err, how did you know?”

“Amanda apparently is more in tune with you than either
Kerry, or I will ever be so spill, what’s happened?”

“Well yes we are together, and Charlotte; I am so
happy.  I’ve been trying to deny it for ages, how I feel about him, but I
can’t anymore…no I’m speaking to her. Okay just a minute Tom wants you.”

“Hiya sis!”

“Hello Thomas you sly old dog, so, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you are my sister, and she’s your best friend,
please be happy for us.”

“Of course I am stupid, just be good to her, will you
promise me?”

“I promise, oh and Charlotte before you go; I want to let
you know; we have had the most amazing, beautiful sex I’ve ever had in my
life.”

“Urgh, shut up, I don’t want to know!  Put Bets back on
please.”

“Sorry Charl’ I told him not to be too graphic, but it was
amazing,” Bets sighed on the other end and then started to giggle, most un-Bets
like.  “Stop it Tom, sorry Charlotte and apologies for bailing on your
birthday and did you…” Bets was suddenly moaning softly on the other end and
was obviously being distracted.

“Goodnight Bets, I’ll speak to you tomorrow.” Charlotte
laughed as she cut the call off.

“Everything okay?” asked Niall, stroking her hair.

“My friend Bets, I told you about her, you know, the one
whose boyfriend died.  Well, it seems that she and my brother have been
holding a torch for each other for some time now, and they finally got together
tonight.”

She smiled warmly, glad that two of the people that she
loved most in the world were now happy.

“Sure that’s brilliant. It must be the night for people
getting together then. That's if you will have me, of course?”  He looked
at Charlotte with shiny eyes, unable to believe that everything had worked out
for them.

“Of course I will. I love you more than you’ll ever
know.  I couldn’t believe it when I saw you on my doorstep.  I
thought that after the wedding that would be it, we’d never see each other
again, and all I would have would be your heart to remind me.”  She
touched the silver heart at her neck and smiled.

“You liked it then?” Charlotte nodded.  “I know that I
said that it was for your birthday, well it wasn’t your main present.” 
Niall said gently touching her face.

“What is then?  This is plenty I don’t want or need
anything else.”

Niall stood up and taking Charlotte’s hand pulled her to her
feet. “Oh this you will, bedroom upstairs is it?”

Very slowly and tenderly they kissed away the heartache of
the last few weeks, their hearts pounding with love, and then hungry for each
other, they made their way up to the stairs, ready to start their new life
together.

“So what do you reckon then Bets, Take That or Boyzone?”

Bets sipped her wine, smiling at her two friends over the
top of her glass and shaking her head.  “Look we’ve had this conversation
so many times and every time I give you the same answer; neither they are both
rubbish” she replied smiling widely.

“Okay, what do you reckon Kerry?” asked Charlotte.

“I reckon that I’m pissed and should have no part in this
conversation, was that the front door, oops I’d better go and answer it.”

As the front door opened Bets, and Charlotte could hear
slurred voices, then a thud, followed by a string of expletives as one of the
newcomers had obviously hit some part of their anatomy on what sounded like the
hall table.  Suddenly, the lounge door was flung open and an icy breeze
and smell of cold swept into the warm room.

Kerry came back in, with the visitors whom she had just
opened the door to.

“Hello my darlings, and how the devil are yer both?” 
Niall Devine bent down and kissed Charlottes growing bump.

“Phew you stink of booze, don’t you be breathing alcoholic
fumes all over my baby, anyway come here and give me a kiss.”

“Hic, oh God they are at it again. That's what got you into
that condition in the first place.”  Kerry hiccupped, as she precariously
put down her glass of wine, realising that in her state, she was in danger of
dropping it, she turned to Tom, who was warming his bottom by the fire.

“Where did you leave my husband then?” she asked, as
suddenly Kelvin appeared holding a take-away bag, smelling distinctly of Donner
Kebabs.

“I’m here,” he swayed drunkenly, stooping to kiss Kerry on
the lips. “They left me to pay babe. That's £4 each that you two owe me!” He
frowned as he wobbled.

“Yeah whatever Kelvin, get the plates out mate.”  Tom
took his coat off and was just about to throw it over the sofa.

“Oi, you are not at home now, put it in the hall!”

“God, we’re not even married yet, and she’s already nagging
me!”  As he walked past, Bets slapped Tom’s warm backside.

“You’ll be getting this ring shoved up there if you’re not
careful.” 

Bets smiled after her fiancé and glanced down at the large
square cut diamond on her finger, feeling happier than she had before. 
Tom’s proposal, six months into their relationship, had been both romantic and
funny, getting her to follow a trail of clues taking her to all the places that
were, or had been important to them; she’d even found some at the Vets who had
nursed Alfred, until finally she found him at home lying across the bed in all
his naked glory, holding the most beautiful engagement ring she had ever seen.
They had just moved into a lovely house and in five months’ time, they would be
getting married and hopefully soon after that starting their longed-for
family.  Still with abandonment issues and worried about the age gap, Bets
had insisted they get themselves a health check.  She didn’t want Tom
dropping dead on her or finding out she couldn’t provide him with the children
they both craved.  Thankfully, they were both perfectly well and in
working order, Tom often boasting that the doctor had claimed that he had
magnificent swimmers! She loved Tom so much, every day she spent with him was
happier than the day before.  Gone were the old insecurities, he loved and
cherished her, yet was strong too, not letting her get all her own way, which
led to a few tiffs but nothing major as they always talked and were totally
honest with each other, no more games.  She was amazed that happiness had
been right under her nose all this time and just wished that they had both realised
it sooner; but then that was life.

Kerry, despite her drunkenness, had been watching Bets
watching Tom.  She smiled and hugged herself; they were such a good couple
and made each other so happy.  She then turned to look at Kelvin, the
dimples in his cheeks getting deeper as his frown grew bigger as he still
struggled to un-wrap his kebab.  Finally, he managed it and his face broke
out into the huge gorgeous smile that she loved so much.  God how could
she have nearly allowed herself to lose him?  He was her life along with
Esme, and she couldn’t imagine being without either of them.  It hadn’t
been plain sailing getting back to normal. They had argued along the way over
whose fault it had been, but importantly, they realised that it hadn’t been
anyone’s fault. She had been ill and needed help.  They had talked about
possibly having another child, but both agreed that there was plenty of time;
Esme wouldn’t be three for another two months and still needed a lot of their
attention, plus they needed time for each other, so another baby could wait for
a little longer.  Nothing was going to spoil Kerry’s happiness
again.  She had gone back to work, but only three days a week, so had a
great balance of home and work time, and it suited her; she was glowing again
and happy with life.  She and Kelvin ensured that they had date night at
least twice a month and were now back to their best as a couple.  She
didn’t feel like someone’s wife, mother or friend anymore she was Kerry again,
who just happened to be very good at all three of the other things.

Charlotte in turn was watching everyone, marvelling at how
happy they all were compared to just over eighteen months ago.  She still
found it odd that her little brother was getting married to one of her best
friends, but they were so happy it didn’t occur to anyone to think about it
that much anymore.  She turned to watch Kelvin feed Kerry some Donner meat
from his fork; God she was glad that they had sorted everything out; at one
time, it didn’t even look like they would speak to each other again, never mind
share a greasy take away. 

Then, there was her big, beautiful Niall, it had taken a
while, but they had gotten there in the end, and now in a couple of months, New
Year’s Eve possibly, there would be a little baby in their lives; a little boy
whom they were going to call Billy.  Charlotte stroked her stomach and
felt warm and happy inside.  Sometimes she thought that Niall was too good
to be true.  Oh, they had their rows, after all they were both
strong-minded people and wasn’t that what the beginning to their relationship
had been based on – arguing. However, it was true what people said the making
up was absolutely bloody marvellous, hence the new arrival.  It hadn’t
been in their immediate plans, but when you were so passionate about each other
and made up as often as they did, there was bound to be a little gift at some
point. Charlotte adored Niall’s family, and they adored her. Plus her family
loved Niall too; there had been a difficult moment at the beginning when Ken
gave Niall a piece of his mind for almost breaking Charlotte’s heart, but once
they saw how much he loved her everyone knew that he was exactly right for
her.  The only real fly in the ointment had been when they sneaked off to
Mauritius to get married, both mothers were particularly upset, but Niall and
Charlotte simply wanted to be married without any fuss, no one there except
them and two hotel staff as witnesses. Furthermore, it had only been five
months after Niall’s wedding that never was, so a big fancy event just wasn’t
what they wanted.  However, finding out on Charlotte’s birthday, exactly a
year after they’d finally gotten together properly, a baby was on the way meant
both mothers finally changed the subject from missing the wedding, to push
chairs, cots, baby clothes and the huge party they would have to celebrate the
baby and the wedding that they missed out on.  Charlotte had been worried
when she first found out that she was pregnant because of her promotion at
work, she didn’t want Paul to feel as though she’d let him down, but Paul was
thrilled for them both and had now even made plans to open a crèche on site as
he realised that half his staff had babies and toddlers, so it could only
benefit him in the long run.  So they’d agreed that Charlotte could return
to work four days a week without any guilt.  Following his fall from grace
at Cathcart’s, Niall had decided the time was now right to set up his own
business and was currently running a successful private firm with himself and two
partners, and so far they were doing really well. It was the usual domestic
stuff, divorces, house moves and deaths but he enjoyed it and loved that he was
home every night at a decent hour for a quality life with Charlotte. He was
also extremely excited about the baby and he loved Charlotte so much that she
often wondered when the shit was going to hit the fan, life couldn’t constantly
be this good, could it?   When she worried like that Niall would
always hold her face in his hands and say, “Angel, you are my darling, and I
adore you, but you worry too much.   You and I are forever so shut
up.”   Niall broke Charlotte’s train of thought.

“Are yer alright baby, what are yer thinking about? 
Not worrying I hope.”

Charlotte shook her head. “No, I was just thinking, do you
think Take That was the best band boy band ever?”

Everyone groaned in unison.

“Someone give her glass of wine!”

“No give her a gag!”

“She can have some of my Donner meat if she likes.”

“No I want it!”

Niall took hold of Charlotte’s face into his hands and
kissed her nose tenderly.

“Angel you are my darling, and I adore you, but it has to be
the Irish boys; Boyzone!  Oi, who threw that piece of meat at me, God yer
nothing but a bunch of heathens the lot of yer.”

Charlotte laughed and hugging Niall tightly, she kissed him
and thanked God for her life, her family and her friends.