Red Letter Day (18 page)

He shook his head. 'Then I wouldn't have been able to do this.' And he kissed her again.

Celine broke away. 'So tell me about Rose.'

'All I know is she's fine and she's not allowed visitors until tomorrow.' He bent his head to kiss her again.

'I've got to get back to my customer,' Celine whispered, her cheeks flushed. 'Don't go away.'

Celine quickly wrapped the clothes in tissue paper, put them in a bag and waited until the door had closed before she hurried back to Richard. 'Sadie will be back from lunch soon and then I'm free for the afternoon,' Celine told him after another long lingering kiss.

Richard slipped a hand under her jacket. 'Oh?'

'If you've nothing better to do, you could go on up to the flat and make yourself a drink while you're waiting.'

Richard's hand hovered around the catch on her bra. 'I don't like waiting.'

'I'll make it worth your while,' Celine assured him.

'Okay, then, but don't be long.'

'Fifteen minutes at the most,' she promised, leading him back into the shop.

When Sadie returned, Celine grabbed her bag and jacket.

'Is there any news on Rose?' the older woman asked.

'Yes, she's fine.'

'Thank God.'

'Yes, I'll see you later then, Sadie.'

'You will be back, won't you? Only I can never manage that bugger of an alarm.'

'I'll be back,' Celine promised, halfway out the door.

'Is there enough change in the till?'

Celine took a deep breath. 'Yes, there is.'

Sadie nodded. 'Okay, then, see you later.'

Richard had left the front door open and Celine went in, shut it firmly behind her and hurried upstairs. The kitchen and living room were empty so Celine went into the bedroom. 'Presumptuous, aren't you?' she said when she saw him stretched out on the bed, his arms behind his head.

'Optimistic,' he countered. 'Come here.'

After Celine had closed the shop, she decided to go and see Brenda but on the two bus rides to Killmont, it was thoughts of Richard that filled her head. She had been sexually attracted to him from the beginning, but she hadn't been prepared for his tenderness and consideration. Lying in bed with him this afternoon, talking and laughing, had reminded her of how good it was to be part of a couple. She hadn't thought she'd ever want to be with any man like that again but Richard was changing her mind. His paintings were a part of it. He had to be a sensitive soul to create such beauty. It was such a pity that he wouldn't let anyone see them. She smiled slightly. That he'd shown them to her, that must mean something.

The bus pulled up at the end of Brenda's road and she hopped off. She walked quickly, her head held high. Somehow she didn't feel like apologising for being alive today. As she turned into the drive of the modern, detached bungalow, Celine hoped that Brenda wasn't regretting talking to her yesterday, so she was relieved when her sister-in-law opened the door, smiling.

'Celine, what are you doing here?'

Celine hugged her. 'I just wanted to make sure that you're okay.'

Brenda nodded. 'Getting there. Come on in, I'll open some wine.'

'Wine?' Celine followed her inside. Brenda never drank during the week and she rarely offered alcohol to anyone else either.

Brenda noticed the look on Celine's face as she fetched a corkscrew. 'It must be the tablets.'

Celine chuckled. 'It's good to see you smile.'

Brenda poured the wine and handed her a glass. 'Don't get your hopes up, I'll probably be crying again in a minute. But I felt better after our talk yesterday.'

Celine shook her head. 'I had no idea that Dermot's death was still such a problem for you.'

Brenda sighed. 'Neither did I. My GP says it's quite normal for people to lapse into depression years after an event. He says talking to the psychiatrist will help.'

'How do you feel about that?' Celine knew Brenda would not find it easy opening up to a stranger.

'I don't have much choice. If I don't pull myself together soon I'll lose Alan.'

Celine's instincts were to assure her that Alan would never leave but she didn't know that so she kept her mouth shut.

'I called him last night,' Brenda continued. 'I knew he'd be happy that you and I had talked.'

'When will he be home?'

'The week after next. He did offer to come home straight away,' Brenda assured her, 'but I thought it might be a good idea if I had some time to myself.'

Celine nodded. 'Can I ask a question?'

'Sure.'

'Why were you so upset about me and Kevin?'

Brenda studied her hands. 'Alan had an affair last year.'

Celine instinctively reached out a hand. 'Oh, Brenda!'

'It wasn't really an affair. It didn't last more than a couple of weeks.'

'How did you find out?' Celine stared at her, wide-eyed.

Brenda gave a mirthless laugh. 'A well-meaning friend told me she saw them together. I wish she hadn't. I would have been better off in ignorance.'

'Did you confront Alan?'

'Yes. He admitted it straight away. It was already over by then. He said he was sorry, I forgave him . . .'

'But you didn't forget?'

'I tried but I knew things would never be the same again.'

'And finding out about me and Kevin didn't help. I'm so sorry.'

'To be honest, when he hightailed it to London I was afraid he'd found someone else.'

'He hasn't, has he?'

'No. it's strictly business, thank God. I asked him last night. We talked for ages, Celine, it was wonderful. He may be miles away but I feel closer to him today than I have in years.'

'I'm so glad.'

'Don't get me wrong, I know I'm not out of the woods yet. The doctor said there would be plenty of ups and downs.' Brenda shook her head. 'I'm glad I finally cracked, to be honest. It was going to happen sooner or later.'

'I know it's not going to be an easy time but I'll be with you all the way. You know, I don't think I'd have got through those first few months after Dermot died if it wasn't for you.'

'It was such a horrible time,' Brenda murmured. 'Poor Dermot.'

Celine was wistful. 'I used to hate it when people said that. Part of me was furious with him for getting himself killed.'

Brenda looked surprised. 'I didn't know that.'

'Nobody did,' Celine admitted. 'Why do we keep these things locked inside? Do you think it's just women that do it?'

'I doubt it. And we don't do it consciously, isn't that half of the problem?'

'I suppose.'

'Did you get counselling at the time, Celine? I can't remember.'

'I was supposed to but I couldn't face it.'

Brenda frowned. 'I think you should seriously consider it.'

'Now?' Celine looked at her in surprise. 'But I'm fine now.'

Brenda raised her eyebrows. 'Is that why you had an affair with Kevin Gilligan?'

Celine sighed. 'I told you, Kevin has nothing to do with Dermot.'

'I'm not so sure.'

Celine laughed. 'You're supposed to be getting counselling, not giving it!'

'But I've been thinking about it a lot. We all handle grief differently. I transferred my attention to you and you' — she shrugged — 'had an affair with a man who was unavailable.'

Celine's fingers tightened around the stem of her glass.

'I'm sorry, Celine, I should learn to keep my mouth shut.'

'It's okay, Brenda.'

'Alan's right, I just don't know when to mind my own business.'

'You care,' Celine told her and knew it to be true. 'And I do appreciate that.'

Brenda shot her a tremulous smile. 'You're more understanding than I am.'

'Ha! Don't you believe it! Are you okay?' she asked when she saw the smile fade from Brenda's eyes.

'Yes, I just get so afraid sometimes. I don't think I could cope if I lost Alan.'

Celine reached across and squeezed her hand. 'Alan's a good man and he loves you. He made a mistake but it's in the past now. You're the one he wants to spend his life with.'

Brenda took a gulp of her wine. 'I hope you're right, because I'm not as strong as you. I don't think I could go on alone.'

Celine's eyes narrowed. 'Don't talk like that, Brenda. You're not alone. You've got me and Daddy too.'

'I know.'

Celine stood up. 'I think you should have a nice bath and an early night. Do you have anything to help you sleep?'

Brenda nodded. 'The doctor gave me tablets that knock me out for the count.'

'Good. Look, I'll phone you tomorrow. Will you be all right?'

Brenda went with her to the door. 'Sure. Thanks for coming over.'

Celine hugged her. 'No problem. And call me any time, morning or night, if you need to talk.'

She was lost in thought as she walked down the road and never noticed the woman walking towards her.

'Well, really! I didn't think you'd have the nerve to show your face around here again.'

Celine smiled thinly at the lady captain of Killmont golf club. 'Hello, Audrey, nice to see you too.'

Audrey almost snorted. 'Some people have no idea how to behave!'

'I agree,' Celine said through gritted teeth. 'You should do something about that.'

Audrey stood staring, her mouth opening and shutting like a goldfish, as Celine marched off.

Celine prayed that a bus would come soon. She was sure that once Audrey got her breath back, she'd be back for round two. She sneaked a look over her shoulder but Audrey hadn't moved. Out of the corner of her eye, Celine saw the bus rounding the corner. With a cheery wave, she climbed on and went to the back of the bus so that she could continue waving until Audrey was out of sight. 'Totally childish,' she murmured, turning around in her seat, but the old bitch deserved it. Maybe she was the one behind the red letters. She was self-righteous enough to do something like that. Celine let out a long sigh as the bus headed for the city and left Killmont behind. Leaving home had definitely been the right thing to do for a number of reasons. And though it had only been a couple of months, Celine felt as though she belonged in Hopefield.

It was just gone nine when she got home and there was a note on the floor. Fleetingly, Celine wondered if her tormentor had discovered her new address, but the paper was an innocuous white. She picked it up and smiled as she read.

Fancy supper in my place? Home-cooked this time, I promise! Richard.

Celine picked up the phone and called his apartment. 'I only just got in. Am I too late for supper?'

There was a short silence. 'I thought you might have got a better offer,' he said finally.

'I was visiting my sister-in-law,' Celine told him.

'Oh.'

'So, does the invitation still stand?'

'Yes, of course, I'm sorry.'

Celine smiled. 'That's okay. See you in five minutes.'

When she stepped out of the lift, Richard was waiting for her. He took her in his arms and kissed her. 'I'm sorry for behaving like a jealous schoolboy.' He looked down at her, his eyes suddenly serious. 'I've never felt like this before.'

Celine laughed. 'Then you're very lucky.'

He continued to study her. 'No, I just never cared before.'

Celine sidestepped him and went into the apartment. 'Where is this supper? I'm famished.'

Richard smiled. 'I'll allow your pathetic attempt to change the conversation but we will return to it later.'

Celine shot him a flirtatious look. 'I'd hoped you'd have other plans for me later.'

'Cheeky!' Richard said, leading her to the kitchen. 'I hope you like Italian.'

'Let me guess, spaghetti bolognese?'

'How did you know?'

Celine chuckled. 'Because that's all most men can cook.'

'I can cook more than that,' he protested.

'Oh, yes?'

'Yeah, I can do a mean mixed grill and my beans on toast are amazing.'

'A regular Jamie Oliver,' Celine teased.

'Pukka!' Richard grinned back as he gave the pasta a stir. 'So you and your sister-in-law must be very close, seeing each other two days running.'

'Not really, but she's going through a difficult time and I wanted to make sure she was okay. Can I do anything to help?'

'Just pour the wine.'

Celine filled two goblets with the Barolo that was open on the counter. 'I'm only going to have one. I've already had a couple with Brenda and I don't want to be hung over in the morning. Did you get any more news on Rose?'

'No. I'll go in and see her tomorrow, do you want to come?'

'I don't think we should go together. Why don't you go in the afternoon and I'll drop by in the evening?'

Richard raised an eyebrow. 'Are you ashamed of me?'

'No, I just like to keep my private life private. Anyway, she shouldn't have too many visitors so soon after surgery.'

Richard ladled the food onto two plates and carried them to the table. 'Yes, you're probably right.'

'Looks good,' Celine admitted.

He grinned. 'You must be hungry!'

'Ravenous.'

'Well, eat up, you're going to need the energy.'

Celine frowned. 'Actually, I have a bit of a headache.'

'You're kidding.'

She smiled. 'Yes, I am.'

Marina applied a second coat of red lipstick and pouted at her reflection. She was getting ready for her third date with Dominic Nugent and she felt uncharacteristically nervous. The first night they'd met for drinks, the second, they went to dinner, but tonight she was going to Dominic's house. So far, he had kissed her hand or her cheek. Tonight, Marina had other plans. She was convinced that under that quiet demeanour lurked a passionate man just waiting for the right woman to discover him. And she, Marina decided, was the right woman. She'd chosen to wear a demure black dress that fell to the knee but which showed off her beautiful figure. And her underwear — as Dominic would find out — was far from demure. She smiled at her reflection and turned her attention to her jewellery box. She ignored her more dramatic pieces and instead chose some simple gold earrings and a heavy bangle. Slipping her stockinged feet into low black pumps, she ran downstairs.