The Bow Wow Club (4 page)

– Chapter Thirteen –

Ruby was just sewing on the final button to a New Year’s Eve creation when her phone ringing made her jump. She loved her work so much that she quite often got into a complete zone and the outside world seemed far away. It had really helped her as it allowed her not to think about George every minute of the day.

‘Hi, Ruby, it’s Michael. How you doing?’

Just the sound of his soothing voice made her heart beat slightly faster. However, she remained cool.

‘Hello,’ she said. ‘I’m OK actually. Did you have a good Christmas?’

She tried hard not to think about the kiss incident as he carried on, ‘Oh, you know, the usual - rows over the television, my sister’s kids screaming. In fact, I’m glad to be home.’

‘I sort of know what you mean, but being back home makes me feel a bit lonely when I’ve been with company for a while.’

‘Well, we shall have to put a stop to that, won’t we? Look, I wanted to ask you what you were doing on New Year’s Eve.’

Ruby gulped. New Year’s Eve with a man who wasn’t George was just too much to contemplate.

‘I’m sorry, Michael, but I’ve already got plans,’ she told him.

‘Oh, OK. Well, that’s good. Would hate to think of you sitting on your own. What are you doing?’

‘I’m seeing my friend Fi and her boyfriend James - we’ll probably just go to the wine bar at the end of my road. I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Eve, to be honest.’

‘I can imagine how hard it must be. Well, if you change your mind and want someone to give you a tall hug when Big Ben strikes, let me know.’

‘Michael?’

‘I’m here.’

‘I just wanted to say thank you so much for going back to find the ring. That meant such a lot.’

‘I aim to please.’

‘And… ’ Ruby paused. ‘I really would like to see you again. It’s just…’

‘You don’t have to explain - I understand. Now take care of you, enjoy the night with your friends and I will see you next year.’

‘Goodnight, Michael, and it’s so lovely that you’re being so cool about everything.’

‘Goodnight, sweet girl.’

Ruby hung up and smiled. Sweet girl, eh? Aw, he was so nice. But this whole situation was bittersweet. She was excited to see him again but also had this awful underlying feeling that she was betraying George.

She looked up at Patrick, her much-loved moggy. She was sure even though he was stuffed that he changed his expression daily.

‘What do you reckon then, old boy?’

– Chapter Fourteen –

Michael pulled open his laptop on his desk/dining table and pushed some letters to the floor to make space as it was so cluttered. How he wished he could afford to get out of this one-bedroom high rise. His dream was that this novel would help him to do just that and so much more. He sighed and began to type.

My first novel – by Michael Bell - TITLE - TBD

Chapter 6:
Michael hung up. He was more than disappointed that Ruby didn’t want to see him on New Year’s Eve, but also quite relieved as he wasn’t sure at all how he would have sneaked off from the party he was going to down the road from his house in Clapham. He realised how much he had missed her quirky sense of humour over Christmas. Stupid really but this felt different somehow. Sexy, but comfortable too. Just hearing her voice again made him yearn to see her, to hug her and just make her feel safe and wanted once more.

‘Michael. What are you doing up there?’

‘Just finishing off a chapter, darling.’

‘Damn you and that bloody novel. I never get to talk to you. We’ve got to be at the party for eight and you need to shower.’

Michael raised his eyes to the ceiling. Why he had got involved with this self-centred woman he’d never know.

– Chapter Fifteen –

‘You look amazing!’ James Kane exclaimed as Ruby walked tentatively up to him and Fi in the busy Putney bar.

‘You don’t look too shabby yourself. I love a man in black tie.’

‘Hands off, he’s all mine.’ Fi laughed and kissed Ruby on the cheek. ‘And bejaysus you do look a picture. Did you design that dress yourself?’

‘I did. Love a bit of emerald-green satin, you know that.’

‘Well, it suits you - and do you know what? It’s lovely to see you looking so radiant. It’s been too long. I’ve missed you.’

‘New year, new start and all that.’ Ruby smiled, but still felt like crying inside.

‘Now special ladies, what’s your poison?’ asked James.

‘Surely it has to be fizz all the way as it’s New Year’s Eve,’ Fi hollered above the now cranked-up music.

Two bottles of champagne later and James and Fi were already singing along to every tune they even remotely recognised. The bar was heaving and Ruby was not short of admirers. She made small talk but wasn’t really in the mood for socialising. She felt drunk but not happy drunk. In fact, she was dreading the countdown, and at thirty-five years of age, she still didn’t know the words to ‘Auld Lang Syne’ anyway.

At ten to midnight she came out of the toilet. James and Fi were laughing and smooching at the bar. Never had she felt so lonely in a room so full of people. She looked to the door, closed her eyes briefly and made a wish that at the first stroke of midnight George would walk right through it with his East End swagger. He would flash his cheeky grin and swing her round as if nothing had happened.

Reality hit her with a thud as the first DONG of Big Ben resounded out across the room. The big screen in the corner of the room showed Trafalgar Square. Screams went up and revellers started to shift towards the centre of the bar.

Ruby couldn’t stand it any longer. She ran to the door and barged it open. She had to breathe, she needed clear air. The pouring rain ran in rivulets down her pained expression. DONG! Big Ben continued to strike his race to midnight. She carried on running, then CRASH, her four-inch heels caught on a drain cover and she went flying on to the pavement. Her hands were bleeding all over her now ripped satin dress. The contents of her bag were strewn all over the road.

The strong-handed man reached down and helped her slowly to her feet. He took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. He used his scarf to wipe off her bleeding hands and then just held her as close as he could whilst she wept. When her sobbing had subsided he pulled away, put both his hands on her wet cheeks, pulled her towards him and planted a slow, soft tender kiss on her trembling lips.

‘Happy New Year, Ruby.’

‘Are you an angel?’ Ruby blubbered.

‘I’ve been called many things,’ Michael smiled.

‘And, what on earth are you doing here?’

‘Ssh now. Too many questions. Let me pick up your stuff and get you home and in the warm.’

Ruby nodded. ‘I’d better text Fi, she’ll be worried.’ At that moment, Fi herself came charging up the road.

‘What the feck, Ruby? You frightened the bleeding life out of me. I turned round and you weren’t there, then some bloke said he’d just seen you lying in the road.’

‘I’m fine, honestly.’

‘And who are you?’ Fi looked up at Michael.

‘It’s fine, he’s a friend. He’s going to walk me home.’

‘Ruby, you’re drunk, are you sure?’

‘Fi, you’re drunker and I’m very sure.’

‘OK darling, then make sure you ring me in the morning. Happy New Year, Rubes.’ She hiccupped and steadied herself on Michael’s arm. ‘Happy New Year… friend - and make sure you fecking look after her right.’

‘I will, and nice to meet you too,’ Michael grinned at Fi’s outlandishness.

Back at Ruby’s flat, Michael put the kettle on as Ruby went to the bathroom to wash her sore hands and get out of her wet, ripped dress. He noticed the wedding photo and it made him feel sad and a bit weird at the same time. They looked so young and so happy, and George was without a doubt a very handsome man.

‘I’m sorry, Michael.’ He was sitting on the sofa waiting for her when Ruby appeared in black jogging bottoms and a black T-shirt with a pink heart on it. ‘Every time I see you it’s like a disaster zone. And just look at the state of me. I’m too drunk and hurting to make an effort.’

‘Hey, come here. You look beautiful and who wants mediocre anyway? Never a dull moment with you, that’s for sure.’

Ruby just stood in the lounge doorway looking awkward. Taking a deep breath, she went on: ‘And I’m sorry I ran off the other day when you went to kiss me. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, it’s just…’

Michael stood up and put his big arms around her. She looked up to him and felt lost in his tender hazel eyes.

‘I’m glad I met you, Michael Bell.’

And then they kissed. A kiss that Ruby didn’t want to end. A kiss that made her toes curl. A kiss that she never ever thought she’d experience again.

‘Wow.’ She came up for air.

‘And how glad am I that I met you, Ruby Stevens.’

‘I can’t make you any promises,’ Ruby said quietly.

‘Promises are for wimps,’ Michael smiled.

‘Stay with me.’ Ruby put her head to the side and looked at him quizzically.

Michael knew he might have to wait quite a while for the three little words he really wanted to hear, but for now these would do just fine.

– Chapter Sixteen –

Michael flinched at the strength of the words he was typing.

My first novel – by Michael Bell - TITLE - TBD

Chapter 8:
‘What do you mean, you got fucking arrested?’ Emily’s eyes were glaring. ‘And why is there blood all over your scarf?’

‘Oh Em, I’m so sorry. I was so drunk, I went outside to get some air and got into a fight.’

‘A fight? You couldn’t fight your way out of a paper bag!’

‘I didn’t start it - you know me. I was trying to break one up and then got involved. The police came and carted me off in the back of a van.’

‘Then why didn’t you call me? I’ve been worried sick all night.’

‘They took everything off of me, just threw me in a cell and told me to sober up.’

‘So what’s going to happen now? It won’t look too great if one of the precious papers you write for get a whiff of this.’

‘Calm down, it’s fine. I talked my way out of it this morning. There are no charges against me.’ Then: ‘It was awful, Em. I was so worried knowing you wouldn’t know where I was.’

Michael pulled his wife towards him.

‘Happy New Year, darling. Come on, forgive me - it really wasn’t my fault.’

Emily tried to keep her cross face on but failed miserably.

‘You silly sod. Happy New Year. Now, get out of those filthy bloody clothes and I’ll run you a bath.’

Michael lay back in the warm bubbles and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t believe lying could come so easily to him. However, his guilt was completely overshadowed by another emotion. The feeling of complete and utter love for a woman he hardly knew.

The Clapham party at their friends’ house had been OK, the drink was flowing, the company was old and familiar, but the urge to see sweet, beautiful Ruby had over taken him. He just had to see her - and nothing was going to stop him.

Michael hadn’t run so fast since he’d been on the rugby field five years ago. He hadn’t expected in a million years that she would want him to stay with her. His intention was just to wish her Happy New Year, give her the kiss they should have had in the snow that day, and then leave - racing back to the party before anyone noticed..

And then when he had found her so crushed and upset he knew he had to be with her. Getting into bed beside her, he had wanted nothing more than to make love to her all night. But she was so drunk and so sad and he just knew her head wasn’t in the right space for that, even though she said it was what she wanted.

So, he just held her close all night, kissing and cuddling her until her breathing went shallow. So overwhelmed by his feelings for her he watched her sleep. Then at 5 a.m., he had crept out of bed, leaving a note by the kettle before quietly clicking the front door shut behind him.

Michael clicked his laptop shut. ‘Yes!’ he said out loud. ‘This is going to be a bloody bestseller!’

– Chapter Seventeen –

Ruby groaned as she woke. Her head was pounding. She reached over for a glass of water and amazingly found one next to her. She didn’t remember getting that. She then sat bold upright in bed. Oh shit, but what she did remember was asking Michael to stay. In fact she had actually been far more improper in her suggestion. Feeling a sharp pain in one of her knees, she was mortified to think that she must have fallen over too.

She listened for any noises - surely he hadn’t just upped and gone? Then, crashing back down on the pillow, she winced at the stinging in her hands. The cuts were minimal but the skin had begun to tighten around them.

‘Michael?’ she called out.

She eased herself slowly out of bed and dragged on her dressing-gown, noting that she was still wearing her joggers and T-shirt. She walked through to the bathroom to get some painkillers then went down to the kitchen to put the kettle on. She beamed when she saw a note.
I’m glad I met you, Ruby Stevens, now get some more sleep and we’ll catch up later. xx

Her phone then beeped from the other room, and she rushed to read the text.

Ruby, fecking call me as soon as you get this message

Ruby sighed. She knew she wouldn’t get away with going home with a beautiful stranger for long without Fi Donahue wanting the full scoop. She rang her.

‘Happy New Year, Fi Fi La Bouche.’

‘And how’s it that you’re so fecking chirpy when my head feels like it’s been chewed by a badger?’ Ruby laughed as her feisty friend groaned. ‘Oh, maybe it’s something to do with the six-foot plus stranger who shagged ya last night.’

‘Fiona Donahue, don’t tar me with the same brush as you.’

‘Who is he, Rubes? I’m sure I would have noticed him if he’d been in the pub.’

‘His name is Michael and I met him a couple of weeks ago. He was the one who helped me when I got mugged. We’ve got so much to catch up on. I just felt a bit weird telling you everything, when I wasn’t sure if there was anything to tell.’

‘But you normally would tell me, Rubes. I’m hurt, in fact I’m mortally wounded.’

‘Shut up, you bloody drama queen. I’ve realised now how much I do like him and I could quite easily see me with him.’

‘That is so brilliant, Rubes.’

‘Do you think it’s too soon though, Fi?’

‘I’m the one who’s been saying it’s time to move on. You know my motto. “If you fall off one horse, get under another one as quickly as possible”!’

Ruby went quiet.

‘Oh Rubes, I’m sorry - that was heartless. This must be so hard for you.’

‘It is, but somehow it also suddenly feels right.’

‘So, did you sleep with him?’

‘Drunken harlot status was resumed and I actually asked him to “fuck me!” I cannot believe I actually used those words.’

‘Good girl, Rubes, I say. So how was it?’

‘We didn’t do it. He was just so lovely, declined the offer, saying I wasn’t in the right headspace for it and he wanted it to be perfect when we did it for the first time.’

‘Are you sure he’s not gay?’

‘Fi!’

‘Well, it was on a plate, darlin’ - and he is a man, after all.’

‘There are obviously still some decent ones out there, and he’s certainly one of them.’

‘I am so happy for you. Now, I need to get back into bed with Monsieur Kane: he has just told me something has come up that needs attending to. Love you, mate. Here for you always, you know that. And Happeeee New Year!’

‘Ditto. Now go play horses, you dirty cow.’