Going Home

Part 84

Margaret wasn’t sure what she expected Grace to reveal but it certainly wasn’t that and uncertain how to respond she just said “oh.”

Watching Margaret’s face closely Grace could see the surprise but couldn’t tell what else Josh’s mother was feeling. However regardless of her reaction she had to explain, she couldn’t let her think this was Josh’s fault. So quietly Grace began “before I met Josh and started to work with him I was happily married, or so I thought. My husband, Connor and I had known each other for years. He was like part of my family even before we decided to marry. I loved him and we were married for three years. But when I met Josh and got to know him I began to feel something I’d never felt before. My feelings for Josh made me realise that I the way I loved Connor was more like brother than a lover.”

Grace paused a minute.

Margaret didn’t speak, she knew Grace wasn’t finished.

Grace continued, “until I started to fall in love with Josh I didn’t know what passion was or know that this was what was missing from my relationship with my husband. The love I feel for Josh is like no love I’ve ever known before but I didn’t set about the breaking up of my marriage on a whim. It tore me apart for months that I had these sort of feeling for someone other than my husband. And it was not Josh that started it. Oh he made his interest known but he never really did anything about it. It was me who took the first step. I knew it was wrong but I just couldn’t help it. I loved him. And I guess it didn’t help that Connor was not supportive of my life choices, he didn’t want me in the police force let alone TR and he wanted to start a family straight away, something I wasn’t ready for. But I don’t mean that that excuses what I did, I treated him badly and hated myself for doing it.”

Pausing again Grace looked out at the night as she remembered that time with sadness. Then determined to finish she continued “for a while we met secretly and that is something I never would have believed I was capable of. But at the time it seemed the easiest solution. Walking away from my marriage was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do and with Josh becoming more and more firmly entrenched in my head and my heart, I’m ashamed to say I took the easier path and put off resolving the situation. But that doesn’t change that I should have and long before I did. Anyway a close call with a bomb changed everything. I knew I couldn’t go on living the way I was after that so I told Connor and eventually we were divorced.”

Taking a deep breath as she finished Grace couldn’t bring herself to look at Margaret, she didn’t want to see the disappointment and disapproval she was sure Margaret must be feeling.

Learning To Trust Again

 Rebecca knew they were trying to scare her, and decided not to give them the satisfaction. She squared her shoulders and said in a firm voice, ‘excuse me.’ As she spoke, she attempted to move around them and continue her journey. But when she took her first step, one of the men moved to block her path. He was the one who had spoken a moment ago. He was not very tall for a man, just a few centimeters taller than herself but he was thick set with muscular arms and huge shoulders, bulging beneath his t-shirt. His eyes raked over her and he asked in a menacing tone ‘what’s the hurry sweetheart?’

Rebecca knew what he was seeing. Tousled, shoulder length brown hair. She had released it from the hair tie that had held it up while she worked just before she left the hospital. Even features but with a nose, the shape of which, was far from perfect and direct blue eyes. For the rest, she knew from the looks she got from some men her body was at least passable. Without question, she had curves, but in her uniform they weren’t displayed at their best. Something she was grateful for at the moment and was indeed part of its purpose. In her job, working in close quarters with people, she didn’t need to attract unwanted attention. However her body wasn’t hidden either.

For a moment anger coursed through Rebecca. How dare they do this to her? She should be able to walk the streets without being harassed like this. Glaring at the men, she attempted to move away again as she said in an uncompromising tone, emphasising each word, ‘let me pass.’

But far from having the desired effect, the man just smiled, showing even white teeth. For some reason, this struck Rebecca as odd. Why she even noticed, when there were more important things to worry about, she didn’t know, but all she could think was that it seemed incongruous that a man who would impede a person’s progress along a public street would have good teeth.

As she watched him look her over again, she noticed that his eyes lingered on her chest. It caused her blood to run cold.

He said ‘I don’t think so.’

Her anger fading now as they continued to detain her and she realised this wasn’t just a joke, Rebecca was soon overcome by fear. She tried not to panic. Her eyes darted around behind the men, searching for someone to help her. But there was no one else in the vicinity, the street was deserted and were she to call for help no one in the pub would be able to hear her over the racket. That left only her, so forcing a calmness into her tone that she didn’t feel, she demanded again ‘let me pass, now.’

However the man just laughed and said ‘I think we’re going to have some fun first, eh boys?’ And as the others muttered their agreement he grabbed her arm and forced her to walk down the lane running along the side the pub. The other three men followed close behind.

Learning To Trust Again

This is a new novel length story.

It was ten past eleven in the evening when Rebecca began her trip home. Walking down the darkened street she was tired but content with what she’d achieved. She’d had a good day. The emergency department where she worked had been steady, but fairly quiet for a Saturday night. There had been no huge influxes of patients, as there often was. This made it a simple business for them to be either moved on to other areas of the hospital or discharged, without anyone having to wait too long. It also meant she had been able to leave on time for a change. Now the ten minute walk home in the cool night air was just what she needed after being cooped up all day in the overheated environment of the hospital. It would ensure she was well and truly ready for bed when she got there. She had been a nurse for six years and working in emergency for the last four but no matter how tired she was, it took time for her mind to switch from work mode, where she had to be focused and ready for any eventuality, to being able to relax enough to allow her to sleep. So the short walk gave her time to think and process what had happened during her shift.

Passing a pub a couple of blocks from home Rebecca increased her pace a little. This area was the only part of the walk home she didn’t like, especially at night. In the main she felt safe and comfortable on the street in the area she lived, no matter what time of the day or night. But here often there was at least one street light that was broken, making it darker than the rest of the street and the rowdy voices coming from the bar always unnerved her a little. Doing her best not to give into the childish desire to run as the cacophony of voices leaching from busy pub had its usual effect of her nerves, she was just beginning to relax when the door leading from the bar suddenly opened. She had only just stepped past it and the increase in the volume from the open door startled her and brought her to a stop as she spun around. Four young men, about her age or possibly a little younger, in their early twenties anyway, had spilled out onto the street. She gasped as they moved towards her while the door to the bar swung shut, reducing the din to its former level. Her heart began to hammer against her ribs as they surrounded her, looking at her with avid interest. ‘Well what do we have here?’ one of them asked ‘seems we won’t have to go looking after all, hey guys?’

Going Home

Part 83

 The night was warm and it was pleasant on the balcony where they could feel a faint breeze.

Sipping her wine Margaret asked “so Grace, do your parents live near by? We’d love to meet them some day.”

Grace looked at Margaret for a minute and then turned her head and looked out at the night. It wasn’t that she didn’t want Josh’s parents to meet her Mum and Dad, it was just that before that could happen she needed to explain things and she wasn’t sure how Margaret and Robert were going to take it. She didn’t want them to think badly of her or for their feelings about her to be the cause of a problem in their relationship with Josh.

Watching Grace as she waited for a response Margaret could sense the younger woman’s unease and while not sure of the cause, she didn’t want to upset Grace. Not only because this may also upset Josh but for Grace’s own sake. Margaret liked Grace and she didn’t want to be the cause of any distress for her. So trying to resolve the situation Margaret said “maybe it’s too early for that. We are still getting to know Josh again.”

But shaking her head Grace looked at Margaret and said “it isn’t that. It’s just that before you meet my parents I have to tell you something about me and I’m not sure you’ll be happy to hear it. I just don’t want you to hate me because of it.”

Studying her worried expression Margaret reached over and laid her hand on Grace’s. “Grace honey whatever it is, it can’t be so bad that it would make me hate you. You helped my son when we weren’t there to do it and for that alone I could never hate you. Besides I know Josh loves you and if he can love you knowing whatever it is then how can we think any differently?”

Grace looked at Margaret for a minute and didn’t speak. Then gathering her courage she got straight to the point “Margaret when Josh and I met I was married.”

Loss and Longing

On Monday morning Stevie had just finished telling Rachel what had happened when a man in overalls walked into the shop. He looked to be about fifty and his overalls were undone to the waist, his protruding stomach, covered by a dirty t-shit, preventing the sides from meeting.
“Stevie Fielding” he asked.

“Yes” Stevie said with a frown “that’s me.”

He put out his hand “give us your keys love. I’m here to fix your car.”

“What?” Stevie said, her frown deepening. “I didn’t organise for anyone to fix my car.”

“All I know is I’m meant to pick it up, repair it and return it this afternoon so if I’m to do that, I need to get going.”

“But who sent you?” Stevie asked.

“Nobody sent me love. My boss just told me to pick up the car.”

Stevie sighed “okay, who’s your boss and what’s his number. I’m not handing over my car on your say so.”

The man rolled his eyes. “Black’s panels, but maybe you should look up the number yourself, just to be sure I’m not lying to you.”

Stevie glared at him and turned away. Typing the business name into her laptop a local address and phone number came up straight away. She dialled the number.  When it was picked up she asked to speak to the manager and once she had been put through she said “this is Stephanie Fielding. One of you men is here asking for my car. Can you tell me who instructed you to repair it?”

“What he’s still there?” the man on the other end said.

“Yes” she said.

“Well tell him to get a move on.”

“Not until you tell me who told you to repair it.”

 “Fine, a Mr. Grant Rumor told me to pick up your car this morning first thing, repair it and return it before end of business today. He’s a good customer of mine, so I agreed to squeeze it in.”

“But he can’t do that” Stevie said horrified.

“Course he can” the man said “if he’s willing to pay for it.”

“But I can’t let you fix it just because he said so.”

“Honey, he’s already paid for the job, so unless you want him to waste his money, let Len take your car, okay. We’ll have it back, good as new before you finish work.”

“He’s already paid?” she said in a whisper “how much?”

“Now that, you’ll have to take up with him” he said.

“How could you tell him how much to pay anyway, you haven’t even seen the car?”

“Easy” the man said “he just told me the make and the model and the extent of the damage. I could estimate it from that.”

“Oh” she said, a little non-plused.

“Look” he said “just let Len bring your car in and you can sort it out with Mr Rumor later. If we don’t start on it soon, we won’t get it finished and you’ll be without a car overnight.”

Stevie sighed.   She couldn’t be without a car and this guy clearly wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Fine” she said “I’ll take it up with him. Just give me his address please.”

“Don’t you know it?” the man said “as he’s paying to fix your car I just assumed.....”

Livid at his implication, Stevie said “yeah well you assumed wrong, and unless you want to let your good customer down and tell him you couldn’t get the job done, give me his address because I’m not giving your man my keys until you do.”

“Okay okay” he said and after giving her Grant’s address he said “now give Len your keys please. We’ll have the car back by five.”

“Fine” she said and “thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, thank Mr Rumor.”

“Oh I will,” she said “amongst other things” she added under her breath as she slammed the phone down.

Stevie pulled out her keys and handed them to Len.

“Thanks love. See you this afternoon.”

Going Home

Part 82

The following Friday night Josh and Grace walked out of the TR base heading for home. It’d been a long shift and an even longer week. Looking forward to the next two days off they were both badly in need of some relaxation. As they walked home Grace said “so how about asking Margaret and Robert over for a drink when we get home?”

Josh looked over at her for a minute then nodded “okay the footy’s on and Dad will be watching it any way I’d say.”

Grace smiled and said with deliberate sarcasm “well while that sounds like fun, I’m sure Margaret and I can find something more interesting to do.”

Josh smiled, “suit yourself.”

“Oh don’t worry I will” Grace teased and reaching over put her arm around Josh’s waist.

Josh pulled Grace close with an arm around her shoulders.

Ten minutes later Josh let them into the apartment and pulling out his phone rang Margaret. As expected Margaret and Robert jumped at the chance to spend some time with Josh and Grace and Margaret told Josh they’d be there shortly.

Changing quickly out of her tracksuit pants Grace returned to living room meaning to continue into the kitchen to prepare something to eat but she had only taken a few steps out of the bedroom when the door bell sounded. Looking at over Josh, who gave her a wink, Grace changed direction and headed to the front door. Opening it Grace smiled at Josh’s parents “hi guys, come in.”

“Hello Grace, how are you? Not too tired after work?” Margaret asked.

 “I’m fine thanks Margaret, no not too tired, although it’s been a busy week. How are you Rob?” Grace said turning to Josh’s father.

Smiling Robert said “I’m good thanks, lovely to see you again Grace.”

“Thanks Rob. How was the trip down?”

“Not too bad, we left mid afternoon so the traffic was okay.” Then looking up Robert spotted his son leaning in the door way “Josh, how are you?”

“Not bad Dad, you feel like watching the footy?”

Robert said with a smile “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Josh looked at his mother “hi Mum.”

Margaret beamed at his greeting, “hello Josh.” Then wanting to prolong the moment she added “Grace was saying you’ve both had a busy week.”

Josh nodded “yeah work has been hectic, it must be the weather or something because it seems all the nutters have been out this week.”

“Well at least you have a break now.”

“Yeah a weekend off is the best.”

Grace gestured for them all to move into the living room. Josh handed his Dad a beer and turning to Margaret said “can I get you a drink?”

“Thanks Josh, just a glass of wine if you have some.”

Grace agreed “sounds good to me Josh, I’ll have one too please.”

Giving Grace a kiss on the forehead on the way past Josh organised their drinks and turned on the TV. Then watching both men take up positions on the couch to watch the game Grace said to Margaret “how about we take out drinks out on to the balcony, it will be quieter out there.”

Margaret smiled “that sounds lovely Grace. I normally stay well away when Robert’s watching the footy. He gets so involved in it I don’t exist anyway.”

Grace nodded “oh then that’s something they have in common. Josh forgets he’s not at the ground and yells at the tv like they can hear him.”

Understanding only too well Margaret smiled, as they headed outside.

Loss and Longing

“I manage a gift shop” Stevie said pointing down the road ahead of her.”

“Ah, you’re open late on Friday’s aren’t you?”

“Yes” Stevie said “I hate working at night. It makes the day so long.”

 “And my dog didn’t make it any shorter, did he?”

“Your dog?” she said horrified “sorry you shouldn’t have stopped for me. You go, I’ll be fine.”

Stevie realised now why she couldn’t see any car, he was on foot.

Grant smiled “don’t worry about Scout, he’s probably home already.”

“But what if he’s hurt?” Stevie asked, looking as anxious as she felt.

“You didn’t hit him” Grant said still smiling “don’t worry. He took off in the direction of my place. I was only out looking for him because he likes to dig in the rain and he comes home filthy. I didn’t want to be bathing him at midnight. And if anyone should be apologising it’s me. He was the one that caused you to run off the road.”

Stevie shrugged and not wanting to make a big deal of it she said “no harm done.”

“Well not much anyway” Grant teased with a smile.

Looking into his eyes, Stevie couldn’t help but return his smile despite the fact that the damage really was no joke to her. “Yes” she said “not much and at least the car is still driveable” and her eyes widening as a thought struck her she added “at least I hope it is.”

“I’d say it is” Grant said “give it a try.”

Stevie held her breath as she reached for the key in the ignition. It started first try and smiling, she turned her head back to look at Grant.

He grinned. “See.”

After a pause she felt obliged to ask “can I give you a lift home?” but her eyes slipping away before he could answer betrayed her reluctance. Not that she really thought he was a threat, at least not to her safety, but belatedly her mother’s warning had come home to roost and she knew she’d read the riot act at her if she found out she’d done anything so perilous.

Tapping the door frame he stood and said “no I’m fine. You’re already late thanks to me.”

She nodded and looking at him she said, “thanks for checking I was okay.”

“No problem” he said and holding up a hand he said with a smile “see you round Stevie.”

She raised a hand, “bye Grant” and she pulled back onto the road. Executing a three point turn on the narrow road, she drove back past Grant, who hadn’t moved and proceeded home.