Never Ever Leave Me (6 page)

That was a cheap night, he thought as he made his way home and
I needn’t have bothered changing the sheets.

CHAPTER 8

Once the initial excitement of securing a job was over Katy knew she had some practical things to take care of before beginning work.  Firstly, and most importantly, her wardrobe needed some additions.  Although she had enough clothes, she didn’t have the correct attire for an office environment.  When she thought of all the things she’d left behind she could have wept.  Still, there could be no looking back.  She didn’t have much money and she’d need every penny when she got a flat, but one suit and borrowed shoes just wouldn’t cut it.

“George at ASDA is what you need,” Marie said.  “The store at Toryglen is open twenty-four hours a day and although their clothes are very cheap, they’re stylish.  You cannae go wrong with George at ASDA.”

“You’ll even be able to get shoes and a decent bag there,” Lisa said.

“I buy my Brian’
s school clothes there and if they survive his heavy wear, they’ll survive anything,” Pat added.

“When the weans are asleep we’ll go with you.  Nadia can babysit,” Marie said.  “We can all try on clothes.  It’ll be fun
and we could do with a night out.”

Katy wasn’t sure that she wanted an entourage
to accompany her, but she could hardly refuse when they were being so kind and supportive.  She glanced from one girl to the next and was appalled at how scruffy and poor they looked.  Then she felt ashamed for judging them.  Of course they looked poor, they started off with next to nothing and now they had even less, and yet they’d have given her their last penny to help her.  If the shoe was on the other foot she probably wouldn’t have given any of them a second glance never mind a helping hand.

The supermarket was a short bus ride from the refuge.  It was huge, bright and welcoming and surprisingly busy for the time of day.  Within the hour Katy had purchased two skirts, two blouses, a pair of shoes and even a lightweight, black suitcase, all for under a hundred pounds.  She was particularly pleased with the case as she didn’t want to leave the refuge the same way she’d arrived, toting her belongings in a duvet cover.

The group of women laughed and joked as they tried on clothes.  They mercilessly teased each other, making remarks like ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ and ‘you look like a stuffed sausage’, as they assessed each other’s choices.  After a couple of hours they’d tried on everything, bought nothing and were tired and ready for home.

“We must do t
his again,” Lisa said as they travelled on the bus back to the refuge.  “We’ve had a whole evening of entertainment and it cost us nothing, apart from what Katy needed of course.”

“Aye,” Marie agreed, “And now Katy disnae look like a bag lady, carting her belongings about in that terrible duvet cover.  What made you buy that ghastly thing in the first place?”

“Yes, it is pretty awful,” Pat agreed.  “It’s just so…..”

“Twee,” Lisa added.

“I guess my life was twee,” Katy replied.  “I had the nice job, nice home, lived in a nice area just a shame the husband was a lying, thieving bully.”

“They’re all the same,” Marie said, “
Men are bastards, useless, good for nothing, bastards.”

But Katy remembered John and the kindness the stranger had shown her
.  They’re not all the same, she thought and she wondered if she’d ever see him again.

…

John didn’t want to offend Patrick.  His colleague had been very kind and accommodating
and, up until this point in time, he had welcomed his new found social life.  He’d enjoyed the pub quiz, dinner club and games night, but tonight would be different.  Tonight was more like a date and he wasn’t sure that he was ready to move on.  Particularly as the young lady he was to be paired with was a complete stranger to him.  It was all very well for Patrick to say it was just one dinner, but the amount of effort his friend was putting into getting ready, clearly showed he hoped it would lead to something more.

John paced the floor, his hands felt clammy with nervous perspiration.  He hated sweaty hands and quickly went to the
cloakroom to rinse them under the cold tap.  He was sure Jenny Archer would be a perfectly nice lady.  Patrick had told him she was single, having just ended a two year long relationship with a stockbroker, who in his words, didn’t want anything meaningful just a bit of eye candy on his arm.  Patrick’s ‘date’, Penny Miller had recently been divorced and he was delighted.

“I’ve fancied Penny for ages,” he said
when John joined him for a pre-dinner drink.  “Her ex was twelve years older than her and very set in his ways.  Penny’s just thirty four, she’s a long way off middle-age, yet her husband expected her to be happy, sitting in front of the telly night after night.  I think they’re both relieved it’s finally over.  Do you want a top up?” he asked proffering the whisky bottle.

John shook his head.  “No thanks, I want to keep a clear head so I don’t say anything stupid.”

“Calm down, mate.  There’s nothing to be scared of.  The girls won’t bite, I wish they would, maybe just a nibble, but they won’t, trust me,” Patrick said laughing.  “The taxi will be here in about ten minutes and we’ll swing round to Penny’s to pick them up.”

John shifted nervously from one foot to the other.  “I’m not sure I’ll be
very good company tonight,” he said.  “I’m not sure I’m ready to date anyone.  I lost Carol just under a year ago.  I think maybe it’s still too soon.”

“I keep telling you mate,
this isn’t a date, just four people who like dining out, eating together.  Just like the dinner club, but with a smaller group.  We all have to eat tonight and ‘Allessandro’s’ is top rate.  We can come home immediately afterwards.  It’s not as if we’re planning on going on to a club or anything like that.  It’s simply a meal and a bottle or two of good wine.”

John nodded his mouth was too dry to reply.

“There’s the cab now,” Patrick said.  “He just pumped the horn.  Drink up and we’ll be on our way.”

With much trepidation, John walked towards the taxi then got in as Patrick locked the front door.

“Tudor Grove, number four, and don’t spare the horses,” Patrick said to the driver.  “We’ve got hot dates,” he added winking at John who winced.

“Pleas
e don’t say that, even in jest,” he begged.

“Okay, okay, keep your hair on.  No jokes for the rest of the evening.”

“Just remember that or you’ll be sitting at the table on your own,” John warned.

The journey to
Penny’s house took no more than a few minutes as she lived only one street away.  As soon as the taxi arrived John jumped out.  He stood beside the front passenger door as the girls climbed in, leaving Patrick to sit in the back with them.  Once they were all in the cab and on their way his friend quickly introduced everyone then proceeded to talk about Italian food and the sort of menu they could expect.  John was grateful.  It broke the ice and there was no requirement for him to add to the conversation.  Soon they pulled up outside a very classy looking establishment and he realised that his friend had made a special effort when dressing because of the setting and not just because of the company.  John was pleased that he’d also made an effort and chosen to wear his suit, good shirt and a tie.

The food and wine were excellent and the conversation flowed easily.  John was very relieved. 
Under different circumstances he might have been attracted to Jenny, she was just his type, naturally pretty with small even features and a slim figure.  Her style of dress was understated and her manner quite reserved without being dull.

The evening went very well
.  Although John and Jenny seemed to look on from the sidelines while Patrick and Penny drank a bit too much, laughed a bit too often and talked a bit too loudly.  John was very much aware of being alone.  Even in the busy restaurant with good company, he felt alone.  When his thoughts turned to Carol there was heaviness like a cold stone in his chest.  He made excuses to himself for hanging back, blaming his current situation.  Then he thought to himself, what situation?  He was single, had been for some time and although Carol was gone, his life was continuing.  Somehow after all the pain and loss he was still there, still functioning.  It was a sobering thought.

T
he evening drew to a natural end and before very long they were back in a taxi heading for home.

“We’ll drop you off first, Jenny,” Patrick suggested.  “Because you live furthest away, then we’ll go to Penny’s.  Is that okay with everyone?”

“That suits me fine,” she replied, “Sorry to be a party pooper, but unlike the rest of you I’m working tomorrow and I have an early start, so I’m afraid, that on this occasion, I can’t invite you in for a nightcap.  It’s been a really lovely evening and a pleasure to meet you John.  We’ll have to do this again.”

Everyone nodded and agreed.  John managed to stop himself sighing with relief that Jenny was
leaving the group first.  There would be no awkward small talk, he thought.  She was a lovely girl and very good company.  He wouldn’t mind becoming her friend, but that was as far as it went.

Within minutes of leaving Jenny’s the taxi swung round the corner and pulled in
at number four Tudor Grove.

“Home
, empty home,” Penny said smiling.  “The house is so peaceful now that Charles has left.  It took him ages to find somewhere he wanted to live so we had to keep sharing the house even though we were separated.  Would you boys like to come in for a coffee?  You won’t have far to walk home.  It’s handy being just a street apart.”

“I hope you don’t mind Penny,” John said before Patrick could answer, “But I’m really quite tired.  I’ll take a rain check if I may.  Don’t let me stop you
, Mate.  I’ll take the cab home and I can see you tomorrow.”

“If you’re sure you don’t mind,” Patrick said rather too quickly.  “I’ll see you tomorrow then
.  Don’t wait up, Dad,” he added with a wink.

John felt pretty sure that
his friend wouldn’t be home until morning, but he didn’t lock the deadbolt just in case he’d got it wrong.  He was very relieved to be back home and alone in his room, comfortable with the solitude.

CHAPTER 9

When Katy opened her diary the single word ‘flat!?’ stared back at her.  Today’s the day, she thought, another new beginning perhaps.  She was very apprehensive, actually shaking with nerves, as she made her way downstairs from her room to the hallway to wait for Tricia to arrive.

“Remember, Hen, you can reject this one if it’s a shit
hole,” Marie said when she came out of the communal room to offer Katy her support.  You can reject the first two and they’ll still offer you another so dinnae think you have to agree to take it.”

“I hear what you’re saying, Marie, but remember my circumstances are a bit different from the rest of
you, I don’t have children and because I’ve been offered a job, I now have means of support.  I suppose I’m lucky to be offered anything.  I should be at the bottom of the list.”

“Still, don’t be pushed into accepting if it’s nae good,” Marie persisted.  “You
still have rights, you know.”

A few minutes later Katy heard Tricia’s taxi pull up
outside.  She quickly gave Marie a hug and said goodbye.  Then, as she opened the front door she turned, “Wish me luck.  See you later,” she said.

“Aye, be lucky, Hen,” Marie replied.  “We’ll still be here when you get back.”

When Katy climbed into the cab Tracy was on her mobile and she seemed harassed.

“I’ve said I’ll be over this afternoon.  Continually telephoning me makes no difference.  I’ve other calls booked in first.  Make yourself a cup of tea an
d hold tight, I’ll see you soon.” Tricia rolled her eyes.  “A poor wee soul with dementia,” she explained as she hung up.  “Sorry about that, how are you today?”

“Fine thanks, I’m absolutely fine, a bit apprehensive maybe.”

“Don’t worry, it’s a good building and lots of students live in the area.  That always helps.”

Katy wasn’t exactly sure what it was that the presence of students helped, but she chose not to ask.
  It took fifteen minutes to get to the apartment block.  As they stepped out of the taxi she looked up and up and up.

“How many floors are there?” she asked.

“Twenty-four and we’re going to the top,” Tricia replied.  “We’re meeting Bill Martin from the Housing Association at the flat.  He’s got the keys,” she explained.

There was a strong gust of wind. 
It blew the leaves on the ground into a spiral and lifted them into the air.

“Does the building sway when it’s windy,” Katy asked nervously.  “It looks rather precarious.”

“Only a bit,” Tricia replied, “Don’t worry you’ll get used to it, everybody does.”

She
was about to laugh when to her horror, she realised Tricia wasn’t joking.  There was an electronic panel on the wall at the entranceway and Tricia pressed the button for the concierge.  After stating their purpose they were buzzed into the building and Katy was relieved to see that the vestibule was clean and bright.  Soon they were in one of the three lifts and making their way to the top floor.  The lift was equipped with CCTV and, as the doors closed, the confined space smelled distinctly of urine.  Katy wrinkled her nose.