Respect (Mandasue Heller) (40 page)

‘Tea,’ he called, already heading for the bedroom. ‘White—’

‘One sugar,’ Chantelle finished for him.

‘All right, smart-arse.’ Anton laughed, tickled that she’d remembered how he liked his tea.

In the bedroom he dressed quickly. He hadn’t seen Chantelle since she and Leon had gone home the morning after the Rob business. He’d been working every day since, and she’d been … Well, he wasn’t actually sure
what
she’d been doing, because he hadn’t seen her to ask. He had thought about calling round to see how they were doing but he’d decided to give them some space, figuring they had probably seen more than enough of him lately.

As he joined her in the kitchen now, he thought she looked more beautiful than ever. But he kept his thoughts to himself and asked instead, ‘So, how’s the hand?’

‘Still sore, but getting better.’ Chantelle handed one of the cups to him and went over to the sink to rinse the spoon under the tap. ‘I went to the police station this afternoon,’ she told him over her shoulder.

‘Oh yeah?’ Anton took a sip of the tea. ‘What did they say?’

‘They caught up with Rob’s friend a couple of days ago and he’s told them absolutely everything. So they said they won’t need me to go to court if I don’t want to, because they’ve got more than enough to convict him.’

‘That’s good.’ Anton leaned back against the ledge.

‘Yes, it’s a massive relief, ’cos I really didn’t want to have to see him again,’ Chantelle said, wiping her hand on her thigh and reaching for her own cup. ‘I met Bill’s niece while I was there,’ she went on, her tone suddenly wistful. ‘She lives in Ireland and hadn’t seen Bill in years, apparently. She asked if I’ll be going to the funeral after they release Bill’s body. I said I will, but I’m really dreading it.’

‘I think it’ll be a good chance to lay your guilt to rest,’ Anton said softly. ‘You couldn’t have known what was going to happen, and there’s no way she’d be blaming you for any of it.’

‘Maybe not, but
I
do,’ Chantelle murmured. Then, smiling sadly, she shrugged and said, ‘Anyway, it’s good news about Rob, ’cos I was convinced he was going to talk his way out of it. But there’s no way he’s walking free once this goes to court. I just can’t believe he was kidnapping and drugging girls the whole time I was with him. To think that was probably what he was doing all those times when he said he couldn’t see me. It makes me feel sick just thinking about it.’

‘Then don’t,’ Anton said simply. ‘It’s in the past, so just put it out of your head and get on with your life.’

‘That’s what Immy said.’ Chantelle sighed. ‘But it’s not that easy.’

‘Immy?’ Anton gave her a blank look.

‘My friend,’ Chantelle told him. ‘You’ll have seen her loads of times at school, but you probably didn’t notice her. Like you didn’t notice me,’ she added, giving him a teasing smile. ‘She’s been practically stalking you since she found out you were working at Abdul’s. But don’t you dare tell her I told you that, or I’ll never speak to you again.’

Anton looked confused for a few seconds. Then, a light coming on in his eyes, he said, ‘Not the little blonde with the bright red lipstick?’

‘That’s her.’

‘Yeah, I see what you mean about the stalking.’ Anton laughed. ‘She must come into the shop about ten times a day. But she’s wasting her time if it’s me she’s after, ’cos she’s not my type.’

Chantelle lowered her gaze when he said this, and inhaled deeply. She had been battling her feelings for him ever since she and Leon had slept in his bed, and she couldn’t deny that she’d have been gutted if he’d said he was interested in Immy. Not that she stood a chance with him herself any more. He might have liked her in that way once but, if her cold behaviour of the last few months hadn’t been enough to put him off, the revelation that she was the kind of girl who slept with married men definitely would have. And she wouldn’t blame him if he had lost all respect for her, because she was still thoroughly disgusted with herself.

Anton had been watching her as the thoughts swirled around her head. She still looked so troubled, and he could only imagine how tough she must be finding it to carry on as normal.

‘How’s Leon getting on?’ he asked – at the exact same time as Chantelle said, ‘I’ve spoken to my mum.’

‘Sorry.’ He laughed. ‘You first.’

‘I’ve spoken to my mum,’ she said again, gripping her cup a little tighter because she was about to say something that had brought her to tears every time she had thought about it today. ‘I made Tracey give me her number and called her last night, and she’s agreed to let Leon go and stay with them. We’ll be flying over as soon as I’ve sorted the passports and tickets.’

‘
What?
’ Anton felt as if someone had punched him in the gut and knocked all the wind out of him. ‘How long for?’

‘I don’t know?’ Chantelle said quietly. ‘At least until Leon’s settled. I don’t want to go,’ she went on miserably, ‘but I don’t see I’ve got any choice. Leon should be with his mum, and it’s not fair to put it off just because I don’t want to lose him.’

‘You don’t have to lose him,’ said Anton, desperately hoping that she would reconsider. ‘He’s better off with you, if you want my honest opinion. You’ve done a great job of looking after him.’

‘Thanks.’ Chantelle gave him a sad smile. ‘But we both know that’s not true. I couldn’t stop him from getting involved with that gang, could I? And then I nearly got him killed.’

‘That wasn’t your fault,’ Anton argued.

‘Yes, it was,’ Chantelle said flatly. ‘I’m the one who had the affair and then sent those pictures to Rob’s wife.’

‘Yeah, but that’s all done now.’

‘Maybe so, but we can’t carry on like this indefinitely, can we?’ Chantelle gave a helpless little shrug. ‘It was all right when I had a job, but that’s gone now. And my mum’s got no intention of coming back, so, sooner or later, the council are going to find out she’s not here and repossess the flat. We’d have to leave eventually, so I just figured we might as well jump before we’re pushed. At least this way Leon won’t get taken into care again.’

Anton pursed his lips as, shoulders sagging, Chantelle took a sip of her tea. He had been determined to respect her wish to stay just friends, but this changed everything. He could just about have coped with not being able to have her as long as he could still see her around from time to time, but the thought of never seeing her again was unbearable.

‘Don’t go,’ he said. ‘Move in here with me.’

‘What?’ Chantelle looked up, a deep frown on her brow. ‘Don’t be daft.’

‘I mean it,’ Anton insisted. ‘I
want
you to stay.’

‘I don’t understand.’ Chantelle’s heart was beginning to race.

‘Yes, you do.’ Anton put his cup down on the ledge and then took hers out of her hand. ‘You know how I feel about you, I can see it in your eyes. And you feel the same, don’t you?’

As a deep blush began to spread across her cheeks, Chantelle couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. ‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘But—’

She didn’t get to finish what she’d been about to say as Anton pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It totally took her breath away, and she knew that her legs would have given way if he hadn’t been holding her up. Rob was the first man she had ever kissed, and she had thought that was the best it could ever be. But this was in a different league, and she realised that the difference was that this was genuine.

‘Oh, sweet Lord!’ Anton laughed when they broke apart at last. ‘If you knew how long I’ve wanted to do that, but I thought I stood no chance.’

‘I’ve always liked you,’ Chantelle admitted. ‘I just thought …’ She trailed off and shrugged. ‘I won’t lie, I thought you were a player.’

‘I was,’ Anton confessed. ‘But I’ve changed since I came home. I used to think keeping it casual was enough, but it isn’t.
This
is what I want.’ He gazed down into her eyes. ‘
You
’re what I want.’

Chantelle bit her lip. She desperately wanted to say that, yes, she would stay. But it just wasn’t going to be that easy. The reality of looking after a ten-year-old boy would soon take its toll, and Anton would regret ever asking them to move in.

‘It wouldn’t work,’ she said, pulling away from him. ‘I couldn’t expect you to take us on; it’s too much to ask. Anyway, I really think it’s best if Leon goes to live with my mum. I don’t want him to grow up round here and risk him getting into trouble again. I’ll sort myself out once I know he’s safe.’

‘All right – if you won’t stay, then I’ll come with you,’ said Anton as the impetuous idea took hold and offered a solution not just to Chantelle’s troubles but to his own as well. ‘Just give me a few weeks till my probation’s finished, then we’ll go to Spain so Leon can see your mum, if that’s what he wants. But then we’re coming back and making a fresh start somewhere away from here – and Leon’s coming with us.’

‘Are you serious?’ Chantelle gave him a questioning look.

‘Deadly.’

‘But you’ve got your job, and the flat. You can’t just up and leave everything.’

‘I can, and I will.’ Anton peered down into her eyes. ‘In case you haven’t got it yet, I love you. I’m
in
love with you, have been for months. And now I’ve finally got you there’s no way I’m letting you go again.’

Chantelle was staring up at him in wonder. ‘You really are serious, aren’t you?’

‘I just said so, didn’t I?’

‘You’re crazy.’

‘Yeah, crazy for
you
,’ Anton said huskily. ‘So do as you’re told and say yes.’

‘Yes,’ Chantelle whispered, tears of joy glistening in her eyes as Anton pulled her back into his arms and kissed her deeply.