The Braille Club Undone (The Braille Club #3) (23 page)

The Braille Club Undone

The Braille Club, London. Two Years On. Swingers Zone Trial. Guy’s eyes were hooded as he watched the Patron help the Assignee from the chair. Suddenly he grabbed her roughly and kissed her. Guy’s breath and pulse quickened. The whole experience was deeply erotic.

Tess

Tess smiled at Si weakly. He was a sight for sore eyes. He was completely dishevelled and stunk of alcohol but for once his face was unmasked. There was worry and compassion in his eyes. The guilt she’d not felt earlier suddenly appeared. She closed her eyes. Anna had been firm. “You never tell him the truth, Tess.”

“Tess,” whispered Si. “Tess, I was so worried about you...” he swallowed. “I thought, I thought...never mind, I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Tess opened her eyes and turned towards Si. “But I’m not okay,” she sobbed. “I may still lose the baby.”

“A baby, I never thought we would,” he said in wonder. “Tess...” Si started to cry. “I know I don’t deserve you, Tess.”

Tess gazed at her husband through her tears. She had waited so long to hear those words but if she lost the baby, would they be too little too late? She had no intention of letting him off the hook easily. Although terrified of losing him, Tess had changed. The man on the video clip was the real Si Lawrence. She saw that now. Her rose tinted glasses were well and truly off but she was glad he was with her now.

Si seemed to pull himself together. “What did the doctors say?” he asked.

“The baby is not distressed and the heartbeat is strong but they’re unsure about my pain. They told me if I went into labour they can give me drugs to stop it,” said Tess grimacing. “I’m so frightened, Si,” she said, her voice full of anguish.

Si grabbed her hand. “Tess, listen. We will not lose this baby,” he said fiercely.

Tess looked at Si in surprise but his expression was sincere...then gasped and clutched her stomach as another vicious pain shot through her.

“No,” she moaned.

“Tess, listen to me.”

Suddenly, Tess was angry. All the hurt and resentment she’d harboured over the years spilled out.

“I know about the video,” hissed Tess. “I warned you, Si, but you wouldn’t listen.”

Si hung his head, the truth of her words hitting home. “Yes. I’m finished, Tess. Everything you and Phil predicted has come to pass.”

Tess tensed but the usual cruelty in his voice was missing. “You hurt me, Si. How can I trust you again?” she asked angrily.

“I’m sorry. It’s unforgivable. Tess, I’ll do whatever you want,” said Si pleadingly.

“I bet you will,” she spat. “Well, actions speak louder than words, Si. I want
all
the films deleted.”

“Yes,” said Si.

“I want that disgusting playroom ripped out.” Tess looked for a hesitation in Si but saw none.

“Yes, Tess.”

Using her anger to block out the pain, Tess continued. “I want you to sign the house over. It will be my insurance, Si.”

Si’s shoulders slumped. “I’ll do it.”

Tess paused as the cramps eased off. “Did you ever love me?” she demanded

“Yes. I always have, Tess. From the moment we met at the studio. I couldn’t figure out what was happening. Every time I tried to stop seeing you, I couldn’t seem to end it. I was cruel and horrible to you because I thought you would do it for me but you didn’t.”

Tess stared at Si.

“I’ve fought the feeling ever since. Tess, I can only say I wasn’t myself. I kept waiting for you to call time on us and when you didn’t, I got bolder. I got to eat my cake.”

“So your behaviour is
my
fault?” asked Tess incredulously.

“No, Tess,” said Si, hurriedly. “Everything is down to me. I’m trying to explain.”

“Get out, Si,” said Tess. “I will not listen to you blame me. You’re disgusting.”

“You’re right. I am disgusting but I won’t leave you,” said Si firmly.

“Go away, Si,” she said tiredly. “We’re done.”

“No.”

“Do what you want,” said Tess through gritted teeth and turned away from him. Exhausted, she must have dozed off. Opening her eyes, it took a moment to remember where she was. Expecting Si to be gone, she was surprised to see him staring at her. His gaze was intense like it was the first time he’d seen her. Tess squirmed a little. She was totally confused. Did she still want him?

Si took her hand. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

She thought about it and registered the cramps were gone. A sob escaped as she cried in relief.

“Tess,” said Si in alarm. “Are you in pain?”

She turned to him, her anger gone, and whispered. “No. The pains have stopped.”

Si’s face lit up. “I’ll get a nurse.”

Si

Si saw Tess’s pale face change as the nurse asked her how she felt. Tess gave a tentative smile saying her pain was gone. The nurse nodded and wrote something on her chart. She told them to call her if anything changed. Si’s emotions were at breaking point. He’d gone from thinking his wife had harmed herself; to discovering Tess was pregnant. Then there was the worry with the baby. He still had trouble absorbing all the information. Si swayed as he stood. He now understood what bone tired meant. Things had not gone well with Tess but lack of privacy prevented him from saying more. He’d known the doctor had recognised him and he couldn’t be sure his private conversation with his wife would remain that way. He hung his head. Again he was putting his needs before Tess; the last couple of hours were the worst Si had endured. He had lost his career and his wife, but finally, finally, something good. The labour had stopped. He cared with every fibre in his body. Cruelly, he suddenly understood what was really important in his life just as it slipped from his grasp; almost like an epiphany. He stood aside as the medical team entered the room to assess Tess. He was thinking of leaving when he heard her call him. Her face was still worried but looked brighter as he went to stand beside her bed.

“Mr and Mrs Lawrence, I’m glad the pain has stopped but we’re going to have to do more tests. Tess you are roughly twenty-four weeks and we need to keep the baby in your womb.”

Tess whimpered.

“Please try not to worry, we are doing everything we can,” said the doctor reassuringly.

Si looked at Tess’s bump. Although small, he could clearly see she was pregnant. How had he missed it? Caught up in his own fantasies, he realised they’d not made love in a few weeks. Distracted by Anna Dunbar, he’d hardly given Tess a second thought. He’d been obsessed with having Anna and had been happy for Tess to take a back seat. Appalled by his behaviour, Si knew he didn’t deserve her. He kept a constant vigil at her side and only left briefly to collect food from the cafeteria. It was hard to believe it was only Sunday. So much had happened to him in two short days. His career was gone, his marriage in tatters, and now, his child’s life hung in the balance. Needing out of the room, he gave the excuse of wanting some water from the vending machine. Searching for coins, he pulled his mobile out of his pocket and glanced at it. When he saw a missed call from Anna Dunbar, he’d swallowed. He knew it would be important and finding the courage, he called her back.

“Anna Dunbar.”

Just hearing her voice brought the entire trauma of the video back, and Si stood mute.

“Mr Lawrence?”

“Yes,” he finally said.

“Has something else happened?” she asked perceptively.

“We are at the hospital. Tess is pregnant and thinks she’s losing the baby,” he said hollowly, and without warning broke down.

“Mr Lawrence, I’m so sorry,” said Anna. She sounded genuinely distraught. “How is Tess?”

Si struggled to get his emotions under control. “Terrified.” he whispered. “She’s distraught and blaming herself.”

He could hear Anna suck in her breath. “I’m so sorry.”

“Did you want me for something?” Si asked half-heartedly.

“Yes, but now is not the time,” said Anna firmly. “Look after Tess.”

“I’m not sure I’m the person she wants,” said Si dejectedly.

“She needs you more than ever,” said Anna quietly. “Don’t let her down.”

“I won’t,” said Si, feeling helpless.

“Goodbye, Mr Lawrence,” said Anna softly, and the phone clicked.

Si leaned against the wall for support. His body sagged. He straightened when his mobile buzzed. Anna had sent a text.

Anna:
Check your email.

Curious, Si did as instructed and read the attached file.

Dear Mr Lawrence,

Your instruction to remove discussed video clip from the public domain has been done. We will pursue the newspaper directly for an apology, now your management have provided the basis for your actions on the night in question. Your experiment to expose media attention on celebrities and it’s lasting effects was perhaps a little naïve. The press was your target that evening but they do not take kindly to deception. I would strongly recommend you do nothing further to aggravate them but they may pursue you regardless. The studio producer will collaborate fully regarding the project which was instigated by Phil some time ago. I have been advised Tess is unable to make a press release due her recent hospital admission but your management company will act on her behalf. In light of recent events it may be best to prepare your own press statement as soon as possible. I was very sorry to hear of Mrs Lawrence’s ill health and wish her a speedy recovery. Your situation will highlight how quick the press are to mislead the public without ascertaining their facts. Your wife’s health crisis can be directly attributed to the stress caused by the media and it’s devastating consequences.

I will keep you updated.

Martin Reed.

Turning, he ran along the corridor and burst into the room. Tess was alone.

“Tess, I’ve just received an email from our lawyers...I don’t understand,” he said confused. Si sat down in the chair beside the bed, his mind reeling. Martin Reed was the head partner at Anna’s firm.

Tess opened her swollen eyes and got ready to tell the story she and Anna had agreed on. “I called in my insurance, my get out of jail card. I didn’t do it for you, Si, I did it for myself and the baby...” her voice caught and she turned away.

“What insurance?” he said. “Tess?”

“I called in a favour. I got Phil to help. Together we worked out a plan to save your rotten skin because it saved my career too. I thought I could work on until I was at least eight months, but now I don’t even care what happens.”

Si saw the tears collect and fall down his wife’s cheeks and wondered why he’d never noticed how beautiful she was. Even ravished by fear, Tess looked gorgeous.

“I always worried you’d get caught and end up in the papers. So I came up with this idea, a documentary about prostitutes.”

“Prostitutes?” said Si, confused. “They said the documentary was about media practice.”

Tess’s face puckered. “Yes, that was one of the ideas too. They must have thought it was a better angle; they could spin your video as a media set-up.
You,
of course, weren’t acting,” Tess said bitterly, “but the public will never know that.”

Si sat stunned. “But how did you know about the story, Tess?” he asked.

“A tip off from a friend,” she said tiredly. “I asked her to get in touch if there was ever a story on you, and she came through for me.”

Si mulled this over. Tess had his back all this time. God, he loved her...why had he fought it?

“I want all the films of us destroyed as soon as possible, Si. The press don’t take kindly to being set-up and they’ll start digging.”

“Yes, you’re right, I’ll destroy everything,” said Si nervously.

“You need to get the laptop, I want to see you do it with my own eyes,” said Tess coldly.

Si nodded, the inference quite clear. Tess didn’t trust him.

“Another thing,” said Tess, “if you want a divorce...we can start proceedings.”

Si froze as a mixture of emotions consumed him. However, the most surprising of all...he realised he didn’t want one. The thought, ‘be careful what you wish for,’ swirled around his head.

“I...Tess...” Si couldn’t continue. He hung his head and gathered his thoughts.

“What do you want, Tess? I’ll do whatever you want...it’s the least I can do.”

Tess didn’t hide her surprise. “You don’t want a divorce?”

“No, no, Tess...I want you.” After all this time together, Si finally admitted he was in love with his wife.

Tess’s face clouded. “I need to think.”

Si brightened, it was more than he hoped or deserved. “I understand, Tess, and whatever you decide, I’ll respect.”

“Get the laptop,” said Tess irritably, “and that bloody video camera.”