Love or Money? (8 page)

Except one thought refused to dissipate. Would Phillip still be as interested if he discovered she’d had one casual short fling with another man? And should she tell him?

“Brisbane? But I thought she was enjoying Sydney?” Zara asked in confusion as Glenda unplugged the hoover from the wall socket.

“
Yes, well so did I. It came as a surprise to me too. I have a feeling it’s something to do with this Aidan friend of hers.” 

Zara heaved herself into a more comfortable position on the sofa, thinking back to her last email from Felicity two days previous
ly.

“
But I thought she was getting on well with him? What makes you think it’s something to do with him?” Zara asked.

Glenda picked up the hoover and
, careful not to make heavy footprint dents on the carpet, tiptoed with it towards the hallway. It didn’t matter that Felicity was thousands of miles away; her regular cleaning of the cottage was still as important, despite no-one being there to make use of it.

“
Something she wrote made me wonder if he’d made a pass at her. You know how Fee is, she’s undoubtedly given him the cold shoulder and making a rapid exit.”

Zara smiled. It had been quite a shock to see the photo of Aidan that Felicity had sent to her. His striking resemblance to James was uncanny. Yet she’d known from the way Fee had referred to him that there was no attraction or even contemplation of anything other than someone to keep her company. Poor Glenda had hoped it could have been more, but she knew Fee too well. James had ruined her life; she wouldn’t be wanting someone so closely linked. And the fact he was a chef wouldn’t appeal to Felicity either.

“Oh dear. I feel sorry for him if that’s the case. Felicity can be cold and aloof when she wants to be. Let’s hope he didn’t fall for her too much.”

Gl
enda gave Zara a knowing look. “My thoughts exactly.”

“
At least she’s getting to see more of Australia though. I envy her, I’d love to have a holiday” Zara said wistfully. It had been years since she and Steve had been away. Six, to be exact. Although Lexi had been a toddler and the trip to Cornwall hadn’t been quite the relaxation that she’d hoped for, it had still been special. Steve had been at his most attentive and loving and she was certain it was then that Abbey had been conceived.

“
Once the baby comes and things are settled, you and Steve should try and get away. A little break for yourselves. I don’t mind looking after the kids for a weekend” Glenda offered kindly.

Zara looked at Glenda with excitement.
 

“
Really?  Do you mean that? Oh Glen, that would be brilliant. As long as you’re sure the kids wouldn’t be too much for you. I’ll mention it to Steve, maybe two days in the New Forest or something. Or even Paris. I’d love to try Paris.”

Glenda chuckled at Zara’s enthusiasm. She was pleased to see her happy. She’d noticed that she hadn’t been her usual upbeat self of late. Of course, she knew it was likely to have some
thing to do with her being over six months pregnant. But she seemed uncharacteristically preoccupied and distracted. She’d thought about mentioning it to Felicity over email to see if she had picked up something too, but she didn’t want to worry her daughter. Fee would be like a dog with a bone if she thought Zara was upset and hiding something.

“
Yes I mean it. You talk to Steve and when you are ready to book something, let me know and we can make the arrangements.” Glenda said firmly.

Zara leaned back
onto the sofa with a warm feeling inside her. Steve had returned from his overnight trip with such affection and attentiveness towards her that she’d felt her heart break. It was clearly guilt-driven. Every time she fished for details, he had smoothly steered the conversation towards her and the children. It was eating her up inside wondering what Steve’s other woman looked like.

Yet now she had been given a chance to win back her husband. She was determined to make him realise what they had was worth fighting for. A mini
-break was the perfect opportunity. Once her baby weight was shifted, and with time alone without the children, she would have the chance to remind Steve of the sexy woman he had fallen in love with all of those years ago.

“
Right, I’m all done here. We should make a move, you’ve got the kids to pick up and I’ve got that office party tonight with Bill.” Glenda said as she pulled closed the patio doors.

Zara slowly stood up, holding a protective hand under her baby bump. It was so nice spending time in Glenda’s company on her days off. It wasn’t quite the same with Fee gone. In the office she didn’t get her usual daily email from her, however brief it had been. She also missed being able to pick up the phone when she wanted to have a chat.

“Yes, Daisy’s nursery closes soon so I had better be going. Not only that but I need to research about maternity pay. I have a meeting with the new Human Resources Manager tomorrow to see what I’m entitled to.”

Glenda looked on as Zara rubbed her back and slowly bent down to pick up her handbag. No one could accuse her of not being a hard worker.
  How she cleverly managed to hold down a part time office job and a growing family was admirable. It saddened Glenda that the poor love had no family to help her. Thank goodness Steve was a good husband.

“
I’m sure the meeting will go well. You’ve been at this job a while now so you’re certainly entitled to something.” Glenda said reassuringly.

Zara nodded quietly in response and hoped that Glenda was right. With Steve undoubtedly lavishing his wages on his new fancy woman, she would need all the financial help she could get.
 

Drawing the curtains, the pair headed out of the cottage and down the narrow pathway to their cars. Neither one noticed the neatly trimmed grass and rose hedge as they passed.

“Tonight?”
Aidan repeated in an icy tone.

Avoiding his glare,
Felicity continued picking at the steamed salmon dish in front of her. 

“
Yes, tonight. I have to leave for the airport in a few hours” she said, taking a mouthful of the bland tasting fish and wishing she was anywhere but lunching with Aidan.

“
Wow, you certainly don’t waste time, do you? Thanks for letting me know, Fee - real friendly of you.” Shaking his head in disgust, Aidan dropped his knife and fork onto his half-finished steak dish with a clatter.

Felicity looked up in alarm. She hadn’t expected Aidan to take the news easily, but his immature and aggressive manner wasn’t something she appreciated.
 

“
Did you really expect me to spend the next two months of my travel in Sydney, filling my days with pointless tasks?” she asked in exasperation.

Aidan’s face burned red with anger.
 

“P
ointless tasks? Is that what I am to you? Well thanks a fucking lot.”

Felicity cringed, wishing she could retract her words. She felt her face burn w
ith embarrassment as the middle-aged couple on the next table discreetly looked her way.

 
“Here I am, trying to help you settle into life here and going all out to accommodate your mostly selfish and materialistic ways and you throw the whole lot back in my face! Charming.” Aidan stood up throwing the napkin from his lap onto his plate.

Felicity looked on in panic, hoping he wasn’t going to cause a scene.

“I hope you find whatever it is you’re searching for in Brisbane, Fee. Clearly it’s not me.”

Picking up his jacket from the back of his chair, Aidan reluctantly glanced into Felicity’s eyes before turning around and walking hurriedly from the restaurant.

Felicity set down her cutlery and stared in mortification at the plate of food in front of her. Aidan had looked so hurt. The last thing she’d wanted to do was hurt him. He was a good person. It struck her that he’d called her selfish and materialistic. He’d never mentioned those things to her before. Did he really view her in that way?

Signalling to the waiter for the bill, she glanced outside through the glass window of the restaurant hoping to see Aidan. She wanted to put things right before she left. He at least deserved that.

Paying the hefty lunch bill and realising that her suggestion to eat at the exclusive venue had undoubtedly been a subconscious urge to compensate for her guilt, she made her way outside, ignoring the glances of other diners.

Aidan was nowhere to be seen.

 “Dan are you going to silicone the sink today?” Stacey asked, trying to keep exasperation from her voice. It was Thursday and he’d been threatening to do it since the previous Monday.

Ignoring her,
Dan continued reading the sports section of the newspaper, wishing his mate Andy would be quicker to return his call. He hadn’t planned on breaking up with Stacey again so soon, but the past few weeks had been unbearable. Even Andy’s sofa was looking more appealing.

“Dan?”
Stacey moved in front of him and snatched away the pages spread out before him. 

His head shot up in fury.

“What the hell are you doing, Stace?” Standing up in alarm, he looked at her with the disgust and dislike he was currently feeling and heavy handedly ripped the papers from her grasp.

Stacey winced. It wasn’t in Dan’s character to be aggressive but she’d noticed a darker side to him since he’d moved back in. A side she didn’t like. And the way he looked at her; was that hate she saw in his eyes?

As painful as it was, she was slowly realising that Dan was no longer in love with her.

“
I’m tired of you not listening to me. You walk around sneering in my direction. You haven’t even noticed I had my hair restyled for goodness sake!” Stacey’s voice rose with alarming speed.

Looking properly at Stacey, Dan noticed the new shorter, layered cut. How had he missed it before? She looked different. Good different, more mature perhaps.
 

“
How are we supposed to have a future together if you don’t pay any attention to the relationship?” Stacey asked dejectedly.

Dan stared at Stacey with a tired expression.
He didn’t want to hurt her; it wasn’t her fault that he didn’t find her appealing anymore or that she was a drain on his energy. She needed someone else that could put up with her. A fleeting feeling of anxiety set in. Although he wanted rid of Stacey, Andy hadn’t returned his call. And his bank balance was showing red. He could barely afford a bed and breakfast for a few nights, let alone find a permanent solution in a short space of time.

Pulling Stacey closer to him, he made up his mind.

“Babe, I’m sorry. I’ve been distracted with work; you know things are financially a bit tight for me at the moment and maybe I’ve taken it out on you.” Kissing the top of her head softly, he wrapped his arms around her and waited for her body to relax into his. He didn’t have to wait long.

“
Oh Dan, I’m just worried for us. I feel you’re drifting away and I love you so much that it hurts me to see you like this” Stacey said, face nuzzled into his shoulder.

“
Don’t worry, babe, we’ll get through it.” Stroking her hair reassuringly, Dan stared straight ahead as Stacey hugged him tightly. 

Could his life get any more of a mess? He thought of Fee. He’d heard she was in Australia and he wondered if he’d ever have his chance with her again. Immediately the thought was broken as Sylvia’s face flashed before him.
  That bitch had set him up. Given him a taster and then taken it away again. 

Stacey pulled gently away from him and looked into his eyes.
 

Quickly forg
etting his anger towards Sylvia, he stared down at Stacey. She looked excited. Her eyes were twinkling.

“
What’s up, babe?”

Stacey hesitated, biting down on her bottom lip. She knew it wasn’t the solution to all of their problems, but something was urging her to say it. She loved Dan wholeheartedly; maybe it was just what they needed.

Putting her arms around his waist, Stacey took a leap of faith. Looking into his eyes and seeing his confusion, she knew it would make things clearer for both of them. They needed a focus, a plan, and this was it. She took a deep breath.

“Dan, let’s get married.”

Dan’s world crumbled around him.

Felicity eyed her room with contempt. It wasn’t anyth
ing like the photos she’d studied on the internet. The wardrobe was barely a foot wide and the double bed was in fact a single, complete with a threadbare dolphin design duvet set. The idea of local bed and breakfast accommodation instead of a luxury hotel had lost all of its appeal.

“
If you need anything you can find me downstairs in my private living quarters” Darlene, the B&B owner said kindly.

It was three o’clock in the morning and after taking a taxi directly to the out
-of-the-city-centre B&B in Auchenflower, Felicity knew her chances of finding alternative sleeping arrangements for the night were beyond slim. She had no option but to retire herself into the small closeted room. Besides, she had already paid a full week’s board.

“
Thanks, Darlene” she replied tiredly, closing the door behind the retreating owner.

Sinking he
rself begrudgingly onto the bed, she took off her dress and slid under the covers, giving in to the tiredness and exhaustion that had suddenly consumed her. Her last thought before she drifted into sleep was Maurice.  If only he could see her now.

A loud rapping on the wall adjacent to her bed woke her with a start.
  It took a moment to recognise her surroundings as a clock face set into a mermaid statue caught her attention. 

“
Ten o’clock?” muttering to herself, Felicity jumped out of the lumpy bed, wincing as her back aligned itself correctly. In the light of day, the small room was even more chaotic and absurd than she’d remembered.

A desk lamp decorated in seashells stood awkwardly next to a
wooden statue of a sailor. Two of the white walls hosted more mermaid references and figurines. Yet the most bizarre object was the lifelike large fish mounted on the wall opposite her bed. If she wasn’t so tired, she would have laughed at the situation. Instead, Felicity opened her suitcase taking out a change of clothing and her toiletries and headed next door to the bathroom.

The spotless, functional and modern bathroom was a far cry from her sleeping arrangements. Showering and dressing, she headed toward the kitchen, aware of a deafening silence all around her. Where was everybody?

“Good Morning. Sleep well?” 

Felicity jumped, causing her to raise her hand to her chest in fright. Spinning around she saw Darlene’s large frame towering nearby.

“Goodness, you scared the life out of me!” 

Darlen
e grinned warmly and chuckled. “Sorry, I have a habit of creeping up on people sometimes. Have you had your breakfast yet? Oh and how are you finding your room? If you need any help with local tourist spots today, I have lots of good recommendations.”

Taken aback by Darlene’s over enthusiasm, Felicity stumbled for something to say. It was Aidan’s fault. He’d constantly been on at her to find B&B accommodation in Sydney, telling her how much more of an economical and personalised experience it was.
  She’d thought that given her friendship with Aidan and how it had helped her to settle easier into Sydney, the B&B idea would help provide a similar situation in Brisbane. Regrettably, she had misjudged just how ‘personalised’ it would be.

“
I wanted to speak to you about the room actually, Darlene” Felicity said, gathering her thoughts and feeling irked.

“
Yes, I thought that might be a topic of discussion” Darlene replied solemnly. “I know you booked a double en suite but I made a mix up with the reservations, which is why I have had to put you in the Mermaid room.” Darlene shifted nervously from foot to foot.

Despite being almost half a foot taller and a lot weightier than herself, there was something innocent and vulnerable in Darlene’s stance that reminded Felicity of her mother. Softening her tone a little, she tried to be delicate about the matter.
 

“
Well, I really need a double room. The room I have isn’t sufficient for my needs. If you can’t accommodate me then you’ll appreciate that I’ll have to find alternative arrangements.” 

Darlene looked crestfallen. “
Ok, I understand; but I was going to suggest that I refund you part of your money and when my guest in room number four leaves tomorrow evening, you can have his double room?”

Feeling compromised, Felicity knew it was her opportunity to regain her money and find a hotel more suited to her standards
; but Darlene’s anxious nature was making her reconsider. She didn’t want to upset her.

“
Ok; as long as it’s only for one night then I’m willing to wait for the double room to become available.”

“
Oh, what good news!” Darlene clapped her hands excitedly and Felicity smiled. She may well have signed herself up for a week in a place totally out of her comfort zone, yet it was an adventure she needed. She was fully aware of every perk of five star accommodation, but a week at Chasely Fields was sure to be enlightening. Making a point to end the conversation, Felicity rubbed her hands together.

“
Right, I’m going to get myself some breakfast and I’ll be sure to take you up on those tips for sightseeing at some point.”

“
Glad to be of help. You won’t find any of the others about at the moment though. Three of the guests are long termers, all working internships at the hospital at the end of the road. Owen, the chappie in room four, he’s still in his room. Late riser, that one. Shame he’ll be leaving tomorrow, he’s been so entertaining. I’ll be sorry to see him go.” Darlene finally stopped talking and pursed her lips sadly.

Unsure how to respond, Felicity nodded, making a mental note not to divulge too much of her personal life to Darlene. The woman was a motor mouth.

“Go on then, get your breakfast as you’ve undoubtedly got a busy day ahead” Darlene said, shooing Felicity with her hand.

Relieved for the dismissal, Felicity quickly continued through the corridor toward
s the kitchen, pleased to see that Darlene was correct in informing that the others were nowhere to be seen.

Opening drawers in search of cutlery,
she quickly closed them again, her stomach churning at the sight of crumbs and mould in every crevice her eye was drawn to. Opening the fridge, a stench of rotten eggs greeted her and she heaved in response.

“
Go on, be brave; have some milk” an amused male voice said from behind her.

Spinning around in surprise
, Felicity came face to face with an unshaven, dishevelled man, naked except for a tatty pair of grey boxer shorts. Drawing her eyes back to his face, she watched as he surveyed her from head to toe with open audacity. 

“
Do you mind? I’m not a cow at auction” she snapped in annoyance. Just who did he think he was? His shoulder length blonde wavy hair didn’t look like it had seen a brush in days. Not to mention the stubble desperately in need of a shave. 

“
Chill, woman. I was just observing you for bed bug bites.” He grinned at her, flashing perfectly straight white teeth.

Bed bugs? Felicity felt her skin crawl and looked down at her arms suspiciously. The man chuckled and she moved aside as he reached past her into the fridge, picking up a tied carrier bag.

“Trick is to store everything in a carrier bag. Keeps it fresh and avoids the contamination that’s running rife in there.”

She watched in fascination as he deftly opened the bag with one hand and retrieved a carton of milk from inside.
 

“Care for a coffee?”

Felicity hesitated, glancing at a nearby unwashed teacup.
 

The man smiled again; opening the wooden cupboard door above the sink
, he retrieved yet another carrier bag. 

“
Disposable cups and plastic cutlery. Works a treat.”

Felicity laughed at the absurdity and looked at him with new appreciation.

“Well I must say, I’m impressed. I don’t know any other men with your level of hygiene standard.”

She watched as he smiled and the corners of his eyes creased deeply, smiling with him.
 

“
When you’ve lived in as many hovels as I have, you learn the tricks of the trade to keep your stomach strong. Plus I’m a man. I don’t do washing up.” He heaped a generous amount of instant coffee into each of the polystyrene cups. 

“So you must be Owen?”

He chuckled again and Felicity noted how his chest muscles rippled. His body was well defined, despite the scar that ran the length of his shin.

“
Darlene been at you already, I take it?” he asked raising an eyebrow.

Felicity smiled in answer, watching as he carefully put away his carrier bags of essentials.

“I’m Felicity, the newbie, as Darlene likes to refer to me.”

Owen held out a steaming cup of coffee towards her.

“Yes, she’s already told me all about you. You’re early thirties, originally from the UK and you’ll be moving into my room as of tomorrow.” 

Felicity took a
sip of her coffee and noted its quality taste. Whatever instant coffee he used, it wasn’t the cheap stuff.