Chapter Seven
‘Hello’
‘Hi, you took so long to pick your phone, I was about to hang up is everything ok that side? Connie asked curiously trying to sound as normal as she could.
‘Sorry about that Connie, we are in the middle of breakfast and my phone was on the couch. If you can hold on for a second, let me excuse myself.’ Trish said as she rose up from the table munching on her sandwich.
Her mother gave her a disapproving look and she just shrugged her shoulders apologetically. Trish knew that her action was going to get her into trouble, even before she was out of earshot her mother was already complaining.
‘Ben, you see what I am always talking about, your daughter knows the rules of the table yet she brought her phone to the table setting a bad example to her younger siblings.’ Annie grimaced.
‘Annie, please let us enjoy this wonderful breakfast in peace.’ Ben replied in a cool tone
Closing the door behind her, Trish went to sit on one of the verandah chairs.
‘Hello, sorry that took a while. So tell me how are things your end? Trish asked
Connie replied in a soft voice ‘I wish I had an answer to that especially after last night_________’
Trish excited voice interrupted her, ‘You know I can’t stop thinking about yesterday, I really had a wonderful time. Did you by any chance talk to that stranger from last night again?’ Trish asked the first thing that was on her mind.
Trish’s question took her by surprise bringing back the conversation she had with Nick last night and she took a moment to reply wondering if it was Trish who gave him her number. Nick was part of the reason she had called but was not the subject, she had another pressing matter on her mind. Trying hard to sound casual Connie replied non-interested. ‘No. how could he call, I neither got his number nor gave him mine. What about you, have you spoken__________ .’
Connie was not allowed to finish as Trish in her excitement cut her off again ‘Even me too, I have not spoken to him. It was so naïve of us not to get his number, such a handsome and hot looking guy, anyway maybe the right thing to do is to just forget about him’
Connie got an answer to her suspicion it became obvious to her that it was not Trish who gave him her number. Her eyes flew open as another thought crossed her mind, could it be Emma during an interrogation? Connie closed her eyes quickly pushing away the flashes of Emma bound to the chair dripping blood all over.
On the other hand Trish was silently happy that Connie had not given her number to Nick and she was showing no interest in him at all. Connie so far had appeared to her as the only possible obstacle that could hinder her and her plans to conquer Nick. Now that she was out of the picture Trish purposed to pursue her interest but secretly at first.
Clearing her throat Connie asked, ‘Umm, there is something I want to ask you about last night. Umm…did you notice anything out of the ordinary about that guy, Nick? I mean how do you see him?
Trish was taken aback, Connie had shown no interest even to talk about the guy and now because out of curiosity she has asked about him suddenly she too is interested, hell no. Trish was not going to allow that to happen, ‘Connie must stick to her first decision of no interest.,’ she thought
‘Well, I can’t say much about him because the only time we had contact is when we danced and we were not chatting because of the loud music. Why do you ask about him all of a sudden, are you reconsidering perhaps?’ Trish asked her tone irritated
‘What do you mean reconsider when there was nothing to consider in the first place? Its only that he appeared a bit weird to me that’s why I asked.’ Connie scoffed
Trish couldn’t help but smile. Her reply was a sign that the coast was still clear
‘Handsome rich guys are always weird that’s a known fact and that is what makes them interesting. Anyway, I hope our path does not cross again.’ Trish spoke the last part with strong emphasis.
Baffled Connie said ‘Finally, you have your senses back regarding that guy he is not worth any effort so the quicker you forget about him the better. Anyway, can you please stop interrupting me every time Trish, give me a chance to say the reason why I called. By any chance did you talk to Emma today?’
Trish was disturbed by Connie’s statement she wondered if she had given away her feelings regarding Nick. She silently hoped it was not so and just to be safe she needed to come up with a solution to rectify the situation.
‘Yes, I think you are right, he is very arrogant anyway. I hope you understand that talking about him does not mean anything to me at all. Its just that____uh, you know after last night, being our first time in that club ________.’ Trish was interrupted before she finished.
‘What is wrong with you Trish, I thought we agreed that we are not talking about that crazy guy again. I asked you if you have spoken to Emma at all today but you are not answering me ‘ Connie yelled, was slowly getting impatient with her. Nick had done enough damage for her today and she did not appreciate Trish constantly bringing him up in their conversation.
‘No! Dammit! And why do you keep asking me the same question? You can call her yourself and ask if she has called me or not. What is it to you whether or not I did, does she have something to tell me that you know of?’ annoyed Trish responded angrily.
Connie ignored her anger as she replied gloomily ‘Emma’s mum was here at my house this morning. I wish you knew what kind of trouble she has stirred up for me.’
Connie sobbed in the phone.
‘What? Whatever the hell for, was she with Emma? That bitch must have told her that we were at the club together last night’ Trish screamed, she suddenly felt angry, earlier on she had also tried Emma’s number but it did not go through.
‘I wish but No. Apparently Emma did not return home last night nor this morning either so she wanted to inquire if I knew where she was.’ Connie said wearily
Trish’s mind started racing and she found herself saying ‘Dammit! That bitch, she just doesn’t know where to apply her brakes. No wonder she refused to come home with us, she must have decided to spend the night with that guy.’ She cursed beneath her breath before adding , ‘We must have seen this coming. I am telling you she is wrapped up in his arms right now after some all night of bliss lovemaking you know,’ Trish was beside herself as she started pacing up and down.
Despite trying to sound normal, Connie registered the anger in Trish’s voice that she could not understand. It was not surprising because ever since she started talking to her she has been behaving strange prompting Connie to question if she had taken intoxicating drink. Her indication to the possibility of Emma spending the night with a guy concurred with what James was saying earlier.
‘Trish why does this upset you so much, are you and Emma fighting?’ Connie asked out of curiosity
Trish chuckled ‘Of course not, Emma and I are good. Don’t mind my behavior it’s just the hormones talking.’ Clearing her throat she added, ‘Why should it bother me if she ends up with Nick, I mean what can stop her from having him, they are both singles. I just think Nick is a good guy and for him to be with that wild bitch can mean disaster’
Connie was astonished by Trish’s words. She has started going on and on about Nick again so without warning she cut off the call.
Trish called her back instantly and before she could say anything Connie’s fuming voice buzzed in her ears,
‘You know what I was starting to believer that you were right in your assumption earlier but then I realized that your opinion was based on your own emotional feelings towards her. How can you even think like that in a moment like this? Have you forgotten quickly that we left her alone in that downtown club?. What if she is in real trouble and here you are busy with your own theory.’
Trish would not have it especially now when the facts were suggesting that Emma was a possible rival.
‘Oh, Come on Connie that girl has been clubbing since forever so I won’t buy into that crap. I don’t know about her missing but I know she knew exactly what she was doing when she refused to come home with us. I bet you, that girl is curled up somewhere having a good time so please stop crying for nothing.’ Trish snorted
‘Oh my God! Have you gone crazy and are you listening to yourself right now? Emma is our friend and we must be concerned if she does not return home. Whether or not she is curled up somewhere it doesn’t matter as long as we don’t know if she is ok’ Connie cried in disbelief.
‘Rubbish! She should have thought of us like that and agreed to come home with us. I can’t read that girl sometimes’ Trish said angrily.
Connie threw her hand in the air, she was having a difficult time in understanding Trish today. Earlier on she had thought her parents were being dramatic but this, this performance deserved an Oscar award. Connie was starting to regret why she had called her in the first place, instead of easing her mind and making the situation better she was making everything worse with her suspicious jealous.
Connie knew Nick was not a saint as Trish was leading herself to believe and her heart sank, she did not know how to tell her. She had enough on her plate to focus on right now and her hands were tied to take on anymore drama. Her parents were pressuring her on one side and Nick on another side and now Emma’s disappearance was added on the pile also. Mopping about it was not going to solve anything, she realized that right now she needed to try and find Emma at all cost otherwise like her mother pointed out, should she remains missing it was her who was going to be questioned by the police first. The thought of the police made her squirm, Nick was blaming her for his brother’s disappearance and now this again, she began to feel the walls closing on her and tears started streaming down her face.
‘It’s easy for you to say that because your house is not on fire, I am burning here and this is all that you can say? I can’t believe you Trish,’ Connie sobbed as she blew her nose.
Trish was quiet for a moment and in a resigned tone she said ‘So that it is that bad huh? Ok, ok there is no need for you to irritate my ear drum with your sobbing sounds. So what do you suggest we do? Maybe start where we left her?.’
Relieved by her question, Connie pondered for a moment, ‘I think that sounds like a good idea, who knows we might get leads from there. Better than just sitting and waiting, lets try that.’
Connie felt pleased that at last sanity had dawned on her friend but little did she know that when Trish suggested going to look for Emma at the club it was just a figure of speech she had not thought that Connie was going to take it serious. Trish, silently cursed under her breath with regret but It was too late for her to back out now.
‘That’s settled then, I will borrow my mum’s car and we can meet say in 2 hours. How does Monerville park sound?’ Trish asked. She was going to do this only to get over with it and unlike Connie, she was convinced their friend was probably back home as they spoke.
Excitedly Connie replied, ‘It sounds just fine, I will be there.’ Curious she asked, ‘By the way do you have any idea if the club will be open in the afternoon?
Irritated by her dump question Trish thought ‘ It’s a night club girl what do you think?’ But instead she replied her quietly ‘There is only one way to find out.’
When she hung up the phone Trish’s mind was on overdrive. This is not how she had pictured spending her day and though she appreciated Connie’s naivety it was beginning to irritate her. Because she now had her eyes on Nick, she knew in that moment that this friendship’s doom was near and some difficult choices lied ahead of her. Her happiness mattered to her and she was ready to sacrifice anyone who was not on her side
Two hours later, Connie was sitting in Trish’s car as they drove to Fica club which was located on the outskirts of the city about fifteen minutes drive from the park. They stopped for some takeaways as both the girls had not had a proper breakfast that morning, they tried Emma’s phone again to no avail. With it being a weekend afternoon, they had a bit of trouble finding a parking slot when they got to the place. Trish eventually parked near the far end of the street.Walking back to the club, they noticed how different the club looked during the day without all the blazing lights on the neon signs. There was dead silence coming from the club and on closer inspection they noticed that the front entrance was also locked. Disappointed, they decided to walk around the building and just as they turned the corner the double doors in the alley suddenly opened and one drunken looking guy came out staggering.Quickly the girls walked towa
It was almost thirty minutes later when Pete finally emerged holding two large black bags. The big guy looked dangerous with his broad shoulders and muscled arms that made Connie react with fear when she saw him coming but Trish’s face was lit with excitement.‘Finally you are here, for a moment I was beginning to think you had forgotten about us.’ Trish said with a huge grin on her face.Dropping the garbage bags to unlock the door Pete barked, ‘Shut up young lady! Do not mistake my kindness for sympathy I am not your friend. Now get out of here and don’t ever show your faces in this place in the afternoon again or you will live to regret it.’ he spoke as he half shoved the two girls out.Connie looked at Trish’s stunned face and without another word she began to run and Trish followed close behind her, out of breath the two girls only stopped when they reached the car. Letting out a huge sigh of relief Connie beg
Emma turned to Connie with a surprised look on her face hoping for some intervention but Connie just shrugged her shoulders with a questioning look on her face.‘That’s enough! Are you guys ganging up on me now? Fine, you can kiss my ass goodbye for all I care.’ Emma scowled as she started walking away.‘Hahaha….there she goes without even apologizing. Go on go who cares’ Trish scoffed.Emma stopped suddenly Trish’s words infuriated her. She walked back and stood in front of her.‘You are very funny do you know that? If there is someone who is supposed to be angry it has to be me. You girls excluded me in your today’s plan but now you are acting as if I am the one who did something wrong. Look here Trish, since when have you ever been concerned about where I spend my night Trish? Emma glared‘Since the day you brought your mother here and caused havoc for Connie.&r
Chapter ElevenTrish woke up feeling grumpy, yesterday she ended up cancelling her plans to go to the club. Their conversation with the girls dragged on into the night and by the time it was over it was around 9.00pm in the evening. Her mother was furious because not only had she missed dinner but it was her second night in a row coming home late. She decided to go jogging it always made her feel better afterwards.‘You should have seen the way Stuart kept looking at her, too bad she is older than you,’ Lora chuckled.Connie began to laugh looking at her brotherThe four of them were sitting on the breakfast table having breakfast.‘Come on mum, I was looking at her for other reasons than what you are implying,’ Stuart pointed out obviously offended.‘Son, it is perfectly ok to look at beautiful women and desire them. That young lady is beautiful and if I were you I would go for her forget about the
Two weeks later Connie confronted Emma, she was upset that her mother had somehow found out about Emma supposedly missing incident and had called her house threatening to sue her parents for false assertion against her. Emma was just as shocked as she was when she told her the fiasco but assured her that she had nothing to do with the truth coming out and but promised to intervene.‘MOM, do you have any idea of the rift your actions almost caused in that family?’ Emma cried trying to knock some sense into her mother who was deliberately ignoring her plea for her to go to apologies to the Bradwell’s. It had turned out that even though Connie had suggested to drop the matter when Emma had suggested to ask her mother if she was at the Bradwells to which all the girls agreed Trish had other ideas. Apparently a few days ago she had told her brother about the incident and her brother decided to tell their
The first time she heard her daughter mention his name it gave her a fright. Her heart was gripped with fear after so many years. This was not happening she thought, after all so many years have lapsed and James was supposed to be living on the other side of the world not in her current city. She wasn’t satisfied until one day out of curiosity she followed her daughter to James’s neighbourhood and indeed it turned out that her past was now in her present town. Pamela was now married to a rich husband and had a new family and to imagine losing it all was too hard for her to bear. She found solace in the fact that there was no way he would tell it was her now that she was going with a new name and under new looks.When Annie called her three days back with the gossip at first she was alarmed, in her fear she thought that maybe he had discovered her and was using that false story to lure her out. Pamela called the wife first wanting to estab
James returned just after Connie had left and decided to shower before relaxing to the afternoon match on TV. While in the shower he heard a knock on the front door and closing the shower tap he called out to his son,‘Stuart, can you get that door I am in the shower.’ James shouted‘Ok Dad, I am on it.’ Stuart replied as he went to answer the doorHe was surprised to see Emma on their doorstep‘Hello Stuart!’ Emma greeted him smiling‘Emma! If you are here for Connie you missed her, she left almost an hour ago. Do you guys not check on each other?’ Stuart asked as he began to laugh‘Do we look like we are kindergarten to you, of course we do but I had no idea she was coming to meet me.’ Emma replied with a shrug of her shouldersStuart was surprised with Emma’s response‘Who are you talking to at the door?’ James asked as he stood at th
James was not too pleased with Emma suddenly pulling away.Sneering in a husky voice ‘What’s this now? Is that the best you have to offer or you have chickened out? Come on babe, I thought you had fire in you.’Emma felt offended by his words but was not about to show it, instead she started laughing. Speaking in a commanding tone she said ‘Me, chickening out? Oh, please just shut up and go and lock that door. This body is about to grow cold.’Shrugging his shoulders James obliged, nothing turned him on like a woman in charge. Excited that the game was still on he quickly locked the door and waltzed back rubbing his hands together with a huge smile across his face. He went and stood in front of Emma.‘The door is taken care of. Now can you relax and enjoy the groove Ummm….my sweet babe if you don’t mind let’s carry on from where we stopped. I can’t wai
A few minute after she had left, Pamela decided to tail her daughter from a distance. Emma who was looking forward to the wonderful time ahead had no idea that her mother was following her. She parked at Bronte hotel and Pamela parked a few cars from her and she waited until she had disappeared inside before she got out of the car.By the time she got into the hotel, Emma was nowhere in sight and she knew from there finding her was going to be a challenge. Pamela approached the reception with confidence‘Good evening ma’m, how may I help you?’ the receptionist asked‘Evening to you too. I am wondering if you can help me, I was here the other night and I am suspecting that I left my jacket in one of your rooms.’ Pamela murmured‘”No problem ma’m I am sure you will find it. We have a lost and found department were we keep all items that are left behind.’ He scrolled in his computer, ‘
‘Wow, is it just me or you can see it too Trish, Emma is glowing.’ Connie commented with a smileEmma quickly brushed it off with a laughter, ‘I can say the same for you too Connie, you are looking very different from the last time I saw you, I am not sure if it is the hair style or the expensive looking sweater. Leaving on your own is really paying off.’‘I concur with you Emma, but I am surprised I was expecting to see you with a bit more kilos on you but instead you are still the same only more beautiful.’ Trish commented as she regarded her closelyConnie began to laugh, she knew what Trish was referring too, last time they met her friends had suspected that her being sick was because she was pregnant and it hurt her that they would suspect her of such so she never bothered to correct them.A few days after meeting with her dad and twin sister, Connie moved in with her family and a welcome party
Three months later, because of the numerous nights she was spending out it was becoming increasing difficult for Emma to sneak in and out of the house without being noticed. Pamela was suspicious of her daughter and one morning as they were having breakfast, she decided to ask Emma what was happening. ‘Honey, is there something you are supposed to tell me and you have not up until now?’ Pamela asked quietly Emma was silent pondering on her mother’s question. She knew what she was asking but decided to play dump. ‘What do you mean mum?’ She replied with a question, a confused look on her expression ‘Emma, I am sure you know what I am hinting on. When am I going to meet this new guy who has been keeping you away from home for many nights now?’ Pamela asked with a stern look on her face. The truth of the matter was that Pamela was asking because there was a rumour that was going on about Emma being seen in different
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. She held her head in her hands, so much was at stake but the truth had to come out.‘What the hell do you mean her aunt?’ Bruce was breathing heavily, ‘Woman, you better stop wasting time and tell us everything we need to know starting from the beginning.’ Bruce snarledSighing heavily Lora began, ‘Connie my darling I never thought that this day will come when I have to sit and talk to you about this. I want you to know that no matter what you will always remain my daughter.’‘Mom, you are not making any sense at all, of course I will always remain your daughter, you gave birth to me.’ Connie cried as she came to kneel before her motherStuart commented in disgust, ‘Wonders never ceases to happen in this house of secrets.’‘Finally the truth is coming out,’ Sue chuckledLora gave her a stern
Chapter Thirty Five‘Mum!’ Connie screamed as she bulldozed her way inside the house pushing aside Bruce and Stephanie who were just coming out, Stuart was following close behind her. She paid no attention to anyone else as her eyes were on her mother‘Are you alright, mum?’ she asked as she hugged her mother.Lora was horror-struck she could not answer her question, she simply pointed her trembling finger behind Connie and when she turned to look at what she was referring to she understood why. It was Nick, Sue, Stephanie and Bruce’s turn to be shocked as they came face to face with Connie.Connie automatically recognized Bruce from the pictures and there was no need to ask who Stephanie was, she knew. While everyone was shocked Connie was overjoyed that finally her nightmare was over and her excited voice shook everyone from their temporary trance‘Nick, you found them! Oh, you don’t know how happy seeing
‘Now that you know the truth, what are you going to do?’ Connie asked as she came to sit beside her mother. They were relaxing after eating their dinner‘My dear child don’t take it the wrong way but tonight I just want to enjoy the moment we are having here without thinking about James,’ She forced a smile as she added, ‘Having you here is a refreshment let’s not spoil it, ok.’The situation was a sensitive one for Lora and it was unfortunate her kids became aware of it, until she had resolved it with James first, she decided she was not going to drag her children into the mess any further.Connie was not too pleased with her mother’s reaction. She came home with the expectation that since her mother was not disclosing much to her over the phone she will be more open to talk to her now that she was here in person.‘I understand mum, just remember you are not alone, you
It’s been two days since Lora and James’s heated argument and Lora has moved into Connie’s former bedroom. The tension in the house was unbearable. Stuart’s efforts of tracking his stepdad had not yielded fruits, like an obedient dog he was going from home to work then back again save for stops at the fuel station and grocery shop.It was late Friday afternoon when James returned back home from work and without saying anything to anyone he headed up the stairs. A few minutes later, he emerged with a small overnight bag.‘Stuart my boy, I won’t be back until Sunday so please take good care of the house while I am gone’ He remarked casuallyLora looked up from the TV with a frown on her face she simply shook her head without saying anything. She was‘Ok, Dad may you have good journey.’ A thought crossed his mind and he quickly asked, ‘Does it mean
o‘Well, have you nothing to say? Lora demandedJames had come back home from work to a wonderfully made dinner and just like the good times, the three of them ate like a family after a long time. James was even surprised to see his wife sober and in a more relaxed mood. Everything seemed normal that even Stuart was led to believe that her mother’s claim about the recorded evidence was just a hoax.Lora had led her unsuspecting husband to the bedroom and little did James know what awaited him. He suddenly found himself shame faced as he watched the video of his sexual act, there was no room to deny anything, it was clearly him in the kitchen and this time he was busted.‘Come on justify yourself as you usual do, tell me it’s not you groaning shamelessly in our kitchen, come on say something’ Lora screamed as she tossed a shoe at him, ‘Damn you for cheating, damn you James Bradwell.’James escape
It was late evening when the door bell rang and the servant opened it, she almost collapsed as she looked at the two guests standing on the doorstep. Unable to contain her shock and excitement she rushed back inside the house screaming.The two guests ushered themselves in, the dog came running wiggling its tail excitedly as it recognized one of the guests, and he knelt down allowing it to lick him all over the face as he tickled it all over. It was evident in the eyes of the other guest that the pair had missed each other.‘I missed you too, I hope you have been a good boy,’ the elated guest saidThe dog barked in reply before setting off in the direction of the living room causing the guest to laugh.They began to walk towards where the dog went. When they got into the living room, the occupants were so absorbed on what they were watching on TV that they did not hear their arrival. The guests stood there for a moment and