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| A CHANCE MEETING by Janey <<< part 1 PART 2 One year later I decided to go into one more store before heading home. My feet were stinging from a combination of unusually warm weather and inappropriate shoes; heels and shopping trips are not a good combination. “Richey,” I yelled, bumping into him. “Lindy,” he spat angrily. “Care to tell me why you finished with me without a word or explanation or was that your way of getting back at me?” I was feeling fractious at that point anyway, an unexpected meeting with Richey was not helping and his accusation was making a bad situation even worse. However, the last thing that I wanted was a scene, nor did I feel that I had to explain actions or behaviour to him when he was the one that was quite firmly in the wrong. “Do us both a favour Richey and leave it alone. I don’t want to see or speak with you again, now please, before I lose my temper let me go and get my bus.” I stared at him, determined not to be intimidated by his angry glances at me. “Proud of what you did are you? Make you smile to get your own back on me huh? Well to make you feel even better shall I tell you something Lindy? I cried for you, for us when I realised that you’d changed your number and all I had been was an ‘I’ll teach you a lesson’ shag! Being in the cut throat world of big business has obviously turned you into a fucking shark!” Fighting back tears I pushed forward determined not to let him goad me into losing control. I refused to give him the pleasure of rising to his bait so that he could make me look small. The bastard followed me home. I took several buses in the hope that he would get bored and leave me alone but he continued making sarcastic comments to me, following me, teasing me when it became obvious I was getting more and more exasperated by his attention. Putting the key into the lock I turned to him. “If you keep hanging around Rich I will get the police to remove you.” “All I want is an explanation Lindy, you owe me.” “I owe you nothing!” I spat. How dare he blame me for what happened after he had been in the paper drooling over that big bosomed air head? “I never figured you for being a grade A bitch Lindy but you are. You certainly fooled me when we made love, I thought that it meant a lot to you as well but all you wanted was to pay me back.” “Oh no you don’t Richey,” I said, desperately trying not to lose my temper any further. “You were the one that couldn’t leave Miss Silicon Tits alone at the after party! Or have you conveniently forgotten that? Did you think I wouldn’t find out huh? Well the pair of you were in the gossip columns, and what a pretty little couple you made.” “There was nothing going on Lindy. Loran wouldn’t take no for an answer. She followed me all over, even to the sodding toilets but I swear, nothing happened.” “You didn’t say anything to me about going to the ‘Archetypal’ gig.” I was livid. It was starting to look as though he had resorted to his past obnoxious behaviour. “Can we at least take this off the street? People are staring at us.” “In the porch but no further Richey.” I opened the door, turned off the alarm and then went back to the porch, he was waiting patiently. “Lindy I couldn’t tell you I was going because I didn’t know. I bumped into Matt a few hours before the gig and he invited me along, and to the party. That’s why I didn’t get your message until it was too late. When I did you had changed your bloody number. I asked Roisin for your address but she wouldn’t give it to me.” If he had spoken to Roisin why hadn’t she told me? “I don’t believe you Richey. Why don’t you stop making excuses and admit that you are still a louse?” He stood with his hands on his hips, huffing and puffing like he had run a marathon. “I asked her. She won’t have told you because she came on to me, invited herself round to mine and threw her body at me.” “It’s always someone else’s fault isn’t it Richey? Never your own.” “This time…YES!” “Always.” “That’s unfair and you know it,” he griped. “I can give you her phone and mobile numbers, oh not to mention the several email accounts that she has.” “Because you answered them,” I spat caustically. “No,” he answered evenly. “She gave me them, I never replied. I spoke to her through your works switchboard. When you where not there or wanted calls diverted Roisin picked them up, no slight on you intended.” “And you mean to tell me that she flirted with someone she didn’t know and I mean that she DID NOT KNOW YOU! She had no idea there was anyone else in Manic Street Preachers.” “Until you told her.” His accusation was unmistakable but he was correct. I was silent for a while. “Yes,” I whimpered. “Say no more Lindy.” I hated myself. “I never knew that you tried to call me.” “Don’t take my word for it, test me.” “How the hell do I do that Richey?” “We arrange to go out. I don’t know your schedule but I will text you before I call the office, if you give me your mobile number of course.” “And then I see if Roisin will pass the message on.” “If I don’t text back you know I’m busy but when I do, I tell you to call.” “Yes, or you tell me when you will be on a break.” “How do I know you will have called or what you have said?” “So tell me when you ARE actually free. If she doesn’t tell you, then you know there is a problem.” “I guess.” “You aren’t convinced?” “No. It’s very fallible.” “Ok so tell me when you are free then and we’ll go out, on a proper date. Don’t tell Roisin that you have made arrangements; I’ll text you then call, if Roisin is cagey you’ll know. You can go to her and listen to her end of the call and then I’ll text you straight back; you should know if I’m being honest then.” “Richey if you are willing to do that than I have no right being so suspicious.” “But you will only know if this turns out as it should. I won’t know when you are going to text me so I can’t set anything up.” I felt so guilty yet also was intrigued. Was he playing me? Did he have an arrangement with Roisin? If I sent him a text and then her phone rang without her mentioning me or him texting or calling me how would I know he wasn’t faking it? Did they have code words? I was thinking too much. “Ok,” I finally said. “Text me and I will give you a code word to mention to Roisin. You then call her straight back with that word. Call me on your mobile but make the call to Roisin from a landline.” “You are making me jump through hoops.” “I need to be sure Richey. I can’t have my heart broken again.” “I’ll let you listen to me calling her.” “You must hate me. It’s horrific I distrust you.” “No Lindy, after what happened it’s realistic. It’s uncomfortable for me but I agree with you. Without trust we have nothing and I want you to trust me.” “I am so sorry that I am being so bloody paranoid.” “With good reason,” he said with understanding. “I love you and I want you to know it; Roisin is only the first obstacle of many.” “Are you going to stay and have something to eat with me?” “Are you sure? I don’t want to overstay my welcome.” He shuffled uncomfortably. “Stay and we can talk.” We talked a lot and also exchanged mobile numbers. I also gave him my landline number, which made him smile. His attitude and body language told me all that I needed to know, he was telling the truth about all of it. So why the hell was I still making him jump through hoops to prove it to me? Simple, because of my own insecurities. I wasn’t being fair to him; he was suffering through no fault of his own. He turned out to be right didn’t he? I am a prized bitch; would he be better of on his own? “I ought to get home, it’s getting late,” sighed Richey standing up and making his way to the door. “I’m sorry I had to be so bloody persistent but I couldn’t lose you again, not without a fight.” I giggled and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. “I’m glad that you were.” Seeing the happiness in his eyes made my stomach do somersaults, and liquid warmth run through me. What I really wanted was to hold him in my arms and kiss him but I was sure if etiquette would class it as appropriate. “Why does it have to be so difficult for us Lindy?” “Good question Rich,” I sighed. So far we had both done a pretty good job of screwing up. Was that an indication that we weren’t meant to be together or that we were but only when we were both certain and could both handle it? “You do want to try again,” he said hesitantly. “If you don’t, please put me out of my misery.” “Oh Richey…” I stammered, taken aback by his fragility. “I would have told you last year if it wasn’t what I wanted rather than sleep with you, but it is what I want. Who knows, maybe it will be third time lucky eh?” He laughed. “It would be about time wouldn’t it?” he wasn’t as comfortable as he was pretending to be, still hopping from foot to foot and shuffling. “Richey honey, what’s wrong?” “Huh? Oh nothing.” “Don’t try to fool me because you can’t. What is it?” “Nothing, you’ll think I’m being silly.” “Tell me and then we’ll see.” He stared at me for ages. What did he have to ask me if it was this hard for him to say? Now my anxieties were spiralling. “I’m not sure what to do,” he eventually stated. “About what?” “Tonight, going home. I want to hold you and give you a kiss goodnight but is that inappropriate?” Relief washed over me, an involuntary smile curling on my lips. Richey caught sight of it and immediately shrugged and tensed up. He thought I was making fun of him. “I’m smiling because I was having the same dilemma,” I explained. “Oh.” “Shall we try this again?” I offered. Relieved at the big beaming smile that he flashed me, I took the initiative and embraced him. In no time at all we were kissing passionately and grasping at clothes. Something’s never change. “Hey sleepy, wake up or you’ll be late for work.” I stretched like a cat and yawned. Through blurry vision I saw Richey smiling at me, a hand stroking my hair. “I didn’t hear the alarm,” I said, puzzled and confused. “It hasn’t gone off yet,” he supplied helpfully. “I had this crazy notion that it would be nice to make love to you before your day started properly.” “That is generous of you,” I smiled in return. “And I don’t want to sound ungrateful but sleep would be nice, you deprived me of it as I recall.” Richey smirked and held me closer. “Ring in sick and we can spend all day in bed getting reacquainted.” I blushed profusely. “You weren’t supposed to stay the night Richey, but I’m glad you did, I like waking up with you.” “And I love making love with you.” For the first time in I wasn’t certain how long, I was late for work. For the next few days I wasn’t scheduled to work late and Richey and I arranged to go for a quiet meal straight from work, he would then stay the night with me. I sent him a text at 2.35pm when I took a coffee break. He called me straight back on my mobile and I could hear as he called the office and Roisin answered his call. “Hi Roisin it’s Richey. Could you put me through to Lindy please?” “Sorry Richey I can’t, she’s in a meeting at the moment and it’s going to go on till late I think. Can I pass a message on for you?” “I was going to invite her out for a meal and a drink tonight. Are you sure you can’t get hold of her?” “Like I said she’s tied up. I don’t know why you’re bothering with her anyway, not after the way she treated you.” “That’s simple; I love her.” Roisin tutted aloud, I was finding it difficult to hold my temper in check. How could she be that way? Why couldn’t she accept that Richey wasn’t interested in her? “Stop wasting your time Richey, Lindy is a career woman. Oh she may enjoy sleeping with you for a while but when you want commitment she’ll run a mile, I know what she’s like.” “I don’t think that you know her at all. Will you leave a message for her then please? Ask her to call me when she gets home tonight please.” “I’ll do it now but I’m prepared to wager that she won’t call you back.” “Just give her the message please Roisin.” “Why don’t I meet up with you when I finish here? I have no plans tonight and I would take very good care of you.” “Thanks for the thought but I couldn’t promise you anything. I’d hate you to waste your time.” “Oh I can be very persuasive Richey. Trust me, no one would be wasting their time and we would both get so much out of it. Contact me if Lindy doesn’t get in touch with you. I’ll arrange something unforgettable.” “Roisin I told you before that I am not interested in you and the least attractive attribute a woman can have is to throw themselves at a man.” “You’re in denial. Once she spurns you you’ll be begging me for a date and for sex.” “Don’t bet on it Roisin.” With that he put the phone down to her and I caught her grinning at the dead phone she was now holding in her hands. After a few seconds she was dialling out. “I told you what she was like,” said Richey sadly. “Sorry to had to find out like that.” “Well she leaves at 3pm today so let’s see if I get the message from her,” I answered dismissively, not holding out much hope. “Hang on, I’ll just answer this,” said Richey. “I think I know who it is. Let me listen.” “Ok.” He sounded a tad perplexed. “Look Richey, why don’t we meet up at Charleston’s? You know that Lindy won’t return your call so how about I meet you there at six? We can have a drink, a bite to eat and then go back to mine for a good time.” She didn’t give up easily did she? “I don’t think that’s a good idea Roisin. I don’t like sex for the sake of it, I did enough of that when I was younger, that’s how I lost Lindy in the first place.” “Yes well, Lindy isn’t yours to lose Richey. I’ll be there at six. If you’re not there by seven I know that you’re not coming but trust me when I say you’ll be a fool to turn down the best sex you have ever had.” “Wow she really is a piece of work isn’t she?” I spat. “Isn’t she just. So are we still on for our meal tonight? I bought you something.” I chuckled to myself, getting excited like a little kid at Christmas. “Oh what?” “You’ll find out tonight,” he laughed. I was still on the phone to him when Roisin came in with a pile of papers for me to sign. “Time for me to go,” she said chirpily. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Any messages for me Roisin?” “No, not one. It’s been very quiet, lucky you.” “Ok, I noticed you on the phone for a while and wondered if you were fielding an awkward call from me.” I was having a hard time being polite and friendly with her. “Oh that! No my boyfriend called, we made plans for tonight.” “I didn’t know that you were dating. Who’s the lucky guy?” “I met him a little while a go but nothing kind of came of it then but who knows? I have a good feeling about him, he’s special.” “Well have a good night and I want to know all about it tomorrow.” “Oh trust me you will!” she shrilled in excitement. “I’ll have a hard time keeping it quiet.” After I’d finished saying my goodbye’s to her I could hear Richey laughing like crazy. “What’s tickled you?” I asked, confused. “I’ve been elevated to boyfriend! How funny is that?” “Forgive me but I’m having a hard time finding this amusing.” “No you’re right, it’s actually pretty scary.” “Yeah it, I thought she was my friend so who out of us both is the most deluded?” “Definitely her honey.” Against my better judgement Richey persuaded me to go to Charleston’s to surprise her. Richey walked in first, very confidently and sauntered over to her. Immediately Roisin beamed and reached out to embrace him but I saw Richey back away. Very neatly he had taken her seat and she was now sat with her back to the door so that she didn’t see me when I crept up behind her. “Roisin,” I smiled brightly. “Fancy meeting you here, this is such a coincidence.” “Why don’t you sit down and join me and Richey,” she answered without a hint of embarrassment. “You don’t mind if Lindy joins us for a drink do you Richey?” “Oh I’m sorry Roisin but I can’t,” I grinned, “you see Richey and I have a meal booked tonight, no thanks to you.” Clearly shocked she stared at Richey and then back to me. “What do you mean?” “I was on the phone with Richey and heard your call. You never gave me the message at all.” She glared at Richey, flushed red over her cheeks. “Yes I did, before I left.” “No Roisin you didn’t,” Richey said incredibly quietly into her ear before standing up and holding my hand. “I heard you leave, you said she had no messages. You do not stand a chance with me because Lindy is the love of my life. Now you can try and interfere and make it difficult if you want, but you will come out of it worse than anyone.” “Oh and can I suggest that you look for another job? I’ll give you a good reference but I need people that I can trust in my team, not people that will stab me in the back.” Roisin thrust her chair back, glaring at me angrily. “You know that you’re playing games with him. You will never sacrifice your career to make him happy.” People were staring at us but it didn’t stop me. “I love him and I always have. If this doesn’t work out it will not be for the want of trying so I suggest that you get over it! Oh and by the way, this may be news to you but it is perfectly possible to have a career and a happy home life Roisin.” I looked at Richey and smiled. “Now I believe we have a dinner engagement?” He gave me a kiss then turned to Roisin. “Night Roisin and thank you.” “ ‘Thank you’?” she spat. “What the hell are you thanking me for? You just made the biggest mistake of your life.” “Well it was the party at your house that brought us together again, so thanks.” With that parting comment we flounced out. Roisin handed her notice in a month later. She had found a job in Scotland and whilst it included a generous relocation package, the salary was less than she was used to. However she told me it was a small price to pay to get away from the smug looks that Richey and I gave her when we saw her. I was offered promotion, the chance to start up a new branch of the business in Wales and Richey was 100% behind me, so we bought a house together in Cardiff, he kept his home in London for when they worked there but we sold our others. Well it wasn’t like we would live in them again was it? I got home early one day and walked in to find our kitchen in chaos! Richey was surrounded by lots of pots and pans sweat pouring from him and looking extremely anxious and flustered. “Hey honey, what’s all this in aid of?” I asked wrapping my arms around him and nuzzling his neck. “Smells good whatever it is.” “My mum gave me a supposed foolproof three course meal recipe. I only hope it works out, I’m having trouble with the timings.” “You didn’t have to do this but thank you.” I turned him around and gave him a big kiss, not wanting to let go. “I love you.” He tittered nervously, brushing his face against mine. “I hope you feel that way later. I can’t guarantee that I won’t have ruined every pan that we own.” “We’ll buy some more,” I grinned. “This is a wonderful surprise.” “The first of the night,” he blushed. “Oh, tell me more!” I started tickling him until he begged me to stop, promising to tell me. Suddenly he looked all-serious. He looked me deep in the eyes, holding my hands. “I want you to marry me,” he said quietly. “Richey…are you sure?” My heart was beating so fast I thought it would explode. This was more than I’d dared hope for; we were so happy living together. “I’ve never been more certain of anything!” With the biggest, happiest smile I’d seen since, well since we made love that morning. He got down on bended knee. “Lindy, please marry me.” I whooped in delight. “Yes, I will. Oh what a day! I love you so much.” He stood up and held me close. “You are the best thing to happen to me and I’m going to spend the rest of our lives spoiling you.” I melted into his kiss. Things didn’t get much better than this. “Umm Richey,” I muttered prizing my lips away from his. “There’s a reason why I’m home early.” He seemed worried. “Oh.” “Don’t look so worried,” I stroked his face. “I had an appointment at the doctors, purely to get confirmation that the pregnancy test was right.” Slowly he took in what I was telling him. “A baby? We’re going to have a baby!” Once more his wonderful lips were on mine. “Oh boy! I can’t believe it! Oh Lindy, I am so happy! How are you feeling? Shouldn’t you go and sit down?” “Richey!” He was being so adorable. “I’m fine, in fact I’m better than fine, but there is one thing you can do for me.” “Name it,” he grinned. “Find out what’s burning!” The end. <<< Janey's stories |