My mouth dropped open. This was where she lived? She wasn’t looking at us, and disappeared out of sight, walking into another room.
Jonny sat back heavily in the seat as I drove off in shock, staring out of his window. I was trying to think of what to say, when he blurted: ‘I hate her for making me feel this way.’
‘I know you do, baby. I hate her too.’ I suddenly felt bad for not being more supportive. ‘But why are we even here? We—’
‘Her husband came to the school this afternoon,’ Jonny interrupted. ‘It wasn’t a journalist. It was him. He threatened me. I was going to tell her, but I’ve changed my mind.’
My eyes widened. ‘He threatened you? Then we definitely shouldn’t be here! You do need to tell someone, but—’
Jonny half smiled. ‘Someone? I’m going to tell everyone what he did.’ He looked back over his shoulder. The house had gone. ‘Just not quite yet. I want to go home now, please.’ We didn’t say another word the rest of the way back. No wonder he’d been so whacked out all afternoon. I couldn’t believe her husband had come to school. What had this doctor done to all these men? When we finally pulled up at his, only his silver Golf was sat on the drive.
I turned to him. ‘Well I’ll see you then.’ This was it, we were over. The next time I saw him he wouldn’t be my boyfriend any more. I wouldn’t be allowed to just walk up to him and kiss or hug him. I imagined us at opposite ends of the room, everyone whispering, wanting to know what was going on. I felt totally overwhelmed.
He was staring at his house. ‘Just come in.’
‘What?’ My eyes had filled with tears and I wiped them away quickly. ‘You are literally insane. I thought when we left you said—’
‘I know, I know. I don’t want to be on my own at the moment. My head starts going crazy.’ He leant forward and tapped the side of it. ‘I don’t want to think any more. I just want to go in and watch some crap telly for a bit. Please come in?’
‘OK,’ I said quickly, before he changed his mind.
I made us both a hot chocolate, and we padded upstairs to his room. I love his house, it’s exactly the kind of place I’d like to own one day. My mother would say it’s tacky, and it is a bit, because it’s all white, really deep soft carpets, candles and twinkly lights, but I also think it’s amazing. Angel trotted in after us and we lay on his bed watching The Inbetweeners.
His parents got back at about half five. ‘Hello my darlings!’ I heard his mum call up the stairs. ‘We’re back! Want a drink or anything?’
‘No thanks,’ Jonny shouted back, as I adjusted position next to him, and he moved his arm round me to get more comfortable. I snuggled down into his chest, Angel nestled between us.
Moments later Christy appeared in the doorway and smiled at us fondly. ‘Ah! Hello you lot.’ Angel sat up and wagged her tail. ‘Had a good day?’
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I looked up at Jonny and he shrugged. ‘It’s been OK. Glad it’s the end of the week.’
‘Me too! You stopping for tea, Cherry?’ Christy smiled at me.
Again I looked up at Jonny.
‘’Course,’ he shrugged. ‘If you want to.’
‘Then yes, please, Christy.’ I smiled back at her.
‘Lovely. I’ll go and start putting it on. You out tonight, Jonny?’
‘Not sure yet,’ Jonny replied. ‘See how I feel in a bit. I’m a bit tired.’
Christy frowned. ‘Your sugars all right?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘See you in a bit, Mum.’
She stuck out her tongue. ‘Come on, Angel, I’m not wanted. You come and keep me company in the kitchen.’ Angel dutifully trotted off with her and they went downstairs.
It was so nice, just lying there in his arms watching TV and hearing the pots and pans as his mum started to cook below us. I felt totally comforted, and I hope he did too.
* * *
Christy and Gary had finished their glass of ‘Friday fizz’ when they called us down to dinner at quarter past six; although Gary wasn’t looking like he’d had the best of days either when we walked into the room, still dressed in a shirt, tie and smart trousers.
‘Hello, sweetheart.’ He looked up at me as he sifted through some post and forced a brisk smile, which vanished almost immediately. ‘All right, Jonny?’ he added. He was on edge, I could tell.
‘Yes, thanks.’ Jonny was just as short back.
We sat down at the table in our usual places and Jonny got his pen out. I looked away as he lifted his shirt to inject his short-acting shot. I have no clue how he does it so many times a day. I couldn’t. I’d have to be one of those people with a paid nurse who follow them around all the time, or something. Christy was fiddling around with some plates and getting some bits out of the fridge. The boys were on one side, Gary opposite me, with a place set at the end for Ruby.
‘Where IS Rubes?’ Gary said sharply, nodding at it.
‘Running late. Bit of work to finish off.’ Christy came over and put a plate of prosciutto, chorizo, hummus and pitta strips in front of me, and then Jonny.
Gary nodded approvingly. ‘Good girl, staying until the job’s done even though it’s Friday night. That’s the kind of work ethic that gets people noticed.’
I saw Jonny glance at him sideways and my heart sank. It was going to be one of those sorts of meals. Christy obviously thought so too, because she put a plate down in front of Gary and said brightly: ‘We’re going fancy tonight. I’ve done a starter! Tapas-styley!’
Jonny didn’t say anything, just picked up his fork and began to eat silently.
‘Good day then, kids?’ said Gary to me and Jonny.
I looked at Jonny, who didn’t answer.
Gary looked annoyed, glanced at Christy and cleared his throat. ‘I said, good day?’ He twisted to Jonny.
‘Not really, no. Alex Inglis’s husband came to school this afternoon. He nearly hit me, then offered to pay me to change my story.’
‘What?’ Gary exploded furiously as, simultaneously, Christy dropped her fork, which clattered to her plate, making me jump. ‘Why didn’t you tell us?’
Jonny frowned. ‘I’m telling you now.’
‘I mean earlier!’ Christy exclaimed. ‘We’ve been home for nearly an hour!’
Jonny shrugged. ‘I handled it. It was no big deal.’
Gary stared at him in disbelief. ‘You handled it? He came to your school and threatened you, but you handled it?’
‘Can you stop saying it like that?’ Jonny looked at him.
‘Should we call the police?’ Christy looked at Gary worriedly.
‘Hello?’ Jonny waved at her. ‘I’m right here. I’m eighteen now, Mum. If I want to call the police, I will. I’m thinking about it, but can we drop it for a minute, please?’
‘Did he so much as lay a finger on you?’ Gary’s voice was ominously low.
Jonny closed his eyes briefly. ‘No, Dad, he didn’t.’
‘Well, that’s something at least. Fine. We’ll talk about this more after dinner then.’ Gary began to eat, but we’d only managed another couple of mouthfuls when he started up again.
‘It must have been one of them days all round. I was just telling Mum before you came in,’ he pulled his chair in a little tighter, ‘we’ve had a couple of our receptionists come forward and make complaints about two of the gym staff today. Seems everyone’s ready to speak out now!’
I watched Christy pause, mid mouthful. ‘I thought we weren’t going to mention this?’ She looked at Gary carefully.
‘Nah, I’m getting sick of things I’m not allowed to talk about. It’s good to talk. Good that other people have been given the courage to step forward, isn’t it?’ He turned slightly in his chair again, addressing Jonny directly. He tried to make it sound light, but he was getting ready for a takedown. Fact.
Jonny just swallowed his mouthful, and Gary was forced to turn back to his setting.
‘Well, I think it is anyway. You do have to ask yourself where it’s going to stop though. Is every single bloke going to be too scared to make a move on a girl at the office Christmas party this year in case he gets the sack for ‘inappropriate behaviour?’