Yours Unfaithfully (21 page)

“In more ways than one, Mel, that’s for certain.”

He caught hold of her hand as they headed back in the direction of the main street. The taxi was already there and within seconds they were speeding down the mountain towards the holiday park and the kids.

The next day was as hot as ever and they went to the pool for a few hours in the morning before going back to the van for a salad baguette lunch. At three o’clock Melanie phoned Martin back at the bank on her mobile. Tim listened carefully as she scribbled a phone number on her magazine cover. She thanked him and hung up. “He’s done it, Tim; he’s convinced Simon Stonewood that you are the right man for him. You’ve got to ring him as soon as possible on this number.” She handed the magazine to Tim.

“I’d better get down and do it then, hadn’t I, if I want to keep my wife!” He grinned at her, but she wasn’t amused.

“Tim, you aren’t doing this for me ... you are doing it for you, remember that, and whatever you do... remember that.”

“I know, don’t let’s go there again... I’ve said I’ll do it, and I meant it, OK?”

He dialled the number on his mobile and waited. “Hello, is that Mr Stonewood? My name’s Tim Fisher. I think Martin from your bank has mentioned me to you... yes that’s me, thank you for asking me to ring you.”

Simon Stonewood was nobody’s fool, he knew that Martin would only have recommended this guy if he had good reason. Martin had told him Tim’s wife had been at the bank for ten years, he was a reliable chap, a mechanic, useful perhaps and he was built like a brick outhouse, just what he needed. “Why do you want to leave your present job, Tim?”

“My wife wants me to get a job away from the grease and muck; I want to go to work looking smart and come home smelling of perfume, not engine oil. It’s time I had a change.”

“You’re a mechanic, so you must be a good driver, right?”

“I like to think so, yes. Simon, would you want me to service the car as well as driving it? I wouldn’t mind, after all it would be nothing after looking after trucks for years.”

He heard Simon laughing at the other end of the line. What had he said that was so funny?

Eventually Simon got his laughter under control and spoke again. “You know, Tim, I like you... and you make me laugh, that’s good. Didn’t Martin tell you what car I drive?”

“Mel, that’s my wife, said you’ve got a Merc...”

“Not any Merc Tim, it’s a Maybach. Have you ever seen one? It cost me four hundred and fifty thousand pounds. I think we’ll let the dealer service it, don’t you?”

Tim was speechless.

“What does a truck mechanic earn these days, Tim?”

“I’m in the top link at our place, so I’m on good money – thirty thousand with my overtime. I often do a Saturday.”

“Tim, I’ll pay you half as much again, but I need you to start as soon as possible. When do you get back from your holiday?”

“We’ve got another week and a half here... and then I’d have to give a month’s notice.”

“Tim... phone your boss please, tell him you’re already finished. Say sorry, but I need you as soon as you get back. Whatever he stops you in wages let me know, I’ll make it up. Do we have a deal?.. Did you hear me Tim? I said do we have a deal?”

“Sorry, I was trying to get it into my head, everything you’ve said... yes we do. Thanks Mr Stonewood, thank you very much.”

“Tim, my name’s Simon, except when we’re in business company, OK? We’re going to get on fine together. Ring me the minute you get back, have a great holiday and thank that wife of yours for putting your name forward. You must be proud of her. I’m told she’s quite a somebody in the bank.”

“Yes, I am proud of her, she’s very special. Thanks Simon, for everything. This job is very important to me, I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t, Tim. I hope you and your family have a good holiday.”

Tim stood looking at Melanie. “I’ve done it! I’ve bloody done it! Mel, did you know what car he’s got? You know you said he’s got a Mercedes; it’s only a bloody Maybach, only half a million pounds’ worth of car. Bloody hell Mel, can you see me driving that?”

Mel could. At last she was making progress with her plans to get her life back on track, and in order to succeed she had to re-invent Tim, something she was well on the way to succeeding at. Just a month ago she had been close to a mental breakdown, convinced that she was starting the menopause, losing her faculties and unable to manage her job or her marriage. Suddenly her confidence had returned, she was helping the bank to keep one of its top clients happy by finding him the perfect personal assistant, and at the time she had moved her husband from a job she had come to despise into something she would be pleased to tell her friends about. The kids were happy – they always had been mind, they’d never noticed that their mother was on the point of cracking up. They were enjoying a fabulous holiday together in the South of France and, best of all, Tim was willingly embracing the changes she had sought to impose on him. Oh yes, there was one other thing.

She was also sought after by a partner in one of the bank’s top clients for her advice on his public speaking. She hesitated at this thought, because it wasn’t true... what he wanted was her. Her, as in, her body, her mind, and her, full stop. Ratty had made it clear he would be happy to take Mel on her terms, a prospect which she had to admit she had considered, even if only briefly. Fortunately, Ratty was now history, just a small blip in an otherwise blameless twenty year relationship that was now at an all time high. She thought about the moments she had shared with Ratty and smiled to herself. Yes of course it was wrong, technically, but all she had done was flirted with an eligible admirer. Was that so bad?

For all she knew, Tim might have pictures of half naked women pinned up all around the garage where he worked, and if he didn’t you could bet some of the others did. Their mess room would be full of sleazy pictures of the kind of women who sold their bodies to magazines or tabloids every day of the week. Tim couldn’t pretend he didn’t look at these things, even if they weren’t his. No she had done nothing wrong... really. Anyway, she was incredibly happy now and it didn’t do her image at the bank any harm to let a few of her colleagues know that she was a sought after piece of ‘Management Property’. They certainly wouldn’t ‘let her go’ knowing how keen Ratty was to hire her services, and that because of her they might win an account they’d been chasing for some time.

Tim was just as upbeat about the changes to his life and was actually looking forward to getting back from this holiday to start his knew job. He imagined his mate’s faces when he told them what he was doing, especially when he told them what he was driving. My god, he’d be the envy of everyone in the Globe and he’d be talked about in every pub in the district. He would have celebrity status if he drew up in the Maybach. Not only did he have a new career to get stuck into, but his relationship with Mel was right back where he wanted it. They were married again, in every sense of the word. Last night she had made love to him with such enthusiasm that he was almost intimidated by her.

They strolled around the harbour at Port Frejus in the early evening intent on selecting the perfect restaurant, one that would be acceptable to the kids, but fine enough for their new found status in life. They never stopped talking about his new job and as they stared into the million pound yachts and cruisers packed into the harbour they imagined themselves being a part of this set. This could easily be their cultural home, among the rich and famous where they strolled with ease and contentment. Eventually they selected a restaurant which had a large outside area under a canvass roof, and settled themselves in the cane chairs with a bottle of Chardonnay. Melanie was so happy that she insisted Tim have a glass of 1664 lager. It was perfectly acceptable and, indeed, looking around it was definitely fashionable. Over a meal which included moules marineire, fillet steak and creme brullee, washed down with excellent wine, chilled to just the right temperature, they reflected on just how good life was. Secretly Tim was thinking that it was like he’d won first prize in a lottery, for it was only a few days ago that his marriage was on the brink and his future appeared to offer only emptiness and misery. It was amazing how you could get out of a rut, if you were prepared to put in a bit of effort, he decided.

They both determined that nothing would spoil the happiness they were now enjoying and it was in this mood that they saw out the holiday and returned to England in high spirits.

On their arrival back in Elmthorpe the first person to welcome them was Nina. No sooner had they opened the car boot to start carrying in the cases than she was hugging them and demanding to hear about everything they’d done for the past two weeks. One thing she knew for certain was that they’d had a good time. That much was clear from their faces, but even more obvious was the fact that Melanie and Tim were in unison, displaying togetherness unlike she’d seen between them for months. Something had done the trick for them on this holiday and she was glad. What had passed between her and Tim was nothing more than the flutter of a butterfly’s wing in a force eight gale. She was resolute in her desire to see them happy together. If only she could go off on a magical holiday with Ben that would have them glowing with satisfaction at each other in just two weeks. She also knew that wasn’t remotely possible. Ben was gone. Ben was living with another woman, a much younger woman, and he certainly wasn’t coming back. She was set to spend the next few years at least without the love or support of a man. Maybe she would end her days alone, who knew? Seeing Tim so happy with Mel made it so very clear just what she was missing.

Nina helped carry in some of the wine, which they had bought in a French supermarket, and dumped it down in the kitchen. Melanie was about to follow James upstairs with one of the cases. “Stick the kettle on, Neen,” she shouted. With the car unloaded, Tim slumped down on the settee, while Melanie started opening the accumulated post. “All bills and advertising rubbish.”

Nina carried in two mugs of tea and then went back for hers. So... how was the holiday? She was itching to know what had got them so firmly back together again. Tim spoke first.

“Brilliant, Neen, absolutely brilliant. Guess what ... Mels’s only gone and fixed me up with a new job, I’m a minder now, for a very rich guy with a fabulous car, which I get to drive, and that reminds me, I promised to ring him as soon as I got back. I’d better do it now.” Tim took his mobile phone from his pocket and went outside to make the call.

“What is Tim going on about, Mel?”

“Exactly what he said, Neen, It’s true, he isn’t a mechanic anymore… he’s got a proper job.”

“Well, you’ve changed your tune. I remember when we first moved in here you thought Tim was the best mechanic on Earth and you told everyone so. Now it’s not a proper job?”

Melanie detected a hint of resentment in Nina’s voice which she didn’t understand.

“I thought you’d be pleased for me. I’ve finally got him out of those filthy stinking overalls and into a smart suit, and instead of mixing with the likes of Ben he’ll be working with people who are going somewhere, making something of their lives.”

Nina put her hand to her face, she was starting to cry.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, what I meant to say was...”

Before she could finish, Nina spoke over her. “Ben isn’t rubbish, if that’s what you think. Yes, he’s a fool and he’s left me for a girl half my age, but that’s because I kept on at him all the time. I was always trying to change him, and all I succeeded in doing was driving him out, and where’s that got me? I’ll tell you where, I’m alone now, left to bring up the children on my own. I’ve been stupid and I’ve messed everything up.”

Nina got up and headed out through the kitchen door. She passed Tim as he was coming in, but instead of speaking she pushed past and made for her house. Melanie ran up the path in a bid to catch up with her, but when she got to her she met with a hostile response.

“Leave me alone, Mel. You’ve got what you wanted, I’m happy for you. You don’t have to attack Ben though. You have no idea how I’m feeling, do you?”

Once inside her kitchen door, Nina made to shut it behind her, making it obvious to Melanie that her company wasn’t wanted.

“Nina, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for what I said. Please let me come in. You are my best friend; I can’t go home and leave you like this.” She pushed the door open and went in. Nina had thrown herself down on her cream leather sofa, where she wept without reserve. Melanie squeezed onto the edge of it and put her arm around her friend.

“Nina, sweetheart, come on, we need to talk. I’ve never seen you get so upset before. There’s more wrong than you’ve told me, isn’t there? Come on, let’s have the rest of it.”

Nina laid there with her head buried into a cushion. Yes there was more than she’d told Mel, but it wouldn’t do to speak about it. Not now, not ever. She could hardly look up and say, “Well actually, I find your husband very comforting when I’m as down as I am now, and as you appear to be rather more fond of my boss than your husband I’d like to borrow him at times like this to make me feel better.” No, that crazy moment with Tim was a fleeting moment in history. Tim had probably forgotten about it altogether, but then he was doing just fine. Mel was doing just fine.

Melanie stayed with her until one of the children came in from playing.

“What’s wrong Mum? Why are you crying?”

“It’s OK, Alex, Mum’s just a bit upset, don’t worry. You go on out and play. I’ll sort Mum out”.

Nina sat up and dried her reddened face with tissues. Melanie still had her arm around her and together they sat for a while longer before either of them spoke.

“It will get better Nina. I doubt if this thing between Ben and this girl will last five minutes. You know Ben, he’ll be back and wanting you to let him off in no time. I’ll ask Tim to go and find him, find out what he’s doing, and then Tim can come round and put you in the picture. How’s that?”

“Yes, that might help, but I think you’re wrong about Ben, he’s done a lot of daft things in the years we’ve been together, but he’s never left me before. This is different, Mel.”