CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1) (34 page)

“There you are Lily. Your friends
are looking for you.”

“Ok Mommy.” Debs lifts her off
the sofa, she waves at me. “Bye Aunty Coral.” I wave back - it’s a very drunken
sloppy wave.

“Henjoy your birfday, I hope you
lick my preshent.” I say.

“I will, bye Tristan, I really
hope you kiss Aunty Coral better.” With that she chuckles and runs off at full
speed. I’m about to turn to Tristan to bollock him for mocking me, but Debs
pipes up.

“It took five adults and six
rolls of kitchen paper to get rid of all the blood,” she says. “Jesus Coral,
you gave me the fright of my life!” She says scooping her long blonde hair up
into a pony-tail.
Evidently, our little spat earlier is forgotten?

“Cuase of Lily,” I say knowing
I’m right.

“No!” she barks. “You! I knew
Lily would be fine, kids are always bashing themselves. They’re over it in
seconds,” she huffs and plonks herself next to me - my nose throbs painfully at
me again. “How the hell does someone bleed that much anyway? You got an extra
stock-pile in there or something?” she adds.

I chuckle. “Yesh, vampire,” I say
trying to look scary.

Debs rolls her eyes at me. “Well
I guess you’ll be here for the night,” she sighs.

“No, I’m going home,” I tell her.
“When the partiesh finished,” I add.

“I don’t think so,” she huffs
shaking her head at me.

“Yesh,” I argue. “I am.” I hate
staying at Debs, her and Scott all loved up with their adorable little
munchkin. Deb’s suddenly starts batting her eyelashes at Tristan.

“You must be Coral’s new boss?”
She says in her most seductive voice.

“Yes, Tristan Freeman.” He says
holding his hand out to her.

“Debbie Fuller.” She bats her
lashes some more and shakes his outstretched hand –
This is not happening!

“Oh Coral!” I look up and see
Joyce stood next to Gladys.

“Hi Joyche.” I answer, her mouth
pops open.

“What’s wrong with her?” She
gasps.

“Morphine,” Tristan answers. I
giggle at the whole situation, how ridiculous.

“It’s good to see someone’s
having a good time,” Joyce says sarcastically. “Oh dear, well I don’t expect
you in work looking like that young lady.” I go to argue then I hear her
proposal. “You can work from home, until you’re feeling better. I’ll email your
inbox to your laptop.”

“Thanks Joyche.” I smile up at
her. She smiles back at me; then starts sniggering like Tristan did. “S’not
funny!” I bawl as loudly as I can. The throbbing in my nose starts up again, I
wince in pain. My eyes fill with tears, which start spilling down my cheeks,
everyone starts fussing.

“What do you need Coral?” Tristan
asks, crouching in front of me. Debs starts patting my forehead, Gladys gasps,
and Joyce does the worst thing; tries to readjust the cold compress.

“Ow!” I scream out in pain,
everyone freezes.
Shit, shit, shit!
None of this seems funny anymore.

“Home!” I cry out. “Chake me
home!” I want to stamp my feet but I'm too out of it to do that. I look across
at Tristan. “Aircondiching!” I whimper. “Pleashe…it’s so hot!” I add, feeling
more and more uncomfortable by the second. Tristan passes me a bunch of tissues
from Debs dispenser. I wipe my eyes and try to clear my nose, making it throb
even more. “Pleashe,” I beg again.

They all start arguing. Debs is
saying she can't leave, Gladys wants to take me back to hers and Joyce is
insisting Gladys stays and she takes me back to hers.

“Want me to take you back to your
studio?” Tristan whispers in my ear.

“Yesh.” I whisper back.

“I’ll do it.” Tristan shouts –
Everyone shuts up and turns to stare open mouthed at him.

“Oh, thank you Tristan.” Gladys
gushes.

“How very gallant of you
Tristan,” Debs says batting her lashes and smirking at him.

“Are you happy with that?” Joyce
asks me.

“Yesh.” I whisper –
I just
want to get out of here.

Tristan stands, pulls his mobile
out of his pocket and makes a call. “What’s the postcode and house number?” he
asks Debs. She jumps to her feet and holds her hand out for his mobile, he
passes it to her. “BN14 0AD, No 2,” she says then hands him back his mobile
with a coy smile –
Jesus I can't take much more of this!

“Got it?” Tristan asks. “Good,
see you then,” he says and hangs up. Then he turns and sits next to me on the
sofa again, the room is silent. I look up and see Debs, Gladys and Joyce all
staring down at me with smug looks on their faces.

“What?” I snap, they all glance
at one another then back to me and across to Tristan. Debs titters, then leans
down and kisses my cheek.

“I better get back, I’ll come and
see you tomorrow,” she holds her hand out to Tristan. “Such a pleasure,” she
says shaking his hand for much longer than is deemed necessary, he smiles
widely at her blatant flirting.
Debs!
- Finally, she lets go of his hand
and bounces out of the room.

“I’d better get back to Malcolm,”
Gladys says, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Take care of my daughter,” she
tells Tristan as she kisses his cheek too.

“Absolutely,” he says, taken
aback by her tone and then she leaves too. Then I notice Tristan and Joyce
stare at one another, exchanging some kind of unspoken conversation, then Joyce
nods once at him and leaves the room.

“What’s wash that all about?” I
question. Tristan looks across and smiles shyly at me.

“Nothing,” he says, but I know
there was something there. Joyce reappears with a glass of lemonade and a
straw.

“Here darling,” she says popping
the straw in the glass.

“Thanksh.” I take it of her and
take a long drink.

“Better?” She smiles – I smile
back at her and nod, drinking more, I’m so thirsty.

Tristan’s mobile buzzes in his
pocket, he and Joyce stare oddly at each other again, then Tristan stands and
takes his mobile out of his pocket. “Stu’s here,” he says.

“Shtuart’s here?” I squeak –
Ouch!
I’d better stop talking, it’s too painful.

“Yes.” Tristan says throwing that
beautiful smile at me. Joyce takes the glass of me and stands. Tristan holds
his hands out to me, I lift up my arms and place my hands in his, he gently
pulls me to my feet; but the room starts to bend and sway –
Whoa!

Before I can fall one way or the
other, he lifts me quickly and easily into his arms as though I’m as light as a
feather. He smiles down at me and pulls me closer to his strong chest.

“I think it’s safer this way,” he
chuckles. “We don’t want you getting into any more trouble,” he adds dryly. I
pout back at him.

Joyce leans across and kisses me
on the cheek. “Be careful darling, Tristan will take care of you, but if you
need me, you know you only have to call and I’ll be there,” she says smiling
down at me.

I suddenly realise I don’t have
my bag or my keys. “Bag, Keychs,” I say in a panic. Tristan frowns not understanding,
but Joyce nods at me.

“Back in a second,” she says.
Tristan starts walking me towards the front door then stops when Joyce comes
back, she has my shoulder bag and something in a plastic bag.

“I’m afraid you were sick on your
flip-flops darling.” And that’s all I hear, I pass out again...

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I AM DREAMING I AM ON THE BOAT AGAIN
. Sunshine is flooding the room, in fact, it’s so bright it’s almost
hard to see. Tristan’s hovering above me, he’s gazing down at me in the most
peculiar way, his soft fingers are lightly brushing my forehead, my eyes,
running through my hair; it’s so cooling and relaxing. I’m astonished at the
detail of the dream, this feels so real; Tristan looks so real.

His
chocolate brown eyes are glistening with flecks of hazel, and I can see the
laughter lines around those deep, soulful eyes. The skin on his face looks soft
and warm, slightly tanned. I can see several freckles across his nose and his
cheeks, I hadn’t noticed those before.

I smile up at him, his answering
grin is breathtaking, it makes my heart stop. My grin widens reflecting his. I
love the way his dimples deepen and his nose and eyes crinkle when he smiles
like that; his smile is profoundly more beautiful close up.

He has a five o’clock shadow
running across his jaw, I’ve not seen him with stubble before, he looks even
sexier, if that’s at all possible. I reach my hand up to run my fingers across
it, see how real it feels. Tristan frowns as I touch him. I scratch my short
fingernails across his jaw and cheek, it feels so real. The peaceful feeling
washes over me again, I feel so content, so serene.

“Heaven,” I whisper. I place my
hand against his cheek and run my thumb across his bottom lip, his breath
hitches just as my heart takes flight. I am astonished at how real everything
feels. I reach my hand around his neck, and entwine my fingers in his hair;
it’s just as soft as I thought it would be. “Tristan,” I whisper, and softly
pull his head down so that I can reach his lips.

“I think that might hurt you.” He
tells me steadying my grip.

I freeze, my face inches from his
–
Fuck, not a dream!
I instantly drop my hand and squeeze my eyes shut.
I have no idea what to say –
Shit, shit, shit!

“Coral, what’s wrong?” His voice
is low and husky, his breath on my cheeks. I am mortified, swallowing hard I
look up and meet his steady gaze. He leans down, his lips almost touching mine.
“That felt really good,” he whispers. I scowl in frustration, I can't believe
that just happened. Now he’s going to know I’ve been dreaming about him –
Fuck!

He smiles at my expression, his
dimples on full wattage –
Damn that smile!

“I’m sorry,” I mumble.

“What for?” he asks, gently
stroking my cheek.

“I thought I was dreaming.” I say
frowning at his touch. I close my eyes and try to reign in my disintegrated
thoughts.

“Really?” I hear the glee in
Tristan’s voice –
She’s been dreaming about me!
“Well, I don’t know about
you, but every night for me.” My eyes dart open and meet his. “And all
throughout the day,” he confesses. “Literally can't get you out of my head,” he
adds.

“Well that’s not the same for
me,” I lie. “I haven’t thought about you once.” I pout.

“You wound me,” he smiles. “But,
that’s ok,” he sighs in a high pitch tone. “If I can't be in your waking
thoughts at least I’m in your dreams,” he adds with a smug smile on his face.

I slap him playfully and smile
back…
Ouch, what the hell?...
The events of earlier today start coming
back to me in a blurry haze. Colliding with Lily, poor Lily, my nose bleed, the
morphine. Then I realise I'm home, but I don’t remember getting here.

“Careful,” he tells me. “You look
worse today.”

“Thanks,” I bite back. “How did I
get here?”

“You don’t remember?”

“Obviously, or I wouldn’t be
asking,” I answer dryly.

Tristan cocks an eyebrow up at me
disapprovingly. “You passed out at you’re sisters, I bought you back to your
studio.”

“Why you?” I question. “Why
didn’t Gladys bring me back?”

Tristan tries to hide his smile.
“Well, in your less than operative state you demanded to be taken home, they
were all arguing as to who should take you. I asked if you wanted me to bring
you home, you said yes.” I purse my lips at him.

“I did?” I mumble.

“Yes,” he smiles, his eyes
twinkling – I get a flashback.

“What was going on between you
and Joyce?” I narrow my eyes at him, remembering their weird exchange.

Tristan shakes his head. “Nothing.”
His tone is clipped, his eyes hooded – Evidently he has something to hide, but
I am in too much pain to try to work out what it is. “Are you in pain?” he asks
mirroring my thoughts.

“Yes, and thirsty,” I answer and
slowly sit up, my nose throbbing with the movement. Tristan walks over to my
kitchenette and pours me a glass of water.

“Here, take these.” He crouches
in front of me and hands me the water with a straw and two Nurofen. I pop the
tablets in my mouth and take a long suck on the straw then swallow hard –
Yuck
I hate taking tablets!
I can't breathe through my nose – at all. Great!
That’s going to make eating and drinking such a pleasurable experience. Maybe
there’s a nose flush or something I can get at Boots?

“Better?” Tristan asks smiling
wryly at me, which instantly irritates me.

“This is all your fault,” I bark
my nose protesting, throbbing painfully.

“Doubt that,” Tristan argues.

“Yes, it is,” I dispute
childishly. “What were you doing there anyway?” Tristan ignores me and sits
back on his heels, watching me with vague amusement. “What?” I snap.

“You haven’t eaten since
yesterday, I’m going to get some breakfast,” he says, his tone soft but hiding
his frustration.

“Yesterday?” I screech.

Tristan cocks his head to the
side and frowns. “Yes, I’ve already told you that.” He says his eyes narrowing,
as he silently watches me. My head starts banging, I hold it still, trying to
ease the throbbing.

“You stayed with me all this
time?” I ask.

Tristan looks up at me, his eyes
full of some emotion I can't quite understand. “Yes,” he answers.

“Why?” I whisper.

He smiles warmly at me. “I wanted
to make sure you were ok.” He tells me, a secret smile playing across his lips.

“What?” I snap again.

“It was quite an eventful evening.”
He smirks –
Oh no…we didn’t?
His face falls seeing my horrified
expression. “You were sleep walking and talking in your sleep,” he snaps,
running a hand through his hair. “Jesus Coral, what kind of man do you think I
am?”
Oh no!

I place my head in my hands. “What
did I say?” I whisper. “What did I do?” I am horrified, of all the people to do
that in front of – I thought the sleep walking stopped years ago?

He sighs heavily. “Later, I’m
going to get some food,” he says, his tone brittle. I think I’ve upset him?
“Gladys tells me you were late yesterday and didn’t have breakfast,” he
admonishes. “Which means you didn’t eat all day,” he adds darkly.

“I had my veggie juice,” I
whisper in protest.

“Yes, and as good as that is for
you, it’s not filling Coral.” I shrug and try to drink more water then we both
hear my stomach rumble loudly. Tristan cocks one eyebrow up at me. “Besides,
you vomited that back up, if you remember,” he adds sardonically.
Double
crap, so embarrassed!

“Yes,” I whisper. “I do.”

“I’m going to get a takeaway,
anything in particular that you fancy?” He asks standing up sharply.

Yes you! I scowl at the floor and
drink more water, trying to decide. “Surprise me,” I say panting from not being
able to breathe, and shivering slightly because it’s so cold.

Tristan frowns. “Are you cold?”
he questions, his voice a little softer.

“No, it’s the water,” I say,
drinking more because I’m so thirsty; I feel like I’ve been guzzling sea water
and I need to get rid of the salt.

Tristan nods once at me and heads
over to the patio door. “Tristan,” I croak, he turns back and gazes at me. “You
will come back and have breakfast with me, right?”

He walks back over to me,
crouches down and takes hold of my free hand. “Do you want me to?” he asks, his
expression torn.

“Yes,” I whisper.

He leans forward and plants a
sweet, soft kiss on my forehead, making my stomach flutter madly; then stands
back up. “I won’t be long,” he says, I look up and smile shyly at him, he
smiles back, his face reflecting mine, then turns away from me.

I watch his tall, strong stature
walk out through the patio door. The moment he’s out of view I close my eyes
and grit my teeth…
what the hell have I done and said in my sleep?
I
groan inwardly, I’m not sure I want to know the answer to that.

I look out the patio again and
wonder idly what time it is, but I think my body has caught up with me now I’m
awake – I’m suddenly bursting for a pee. I stand too quickly and wobble
slightly, my head aching like I’ve been hit with a truck not a five year olds
head, and shuffle over to the bathroom.

Once I’m done I carefully stand,
using the sink for leverage. I slowly shuffle round so I’m standing in front of
the mirror. Taking a deep breath I look up at myself. The cold compress that
was put across my nose has gone, so now I can see the damage that’s been done.
My nose has a tiny split across it and it’s all caked in dried blood, the
bruise running across it is light blue-ish and I know it will eventually go
purple –
Great!

My eyes are slightly swollen,
with the same colour bruising running underneath them and I have panda eyes
from my smudged mascara, streaks of it have encrusted themselves down my cheeks
from my tears –
Ugh what a mess!
I look like something out of a horror
movie, and what’s even more horrifying is the fact that Tristan’s seen me like
this –
Fucks sake!

I grab a cleansing wipe and clean
up my face, being as gentle as I can with my tender nose. Then I clean my
teeth, twice –
Ah that’s feels so much better!

Then I decide to try and unblock
my nose, I can't breathe and I hate that feeling. I pull a load of toilet
tissue off and blow gently, but it hurts so badly that I don’t risk doing it
again, I sigh inwardly – I guess I’ll just have to put up with it being
blocked. I slowly turn and shuffle back out of the bathroom. As I make my way
over to the sofa, I notice the clock on the wall says 6.03am.

Whoa!
I must have slept all day
and
all night. Didn’t the
paramedic say don’t sleep? I shrug, I’m alive and it was better than being
awake and in that much pain. Reaching the sofa, I slowly sit down, then lie back
and close my eyes. I try to recall what was going on before the accident.

I was mad with Debs, I remember
that, then I remember why – she already knew about Malcolm. Yes; I’m not happy
with Gladys about that, we will be having words, plus Debs is moving, and she
didn’t tell me. My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach, Gladys has lied to
me and Debs has kept something important from me. It doesn’t make me feel very
good at all, and it certainly doesn’t make me feel like I’m part of this
family.

I sit forward and grip my hands
together, trying to understand why, it’s so frustrating feeling like this. Bob
suddenly springs to mind, and I wonder if he got home ok? I’m sure Malcolm
would have driven him back –
Holy crap, the car journey over to Debs!

I remember something about it,
something important. I made a choice, a very, very important fundamental
choice. I frown and try hard to remember, then it hits me –
Tristan!

Yes, yes, I remember now. I was
going to call him, see if he got the house. Take him furniture shopping...tell
him a little bit about myself,
bit by bit
– I hear George in my head and
see his smile. Ok, ok so I guess I got my wish, but why was Tristan at the
party? I try to recall again, then I remember, right before I collided with
Lily, Tristan walked in with Joyce.

So did Joyce invite Tristan? I
shake my head, that doesn’t make sense, why would she do that, they don’t know
each other that well, surely? Then I remember Tristan teasing me, asking if he
could come to the party and me saying no, I was being a real pain with him
then. That line of thought stops me in my tracks – How amazing, I feel so
differently about him now; then I remember the dream. Yep, that’s what did it.

Then I remember this morning and
cringe with embarrassment -
I couldn’t put him off now even if I wanted to.

As I look down at my twisted
fingers, I notice my winter blanket from my bed is neatly folded next to the
sofa, with one of the pillows from my bed on top of it, I frown at them both
wondering why they are down here.

Did Tristan get them for me to
use? I turn and notice my other pillow propped up behind me, it has dried blood
on it (nice) and my quilt is all ruffled at the bottom of the sofa, I cock my
head to the side. Did Tristan sleep on the floor?