CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) (28 page)

“Oh Coral!” She pulls me into her arms, hugging me tightly.
“I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you too sis,” I whisper.

Pulling back from me, her eyebrows knit together. “You
really want to marry Tristan? I mean don't get me wrong, he is absolutely friggin’
gorgeous, and he certainly seems genuine, but it’s just so soon?” Debs says,
looking worried.

“I know,” I whisper. “But I couldn’t imagine spending the
rest of my life with anyone but him,” I take a deep breath. “He knows Debs’ –
she gasps – ‘about everything and yet, for some unknown reason he still love
me.” I say frowning at the floor.

“Not for an unknown reason,” she says shaking her head and
tucking my hair behind my ear again. “You’re amazing Coral, he’s lucky to have
you.” I snort at that one. Debs rolls her eyes at me. “Well I'm going to get
drunk! How about you?” she says, her eyes twinkling. Linking her arm in mine,
we walk back into the house.

“I can't drink Debs cause of the painkillers, but I can
always laugh my ass off at you getting drunk.” I giggle. Debs stops, puts her
hands on her hips and stares down at me.
Uh-oh!

“Well I feel like I need a good drink after what you’ve
revealed to me today,” she says in a very serious voice.

“Oh..” I swallow hard and look away from her.

“Don't think you’re getting away with not talking this
through’ – “Debs briefly, ok? It’s not something I like to talk about,” I
quickly interrupt.

“Ok, ok,” she softly says. “Just let me get the vodka; then
we can talk.”

“Oh! I just remembered. You’ll never guess what happened
today?” I say, following her into the kitchen. I launch into the story of
Justin turning up, and the conversation that followed, and what happened
afterwards. By the time I'm almost finished we are on the sofa, and Debs has
the vodka, orange and ice-cubes on the coffee table.

“...And I get up the stairs and my whole bedroom is decorated
in lights and flowers and...Oh Debs, it scares me how much I love Tristan. It’s
happened so fast, but it feels so...so indelible already.”

“Love can feel like that Coral.” She says smiling widely.

“I guess,” I shrug.

“What are you going to do about Justin?”

“Nothing,” I shrug. “He did look good though,” I muse.

“I’ll bet he did,” she teases. “He was a right looker back
then, sounds like a proper hunk now though!”

I roll my eyes at her teasing, flirting ways. “Yeah well,
too much, too little, too late I'm afraid. It’s Tristan I want, always.”

“Still, nice to know you’ve always got someone on the back
burner if it goes wrong.” Debs slaps her hand to her mouth.

I glare back at her. “I think that vodka is making you
brave!” I growl. “So you don't think Tristan and I will make it?” I bite.

“Coral, I didn’t mean it like that, honestly, I'm sorry.” I
take a deep breath and stare out the window. I’m mad Debs has said that, but I
don't really want to be angry with her. “Really, I didn’t mean it like that!”
she adds.

“Don't worry about it,” I say, half smiling at her. Debs
takes a deep breath then smiles wearily at me.

“So,” she says, pouring herself another vodka –
Wish I
could get drunk with her!
“Can I ask you some questions about...you know?”

I sigh inwardly. “If you must, but Debs, I swear I will know
if you gossip about this to your friends’ – “I would never’ – I hold my hand up
to stop her. “You are one of the worst gossips I have ever met, doesn’t mean I
love you any less, but I swear Debs, cross me on this and you’ll wish you
hadn’t – this is private, never to be shared with anyone, not even Scott.” I
glare at her, trying to get her to understand how serious I am. “If I hear
about this I know it will have come from you, and that will be it for us, just
so you know, I’ll never speak to you again. Am I making myself clear?”

“Crystal,” she whispers, swallowing hard. Her cheeks are
red, her eyes wide and dilated –
Yeah, she gets it!

“Ok,” I nod. “Ask away.” I say gesturing with my hand...

TWO
HOURS LATER AND DEBS
is still knocking the vodka’s back. Thankfully
her questions about my past didn’t last too long, she was more interested in
Tristan and I, how it all got started...and now, well now she’s busy telling me
off for skimping on the wedding. I think, like Rob, she wants me to have a big
occasion, all the bells and whistles – but that’s just not me.

“Come on Coral!” Debs slurs, putting her arm around my waist
and pulling me to my feet. “Let’s dance!”
I wonder if I sound this bad when
I'm drunk?

“Debs,” I giggle. “There’s no music?”

“Isn’t there?” she slurs, trying to focus on one of the
small speakers in the room. “Well...I can hear music,” she says.

“Yeah, who’s singing?” I chuckle, trying to hold her
upright, keep her steady.

“Feel the love,” she shouts, punching her hand in the air and
trying to dance, but she’s way too drunk for that!

“Rudimental?” I question.

“Yeah!” she says, singing the tune and sloshing vodka and
orange down her top.
Oops!

Now I know that she really is drunk, because she doubles
over laughing at herself. I'm just in time to take the glass of her before she
falls onto the floor in a fit of giggles – but I can't help laughing along with
her.

Edith appears in the hallway, smiling at me. I roll my eyes
at her as Debs continues to kill herself laughing. The doorbell suddenly pings
–
Oh, I hope that isn’t Scott, I don't want Debs to go, we are having such a
good time together.

I turn and see Edith wobbling towards the door, then I turn
back to watch Debs still giggling on the floor.

“Debs,” I giggle. “You ok?”

“No!” Edith shouts. “You can't come in here!” I immediately
put the vodka down and dash over to her, pulling the front door open wide.

Holy fuck!

THIS
IS THE FOURTH SHOCK TODAY
. First, my asshole father burying my
mother’s ashes, then Justin, then Debs, and now
her
– I'm not sure if I
can take anymore?

“You must be Coral?” Her smooth sultry voice says.

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. “Hello Olivia,” I
whisper back.

“Coral,” Edith says looking across at me. “Tristan would not
like it if you let Olivia in, not without Stuart being here,” she says as
politely as she can. But I can tell she has steam coming out of her ears – she
really doesn’t like this woman!

“What’s going on?” Deb slurs behind me –
Oh crap!
“Who are you?” she asks narrowing her eyes at Olivia, while she leans on Edith
and I.

“Look Olivia, this is not a good time,” I say wincing in
pain because Debs is getting heavier and heavier. I turn away from Olivia so I
can attempt to push Debs off me, but I'm too late, she slides down my body and
passes out in a drunken heap on the floor.

“Oh!”
Shit!
“Debs!”

“Oh no!” Edith says. “What should we do?”

“Grab my mobile Edith; it’s on the coffee table.” Edith
wobbles off as I attempt to lift Debs up, but she’s a dead weight in my arms.

“No Coral,” Edith says as she reaches me. “You could rip
your stitches open.”

“True,” I say. Taking my mobile off her I call Scott.
“Scott, your wife has passed out on the floor,” I chuckle. “Tristan and Stuart
are out, Edith and I can't move her’ – “I'm on my way,” he drawls and hangs up.

I turn to Olivia, who’s smiling at the whole situation. God
she is so pretty, prettier than her driving licence made her out to be.
Shoulder length, straight and silky, almost black hair, wide green eyes, tanned
skin, tall and slim. She’s dressed in a black fitted pencil skirt to the knees,
with a deep green, short sleeved silk blouse; and killer black stilettos – she
looks amazing, especially considering she’s had two kids –
Jeez my
self-esteem is taking a heavy knock right now.

“She can't hold her liquor very well, can she?” Olivia says,
laughing a little sarcastically.

It immediately gets my back up. “Why are you here Olivia?” I
snap.

“I wanted to see Tristan,” she says. “He called me yesterday
but I couldn’t talk at the time.” She adds, casually flicking her hair.
Ugh!
He called her and he didn’t tell me?
Now I'm pissed at Tristan!

“So you just thought you’d turn up here, unannounced and
uninvited?” I say as calmly and politely as I can.

“Yes.” She looks from me to Edith then crosses her arms
defiantly.

“Well, I agree with Edith. You can't come in without Tristan
or Stuart being here.”

“How silly,” she says, smiling coyly.

“Silly?” I laugh. “Not really, considering Susannah tried to
kill Tristan
and
me.”

“Yes, I heard about that,” she says, looking me up and down.

“You should go,” I say, my voice trembling giving me away.
Thankfully, I see Scott’s car turn into the driveway. He quickly pulls up, gets
out the car and dashes over to us.

“Oh Debs!” He says, whining a little. Then he reaches down,
and attempts to lift her into his arms. I bend down and help as much as I can. ‘Stay’
I mouth to him without Olivia seeing, Scott frowns then nods once at me, then I
purposely say it aloud.

“You can stay if you want Scott. Take Debs over to the sofa,
let me get you a drink.” I follow him over to the sofa, hoping Olivia will just
go home, but unfortunately, I look back and see Olivia barge straight past
Edith and saunter down the hallway, her heels clicking against the hard flooring,
perusing the place as she does.

“Olivia!” Edith shouts. “You can’t come in here,” she says
marching after her, leaving the door wide open. Right at that moment I hear the
rumble of the Jag in the driveway –
Tristan’s back early, thank god!

Seconds later, I hear Tristan shout from outside. “Coral!” Tristan
and Stuart run into the house and come to an abrupt halt. Tristan’s gaze finds
me first, then he looks at Scott with Debs in his arms, then Edith, then the
look of horror on his face as he registers Olivia, standing here in our house
is priceless – He looks outraged!

“Hello Tristan,” she says. I can't see her face as she has
her back to me.

He completely ignores her and marches over to me. When he
reaches me, he takes my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine. “Are you
ok?” He asks, concern written all over his face. He starts checking me over,
not waiting for an answer.

“Hey,” I whisper, taking hold of both his hands. “I’m fine. Edith
answered the door, we thought it was Scott coming to collect Debs.” I turn back
to Edith and smile. I don't want her to think I'm blaming her, then I look up
at Tristan again. “Debs has passed out,” I say rolling my eyes and smiling.
“Olivia told us that she couldn’t talk to you when you called her yesterday, so
she decided to turn up, unannounced. Edith said she couldn’t come in, but she
just barged past her.” I narrow my eyes at Olivia, who has turned to look at us
both –
There stick that in your pipe and smoke it!

I turn away and look up at Tristan. He looks a little
relieved, his face softening a little, then surprising me he enfolds me into
his arms and gently rocks me. “I missed you,” he whispers in my ear, kissing my
hair a couple of times.

“I thought you were eating out?” I say as I hear Stuart shut
the front door.

“No, I wanted to get back to you,” he says, pulling back to
assess me once more.

Then taking no prisoners, he leans down and kisses me,
forcefully. Honestly, I think this is for Olivia’s benefit, and as childish as
it seems, I revel in it and kiss him back with as much passion as I can muster.
When he pulls back, we are both breathless. I smile up at him, and almost
laugh, but I decide it’s probably best to hide it. Tristan silently runs his
knuckles down my cheek, kisses the tip of my nose then looks up at Scott.

“Scott, good to see you, would you like a drink?” He asks.

“Nah, I'm good mate, gotta get Debs home.”

“You’re more than welcome to stay?” Tristan suggests. I can
see Scott thinking about it, weighing up his options. “It’s quite a drive back
to Worthing, and I don't think you’ll get her up the stairs on your own, and
it’s a little late to send Stuart with you.” Tristan adds.

“True,” Scott laughs. “Alright then, well stay.”

“Have you eaten?” Tristan asks. Scott shakes his head. “Edith,”
Tristan says. “Can you rustle something up for us all?”

“Of course Tristan, anything in particular?” she asks.

“Coral?” Tristan says looking down at me. I'm about to
answer him when Debs suddenly comes to, and I know, I can tell by her face –
Shit!

“She gonna be sick!” I shout, rushing over to her, grabbing
the wastepaper basket as I do. Luckily, I get there just in time as she starts
hurling into it. “Ugh! Debs!” I pass the basket to Scott who looks a little
green himself, then I walk back over to Tristan, wrapping my arms around his
waist as I do. “Edith, I don't mind what we have, whatever’s easy, it’s quite
late,” I say, looking up at the clock on the wall, it’s 8.15pm – very late for
a married woman like Olivia to be out. I don't understand why she’s here? –
She
wants Tristan!
My subconscious snipes, I bite my lip at that thought, not
again!

Edith smiles at me and wobbles into the kitchen, just as
Stuart wonders over and helps Scott get Debs to her feet, at least she’s
stopped hurling. They walk her past us and into the downstairs bathroom.

Finally, Tristan turns his arctic glare on Olivia. “What are
you doing here?” He says very slowly, articulating each word with a hiss, his
voice low and menacing.

“That’s a dazzling display of affection you’re putting on
their Tristan,” she says, ignoring his rising temper.

“Tristan,” I whisper, he looks down at me. “Would you like
to speak to Olivia alone?” I ask sweetly, purposely widening my eyes.

“No baby, stay.” He says pecking my forehead.

“Ok,” I whisper smiling up at him. Then I turn and narrow my
eyes at Olivia – See, he’s mine! –
Jeez, I sound like Susannah!
I frown
at that thought.

“Get out!” Tristan growls at Olivia, gripping my upper arms.
I think it’s so he doesn’t march her out himself.

“Darling,” she softly says. “You called me remember?”

“Yes I did,” he says. “But never, for a moment...did I
expect you to turn up here and harass my fiancé into letting you in the house.
You have no idea what’s she’s been through, none at all. And now, now I regret
calling you, I wish I hadn’t.” He takes a deep calming breath. “Get the fuck
out of
our
house Olivia.” He says, slowly enunciating each word, so he’s
making himself perfectly clear to her; and to me.

Olivia’s face pales. “Tristan darling, come along now.
There’s no need for that kind of language,” she says, smiling at him, she
doesn’t seem to be affected by his mood at all?

“Stuart!” Tristan shouts. Stuart appears from the utility
room – I guess he was still helping Scott with Debs. “Your choice Olivia, leave
or Stuart helps you leave?” Stuart tries to hide his smile; he seems to be
enjoying this. He walks over to Olivia so he’s stood right next her, and
politely gestures for her to walk with him.

“No!” She snaps. “I came here to speak to you.” She adds,
keeping her eyes locked on Tristan. And I know – I just know!

“Olivia, why are you really here?” I ask. She looks down at
me in the most disgusting way, as though I shouldn’t be addressing her directly.
“Well?” I prompt, my teeth grinding together.

“As I said, it’s Tristan I want to speak to.” She snaps at
me.

“Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of
Coral.” He snaps back.

She narrows her eyes at him. Then she crosses her arms and
sticks her nose in the air. “I’m leaving Jeremy,” she says in the most casual
way.

I stop breathing – She’s here for Tristan, I know she is.

“Why?” Tristan snaps.

“You know why,” she says, her eyes darkening as she and
Tristan stare at one another.

“And now you’re back on the market, you want to see if
Tristan is free, right?” I say sarcastically. She looks down at me again, as
though I’m a street rat, and just stares at me with the most insulting look in
her eyes. A slight smile twitches her lips, then she looks away from me, trying
her best to hide the filthy look she wants to give me. What a bitch! Edith was
right!
Tristan you better say the right thing to this woman!

I turn and look up at him, and I’m shocked to see he looks
entranced by her. His cheeks have flushed and his eyes have darkened. The
atmosphere suddenly plummets...it’s so dense.

“That’s right Tristan,” she smiles seductively at him. “It’s
still there,” she adds.

I take a step back out of Tristan’s arms.
This is not
happening!

“You...you want her?” I manage to squeak out, blinking
rapidly at him.

Tristan turns and glares down at me. Then without at word,
he marches over to Olivia, grabs her by the arm and starts marching her out of
the house.

“Tristan!” She shouts, yanking her arm out of his. They both
stop and stare at one another, only inches apart.

“Olivia...” Tristan takes a moment and stares down at the
floor. He’s livid, I can tell. “Please leave...before I do something I’ll
really regret.” He warns.

“Darling, you know I’ve never stopped thinking about you,
about what we had. How you used to take control’ - her eyes flash to me for a
brief second – ‘how you used give me what I need, what you needed, Jeremy won't
do that with me. I know you’re still attracted to me.” She says reaching up to
touch his face, but he grabs her hand and twists her around so her back is to
his front.

“You have no idea what I like, who I am, or what I need.
That woman, who you seem to think so little off, is more woman than you could
ever be. Coral is everything I have ever wanted – she is everything you’re
not,” he barks.

“Tristan,” she gasps her head tipping back – It’s almost as
though she’s enjoying this. Tristan twists her around, yanks her by the arm and
starts dragging her out again. “Tristan, you are hurting me!” she shouts.

“Go home Olivia,” he snaps as he yanks the front door open.

“But, you’re message sounded so wounded, I thought you
needed me?” Tristan shoves her out of the house so she’s stood on the front
porch.

“What the fuck did you ever do for me?” he asks. “Nothing,
that’s what! You’re a selfish, stuck up, snobby bitch. And I’ll tell you something
else, I’m glad Susannah lied, I’m glad she told me...” Tristan suddenly stops,
registering something on Olivia’s face. “No!” he gasps in horror, taking a step
back. He shakes his head several times, running both hands through his hair.
Then he steps forward and grabs hold of her upper arms. “It was Jeremy, wasn’t
it?” he growls, shaking her.

The sickening smile that spreads across her face is shocking.
“Finally worked it out,” she laughs. “I had to have back-up darling.” She adds.

Tristan looks shocked as he blinks back at her. “Money!” He shouts,
he’s seething! “It’s all you were ever interested in. You were never concerned
about me. You just wanted to be with someone who could continue the lavish
lifestyle that you are so accustomed to.” He bawls.

“Really Tristan, you don't want to try again?” she asks,
batting her lashes at him. And she’s smirking at him, evidently finding his
pain, his suffering amusing – I want to beat her to a pulp, maybe she’ll learn
some respect – God, she’s worse than Susannah! I want to look away, but I
can't. I wish Tristan would let go of her. I don't like him touching her.