Monica. Ch22.

Friction builds up between Monica and Anne.

Chapter 22

Saturday evening and I had just got home from The Burger Bar, but I was not in a rush; I was not going out. Apart from my work and my driving lessons with Eddie I had been reluctant about going anywhere since learning about the man in the flats. I didn't consider myself someone who was easily frightened, but I was terrified by the thought that he may have a gun and might come looking for me.

         There was a knock on the front door and I called out to ask who it was. I walked to the door, but even though my mother was in the kitchen, I wouldn't open the door until I got an answer. It was a pleasant surprise when Eddie answered me and I opened the door and greeted him with a huge smile. "You're a bit early, aren't you? I thought the driving lesson was tomorrow?"

         Eddie gave an unconvincing grin. "Yes, it was."

         "Was?"

         "I've got to put it off. I'm sorry, Monica, I'm really sorry to let you down."

         "That's all right. You don't have to apologise. You're doing me a big favour by teaching me. I'll just wait until you have the time." I smiled and felt a little surprised when the smile was not returned from Eddie. "You look a bit in the dumps. Has something happened?"

         "You could say that," he said and stood as if he were waiting for me to prompt him for details.

         I also stood in silence for a few moments, looking at him. "Right, is there anything that I can do then?"

         "Anne's pregnant."

         "Yes, the world and his dog knows that, and she's just walked out on her boyfriend. Not the smartest move she's ever made."

         "She said it's not Dave's."

         "The baby, it is Dave's. Everyone knows it's Dave's."

         "She said it's mine."

         "That's rubbish."

         "That's what I thought at first, but it all makes sense and perhaps it is mine. It was a bit too quick for it to be Dave's."

         "I don't know why she's saying that. You know Dave was having an affair with Sue don't you? Maybe she wants to get back at Dave and she's just using you."

         "She wouldn't do that, Monica, I know she wouldn't."

         "I've spoken to her about the baby, believe me, please believe me the baby is not yours."

         "It's in her diary. She's actually got it all written down in her diary."

         "I can get a sodding diary and write I'm dating Ringo Starr, couldn't I? It doesn't mean I am though, does it?"

         Eddie gave a laugh. "I didn't know you fancied Ringo."

         "What, is this suddenly funny, Eddie?"

         "No, of course not. Look, I'm just trying to work it all out. What's best for everyone."

         "Don't tell me that you're seriously thinking about going back with her."

         "I don't know. I'll have to see what she's got to say on Sunday. We'll have to have the driving lesson after the karate on Monday night or something. Look, I'll have to go, I haven't been home yet."

         "I'll get my coat. You can run me round to Anne's and we'll sort all this out."

         "No, it's private. I'll look a fool if you go round there."

         "You'll look a bigger fool if I don't."

          "I'll see you on Monday." Eddie turned and walked off towards his van.

         "Eddie, Eddie come in for a coffee or something. Don't go yet, Eddie, please." I stood at the door and watched as he drove off. "The selfish bitch," I muttered. "The lying selfish bitch."

          "Monica, what sort of talk is that?"

         I turned and looked at my mother standing in the passage. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Mum. Look, I've got to go out."

         "Is that wise, darling?"

         "I don't know, but I'm going anyway."

         “Where are you going that’s so important?”

         “I need to call round and see Anne.”

         “If you wait until your dad comes homes I’ll run you round there in the car.”

         “No, I need to go now.”

         Despite my mother's continuing protests, I got my coat and set off for Anne's parents' house. It was a good twenty minutes walk and I hurried all the way, eager to hear what my friend had to say for herself.

         Anne appeared at her front door surprised as well as pleased to see me and we went up to Anne's bedroom. "Do you want a cup of tea?"

         "No thanks, I'm not here on a social call."

         "Well, what's up with you then?"

         "I think you already know, don't you? What are you playing at with Eddie?"

         "I'm not playing at anything. I just told Eddie what I thought he should know."

         "You lied to him. The baby's not his and well you know it. You've told me enough times."

         Anne laughed. "You're after him, aren't you?"

         "No, no I'm not."

         "So where has our friendship gone then? Why don't you want what's best for me anymore?"

         "Because it's not what's best for you. You can't marry Eddie and have a relationship that's based on lies."

         "Hold on, where did bloody marriage come into all this?"

         "Well, why are you doing it? Either Dave's the father or he's not. And if he is you'd be a fool to ignore it and try to blame it on Eddie. What the hell do you expect to gain by that?"

         "Look, Monica, I'll soon have a big lump and then a baby and then I'll probably settle down and be the good housewife with Dave. This is my last chance, my last chance for a bit of fun and a final fling."

         "Well, what about Jeff? Wasn't he your final fling, your bit of fun?"

         "Jeff, Jeff was nothing. A few drinks and the occasional kiss but it went no further than that. I've almost forgot about him already. Now, Eddie, me and Eddie had a good relationship and we had some great sex. Dave's all right, but I'll miss the intimate moments with Eddie. I just want to be in heaven a few more times before I settle down to motherhood."

         "That's the most pathetic thing I've ever heard. You're going to deceive him. You're going to let him think the baby is his just for a few quick thrills before you discard him again."

         "Well, what's it to you? Unless you're serious about going out with him. If you're in love with him then tell me and I'll back off."

         "You can't use him like that. I won't let you."

         "You are, aren't you, you're in love with him, and you're having sex with him?"

         "No!"

         "Fine, then he's bloody well mine and I'll use him just like all the blokes use us."

         "That's all you want to do, isn't it, use him? He still loves you, you know that don't you? If you do this to him and then go back to Dave it will destroy him. Is that what you want?"

         "He destroyed me. He destroyed both of us when he went with that cow at the party."

         "You finished with him. You can't keep on punishing him."

         "Yes, I can. Oh, yes I bloody well can."

         "What's happened to you?" I walked to the door. "I don't think I want to know you anymore." I turned my back on Anne and walked out.

         "Well, you can please your bloody self," Anne shouted. She came to the top of the stairs and as I opened the front door she called down after me. "Just think back, Monica, if you had kept your bloody big mouth shut then none of this would be happening, would it?" She rushed back into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

         It had turned dark by the time I left Anne's parents' house and I dreaded the thought of walking down the dark road at the end of the terraced houses again. I remembered how scared I had been and how I promised myself never to do it again and here I was two nights later in the same darkened street. I thought about going the other way, but it was a long way round and more than double the distance so I decided to hurry through the short route. I got in the habit of checking when I left home to make sure no one was following me. The middle-aged man couldn't know where I had been, and he would have no reason to be driving around the back street so I felt confident I wouldn't run into him.

         I was halfway along the street when I heard a car turning into the road just like before. Only this time the car slowed down to a walking pace and I knew it slowed down because of me. I didn't want to look, I didn't want to turn my head, but I couldn't help myself and I glanced behind. The headlights dazzled me, but I could see it was a big car and I quickly looked away again.

         "Oh, God, please don't let it be him," I whispered to myself. The conflicting thoughts entered my mind again. Should I stand my ground or should I start to run away before he took a shot at me? Would he take a shot at me? He must know I told on him and got the police onto him for the attack near Scarborough. Now he could get his revenge. I was shaking, terrified as the car drew alongside on the other side of the road. I was scared, scared to look.

         "All right, darling, fancy a lift?"

         I felt a great relief as I looked at the young men in the car. I ignored them, trying not to show any joy at the sight of them, but for once feeling happy by the sight of some young tearaways pestering me with suggestive remarks. They soon drove off when they realised I was returning no interest in them. I thought they were cheeky and a bit of a nuisance, but thankfully, harmless.

Monica. Ch 23.  (18+) Monica takes Eddie for a drink at Alan's local. #1999130 by Bruce.