Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

NEW YEARS EVE

It was New Years Eve. Michael had declared he had a hot date for the evening so Jane put together a cheese platter for herself and poured a glass of wine. Of course she hadn't even asked Martin if he would be able to come over as that would have created an argument between them and since the friction with him over the Christmas debacle she treaded carefully. She settled in to her lounge and decided to watch the fireworks on telly that were being broadcasted all over the world.

Her door bell rang and Jane wondered who the hell that could be. She opened the door to find Summer.

“For some reason I have never liked New Years Eve. Perhaps I have never wanted to say goodbye to the year that has just passed, particularly if there have been wonderful moments. Hope you don't mind me inviting myself over?” said Summer.

“Come in, come in” said Jane delighted “but where is Madge?”

“Oh she is watching re runs of the Bold and the Beautiful. It is something she does every New Years Eve, usually falling asleep half way through, but she will catch up next year.”

Settling down together they clinked glasses.

“So what are you hoping for in the New Year?”asked Summer.

Jane answered laughing saying “Well no more deadlines that go askew and hopefully being invited to more of your dinner parties. However, though, I will have to up the ante with my Personal Trainer if I keep attending them.”

“Rubbish.” Summer retorted “You have a wonderful body and you should embrace it. It worries me that deep down you have never liked yourself. You should take a long look in the mirror Jane Collins and see yourself for who you actually are. A beautiful woman who has had enough courage to overcome hurdles that life has put in front of her.”

“Thank you” Jane said sincerely.

“Never stand for being second best Jane. Personally I have never stood for that but I think perhaps your Mother accepted it as her lot.”

The silence in the room was deafening.

“You never knew my Mother so how can you even claim to have known her feelings?”

Summer was well aware she was on shaky ground but decided to go ahead and finally speak her truth.

“No, I never knew your Mother, but I wish I had known her true feelings.”

“To this day I don't know if she was aware of Grayson's and my relationship. I was led to believe that your parents relationship, or lack of on both sides, was agreeable to them both. If I had known that was not the case I would never have gone ahead in starting a life with him. That is the honest to God's truth Jane. However, in your particular case, the path you are walking down right now might not be the best decision you should be making.”

“Michael's told you about Martin hasn't he? For goodness sake it wasn't something he was supposed to share.”

“What, your best friend didn't believe he could talk to your family (and by the way that is what we are) about his concerns? If he didn't love you we would not even be having this conversation.”

Jane looked at Summer directly and said “I love Martin, God help me but I love him.”

Summer sighed deeply thinking “Let the New Year begin just don't make it catastrophic!”

The holidays were over and Martin arrived at Jane's holding a dozen roses and champagne, which for some reason got Jane's hackles up. After all Christmas and New Year had been more than two weeks ago.

“Well you are a sight for sore eyes. I have missed you so much” he declared.

“Not enough to make even a phone call” thought Jane but bit her tongue.

“I have brought champagne so we can finally bring the New Year in together. It is a particularly good vintage so I hope you enjoy it. I will grab some glasses and do the honours.”

This statement gave Jane a jolt. It was something her Father would have probably said.

She watched him grab some glasses, totally at home in her place. “When had that happened” she thought “and why am I only recognising it now?”

Summer's words came back to haunt her.

“Here darling” Martin said handing her a glass of the champagne “and this is also for you”.

The box was small. Almost the size of a ring box. Jane opened it with her heart beating. Inside was a pair of perfect diamond ear rings. “Fucking idiot” she thought to herself “as if it would be a ring.”

“They are divine, thank you” she said.

A hour or so had passed and obviously Martin had ideas in his mind which had a lot to do with the lower part of his body.

“Martin, I am not feeling the best, I think I would like to go to bed and get an early night”.

He looked a little peeved but obviously realised that bed didn't mean the two of them sharing it together so he kissed her briefly on the lips and said goodnight.

Jane's thoughts were in turmoil. For the pragmatic person that she was she knew it was ridiculous to be in love with someone that was married and had a family.

Had her Father felt that way. Had he hesitated before going ahead and securing a second relationship. Did he ever stand back and wonder what situation he was putting himself in to. Or did he go ahead not caring what the outcome was just needing to be with someone so strongly he could not resist the urge?

“Like Father, like Daughter” thought Jane sadly.