Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

CHAPTER NINETEEN

One night Martin arrived at Jane's saying he would like to take her on a holiday to Fiji for five days, adding he hoped it would make up for his absence during past celebrations.

Unbeknown to Jane he felt she was slipping away. Lately she wasn't always available when he wanted to see her and he didn't want to loose her.

He enjoyed their relationship, particularly the sexual aspect, as she was a very passionate woman. His Wife and him did have sex once a week on a regular basis. A task they both seemed to look at as a chore to confirm their marital status.

“When?” asked Jane “I mean I would have to clear my schedule with Michael first.”

“In ten days time, what do you say?” asked Martin.

“Well if Michael can cover it I say a resounding yes” kissing Martin passionately.

On the plane they were placed in first class. Martin did not sit next to her even though the seat next to her was empty. He sat two aisles in front, something he had obviously arranged when making the booking.

This annoyed Jane to no end.

After lift off the Air Hostess asked if she would like a drink. “Yes I would. A double scotch on the rocks would be wonderful and keep them coming” she answered loud enough, well aware Martin could hear the conversation.

By the time the plane landed Jane was more than a little merry.

Martin and Jane checked out their luggage separately. When Jane walked out in to the bright sunshine Martin was waiting for her. “Your carriage awaits Madam” he said opening the door.

“Sure you don't want me to get an uber and slip a door key in to my pocket?” asked Jane.

“Don't be petty Jane, it doesn't suit you. Let's just get to the Hotel and perhaps you should have a nap before dinner.”

Jane gave and said “You are right a snooze would do me good. Okay let's get this show on the road” jumping in to the limo and foregoing the champagne.

The first night Martin ordered room service from the five star restaurant in the Hotel. “Probably doesn't what to take the piss pot out in to the public” thought Jane.

However, the next day was a different story. They went sightseeing and shopping. Jane bought sarongs for everyone and found little trinkets that were adorable.

Jane decided to forgive Martin for the subterfuge on the plane.

On the third night Martin had booked a restaurant that was renowned for cooking lobster and seafood caught fresh that morning. It was delicious.

The two of them were enjoying the meal when a woman approached their table saying “Dr. Charles, how wonderful to see you, it's a small world isn't it?”

Martin stood up saying “Hello Deborah, how are you doing?”

“Well I am doing extremely well thanks to you. As you know my hubby was a little more than concerned about my going ahead with the surgery but he loves the result and can barely keep his hands of me. So here we are and it feels like a second honeymoon” she answered.

With that she extended her hand to Jane saying “You must be Mrs. Charles, lovely to meet you.”

Not knowing how to reply Jane shook her hand and said “My pleasure.”

“Well that was a little awkward” Jane declared.

“More than a little” replied Martin looking like he wished the ground had opened and swallowed him up.

Early the next morning Martin's phone rang early. “What, what, calm down, when did this happen?”

He was silent for a while and then said “Well I will cancel the conference immediately and shall book a flight right now. Let me talk to the Doctor in attendance.”

With that he walked in to the next room closing the door behind him.

All Jane could hear was muttering and could not decipher anything that was being said.

Eventually he came out of the room and Jane asked “What's happened Martin, is everything okay?”

“My Son has had an accident and broken his nose.”

Jane went to speak but he held up his hand and said “It's not life threatening obviously but my Wife only has faith in me to fix it and quite rightly so,”

“That's terrible” said Jane “try to re-arrange our flights and I will start packing!”

“No, I don't want you to leave as well, besides my Wife will be picking me up from the airport. You are booked here for another day or so. Relax, put whatever you want to do on to the account. Have a massage, whatever, enjoy yourself.”

He managed to procure a flight within three hours and left their hotel suite barely looking at Jane leaving her feeling lost and sad.

After Martin left Jane also re-scheduled her flight managing to book one in a matter of hours. She felt there was no point being left where she was, albeit in luxury, but alone.

She felt terrible that Martin's Son had had an accident and obviously required surgery to repair the problem, poor kid, but felt Martin could have filled her in with more details without putting her in another room so to speak and closing the door.

Jane arrived at the Office and Michael looked surprised. “So how was Paradise? I didn't expect to see you today” he said.

Jane filled Michael in with the details, Michael noting the lack of exuberance in her voice.

“Well that sucks, but we have both been invited to your Brother's place for dinner on Friday. God I love that they include me, they treat me like your handbag” said Michael laughing.

“You always make me smile” said Jane laughing with him.

Jane and Michael arrived at the 'boys' home exactly the same time as Summer and Madge did.

“Well I am looking forward to dinner” declared Madge “I reckon Alex could serve up a dogs dinner and it would still be wonderful whereas others I have tried have been a little hard on the stomach.”

“Are you saying my lasagne was not up to your standards Madge?” asked Jane.

“Now don't get in the huff with me young woman. It's just that it was lasagne and throwing in handfuls of curry powder to cover where you had lost yourself through the process was beyond me!”

“Jesus, was it that bad?” asked Jane.

“Fucking awful” said Summer and they all laughed.

Over dinner Zac and Alex declared that their Surrogate was pregnant and proudly brought out a scan. Their excitement was tangible with Zac tearing up. “I am so happy” he said “this is exactly what I have always wanted. A perfect man by my side and a child on the way. It is almost too perfect to believe.”

“You deserve it” said Summer taking both Zac and Alex's hands “personally I am exploding with happiness.