Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

RECONNECTING WITH DAVID

Michael knew everything about Jane's life. The good, the bad and the ugly. Jane had shared with him one night how her first love had disappeared one night, almost as if he had been plucked up and thrown in to outer space. When Michael asked whether she had to try to find him she had simply answered “I had my pride and what I had left of it I decided to keep.”

Unable to stop herself Jane had kept an eye on David's step up in to the world of law. He had become a Criminal Lawyer working for the under dog and was extremely respected. Once she had seen a photo of him in the newspaper standing next to his Wife and children and thought that could have been me. Then realised if she had been the Wife in the photo the children would have been missing.

Michael knew all of this and a lot more, so one morning with trepidation he entered Jane's office asking if she had heard the latest news.

“Not caught up as yet Michael. Unlike you I have a blow dryer that needs a lot of attention in the morning. Now lets get up to speed, have you seen what our new photographer is doing, I swear he is an artist?”

“No lets talk on a personal level” Michael said.

“Oh no, you have you told your latest its not all about you, it's all about me conversation” said Jane laughing.

“No, I wish it was, but David Stewart's Wife died last night in a car accident, I thought you should know.”

“Jesus that's terrible, what happened?”

“She was on her way home from the gym and had a minor stroke while driving, leaving the car to go in whatever direction it chose to do with not a good end result.”

“Holy hell that's shocking. We should arrange flowers Michael. It should be easy to find out details, the time of the funeral and such like, what do you think?” asked Jane.

“I think that would be quite appropriate, I will get straight on to it” said Michael noticing Jane's face had gone ashen.

Jane went home that night and looked through her memory box. There were photo's of her as a baby with her Mother. Her first birthday with her dancing with Granny Agnes, and so many other occasions. There also was a photo of her with David. The only one she had kept of them together. She remembered that day clearly. They had been at the beach and David had asked a complete stranger if he would be kind enough to take a photo of them. Now here it was a little tainted in colour over the years but still clear enough to show a couple in love.

It was so many years ago but Jane felt a pull at her heart strings and put the photo back in the box closing the lid firmly.

Six months passed. Michael walked in to her office letting her know David Stewart was on the phone, did she want him to put him through or make up whatever excuse to make him go away.

“Thanks Michael, put him through.”

“Hi stranger” she said in to the phone “how are you dealing with things? I am so sorry to hear about your Wife . It must have been a very difficult time.”

“Yes it was and still is, however, I rang to thank you for the flowers and the sentiment, it meant a lot.”

“You are more than welcome David. How are your children holding up?”

“Well they have good and bad days. Being teenagers they don't need much to fuel that particular fire but generally speaking I believe they are managing much better than I anticipated.”

“I so glad to hear that.” said Jane sincerely. “I imagine it takes a lot of time to get over such a tragic situation.”

“Look I was wondering if perhaps we could catch up. Go for dinner or perhaps a drink sometime? It's just that for so long I have wanted to talk to you and explain what happened years ago between us. Due to circumstances and other things I felt I couldn't talk to you about my reasons at the time.”

Jane took a sharp intake of breadth, her mind running a million miles. “Can you give me your number and I will think about it” was all she said.

He gave her his number and said “Take your time, it's been years, so a while longer won't matter.”

They said goodbye and Jane looked at her phone wondering “What just happened?”

Michael walked in to her office and said “So Boss how did it go?”

“I hate when you call me Boss.”

“Soooooooooooo it went that well, okay then, share” Michael said sitting opposite Jane.

Jane explained the conversation in detail and then said “After all these years what is the good of talking. I mean what can we possibly say between us now that should have been probably said a very long time ago?”

Michael pondered for a moment and replied “Perhaps closure on your part would be good and regarding David it might finally clear the air for him also. Quite frankly I have no idea what the outcome can be but I do feel it could do more good than harm.”

They arranged to meet up at Spandi's, a new restaurant that had just opened recently.

David looked at Jane and said “My God you look awesome.”

“Not to bad yourself” replied Jane adding “I have heard about all your big wins in court. You achieved what you set out to do, you must be very proud of yourself?”

“So says the Editor-in-Chief of a highly respected magazine.” David retorted. “Let's order a drink and cheer to that.”

“So your children are growing up, what are their hopes for the future?” asked Jane.

“Well my Son wants to go in to Law and my Daughter wants to be a nomad and grow vegetables for the rest of her life.”

“She might be on the right track.” said Jane grinning. “Seriously though David why ask to meet up? A lot of water has gone under the bridge since we last saw each other and you must still be grieving.”

It took David a while to answer and when he did it took Jane aback.

“I loved my Wife but never in the way I loved you. I know it is still early days considering her passing but it has caused me to reflect on a lot. I married a wonderful woman and had two children with her but you were always in the back of my mind as if you were the one that got away.”

“That's bullshit David. I wasn't the one that got away, you were the one that threw me under the bus.”

“I had my reasons” he replied.

“Which were?”

“Well to cut a long story short I went to your Father's house and asked for your hand in marriage. I can clearly remember it as if was yesterday. He poured us a glass of his vintage scotch and cheered me saying he was more than happy to accept me as your intended but then carried on explaining that your having children was not possible. I left then and took the cowards way out, not explaining to you the reason for my actions, I am so sorry.”

Once again Jane felt the fog set in and abruptly left while she could still breathe.

 

Jane arrived the next morning at the Office. Michael's reaction looking at her was “Are you alright you look like you have seen a Ghost?”

Jane said “Well in a manner of speaking I have” explaining the night before. “The whole thing just took me by surprise. I mean it just reminds me how much my Father disliked me for my shortcomings and therefore left me out to dry. Even after all this time he still manages to reach out from the grave and I feel gutted all over again.”

“You my love are in no fit state to be here, go home, give yourself a little time to refresh. All the shit that happens here today will still be here when you get back in the morning” said Michael.

Feeling sorry for herself Jane took his advice and drove home.

She poured a coffee and went out on to her back deck noticing that the cacti had flowered yet again with a baby attached to it.

“Thanks Mum, you are always watching aren't you?”

Martin arrived that night carrying the proverbial dozen roses.

“Do they sell roses at the garage now?” asked Jane sharply.

“Well hello to you to, should I stay or leave?” asked Martin.

“Sorry, sorry, long day. Thank you the flowers are beautiful” said Jane putting them on the kitchen sink not even bothering to find a vase.

“What's going on?”

“Oh I don't know. I was just made aware once again how my Father truly felt about me. Yes, he left me a fortune, simply because I was the only one he could bequeath it to, but I have found out once again he had absoloutley no respect or love for me. Even after all this time it is still a bitter pill to swallow.”

“With all due respect Jane your Father has been dead for a lot of years now perhaps it is time to move on” said Martin.

“You are probably right, its time to move on with a lot of things” Jane replied pensively.

Martin looked at her with a worried look on his face.

 

Pulling herself together Jane arrived at the office the next morning.

“You look more refreshed petal” said Michael “plus you have had a delivery, arrived just ten minutes ago.”

She walked in to her office and didn't see any huge bouquet of flowers (that she was expecting from Martin), only one single sunflower wrapped in brown paper with a card attached saying “Call me any time of the day or the night and I will answer, David.”

“Well I must say that beats most grandeur moments I reckon” Michael said with a huge grin on his face.

“It certainly does” replied Jane grinning back at him.

 

However, Jane treaded carefully. After all she hadn't got to her position in life to behave like a complete fool. Though she did recognise that her relationship with Martin was not perhaps the wisest thing to do.

David's Wife had only passed away not that long ago. She pushed his card in to the top of her desk drawer, occasionally looking at it, and bided her time.

Several months passed.

“So are you going to call what's his name, oh that's right, 'gorgeous', sooner than later?” asked Michael. “I don't know. Maybe its still a little too soon.”

“To do what?” asked Michael “Perhaps catch up, have conversation, maybe even dance in the rain with someone you cared for very deeply. Life is for living Jane, embrace it.”

Michael and Martin had met on several occasions and there was a definite dislike on both sides.

From what Jane had told Michael about her Father he felt she was actually dating the same man.

As for Martin he found Michael to be a little flamboyant for his taste.

Zac was in complete agreeance with Michael's reasoning on the situation regarding Jane and David.

Zac talked to Jane saying “Yeah I understand, it would have hurt finding out about your Father's final betrayal, but give David a break. He was young and impressionable and didn't have the guts to face you head on. Then again neither did you, not making him aware of your situation. Also, let's face it, Dad could be quite formidable at the best of times, so no wonder the poor bugger headed for the hills. It's time to swallow your pride and give him a call.”

“I think that's what I am going to do” said Jane.

“Good answer” replied Zac.

 

Martin arrived one night going straight to Jane's bar and poured a scotch on the rocks. An unusual thing for him to do.

“Do you want one?” he asked looking at Jane.

“Do I need one?” she replied.

“Depends on how you look at it” said Martin laughing.

Jane started to get a little worried, this was not the Martin she knew.

He sat opposite her and said "As a matter of fact my Wife has left me.” He regaled this as if he was telling her he had taken the garbage out.

Jane was so flabbergasted the only word that came out of her mouth was “Really?”

“Yep, two nights ago. Came home to find her personal belongings all moved out with a note on the table making it very clear she wasn't coming back. The note listed her expectations for the future, marital support, etc. In all honesty I am almost proud of her. I didn't think she had it in her.”

“But where has she gone? My God Martin your children, you are going to miss them so much!” Jane said unsure what else to say.

“Well she has taken off with her new tennis coach. As for the children she didn't take them with her. They are still ensconced in their beautiful designer bedrooms with a Nanny each in their attendance.” Jane felt so sick to her stomach, she excused yourself and went to the bathroom and retched.

Returning in to the room Martin said to her “Perhaps at the end of the day it's not a bad thing. After all you and I have a better understanding between each other than either she or I ever did. We are both highly respected in our fields and respect each other for that. You and I can carry on as we are and may be even more happier.”

That night lying next to Martin in bed Jane knew the last thing she was feeling was happy.

 

The next day Jane rang Zac and said “I need to talk to a friend.”

“Well you are in luck” said Zac “you get two for the price one. A Brother and a Friend. How about Friday. I am sure Alex will prepare a gourmet meal for us. Bring your PJ's.”

“God love them” thought Jane hanging up.

Jane told them both about her current situation.

“The truth is I was considering calling it a day between me and Martin because for a long time I had always felt I was on the perimeter of his life and I was tired of feeling that emotion. Then now this whole situation has presented itself on my doorstep. In my own way I still love him but a lot of stuff has gone on between us over the years and since meeting you guys I guess I no longer feel like I have to grasp at straws to avoid feeling lonely. Now I don't know what to think or to do for that matter.”

“Look inside yourself Jane” said Alex. “Just because Martin has hung out a shingle saying I am available at all times from hereon in you lucky woman, I hope you are not wondering if you are worthy of that, personally I think you are worth a lot more .”

Zac looked at Alex straight in to his eyes and said “God I love you!”

 

One morning Michael walked in to Jane's office saying David Stewart was on hold on the line and that she had called him. He placed David's card in front of Jane and walked out of her office closing the door.

Jane hesitantly picked up the line saying “Hye David, I didn't even know I was calling you!”

“Wondering what all the subterfuge was about, this sounds all damn strange to me” laughed David.

“Yeah ,well sometimes my PA likes to take things in to his own hands.”

“Glad to hear it” answered David.

They both went to speak at the same time with Jane saying “You go first.”

“The last time we met wasn't the best outcome I think either of us was looking for. Are you up for giving it another shot?”

“Why the hell not.” said Jane adding “I hope it's raining.”

David burst out laughing saying “This has to be one of the strangest phone calls I have ever had but I am loving it.”

They made plans for Friday night and said goodbye.

Michael re-entered her Office and asked if she was going to fire his sorry ass.

“No Michael. I know what you have just done proves how much you care about me. I have never said this to you before but I love you back, thank you for being such a good friend.”

“Have been for years” said Michael leaving the Office quickly before blubbering like a baby.

 

David picked her up at the Office at 6.30pm.

They arrived at the restaurant and perched themselves on to the bar seats in wait for the table ordering cocktails.

“Well I am glad your PA decided to arrange a date for us” said David smiling.

“So am I. It was definitely a push and shove from him in my direction. His name is Michael and he is not just my PA he is a very valued friend.”

“Well I gather that. Having spoken to him briefly on the phone I like him already.”

“How are your children doing?” asked Jane once they were seated at their table.

“Oh Boy I am so proud of them. They are both doing extremely well. Greg is a bit like head down arse up sort of kid..”

“Kind of what you were like years ago” said Jane.

“Looking back I guess I was the same. Anne is also doing well. She suddenly seems to be gravitating to graphic art and is doing extremely well in the subject. Plus we don't ignore the elephant in the room having conversations about their Mother and what her thoughts might have been on matters. I hope that doesn't make you feel uncomfortable?”

“Not at all.” answered Jane “If you remember I would share with you memories of my Mother as I felt you were the only one that listened and understood.”

“I remember you telling me about the bubble baths you and your Mother would have together.” said David smiling. “You always loved bubble baths and as I recall we had a few together ourselves.”

Jane felt herself blushing recalling those moments with clarity. even though so many years had passed in between them.

At the end of the night they went outside to wait for their ubers and found torrential rain pouring down.

David immediately said he would get an umbrella. Jane threw her bag on to the outdoor seat and dragged him out in to the rain dancing with him in full view of the other patrons in the restaurant.

They sealed the night with a kiss before going their separate ways sodden wet.

“I danced in the rain last night” said Jane a little shyly to Michael the next morning.

“Well you certainly picked the right night for it” replied Michael delighted.

 

“It's been almost a year since my divorce” stated Grayson one night. “How time fly's while you are having a fun. On saying that I think as a couple we should come out of the wood work so to speak, starting by having dinner together at the Hilton next Friday night.”

“Why on earth would we want to do that?” asked Jane totally nonplussed.

“Well there was a silly article in a gossip magazine showing a photo of me with an Australian soapie star. It made up all sorts of nonsense about us, which is completely ridiculous considering she is at least half my age.”

“But that's how you like a woman to look Martin” said Jane honestly.

“Are you trying to annoy me” Martin asked angrily.

“Not at all Martin, calm down. The truth is I also saw the article you are mentioning. In my position I do tend to read other magazines to keep up with the latest, whether it be gossip or whatever. Personally I never want to see my face in any one of them as I value my privacy far too much.”

Jane added “I am well aware you must miss your Trophy Wife and that she possibly enjoyed being in the tabloids but I certainly don't intend to step in to her shoes!”

“Fine, I shall arrange to have dinner with my colleagues instead” replied Martin like a spoiled child.

 

“Rain man's on the phone” said Michael smiling at Jane.

“Hey there” said Jane “did you manage to avoid the flu?”

David laughed and said “Best dance I have had in years. I was wondering if you are available for dinner on Friday?”

“Count me in” said Jane smiling in to the phone.

“So glad you said that because I wasn't sure you were going to say yes.”

“Why would I say no” asked Jane.

“Well the weather forecast predicts it to be a very dry and unseasonably hot evening and I wasn't sure you would be up for that ” laughed David.

“I am a four seasons kind of girl” said Jane.

“Wonderful, how about the Hilton?”

Jane hesitated and said “Well the Hilton is not my favourite place to go to this particular Friday. Can we arrange somewhere else? I will explain why when I see you.”

“Wherever you wish my Lady.”

 

FRIDAY NIGHT DATE

NOT AT THE HILTON

 

“You look wonderful Jane” said Michael when she came out of her office bathroom.

“Did you hang around just to see how I would present myself?” asked Jane.

“Absoloutley and I must say I am not disappointed.”

Jane smacked Michael on the shoulder with her clutch and said “Well I am off then.”

“I reckon you should take it all off” was Michael's answer to her receding back.

 

Jane and David had arranged to meet at a local Italian Restaurant.

The place was warm and inviting and the two of them sat opposite each other pleased to be in each other's company.

“God for some reason I feel like a school girl” declared Jane actually giggling.

“Well you look like you did the first time I met you when you were barely out of school” said David grinning.

“Let's be serious David I am hitting the big 40 this year, I hardly look like what I did when I met you.”

“If I passed you in the street and didn't know you I would have taken you for 30” said David.

“Well thanks for the compliment but you have to be aware someone else had a part in how I look today. I had work done on my face approximately three or so years ago.”

David stuttered saying “But why, you were always drop dead gorgeous, why did you feel the need to do it?”

“Why does anyone do anything?” said Jane “But for the right or wrong reasons it was a choice I made. Before you say anything else I want to be totally honest with you and tell you I have been in a relationship with my Plastic Surgeon since that time.”

“I didn't actually believe you were on your own, considering how successful and beautiful you are, but I hoped deep down that would be the case” said David giving Jane a smile that made her melt inside.

“That is a lovely compliment and one I appreciate.”

“So is marriage on the cards?” asked David.

“No definitely not from where I am sitting. He only got divorced a year ago and things have been a little rocky between us for a while” said Jane.

“So he must have been separated for quite some time before you two got together I imagine?” asked David.

Jane looked David straight in the eye and said “No he was married when I met him.”

The David that Jane had known years before appeared in front of her. A man with strong convictions and ideals.

“You knew he was married?”

“Yes I did” answered Jane honestly.

David put his head in to his hands and asked if the Wife had been aware of her Husband's indiscretion.

“I don't think so but she did leave him for her tennis coach a couple of years or so later, even leaving their children behind for him to raise. Obviously it had not been a very good marriage.”

“Jesus, there are kids involved, you certainly can't be proud of that” stated David “and yet you are still with him, why in God's name, why?”

“I don't know, perhaps habit” answered Jane lamely.

“Well I don't want any bad habits rubbing off on me” David said vehemently. “Waiter can I have the check please?”

 

The next day Jane went in to the Office motioning Michael to come in.

“Well I truly stuffed things up last night” she declared.

“Get over yourself, go out together on another rainy night” said Michael.

Jane told him what had happened.

“Jesus Christ Jane couldn't you have slowly told him about all your warts and all without putting it out on a bill board? “

“I wanted to be honest.”

“Honesty at times can be highly over rated” said Michael.

“What's done is done” said Jane sadly adding “besides, where the hell was I even going with the situation. I am with Martin and as for me and David you could put us both up against the wall and shoot as martyrs.”

“Well truthfully I think that the saying one bird in the hand instead of two in the bush is a silly proverb. Personally I would rather take my luck and pick one out of the two in the bush hoping I had picked the right one” said Michael.

“Well you have more balls than me” said Jane.

“I certainly hope so” answered Michael.

As Jane was prone to do she dusted herself down and moved forward.

More than well aware her big 40th was looming she asked Michael to arrange her calendar so she could have a break over that particular weekend.

“Not a hope in hell” was Michael's answer. “If you want to run away so be it but there will quite a few people following if you decide to do that.”

“I don't want to make a spectacle of myself regarding the fact I am older. I would prefer to enjoy to my own day quietly by myself.”

“Not going to happen” Michael answered “and before you start going on holier than thou I intend to hold it at my place since you have not graced your presence in my abode forever. Therefore, there will be no food to cater for, no drinks to attend to and since the event will start mid afternoon, your adorable Niece and Madge's Grandchildren can attend as well. Say no and I swear to God I will resign right here and now!”

“You are, you are.............................” Jane spluttered.

“Perfect. I know. Glad you have finally acknowledged that” said Michael laughing leaving the room.