Chapter 43
NANCY
Nancy felt a bit better after hearing Phyllis’s plan.
She knew that she was a soft touch, but she simply couldn’t kick Clifford out on the streets.
This way he had a roof over his head to give him time to sort himself out, then he would hopefully go of his own free will – especially if Phyllis’s plan worked out.
Nancy was grateful that her lodgers had turned out to be such good friends, that they would support her in this way.
It had ruined their Christmas party though, which was a shame, as she had been enjoying it.
She made her way into the kitchen to make a cup of tea and saw that Clifford was already there, making himself a turkey sandwich – Val had sent her back with a plate of leftover turkey, saying that she and Dennis couldn’t eat it all.
He was acting as if he’d never left, she thought, annoyed that he’d tucked into her food without asking.
He turned around, a big smile on his face.
‘I’ve dreamed of this so many times, being back home again. I’ve missed you so much.’ He started to walk over to her, but she backed away.
‘You chose to leave. You can’t simply walk back in again, as if nothing has happened. I’ve moved on, made a new life for myself.’
‘Got a new man too, I see,’ he retorted.
‘Slate is a lodger, as are Jackie and Phyllis. I had to pay the mortgage and bills somehow.’ She folded her arms. ‘All the rooms are taken Clifford, and you certainly aren’t sharing my bed.
You can sleep on the sofa tonight. Then tomorrow I’ll clean up the box room and you can sleep there until you sort yourself out. This is only temporary.’
‘You can’t be serious! That room’s tiny!’ he protested. ‘I was hoping we could figure things out, call a halt to the divorce and try again.’
‘I doubt if we could call a halt to it now, but even if we could, I wouldn’t.
You agreed not to make any claim on the house, which is in my name, took the savings and left me with a lot of debt.
There is no going back from that. If you seriously haven’t got anywhere to go then I’m prepared to let you stay in the box room for a little while.
That is the only option and, as I told you, that’s only temporary,’ she emphasised the last word. ‘Take it or leave it.’
He looked hurt as he nodded slowly. ‘Then I’ll take it.’ He spooned sugar into his tea. ‘I must say that you never used to be this hard.’
‘What, before you deserted me and left me in debt?’ she retorted. She sighed. ‘I don’t want to argue, especially today. I suggest you get your things out of the car and I’ll fetch you a duvet and pillow.’
* * *
Clifford’s arrival had certainly quelled the festive spirit and the others had now retreated to their rooms. Leaving the bedding on the sofa for Clifford, Nancy went to her room too.
Her head was all over the place and it took her ages to get to sleep, memories of various events from their marriage flashing across her mind: the day they met, their wedding day…
When she woke, she had a clearer head and knew without any doubt that she categorically didn’t want to get back together with Clifford.
Even if he had had some sort of breakdown – which she wasn’t at all convinced about – it didn’t excuse everything he had done.
Besides, she no longer loved him and she didn’t think he loved her either.
He’d probably come back because his money had run out and his new life hadn’t worked out as he’d planned.
He might regret his actions now, but he’d done what he’d done, they’d both moved on and that was it.
She had a quick shower and got dressed then went downstairs. There was no sign that anyone else was up. She guessed they were sleeping off the wine they’d consumed yesterday. Cobweb was in the garden though, so Phyllis had clearly been up at some point.
She thought of going in to Clifford but decided against it.
She’d agreed to let him stay but she had no intention of acting like his wife, carer or anything else.
She just hoped that Phyllis’s plan worked then Clifford would leave of his own accord.
Meanwhile, she’d better make a start on clearing the box room.
Cobweb started miaowing at the back door, so Nancy let her in, stopped to drink a cup of coffee then went upstairs. She turned the handle of the box room door and tried to push it open. It wouldn’t budge. Damn, she’d had trouble closing it, she remembered.
‘Want a hand?’ Slate asked from behind her.
She spun around. ‘Please. I wanted to clear this out for Clifford. I could ask him to help, I guess.’
‘But you’d rather not?’
‘I think that it might be a mistake to involve him with anything to do with the house,’ she said. ‘I’m prepared to allow him to sleep here until he sorts himself out, but that’s it.’
Slate nodded. ‘Let’s get it cleared then.’ He leaned against the door with his shoulder and pushed hard. It sprang open with such force that he fell inside, landing on a heap of boxes on the floor.
Nancy’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Bloody hell, you’ve got some strength! Are you okay?’ She held out her hand to help him up. As Slate’s fingers wrapped around hers, she felt a tingle run up her arm.
‘Thanks,’ he got to his feet, still holding her hand. ‘I didn’t realise just how jammed it was but yeah, I’m okay.’
For a moment their hands remained linked and their gazes locked. Nancy wondered if Slate’s heart was racing as much as hers was, if his body was flooding with warmth, his mouth dry. She moistened her lips with her tongue.
‘Morning, do you want a hand with that? It looks like it’s going to be a tough job.’
The sound of Oxo’s voice startled her and she let go of Slate’s hand. She’d forgotten that he’d stayed over in Jackie’s room. ‘Thanks, but there’s only room for a couple of us in there at one time.’ She glanced down the corridor. ‘Is Jackie still asleep?’
‘She’s having a shower. We’re going back to mine in a bit, but we can stay and help if you need it?’
‘We can manage, but thanks again,’ Nancy said.
Oxo nodded. ‘Okay if I nip down and make us both a coffee? Do you two want one?’
‘Thanks but I’ve just had one,’ Nancy replied.
‘I’m good, mate. I’ll message you later, okay?’ Slate said.
Oxo nodded and headed off down the stairs. Slate pushed the door open wide. ‘I suggest that we leave space for the bed only. Put the clutter on one side. That will drive home the point that you have no spare room. The more uncomfortable you make him, the quicker he will go.’
‘Good idea,’ Nancy agreed. And it was true – she had nowhere else to put the stuff. That’s why it was all stacked in here.
They both worked quickly, moving all the boxes over to one side and clearing out the wardrobe by piling the boxes on top of it.
They cleared enough space in front of the big cupboard, which was stuffed with everything Clifford had left behind, for a blow-up bed.
Slate nipped down and got it from his van, along with a foot pump, and inflated it.
For a moment Nancy felt a bit mean as she looked at the single inflatable mattress lying on the floor in the cluttered bedroom. Then her resolve strengthened. After what he’d done, Clifford was lucky she was giving him a bed to sleep in and a roof over his head.
Suddenly they heard a scream from downstairs.
‘What the hell?’ Slate exclaimed. They both rushed to the landing and down the stairs. Clifford was sitting on the edge of the sofa, sneezing and coughing.
‘That cat! I woke up and it was lying beside me. It’s started off my allergies. And when I shoved it away, it scratched my hand.’ He held out his hand revealing a red welt running across it.
Nancy looked over at Cobweb who was sitting on the chair, innocently licking her paws.
‘Oh, there you are, Cobweb,’ Phyllis strolled in and picked up the cat. ‘Time for breakfast.’
‘That perishing cat freaked me out! And it scratched me!’ Clifford shrieked.
Phyllis eyed Clifford calmly. ‘You must have scared her. Cobweb wouldn’t hurt a fly.’ She carried the cat out, but as she passed Nancy she winked.