Patrick waited for about twenty minutes after Lucy left for work, before he got dressed and texted Shell, or ‘Steve’ as he had her number stored under on his phone. Lucy never checked his phone, but it would be just his luck that Shell would call, and Lucy would see the screen. Shell confirmed she’d be free that afternoon and looked forward to seeing him.
When he woke Siobhan, he laughed at the sleepy, confused face she pulled. ‘Hey, princess! Up and at ’em – we need to get you fed and dressed and off to school!’
‘Where’s Lucy? She usually takes me.’
Patrick paused and took a deep breath before he answered. Why should his kids look to Lucy before him? ‘Well, today is your lucky day as Daddy is going to take you! And guess what?’
Siobhan rubbed her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. ‘Dunno, what?’
‘You can have whatever you want for breakfast. I won’t tell if you won’t?’ Patrick tickled his daughter and drank in her laughter.
‘Stop, Daddy! I’m going to wet the bed!’
Patrick laughed as he left Siobhan to get dressed. The school run went without a hitch and Patrick ignored any looks from the mums at the gate. He didn’t want to cause a scene but he would love to wipe the smug smiles off their faces.
Patrick stopped in the corner shop and bought a newspaper on his way to the café. He didn’t want to have to go back home after dropping Siobhan off, so he wasted the time reading the paper, pretending to look for work in case Lucy harassed him later. He circled a few adverts, making it appear genuine. A quick bet at the bookies had Patrick pleased with himself a few hours later. With the extra twenty pounds he had won in his pocket, he jumped in his car and made the journey to Shell’s maisonette in record time. Knocking on the door, Patrick licked his lips in the hopes that today might be the day that she finally gave in to him.
Patrick and Shell had been talking to each other regularly, meeting up when possible and he wanted to move things forward. He had done everything he was supposed to do and was confident that she would crack soon. Shell answered with a big smile on her face and he eagerly walked inside. Promising. It was the first time he’d been to her home, and that in itself was a good sign. He followed her through the hallway and into her living room. He was expecting something loud and garish given her personality, but was pleasantly surprised to see the wood flooring, cream walls, and two leather couches. The room had a homelike feel to it. Something he always felt was missing with Lucy. There was a small fireplace, with a flat-screen TV mounted above it in the centre of the room.
‘Nice place.’
‘Thanks, hun. I bet you were expecting something loud and tacky, right?’ she laughed.
Patrick could feel his face flush. ‘Well, yeah – if I’m honest.’ He took a seat and patted the spot next to him.
‘Do you want a drink? Is it too early for alcohol? I have lager, cider, or wine. What’s your poison, darling?’
‘A girl after my own heart. I’m driving so can’t have too many, but a lager please, love. Then park that beautiful backside down next to me.’
Shell giggled as she made her way to the kitchen to get the drinks. Patrick smiled. Any rumours she’d heard would soon be forgotten. If he treated her right for a bit, she’d soon be wrapped around his finger.
Patrick had made himself comfortable when Shell returned and handed him his lager.
‘So, what have you been up to, love?’ Shell turned to Patrick, giving him her full attention.
Patrick relayed his day in short succession. Less talk meant more time for action as far as he was concerned. As soon as she sat down beside him and rested her hand on his knee with a delicate smile, he knew she was his for the taking. Patrick opened up to Shell, feeding her the lines he knew she wanted to hear. They spent hours talking, kissing, and eventually, one thing led to another.
Patrick woke with a start. ‘Babe, what time is it?’ He rubbed her back as she leaned over to look at the clock on her mobile phone.
‘Two, in the morning, why?’
‘Shit! I have to go! Lucy is going to kill me!’
‘What do you care? I thought you said you were going to leave her? Or have you been messing me about? Maybe you should tell her. I can come with you tomorrow, if you want?’
‘No fucking way.’ Patrick snapped. He realized too late how sharp his response was.
Sitting up, Shell let loose. ‘You what? What are you shouting at me for? Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?’
Patrick hesitated then smiled carefully, looking her in the eyes. ‘Uh, sorry, babe. I’m still half asleep. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.’
He pulled her close and nuzzled her neck. ‘I do plan on leaving her. I will leave her. I just need to get the timing right and make sure the kids are sorted. Soon, I promise.’
Looking at his watch, he knew he had to make a move. He sat at the edge of the bed with his back to Shell and got dressed.
‘I hope you’re not fucking me about, Patrick. Trust me: you don’t want to do that.’
‘Babe, I’m not. I’ve really fallen for you.’ Patrick had to hide the smirk forming on his face.
Shell reached over and wrapped her arms around him from behind. ‘OK. I trust you.’ That was Shell’s first mistake.
‘I’ll ring you later. After Lucy goes to work, OK?’
‘OK, love.’ Giving him a kiss, she waved as she watched him leave.
Never in a million years did she think she’d fall for someone again. When she asked around, no one had any evidence that Patrick hurt women. All hearsay. His wife was a probation officer, she would never put up with that. After being messed about so many times, Shell had virtually given up on men. Instead, she enjoyed taking what she wanted, when she wanted, and then cast them aside, the way they used to cast her aside. She was in control. She pulled the blanket tight around her and sighed. Things would definitely be different this time around.
Believing that was Shell’s second mistake.