Anthony has already left when I wake the next morning. With a heavy heart, I head downstairs to make some breakfast and stare gloomily into space as the silence suffocates me. This house seems even larger than normal, if that’s possible, and I’ve never felt so lonely. There is plenty of time to dwell on what may happen because I have nothing to do all day and no money to go out. I don’t even want to speak with my friends because I can’t bear their pitying looks. Then it hits me… I should get a job.
Why didn’t I think about it in the first place? Of course, I need to earn some money to help out and sitting around on my backside all day helps nobody.
I’m scared, yet excited and think about what I could do. I never had to work because I met Anthony on my first job out of university. We fell madly in love and were married within months. I gave up my job to care for him and never looked back.
The doorbell rings, interrupting my thoughts, and I head towards it with a new spring in my step. As I open it, I see Fleur looking worried. “I’m sorry to stop by, Arabella. I was wondering if you managed to speak to Anthony about the hotel.”
I actually forgot I told them, and it takes me back for a moment before I shake my head and pull her inside. Quickly, I fill her in on what happened last night, and she stares at me in total shock. “Oh my god, that’s terrible, poor Anthony.”
I nod miserably. “I know. It couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
Fleur looks near to tears as she says softly, “Please tell me what I can do to help.”
I smile and then something occurs to me and I say with excitement, “Listen, Fleur, I’ve decided I need to get a job to help out. Do you happen to know of any going?”
Fleur looks a little shocked and shakes her head sympathetically. “Wow, that’s bad news, babe. I can see why you need one though. Let me think for a minute.”
I make her a coffee while she consults her phone, which apparently holds the answers to every question life throws at her. After a while, she looks up triumphantly. “Got it. Do you remember Darren, the super-fit hunk of a trainer we know and lust after?”
I nod and she grins. “Well, he was telling me that Rachel from the reception at the country club is leaving next week and they haven’t even bothered to start advertising. If you like, I’ll ask him to put in a good word for you, but it would mean working in a place you were previously a member of.”
I shrug. “It wouldn’t bother me. I’d be so grateful.”
She grins excitedly and I watch as she dials a number and then says brightly. “Hey Darren, it’s Fleur… yes, fine, thank you… um…yes…” She giggles and I note a little flush creep across her cheeks and stare at her pointedly. She grins and says softly, “Anyway, I don’t suppose you’d do me a favour, babe?”
She giggles again. “No… nothing like that. Do you remember when you told me about Rachel leaving? Yes… um, why don’t you put in a good word for Arabella? Um… I know… um… yes… great, would you? I’d be so grateful.”
She giggles again and I roll my eyes, honestly.
She hangs up and looks at me with a telltale brightness to her eyes. “It’s sorted. He’s there today and has promised to put a good word in for you.”
I stare at her with amusement and her face flushes prettily. “What?”
I smirk and mimic her. “Oh, Darren giggle, giggle, giggle…”
She grins and shrugs. “So what? He’s a friend with possible benefits. Not that I would ever act on them, of course. I mean, have you seen Anton lately?”
She starts fanning herself with her hand and we giggle like school girls. Yes, Fleur has it all it seems and not for the first time I’m jealous of my friend. However, she has proven to be a good one and of all of them, she is the one who appears to care the most. I hope it all works out for her because Anton would be a fool not to snap a ring on that perfect finger – sharpish.
As soon as she leaves, I busy myself with cleaning the house for the umpteenth time since this drama unfolded. I sing along to my favourite songs as I work, feeling quite upbeat for once. A job - why didn’t I think of it before? This could be the making of me and it’s taken something so catastrophic to happen to bring me to my senses.
When the doorbell rings, I don’t give it a second thought as I head to answer it. However, I wish I hadn’t because as soon as I do, I wish I could slam it shut because darkening my doorstep is the unwelcome sight of my parents.
Patricia and Hugo Armstrong are two of the most self-centred, egotistical, supercilious people I have ever met, that unfortunately also happen to be my parents. My heart sinks as I register the look they throw me because it takes me back to my childhood and the time I used to spend with them. Luckily, those times were rare because they did everything in their power to keep me at arm’s length, which makes me wonder why they’ve taken it upon themselves to visit now.
My mother raises her well-plucked eyebrow and says in her clipped way, “Aren’t you going to invite us in, darling? Anybody would think you were raised with no manners?”
Holding the door open, I say politely, “Of course, please come in, it’s good to see you.”
I wonder when lies like that began to roll so effortlessly off my tongue. We all say the things expected of us but I’m guessing they know I don’t mean it, every bit as much as I realise they don’t mean anything good they ever say to me.
As soon as they are inside, I notice them both gaze around and then share the look I remember from my childhood - the one where they find me severely lacking and I sigh inside. “Please come through and I’ll make you a drink.”
As they follow me to the kitchen, I’m unsettled. Why are they here and especially now? I’m having probably the worst time of my life and a visit from them is the last thing I need right now.
As I fill the kettle, I say with false brightness, “This is an unexpected pleasure. I never knew you were home.”
This is actually true because the last I heard, they were at their villa in Florida and I’m surprised when my father says, “Anthony called us.”
I turn to stare at them in shock and he says abruptly, “He told us all about the problems you’re having and said you were struggling. He thought it may be a good thing if we came to stay for a while to help you through a difficult time.”
My mother adds, “Yes, such a kind and considerate man. He is having to shoulder so much and one would hope he could rely on the strength of his wife at a very trying time, not having to prop her up and deal with her welfare while trying to deal with an intolerable situation himself.”
She looks at me with a hard expression and says with disappointment laced in her voice, “Mind you, you were always unreliable and never dealt with the problems life threw at you, isn’t that right, darling?”
My father shakes his head. “The trouble is, you have never had to. I blame us, Patricia. I mean, we wrapped her in cotton wool and never allowed her to experience the real world. Maybe we spoiled her too much.”
I sense my blood boiling, as is usual, after five minutes in their company. That’s not unusual, but what is, is the fact that Anthony went behind my back and invited them. How could he? He knows I hate and despise my parents with a passion. What’s he playing at?
By the time I’ve made them their usual decaffeinated coffee and peppermint tea, I’m at the end of a very short tether. They have managed to run me down with every word spoken and remind me why I never call them, let alone invite them here. Now it seems they are here to stay and I feel the walls closing in on me. My life has changed in a matter of weeks and that damned fortune teller was right—it’s a nightmare.