Stay in My Heart For Ever
Published by Frances Dartnell at Smashwords
Copyright .. Frances Dartnell
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The lift door opened and she stepped out quickly. It was the end of spring and at eight o’clock the light was almost gone and it was fast becoming dark. There were few cars left in the underground car-park, and her car, an old white Cortina was against the far wall of the area. She was carrying her car keys in her hand, a habit she always followed, and she walked quickly towards her car.
Kathie was small and petite with long straight brown hair that hung down past her shoulders cut into a long fringe just above her eye brows. These were thick and drew attention to the deep green eyes and thick black lashes that framed them.
She was not beautiful in the conventional way, perhaps she was too quiet and serious. As she walked towards her car she was thinking of her small son Jason. He had just turned three years and she loved him dearly and working late had meant that her friend Melissa would have to keep him overnight.
Sometimes it all seemed too much. To hold down a job, and give him the love and affection he needed. He had been 14 months old when the car accident that cost his father his life had happened.
It had been raining that night, he had been going too fast, and the car had hit a greasy patch on the road. An elderly couple in a car travelling in the opposite direction told of the car spinning out of control, just missing the car driven by them, before hitting a ditch and spinning in the air and hitting a tree. He had died instantly at only 25 years old.
In the early days she had been in a daze. When she drove her car the tears would flow and it seemed to her that the world should be different in some way. It was not right, other people went about their business as if nothing had happened but her world had changed. In those days her baby son was the only reason she had for living.
That was two years ago and it had been like a blind slowly going up, the grieve becoming easier to handle day by day. They had been young with very little money saved. The one thing that she had to be thankful for was that the small terrace house that they had been buying was now hers. The bank that helped finance the purchase insisted on this as normal policy.
It had been very hard to manage on the small amount of money she received from Social Security. It was a hand to mouth existence with no money for nice clothes or outings. Not that she cared for herself, but she knew it was affecting the way she cared for Jason. So she decided she would work, and Melissa had offered to look after Jason when she was at work. She had a son of her own about the same age, and the money paid by Kathie would come in handy.
It was a large car park and she had a walk of at least 50 meters to go. It was dark and eerie with shadows everywhere, even the silence had a sound of its own and she was nervous. She held her keys tightly in her hand as she hurried to her car.
She told herself how stupid she was. It’s just that you are not used to being out like this, you should be home with Jason, that’s where you should be. Giving herself a mental shrug she moved forwards smartly.
She had just put the key into the key hole in the car door when she was grabbed from behind. One hand was over her mouth while the other held her tightly around the waist. She tried to scream, but she was so frightened that all that emerged was a soft squeak. She struggled desperately to overcome the terror that was threatening to disable her.
It was dark and he was behind her and she couldn’t see him, but she could feel the size of him and the stale smell of alcohol nearly made her retch. He was big and strong and she knew a feeling of despair. She tried to kick him but he moved back quickly and she missed. Without stopping to think she bit down hard on the hand that covered her mouth. With a loud curse he let go of her mouth and she screamed, loudly, over and over. She struggled and fought as hard as she could, but she felt so alone, as if the whole world had deserted her.
Suddenly she was let go, just as quickly as she had been grabbed. Now someone was punching her attacker, and he was hard-put to defend himself. There was no noise, everything was quiet, just the grunts and curses of the two men fighting. And then it was over, her attacker ran, and was quickly gone.
She couldn’t see her rescuer he was just a dark shape bending down towards her, but she could feel the sheer size of him, he was huge, tall and broad shouldered. Even in the darkness she could feel the power exuding from him and she recognized in her mind that he could be a very dangerous man. “Are you alright,” he asked, his voice deep and harsh. “Come on, I’ll take you back upstairs for a cup of coffee, and we can ring the Police from there.”
“Please wait,” she whispered. She couldn’t stop shaking, and she was close to tears. Biting down on her lip she tried to control herself, she sat down on the car seat and put her head on the steering wheel.
He stood there, just waiting for her to stop shaking.
After a few moments she had herself under control, and then she looked up at him.
She recognized Simon Blakey, one of the two partners who managed the advertising agency she worked for. Kathie had only been working for the company for the past month, and although she had been introduced to him when she had started work with the firm, this was the first time she had been in such close contact with him.
She had seen him many times as she went about her work, handsome, with his brown hair brushed back from his forehead, A strong face, with piercing hazel eyes, two small lines running horizontally between them as if he frowned too much. His wide mouth always appeared to have a small derisive smile tugging at its corners.
But in spite of his good looks, a man who stood apart. She knew that he was not married, and according to the office gossips he had been married once and was now divorced, and had been for years, even the gossips didn’t know the full story. There was a girlfriend, but at 38 and free, many a female working in the Company wove her romantic dreams around him.
But not Kathie, when she dreamed it was of Don, the young husband she had lost, the arms she desired around her were his, and the tears she shed alone at night were for him. Her friends told her she had to start going out again and it was time to begin dating, but this was the last thing she wanted to do. To work and to go home to young Jason was all she needed. Comfort was a pair of young arms around her, and the kisses and cuddles of her young son.
“If you are better now, let’s get that cup of coffee and ring the Police,” he commanded, bending down to help her up from the seat. It was obvious from the tone of his voice that he was used to giving orders and expecting them to be obeyed.
Kathie pulled away from him, her wrists burning where he had gripped her. All she wanted to do was to get away from him, to put the whole episode behind her. Trying to get her key in the key-hole, and the car started, she only succeeded in flooding the battery. She was so frustrated that she felt like crying.
“I don’t won’t to see the Police, he didn’t hurt me,” she pleaded, her voice soft and husky.
“Come on now, I insist.” he ordered impatiently. “You women make me mad, you will do nothing to bring these mongrels to justice, next time his victim may not be as lucky as you. It’s getting late, and I have an appointment so I insist we ring the Police and get it over with.”
Kathie took one look at his face, his frown had deepened, and he looked so bad tempered that she was too frightened not to do as he told her. As he again took hold of her hands to help her up she felt a deep aversion to him, so different to Don, with his happy smile, that she couldn’t help pulling away from him. He gave her a hard look and let go of her hands.
With that, he marched her back to the lift, and pressed the button for the fourth floor where the Company of Media World, founded by his father was located.
Opening the door with his key, he led her into his office and started dialling. “Do you think you can manage to make us a cup of coffee while I call the Police?” he queried.
Without a word, she went out to the kitchen, made two coffees, and put them together with milk and sugar on a tray and carried them back into his office.
“Sit down, they won’t be long, but we have to wait.” Saying this he sat down and helping him to milk, commenced to drink the coffee.
“Just tell me how it was that you were down there on your own so late. Surely if you had been working Richard would have been working with you?”
She was finding it very difficult to control her shivering; the offices were air conditioned and were not responsible for the chills she was experiencing. “No, I stayed back to work with another of the girls, and we left together but I left my car keys on my desk and had to go back for them.”
“You should have had more sense than to have left alone.” He sounded annoyed and she could tell that he would have no patience with fools. There seemed nothing further to say, and the two of them sat in silence waiting.
As they waited, Kathie looked around his office; it was the first time she had been in it. It was a large office, at least 20 feet long and 12.feet wide. The floor was covered by a deep pink carpet, and there was a pale bone coloured leather lounge at the far end with a large coffee table, lamps, and a mass of luxuriant indoor plants in a planter. It was here that they were seated and drinking their coffees.
The silence seemed to drag on for ever. Each with their thoughts, and as the moments dragged on Kathie became more nervous than ever.
“Look, I’m sorry if I seemed abrupt”, he said at last as he got up and moved to the other end of the office and sat at his desk. “But I feel very strongly about this sort of thing and I fully expect you to co-operate with the Police.”
The longer they sat there, the more determined Kathie became not to make a fuss to the Police when they came. There was a hard knot of fear in her stomach. What if the Police did catch her attacker, what if he then was able to find out where she lived. Living on her own with Jason she worried about security, and she knew she would never be able to sleep at night if he knew where she lived.
She told herself that perhaps he didn’t intend to attack her, only to rob her. God knows she wouldn’t want any other woman to go through what had happened to her. If it wasn’t for Jason she wouldn’t feel this way, and looking at Simon, at the deep frown and the determined set of his mouth she knew he would not understand.
Just as the silence between them became unbearable they heard the lift stop at their floor.
Simon jumped up, and with a hard stare in her direction went to open the door of the front office to the two policemen who were waiting outside.
Kathie sat there, listening to the murmur of their voices. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but even so she recognized Simon’s deep voice, and thought how bad tempered he sounded. She told herself that he was one of the partners of the business, and so was her boss, but he had no right to tell her what to do. She would not be dictated to, this was personal, and her only desire was to protect Jason.
Simon came up to her with the two policemen. “I have told these gentlemen what happened.” he told her, “Now they need to talk to you.”
Kathie told them her story, and agreed to go to their Station and sign her statement. She also agreed to look at the police files and see if she could pick out her attacker. She said she would do this the next day, but had no intention of doing anything she felt would bring any danger to Jason or her. She knew she was a coward but it was not for her but to protect Jason.
Within half an hour they had finished and Simon rose to show the policemen out of the office and into the lift. He returned to his office, and turning towards her said with a gesture, “If you are ready we can go now.” Picking up her bag Kathie walked ahead of him and waited while he opened the door for her and walked her to the lift.
She was too intimidated to look directly at him as the lift descended to the basement car park.
He unnerved her, he was overbearing and so tall and strong, he would have no fears. How could he understand how she felt?
If Don had still been alive, how different things would have been. He had loved and protected her, and how she missed him. She missed his loving arms around her and all the little things he did to show how much he loved her. Tickets brought for a favourite artist, the dinners out. Not expensive outings, because usually money was scarce, but they had been very happy times.
She also missed their loving, they had known each other for years, and their loving each other had been so right. She knew she would never find this again, she was not looking, she did not want another man, she only wanted what she had lost, and she knew this could never be.
As they came out of the car park, and he walked with her towards her car, she stole a quick look at him.
A handsome self -assured man in his late thirties, most women would find him very attractive, but Kathie told herself she didn’t. He is overbearing, bossy and cold, she told herself, and I wish that I never had to see him again. But even as she thought this, she knew that she would have to see him again unless she wanted to look for another job, and with all her commitments she could not afford to do that.
He stood there looking down at her seated behind the wheel of her car, which, thank heaven started at the first turn of her key. “Will you be alright to drive yourself home? He sounded frustrated and just a little annoyed with her.
It had not been her fault, why was he blaming her, what an infuriating man. “I’ll be fine, and I want to thank you again, if you hadn’t been there I can’t bear to think what might have happened. Thank you and goodnight.”
She started her car and drove out of the car park, and glancing back through the back window, she saw that he stood watching her go. She lived only a 15 minute drive from work, and was soon home.
Home to Kathie was a small renovated cottage. Don and Kathie had been lucky enough to find an affordable first house in a neglected cottage in a back street of one of the more fashionable suburbs.
It was a two-bedroom brick workers cottage in a tiny mews in Melbourne’s modish South Yarra area. Built at the turn of the Century, the house was badly in need of repair and had taken a lot of love and imagination. It had also taken all their spare money.
As Kathie drove up, the small house with its veranda posts and iron lace, all painted white, with its front door painted a Mediterranean blue, seemed to comfort and welcome her.
Jason would stay with Melissa overnight, Melissa would have put him to bed when it got late, and she would be worrying not knowing what had happened.
Kathie walked down the short passage, past the two bedrooms, and into the living room. The living room, with its adjacent kitchen, was filled with light in the daytime, and was a bright and cheery room when the drapes were drawn at night.
Explaining to Melissa what had happened Kathie asked how Jason was, and on hearing that he was fine and sound asleep, she said goodnight and went straight to bed herself. She found it difficult to go to sleep and strangely it was not the attack she was thinking of, but of the man who had rescued her. She told herself how much she disliked him, his bossy ways, and his supreme self -confidence. She wished that she never had to see him again.
She thought that sleep would be impossible, but she was emotionally drained and she slept as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Kathie awoke to the ringing of her alarm clock, it was six a.m., and turning over she turned it off. She could sleep for another hour as it was Saturday and she didn’t have to work.
Her mind was in turmoil, and she lay there reliving the events of the previous night and before long it was daylight. It was a large room decorated in soft tones of blue, from the quilt cover and the attractive pillows to the design on the pleated lampshade.
The bed was large, but one side of it was empty, as Kathie only slept on what had always been her side. It was a lonely life and even though she had Jason, at times she was so miserable.
Well, she thought, I must get up, I have to pick up Jason from Melissa’s, and then there is the shopping to do.
She showered quickly, and dressing in blue jeans, long sleeved cream shirt and sneakers, swallowed a quick piece of toast and coffee and headed to Melissa’s.
Melissa and her husband lived in the same street, and they had been friends since Don and Kathie bought their house. They had proven themselves good friends, Melissa particularly, and they had become very close since Don’s death. Kathie’s mother had died many years ago and after her father re-married Kathie saw very little of him. She had no sisters, only one brother, Greg, who lived in Perth in Western Australia, and the last time Kathie had seen him had been at Don’s funeral.
Melissa and Kevin had bought a house very similar to Kathie’s. It was also small with only two bedrooms, and Jason would have slept in the smaller of the two with Kevin and Melissa’s son Brett. He was a small boy just turned 3 years old, and always full of mischief. Jason was taller and much more serious, but they were both happy to spend time together.
Although it was still early Kathie knew that with two lively boys in the house, everybody would be up.
She walked the short distance to their house admiring the old terrace homes with their iron lace decorating the verandas. Areas changed over time, and these homes were now owned mainly by young couples, many with children. The front gardens were tiny, but all the homes showed love and care. There were flowers, sometimes massed together in large pots, and where there were room small trees were host to numerous brightly coloured birds.
Reaching Melissa’s house she pushed open the small Iron Gate and walked down the side path. The back entrance was through a door leading directly into the lounge room. Knocking on the door, she called out before turning the handle and walking in. “Anyone up, can I come in?
A small young body hurtled itself at her. Laughing with happiness, and gathering him up in her arms, she gave him a hug, and covered his face with kisses, her beautiful son, so happy to see her. “Hello sweetie, Mummy’s so pleased to see you.”
Melissa busied herself getting mugs out of the cupboard and pouring coffee for herself and Kathie. “Kevin is in the shower, tell me all about It.” she said, curling herself up on the seat.
As Kathie related what had happened, she relived it in her mind, and once again felt the deep dislike towards Simon Blakey that she had felt the previous night.
“I was so frightened.” She couldn’t help the shudder that ran through her at the thought of what had so nearly happened. “Mr Blakey came just in time; you should have seen the other fellow run when he started in on him. I know that I owe him a lot, but even so he needn’t think that he can tell me what to do. He can’t.”
Melissa listened and agreed with Kathie that he sounded overbearing and conceited. “Never mind,” she comforted Kathie, “you probably won’t have to have anything to do with him; you haven’t had to in the past.”
They continued to discuss the previous night’s happening for a little longer, and then gathering up the two children headed together to the shops.
After the shopping was finished, they separated, Melissa going home, and Kathie heading to the Police Station to sign a statement.
There were different policemen in charge this morning, and after signing the statement, Kathie looked at some photos. She was very relieved to find that she could not identify her attacker from among them, and after thanking the policemen for their help, she took Jason by the hand and walked the rest of the way home, stopping for at a small park nearby.
They sat on a seat out in the sunshine and Kathie had to wipe the juice from the Granny Smith apples that ran down Jason’s rosy red cheeks. A few moments spent on the small swing and it was time to finish the walk home.
As she put her key in the front door she could hear the telephone ringing. Hurrying, she put the messages down on the table and lifted it to answer.
The voice was deep and masculine, and at first she did not recognize it. “Oh, hello Mr Blakey,” she answered breathlessly, trying to be as cool as possible. “Hello Kathie,” he said.
“It is Kathie, isn’t it? Let’s not be so formal, and please, call me Simon. How are you this morning, feeling better after a good night’s sleep I hope?”
Trying to be as bright as she could, she said she was fine, she had been to the Police Station and signed the statement, but unfortunately she could not identify her attacker.
“Well,” he replied, “I was just calling to make sure you were O’K. Come and see me Monday morning when you get in.”
With a subdued thank you, Kathie hung up the telephone, and went to make lunch for her and Jason.
After lunch, Jason went to bed for a nap, and she started in to clean the house, promising herself that if she could get finished quickly, she would work in the garden. There was very small garden at the front. In front of a white ripple iron fence there was a dense wave of lavender. The small porch was paved with tiles so old that the pattern had worn off long ago, four large pot plants filled with small colourful plants stood on it one at each corner, and there was a tiny lawn about a meter wide.
The back yard area was where Kathie loved to work and relax. The area was paved, and Kathie was careful not to allow plants to overlap and blur the sharp edges. A bird bath was set in the middle, and this was kept clear of foliage to allow the wild birds to drink safely. There were lots of potted plants, and an iron table and chairs where Kathie and Jason often had lunch on a Saturday or Sunday.
Jason woke up and came out to help Kathie “garden”. They sat quietly together watching a family of Superb Blue Wrens forage for insects by hopping jauntily over the ground with their cocked tails, or moving quickly through the undergrowth beneath the dense bushes.
The male in his brilliant blue breeding plumage was a strong contrast to the brown female wren. A sudden movement and the tiny family were gone, and sighing sadly Jason turned to her as if to ask why. The next few hours were spent in the sunshine together, weeding the small garden bed and cutting the dead flowers off the brilliant red rose bushes that were the pride of Kathie’s garden. Gathering a handful of the fragrant blooms in her arms Kathie went in to the house feeling content and much happier than she had for a long time.
Next day Kathie took Jason with her to lunch with Melissa and Kevin. The day stayed fine, and Jason and Brett played together while the adults enjoyed a quiet drink and talked. Neither Melissa nor Kathie spoke about the attack on the Friday night, and when the day turned cool and evening came Kathie said goodnight and they went home to bed.
Kathie slept soundly without dreaming, and next morning when the alarm went, she arose quickly and hurried through her chores dressing herself and Jason before walking him over to Melissa’s.
Returning home she took one more look around, this small house was her castle and she loved it. It was perfect for her and Jason and she felt pride as she studied the bright cheerful rooms. Picking up a short jacket she checked the house was locked and got into her car for the journey into the city.
Kathie worked as administrative assistant to Richard Hislop, the company’s other partner, and she was just beginning to feel comfortable in the job. Richard was easy to work for, he demanded first class work, but she had found him friendly and likeable.
It was an early spring day, and as is often the case, the wind was blowing and the day had begun quite cold, but it was expected to be fine later. Kathie had dressed for the day in a dress of medium weight material in a pretty floral with a 1/2.button-through neck with ruffle detailing. She had matched this with black tights and a pair of knee-high tan leather boots. In case it was cold after work she had added a Camel coloured long line cardigan.
There was nothing frightening about the car park this morning. The open spaces between the thick pillars had no dark shadows and the whole place was bathed with light. There were only a few spaces left and Kathie parked her car and caught the lift up to the office.
“Good,” she thought, “It’s only 10 minutes to 9, I’ll go and see Mr Blakey now and get it over with.” She combed her long dark hair, and adding a light touch of lipstick, checked that her dress was straight and walked across to his office, her slight body held as stiff as possible, for some reason dreading the coming interview.
Jenny, his assistant, hadn’t arrived as yet, and moving past her desk she knocked at his office and entered at his bidding.
“Good morning Mr Blakey, Simon,” she said. She wondered why she felt strange calling him by his Christian name when she had no problem at all calling Richard by his.
She told herself that it was because she worked for Richard, but then she realized this wasn’t the answer as she had felt at ease with Richard from the very first day she had begun working with him.
He was standing at the large windows that looked out over St. Kilda Road. It was a wide double roadway along which ran the green trams that Melbourne was famous for. The road was lined with magnificent old trees. Trees that had been there long ago before the wonderful old homes had been pulled down to make way for the offices that now lined the street from the City, past the Shrine of Remembrance and down as far as St. Kilda Junction.
He looked the complete business man, the way he was dressed. He was wearing a double breasted suit, charcoal with fine stripes, the pants cut loose. His shirt was pale blue, and he wore a matching tie.
He turned and stood watching her in silence, his frown more in evidence than usual. She felt that it was a long time before he greeted her although it was only a few seconds. She found it difficult to meet his gaze, it was ridiculous the effect he had on her, she felt like some young school girl, not a grown woman and a mother as well.
“Good morning Kathie, I hope you are feeling better now after the weekend break.” He waited for her to answer, and she could only greet him in return and say that she felt fine.
“We will have to organize things better in future; none of the female staff are to leave on their own once it has become dark. I will do a memo this morning. I’ll leave it to you to tell Richard and the other employees.”
He stood waiting for her to answer and she had to shake herself free from the spell she seemed to be under. “I want to thank you again, I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.” Kathie found it difficult to look at him, she felt that he disapproved of her and she had no idea why.
“I’m just thankful that I was there, if it happened again you might not be so lucky.”
It seemed that he had nothing more to say to her, and she felt like some gauche young girl standing in front of him. If only he didn’t have this effect on her. She hated the way he made her feel. After standing there practically speechless for a full moment she mumbled her thanks and left the office.
Sitting down at her desk she started sorting out the work waiting for her. Richard had an early appointment and she didn’t expect him to arrive before lunch time.
When he came in she greeted him with a smile. He was older than Simon, in his early forties at least, of medium height and full of personality. His dark wavy hair was cut short and touched with grey, worn brushed back from his forehead. His brown eyes were outlined with deep laughter lines and his nose was straight even though a little large for his face. Apart from his eyes the other noticeable feature was his generous wide mouth with its appealing smile.
He had been divorced for some years and his two children, a boy and a girl, lived with their mother. Kathie had met them all when his ex-wife had brought them for a visit during her first week working for him. She was a very attractive woman and the two children were well behaved and obviously adored their father. Kathie couldn’t help wondering why such a good looking family had split up, but these things happened, seemingly more these days than ever.
In the short time they had worked together they had become a good team, and Kathie felt that there was a slight attraction between them. Not enough to be a problem, perhaps not even an attraction, but just empathy.
The afternoon passed quickly, and just after three, Richard rang her and asked if she would get him a cup of coffee, and told her to bring hers in with her so they could have it together.
His office was very similar to Simons. The carpet and drapes were the same throughout all the offices and his furnishings only slightly different. It was a large, well-appointed office, with the same large windows looking down onto the same impressive view. He gestured for her to sit down in the seat opposite him, and when she had seated herself learnt across to speak to her. “Simon has told me about the trouble the other night,” he said leaning towards her. “It must have been frightening. Would you like to tell me about it?”
She gave him a genuine smile, thanking him for his concern. “I have nearly forgotten it now, I just felt a little spooked when I came through the car park this morning. I was very lucky that Mr Blakey, Simon I mean, was there to help. I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t been.”
She shivered as she spoke remembering how frightened she had been, and as she spoke Kathie looked across at him and met his direct gaze. His obvious concern and friendliness gave her a warm and contented feeling. He was nice, and she was very fortunate to have such a good boss.
She had a lovely son, good friends, a good boss and a great job. Soon it would be summer, with its long sunny days, days that could be spent outdoors during the weekend. She was looking forward to Christmas this year. She would have three weeks off work and these days would be spent with Jason doing all the things that they liked to do together. Lazy days on the beach or at the local swimming pool or park their favourite way to spend their days.
It had been two years since Don had been killed and she still thought of him and missed him, but now it was different. In the beginning she had felt as if her heart was broken. Before, this had only been a saying. But now she knew exactly how it felt, her heart had actually felt broken. As time had passed this feeling slowly lifted, and now it took the form of a deep feeling of sorrow.
“Kathie you look so sad, what’s the trouble?” Leaning over the desk Richard took hold of her hands.
“Nothing, I’m sorry, my mind was thinking of other things. If you have finished your coffee I’ll take your cup and go finish up my work.” Saying this, Kathie gathered up the cups and saucers and returned to her own office. He is nice. She thought.
The months of spring followed, each becoming warmer. The week days were filled with work, and the weekends spent with Jason working around the house and garden and visiting friends.
Richard’s ex-wife and family had been to visit him on two occasions, and she was surprised how friendly he seemed to be with his ex-wife. But he was a nice person and she grew to like him more and more as the time went on. He became a friend as well as a boss and she could feel an attraction growing between them.
At times Kathie felt guilty for feeling this way, but she was young and her natural happy nature was starting to return and she was beginning to think of romance. Not constantly just at odd times when she was on her own in the evening after Jason had been put to bed. She would sit listening to music or watching television, and sometimes she would dream of another way of life. A life shared with a special man and perhaps a brother or sister for Jason.
She had very little contact with Simon, usually no more than a perfunctory greeting as he passed by her desk each morning. But in spite of this, it seemed that if he were anywhere in her vicinity, she knew it, her eyes lifting to quickly steal a look at him through her lashes before instantly lowering them to her work.
It was December, the first month of summer, and the streets of Melbourne were made brighter by the female shop and office workers dressed in their new summer clothes. All the colours were so clean and bright. Later in the summer the colours would fade and the white winter skin of the young people would be a golden tan.
Media World held its Christmas party for the children of the staff at the end of the second week in December. This was to be held at a park in the hills of Dandenong. A large marque had been hired in case of rain and Father Christmas would arrive drawn in a sledge by six husky dogs. Father Christmas who was a co-worker filled the role ideally being a very large man. The only problem was the artificial beard which had failed to fool the children the previous year. The husky dogs were bred by another employee and were fantastic.
Sunday dawned dull but the weather forecast was for a fine day, the sort of day ideally suited to a party outside. Not too hot.
Kathie was up early. The party was not to start until 12 o’clock, but she had things to do. Anyway Jason was excited at the thought of meeting Father Christmas and had been calling for his mother to get up from an early hour.
“Not yet.” Kathie answered Jason after he had asked how long was it before they had to go for at least the sixth time. “You help Mummy tidy up and the time will go much faster.”
“O’K, Jason will do the dishes,” he replied, suiting the action to the words and dragging a chair over to the sink and climbing up on it. Nothing would do but that Kathie had to let him wash the breakfast dishes.
“Well what’s a little water splashed around, she thought? Let’s hope there are no broken dishes”.
Leaving Jason to wash the dishes she tidied up the rest of the house, and that finished, returned to clean up after Jason.
She added a pretty apricot floral top to blue jeans and dressing Jason in new pants and top she picked up her car keys and left the house locking up as she went.
It was a long drive through some of Melbourne’s lovelier suburbs before she reached the picturesque hills where the park was situated. She drove down the long drive lined with its majestic old trees, their leaves forming a canopy over the road and providing shade that would be very welcome in the summer months to come. Up ahead in a large clearing she could see the marque already erected and some of her workmates standing around talking amongst themselves, most with a drink in their hands. In the marque the spit roast was turning, the meat a rich dark colour and the aroma making everyone’s mouth water.
She hadn’t been there very long when she saw Richard drive up in his car accompanied by his two children. He looked very relaxed dressed in casual blue jeans topped with a navy blue jacket under which he wore a plain white T shirt. He smiled warmly as he came over to Kathie’s group.
Greeting them as a whole, he turned to Kathie, and smiling at her affectionately, asked her to bring Jason with her and join him and his children for lunch. Kathie couldn’t help noticing the raised eyebrows of some of her friends and didn’t know what she should do
“Come on,” he urged, taking her by the arm and leading her towards the food. “Let’s find an empty table and feed the small fry.” Kathie let him lead her away, his arm on her waist
After helping themselves to salad and bread and butter, they joined the line of people waiting for meat, and were all served a large helping to which they added jacket potatoes wrapped in foil.
Taking their plates they found a table over in a corner away from the crowd, and Kathie was soon busy cutting up Jason’s meat and Stephen getting drinks for them all. The older children were making a great fuss over Jason and Kathie realized that it had been a long time since she had been so happy.
They had finished their meal and were sitting under the shade of the huge gum tree, a drink in their hands, when Kathie looked up to see Simon standing in front of her. He had one of the most beautiful women Kathie had ever seen with him.
She was tall and slim, with long titan hair, a mass of tight curls hanging down past her shoulders. Her brilliant green eyes were set off by long thick lashes. She was very glamorous, and was wearing a white high collared short sleeved shirt topped with a lambs-wool sleeveless drapey vest in a bright emerald green that was reflected in her sparkling eyes. She flashed a lovely smile at them and she also appeared to know Richard and his children.
Her hand was placed lightly on Simon’s arm, but Kathie could sense a feeling of possession. “Kathie you don’t know Nicole do you? Nicole this is Kathie, she works with Richard.”
Simon introduced the two women, standing a little apart, his derisive smile going from one to the other, as if comparing them, and Kathie knew that she was no competition for the other glamorous woman.
She sat watching them, her eyes hidden by the dark sun glasses she wore. Richard stood talking to Simon and Nicole turned to talk to the children, asking them what they would like to receive from Father Christmas.
She continued to watch the pair of them, Simon so attractive and virile and Nicole a beautiful foil for him. Today there was none of the reserve that usually surrounded him, he was laughing and relaxed, and so obviously proud of Nicole. When she looked up at him she saw that his gaze was fixed on her, his thoughts impossible to read.
His eyes were compelling, filled with what she believed was annoyance, and after meeting his gaze for what seemed eternity, she couldn’t resist the urge to look away.
This is silly, she thought, I have done nothing wrong. I know he doesn’t like me, he made that clear enough the night of the attack, and I don’t care. She told herself this but in her heart she knew she didn’t mean it.
Simon and Nicole stood talking for a little while longer and then they moved away to help set up games for the children. Kathie turned her attention to Richard and the children, and as she looked up at him she found he was looking at her with affection.
He leant over the table, and taking her hands in his, he told her she looked sweet.
“Kathie,” he said, “I have to take the children home to their Mother by six, come and have a cup of coffee with me afterwards.”
She was going to say that she couldn’t as she had to get Jason home to bed, but just then, she looked beyond him and over to where Simon was standing with Nicole.
He was frowning and looked annoyed. She pulled her hands away from Richard quickly and in a defiant voice told him that thanks she would love to have a coffee with him after the Christmas party was over.
“Come on kids the races are beginning.” Richard stood up and led the three of them over to where the other children were gathering with some of the young fathers who were busy organizing them into ages and sizes.
Richard was so good with them and Kathie felt sorry for him deprived of his own two except for odd weekends. He was such a nice person and a very loving father. She sat in her chair watching them join in the games. The sun had gained some heat and it felt good. Lunch had been fine, and she felt so happy and relaxed, and very sleepy.
Her eyes were closing and it was a real effort to remain awake when she felt more than saw Simon sit down in the chair next to her.
“Hello Kathie,” he remarked. “That’s a fine looking young man you have there. He seems to be enjoying himself.”
Kathie opened her eyes to look up at him. He appeared so overpowering leaning down towards her, Kathie’s breath caught in her throat. His natural coloured jeans and blue denim jacket which he wore opened to show the white T shirt underneath suited him, the casual look making her more aware of his masculinity than ever.
She shaded her face with her hand, her eyes narrowing against the glare, and answered him. “He is a fantastic boy, but of course I’m prejudiced.”
“Well I’m pleased that you are both enjoying yourselves. Father Christmas is coming soon with his gifts for the children and I am sure your son with love that.”
Good God, she thought, he’s trying to be nice to me. I wonder what brought that on.
Kathie tried to meet his eyes but had to look away quickly and an uneasy silence came between them. It appeared that they had nothing more to say to each other, and after sitting beside her for a few more moments, he made his excuses and stood up and moved away.
“I see you have been chatting to Simon. I get the feeling that you don’t like him very much but he is a good guy when you get to know him, and certainly, one problem he doesn’t have normally is making women like him.” Richard had returned with a drink for her and his smile as he handed it to her was wry.
“I don’t dislike him, apart from work, I hardly know him, and really I haven’t thought about him that much.” Taking the drink from him, she realized that it was not true. She may not like him but she found it very hard not to think about him, he seemed to fill her thoughts more and more.
Jason ran over to her, his face beaming with excitement, and taking hold of her two hands, tried to pull her up out of her chair. “Quick Mummy, quick, here comes Father Christmas.” Standing up and giving Richard a smile, she allowed herself to be pulled along to where the crowd was gathered around the sledge which was attached to six massive dogs.
The children’s’ excitement was palpable as they waited for their names to be called by Father Christmas so that they could go up to receive their presents.
The rest of the afternoon went by very fast, the children running away to find a quiet spot as soon as they received their present. And when it was time to wave Father Christmas goodbye, it was the adults who waved and called out the most. The children were tired but happy, and soon chairs were being folded up and families were making their way home.
Jason was so tired that he was nearly asleep in Kathie’s arms. When she saw Richard come towards her, Kathie smiled at him and said she was very sorry, Jason was so tired she would have to take him straight home and put him to bed. The cup of coffee would have to wait until another time.
“Sure,” he answered with a smile, “some other time.” He helped Kathie settle Jason in his car seat in the back of her car, and waving a cheery goodbye, drove off.
It was only six o’clock when Kathie arrived home but Jason never woke up even when carried inside, and soon he was asleep in his own bed, and Kathie thought, me too, tonight I need an early night.
The next morning was Monday the 16th of December and it was only one week to the Christmas holidays. The following Friday the annual Christmas Dinner Dance was to be held at The Haven, a Reception House in Dandenong, and the next Monday they would work a short day and finish for the year. It would be the middle of January before work commenced again.
Kathie was surprised when she arrived at work early Monday morning and Jenny asked her if she would come and see Simon for a moment. Now what can he want? she thought, as she stood up and walked into his office.
He was standing looking out of the window when Kathie entered his office and he turned and gestured for her to sit down. “Kathie I know you are alone with young Jason, and I wonder if you have any plans for the coming break.”
Kathie was so surprised at his question that she didn’t know what to say for a moment.
“Well no, I am just going to stay at home, I have a lot of gardening to do, and I will take Jason out and do some visiting.”
“I’m going to Sydney to stay with friends for two weeks in January and my family will be away.” He stopped as if he was thinking. “We have a small holiday house at Philip Island and you are quite free to use it if you would like.”
Kathie didn’t know what to say, to be able to take Jason to the beach would be lovely but she couldn’t be beholden to Simon of all people.
“Look before you say anything, just think it over. The house is not going to be used, it is very close to the beach, and I am sure Jason would have a great time. Think about it and let me know what you decide before we break up at the end of the week so we can arrange about the key.”
“Well thank you, I will, think about it, I mean, and thank you.” Kathie didn’t know what more to say, she was amazed, she didn’t know what she had expected, but certainly nothing like this.
When he indicated that he was finished Kathie stood up and went back to her desk outside Richard’s office. She was confused and didn’t know what to think let alone what to do about his offer.
She had thought him infuriating, conceited and self-opinioned and had believed that she disliked him thoroughly, and then all of a sudden he did something nice, and this made her question how she felt about him.
Thinking back to the picnic and now this very generous offer she didn’t know what to make of him. Perhaps he might like her a little. It was very puzzling.
Richard had arrived and Kathie was soon hard at work, there was a lot to do before the end of the week, and with her mind occupied she had no time to think about Simon or his surprising offer.
When she stopped at Melissa’s after work to pick up Jason Kathie accepted Melissa’s offer of a quick cup of coffee before she went home, and looking at Melissa Kathie thought what a good friend she was and how lucky she was to know her. She had no one else to confide in, and she had to talk to someone.
She told Melissa about Simon’s offer of the house at Philip Island. “I don’t know what to do, it would be lovely to have some time away and I know Jason would love it, but I don’t like Simon very much and I don’t relish the idea of being beholden to him. He is good looking and does he know it, and he is also very bossy.”
Kathie was frowning as she said this. She did not know what to do. She had disliked Simon right from the time he had rescued her in the car park, which was very strange as she was not a person who formed a dislike for people. In fact she could not remember ever disliking anyone before. He had not really done anything to her for her to form this dislike, and she knew she was being illogical.
It was very good of him to offer her the use of the holiday house, and the more she thought about it the more the idea appealed to her. If it had been anyone she would have accepted at once.
Kathie explained all this to Melissa and waited to hear what she thought about it.
“Look Kathie, he hasn’t done anything to you, he is trying to help, and I think it is mostly all in your mind. In fact I wonder if perhaps you dislike him as much as you think you do, love and hate are said to be two sides of the same coin.”
Kathie gazed at her friend with shock; she didn’t know what to say for a moment. It was true that Simon had not really done anything to upset or hurt her but there was no way she loved him. When she thought of love she thought of Don and the love they had for each other. She certainly felt nothing like that for Stephen.
“Don’t be silly, I know what love is, Don and I loved each other very much, and I still miss him. I just don’t want to be under an obligation to Simon.”
“Well you will have to make up your own mind, but I think you would be silly to turn down such a good offer, and just think how much Jason would love it.”
“Thanks Melissa, I must go, you’re right I have to decide myself.” She took Jason by the hand, and picking up her bag, gave Melissa a quick hug, and left.
Kathie busied herself preparing dinner; it would be something light, just fish, salad and a small amount of chip potatoes to make Jason happy. There was fruit and jelly to finish up with.
Kathie loved working in her kitchen. It was small, really just an alcove made up of a bench at which she and Jason sat on the two pine and lattice stools, and a wall of clean white cupboards. The refrigerator was built in by the cupboards and the two top shelves were full of her much prized cook books. The glazed glass doors of the living room joined with the large picture windows of the tiny kitchen which was flooded with light all day long.
Dinner was soon finished and Jason tucked into bed and asleep, but Kathie found it hard to settle down to read or watch television. She didn’t know what to do about Simon’s offer. He wasn’t using the house himself, and it would be lovely to have a holiday at the beach with Jason.
She still hadn’t made up her mind what to do when she arrived at work the following morning, and she knew it was no use asking advice from any of her workmates. They would think she was silly to hesitate. It wasn’t as if she had anything else planned, and she certainly couldn’t explain how she felt about Simon, they would think she was being stupid and probably unfair as well, and they would probably for right.
When he stopped at her desk on his way into his office and asked her had she made up her mind whether to take him up on his offer or not she was still uncertain what she was going to say.
She looked up at him and faced with a piercing look from his hazel eyes heard herself thanking him very much for the offer and surprising both of them by accepting.
“Good, come into my office later and I will give you the key and directions.” Obviously he felt that there was nothing more to say, it was settled, and Kathie was surprised at how easy she had capitulated.
She ate her lunch first, and then she went to see him. She knocked and entered when he bid her, and answered his smile with a tremulous one of her own. Her hand was steady as she took the keys from him, and leant towards him as he explained the directions to her.