Page 89 of Always Beth
She laughs as she signals to the bartender for another bottle and her face slowly relaxes into a gentle loving smile. ‘No…mi gemelo.’
I look at her, completely confused due to my complete ignorance. ‘Elize, I’m sorry, you know my Spanish is poor to say the least.’
She slides from the booth and tosses her hair back over her shoulder. ‘Sorry, yes, I forgot it’s all the wine and when I drink I get lazy with my English. He was my twin.’
My smile fades and I struggle to swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. As she walks away I sit surrounded by the others who are all still engrossed in the football. I think about everything she’s said over the last fifteen minutes and there’s one thing in particular I can’t erase from my mind,I think that’s why I fell in love with him, because he loves me unconditionally.
Beth
‘I don’t care. There’s something off with it. It doesn’t smell right.’
I sigh heavily as I listen to the litany of excuses. I give the pot one final stir for good measure and inhale as deeply as possible. It’s disgusting. I didn’t think for a second I’d still be making these flaming wax melts and candles, but I’ve not exactly been as motivated post divorce as I thought I would.
‘I know that. I’ve been buying this product from you forever that’s how I know something isn’t right. No…No. Well, same to you.’
I slam the phone down on the side. I need a new wax supplier, and fast, orders are coming in so quickly now that I can barely cope and every batch I make smells like something’s died.
‘Dick, leave her alone for fuck’s sake.’ I gently nudge him with my foot. James was right, he is a sex addict. He had Poppy pregnant within a week of James abandoning him. I should have known better and kept them apart, but I was drowning in my own sorrow, I couldn’t bear to deprive them of one another as well. So now I have two dogs and four puppies. At this rate she’ll be pregnant again if he has his way.
‘You, young lady, are going to the vet.’ Her ears prick up at the tiny three letter word and she recoils into her basket. I pick my phone up from the side and hit the call button. This can’t wait.
‘Hi, yes, my dog needs spaying, she’s had puppies and has a randy boyfriend, she needs help.’
The receptionist fires questions at me at an almighty rate and I didn’t realise how ill prepared I was for this call.
‘Oh, hang on, let me get my calendar. I don’t know when she was last on heat, I know when she had the puppies, wait, let me check.’
I flick back through the months, one, two, three, four…my hand stills as I notice the red circle on the calendar then quickly flick forward again and then back, desperately searching for the next red circle.
‘Can I, erm, call you back?’
I hang up without waiting for an answer and slide into the kitchen chair. I always mark the calendar with a red circle, it seems so old-fashioned considering there are so many apps for it these days but it’s habit. A habit I somewhat relaxed after Stephen because it wasn’t like it was ever going to be an issue. But then there was James. I glance over to the pot of wax.It’s been off for months.About three or four months.
Shit.
It’s not the wax, it’s me.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Beth
‘Hi. Bethany Cross. I’m here to see Dr Young.’
The receptionist peers over her wide-rimmed glasses and points to the waiting room. ‘Take a seat, Bethany.’
God, I’ve never even been here, and this is a small village, people are going to know. Hell, they probably know already. Hopefully doctor–patient confidentiality is still a thing.
‘Bethany Cross.’
Shit.
I glance up towards the open door.Thank Christ it’s a woman.
As I take a seat, the clinical smell makes me heave and I cover my mouth to shield myself from the offending odour.
‘How can I help you today, Bethany?’ she says warmly.
‘I, erm, I think I’m pregnant,’ I whisper like it’s some kind of secret.
