Facing The Past

| Chapter Six |

I watched as Adrian and my Dad sat at the kitchen table sorting business. My Dad kept cursing the chair as he couldn’t get right into the table to go over the books with Adrian. I just laughed at his frustration being the lovely sympathetic daughter I clearly was.

Each time I chuckled Adrian would narrow his eyes at me knowing that I wouldn’t stop, that just made me want to laugh more.

“Sydney, help me with this will you?”

I walked over helping my Mum put away the pull-down bed from the sofa. Folding the sheets, I frowned as the door went. My Mum rushed to answer it, the woman never relaxed, I swear.

“Sydney, you have a visitor.”

There was silence as we all turned to the living room door. I barely spoke to anyone round these parts these days, but it all made sense when my Mum walked through the door with Nick.

“Oh my God.” I smiled.

Running over I hugged him tight, he caught me, hugging me back equally as strong. For a moment I left the room as I pulled back and kissed those lips. I had missed this man so much.

“Hi.” He smiled with a wink of those blue eyes.

“Hi.” I responded equally as cheeky.

“Aren’t you going to give us introductions.” My Dad remarked dryly behind us.

Turning to them I suddenly became very awkward. It wasn’t with the fact that my parents were there, they had met Nick on video chat, just never in person. It was with the fact Adrian was standing at the table, arms folded looking like he was going to kill my boyfriend.

“Dad, Mum, this is Nick.” I sounded as awkward as I felt.

“It’s nice to meet you son, I hope you are taking good care of my daughter.” My Dad stated, sounding stern.

“Yes sir.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” My Mum agreed. “Do you need a tea, coffee?”

“I’ll take a coffee if that’s alright. Milk and two.” My Mum nodded and went to work.

A moment of silence lasted a bit too long as we all stood there. I could feel the heat rise inside me; I just wished the moment would be over.

“Nick, this is Adrian. He works with my Dad.”

They shook hands with a nod and Adrian frowned at me. I wasn’t going to introduce him as my ex-boyfriend so he could shove that frown where the sun doesn’t shine.

I jumped when I felt Nick pull down my t-shirt, it had ridden up with the hug I suppose. He didn’t like when I showed skin. Unconsciously, I pulled at the hem myself. A look took Adrian’s face, one I couldn’t quite decipher but it was gone in seconds.

“Syd, you okay covering a Wednesday and Thursday night with Adrian at the shop?” It had pained my Dad to ask, he hated relying on anyone else.

Honestly, I didn’t want to. I wanted as far away from Adrain as possible, but the reality was, my Dad needed the rest, and I would do anything I could to help.

“As long as it’s after four, I start back work next week.”

I worked as an accountant, but I could do it from anywhere, so I was lucky. My hours were flexible, my bosses were strict but fair. I loved my job.

“That’s fine sweetheart. That’s our two official late nights. It was usually me and Adrian. I’ve taken on old Miriam’s grandson so he will cover anything else.”

“No problem Dad.” I smiled.

“I better get going.” Adrian walked out the door before anyone even responded. My Dad and Mum gave me a look and we all sort of dismissed it, this wasn’t an easy situation for anyone.

“I better show you upstairs so you can get your bags away.”

I led the way upstairs as Nick followed with a tense smile to my parents after taking his coffee from my Mum. I had barely shut the door before he spoke.

“I don’t like the way that man looked at you.” He set his bags and coffee down as he came over in front of me.

“Adrian’s fine, he’s just an old man before his time.”

The truth was Nick didn’t know about Adrian, I had just never got round to telling him and I certainly wasn’t going to now. I couldn’t be dealing with the questions if I’m honest.

Lacing his hands through my hair, Nick pulled my head back. I smiled at those blue eyes; they were always so bright. His lips were on mine in seconds, the kiss showing me just how much we had missed each other.

“Get on that bed.” He demanded.

I pulled back almost shocked. There was no way we were having s*x right now with my parents’ downstairs. Was he crazy?

“I’m not having s*x with my parents’ downstairs.”

“I came all this way Syd, I’ve missed you.” He again went to kiss me.

“And I’ve missed you, but it isn’t happening.”

He barely spoke to me the rest of the night as we watched crap TV. My mind drifted to Adrain, wondering how he was. This was all awkward, but I didn’t want to rub my relationship in his face. I wasn’t that type of person. Regardless of what he had done to me, I wasn’t going to be the spiteful revengeful ex, that didn’t look good on anyone.

When Nick fell asleep I snuck downstairs. My Dad was sleeping on the sofa bed and my Mum was sitting at the table watching over him with a coffee in her hand.

“He is fine Mum; he is already practically back to his old self.” I kissed her cheek as I sat down beside her.

“I know, I just can’t sleep upstairs without him. I’ve slept next to that man since we left school”.

I smiled at the love and adoration in her eyes, it truly was a beautiful sight to witness. My Mum doted on him, she always had and always would. I frowned at her dishevelled form, her hair was scraped back, she was in old worn jammies but still she was beautiful.

“You should have said, I’d have stayed up with you the last few days.” She just dismissed my comment like I knew she would.

“I just didn’t realise how precious life could be, you just take it for granted but with your Dad and Adrians Mum. It just makes you realise that today could be your last.”

“What’s wrong with May?” I asked wondering about Adrain’s Mum. Maybe now I would get answers.

“He didn’t tell you?" I shook my head. “She has cancer honey, it’s terminal.”

It was like a slap to the face. May had always been like a second Mother to me. She was a lovely woman, we had lost touch, but I had always thought about her.

“How long has she got?” I asked stunned.

“I don’t know honey; I only know she is terminal. Adrian doesn’t talk about it and I only found out from some gossip going round in the shop. You know how gossip travels here.”

“I can’t believe it Mum.” I managed after a beat.

“I know you and Adrian aren’t on the best of terms, but he needs a friend just now honey. He doesn’t have a lot of people he talks to and he isn’t the most open of souls.”

She had that right; Adrian could be like a cement wall if he didn’t want to speak with you. He didn’t deal with his feelings well; he wasn’t one for talking about them and that just made my heart ache for him. His Mother was dying, and I knew how much Adrian loved and cared for her.

When she died, it would break him.

My Mum was right, just like she usually was. Life was short and right now, Adrian needed someone to help him through and if that was me then I would push aside the past to try and be what he needed.

It wasn't going to be easy but I had to try, I'd never forgive myself if I didn't.