Rejection Runs Deep (The Canleigh Series, book 1: A chilling psychological family drama) by Carole Williams (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

“A little.”  Vicky stretched and stifled a yawn.  “So sorry, Ruth.  I certainly didn’t mean to fall asleep as soon as I walked in the door.”

“You obviously needed it.  You work too hard, my dear.  You should give yourself more time off.”

Ruth glanced at the tiny French clock on her desk by the window.  There was nearly an hour to go before lunch at the usual Canleigh time of one o’clock.  Would she be able to entice Vicky to talk about whatever was bothering her in that time or should she leave it until their walk this afternoon?  As she deliberated, the decision was taken out of her hands.

“You’re so lucky, Ruth,” Vicky said quietly, examining her pink varnished fingernails closely.  “Living here, having Daddy … having a baby.”  Her voice cracked and she dived into her navy leather handbag for a tissue.

“Vicky, whatever is the matter?” said Ruth quietly.  “You don’t have to tell me but I don’t think you would have come home if you hadn’t wanted to talk to either me or your father.”

“Oh, it’s such a mess.  I’m a mess,” sobbed Vicky, dabbing at her eyes with the tissue.

Ruth grinned, attempting to keep the conversation light but knowing Vicky was going to divulge something dire.  “I disagree entirely.  You’re a damned sight more breathtaking in jeans and a sweater than I am in a ball gown and tiara.”

“Clothes, fashion, money.  What do they matter, Ruth?  None of it.  It’s pathetic, the way people think of nothing but how they look, where they live and what they drive.  It’s not important in the grand scheme of things.”

“I know, I know,” said Ruth.  Vicky was crying piteously now and Ruth pulled her close, cradling her until the tears began to subside.

“Now, are you going to tell me what the problem is?  I’ll do anything to help, you know that.”

Vicky took another tissue and wiped the tears away.  “It’s everything really but mainly Barrie.  Barrie and … babies.”

“Babies!  So that’s it.  You’re pregnant.  But that’s marvellous although I thought you were immersed in the business.  I had no idea you were trying for a child.”

Vicky’s bottom lip trembled again.  She shook her head and placed it in her hands.  “No, I’m not pregnant,” she whispered.  “But you’ve no idea how much I wish I was.”

She raised her head and looked dejectedly at Ruth.  “The business … yes, it was fun at first, opening it, building it up but it’s all so tediously boring after a while.  The same type of people flock in night after night; they eat, dance, get as drunk as they can and then go home to fornicate with whoever has taken their fancy that evening … and Barrie … he loves it … and the women.”

“Oh, no, Vicky … not that … we were so hoping this wouldn’t happen.”

“No,” Vicky gulped.  “He’s not actually slept with any of them … not as far as I know anyway … it’s just the flirting.  He can’t stop himself.  I know he has to be charming … for the sake of the business … and he is brilliant at it, keeps all those silly women drooling and still remains great mates with the men.  But I find it so difficult to watch.  I didn’t think I would but I do.  I get so jealous, especially when he would rather chat with them than spend any time with me.”

“So, he’s neglecting you?”

“We’re terribly busy … and with the hours … it’s sometimes three in the morning before we all get to bed … we’re exhausted … and grumpy … and don’t seem to have any time for each other.”

“Yes, I can understand that.  But what’s all this about a baby?  I shouldn’t think that kind of environment would be good to bring a child into.  I thought you were going to wait a while and then buy a proper home to raise a family, rather than live in the flat above the club.”

“That’s the point.  I’ve already had enough of the club …  living there, I mean.  I’ve been trying to persuade Barrie to buy a house somewhere nearby and then I can stay at home and have children.  It’s all I’ve ever truly wanted, Ruth.  You don’t know how I’ve dreamed of a stable family life.  My childhood wasn’t easy.”  She grimaced.  “Being two years younger than Richard and Delia was difficult.  I often felt left out as I didn’t like riding or medical things.  Richard wasn’t too bad but Delia was so damned bossy and scathing of my ballet and music lessons.  Then Mother left, of course, Delia was terribly ill and Daddy was hardly ever here … and Richard and I were away at school. I hated it you know … boarding school.  I so wanted to remain here, like Delia.  It was so unfair.”

“Why didn’t you tell your father?  I’m sure he would have done something about it if he’d have known.”

“I don’t know, really.  I daren’t, I suppose.  I wasn’t as forceful and determined as Delia … and she was two years older.  I was the baby and he wouldn’t have taken me seriously.  That’s why I want it to be different for my children.  A warm, loving home where both parents are around all the time and boarding school is not even considered.  My children will go to local schools and I shall take them and pick them up.  I want to be actively involved in whatever their school puts on for them and in their outside interests too.”

“Okay,” said Ruth, slowly, thinking about Stephen and his future schooling.  Charles would naturally want him to go to boarding school but listening to Vicky, Ruth wondered if it would be such a great idea.  It was something which would have to be discussed at great length when the time came.  “So,”