chapter 45

Mark stared at Mandy with his mouth wide open, “What are you doing here?”
Mandy was about to answer, but Fina beat her to it, “Mark! Where are your manners?” she scolded.
Mark looked at Fina and then at Mandy again.
Fina rolled her eyes, “She is staying here for a while!”
Mandy bowed her head down and Mark and Brian looked at each other.
“Why?” asked Brian.
Mandy quickly looked up at him, “I don’t think it has anything to do with you!” she growled.
Brian smirked, “Kicked you out, did he? Brought his lover in?”
Mandy now fumed, “NO!”
“Oh, so you finally realised you cannot change him then!” he laughed mockingly.
“Shut up!” she snarled, heading to the sofa and sitting down.
“That’s it, isn’t it? You realised you cannot change who he is and now you have nowhere to stay. Now isn’t that a shame?” he chuckled.
Mandy’s lips wobbled and she ran away upstairs, frantically looking for the bathroom.
Fina, Mark and Brian just stayed there looking at each other.
“You had to do it, didn’t you?” sighed Mark, walking to the sofa and sitting down.
Brian sighed and also sat down. Fina just stared at them.
“That girl was upset enough as it is without having you upsetting her even more Brian!” she reprimanded.
“Hey, why are you all turning against me now? She’s the one who used me coz her own man wouldn’t give her any. She’s the one who bedded me coz she was feeling horny and then ditched me in the morning!” he defended himself.
Mark looked at him, “But you are not the one whose husband left ya!”
Brian laughed, “Well no. I’d be worried about myself if I had a husband!”
Mark stared at him, “That’s not funny Bri.”
Brian’s smile faded as he put his hands on his hips when he stood up, “Fine! I’ll go up and apologise to her now!”
Fina stepped up and stopped him, “Don’t think that’s such a good idea. She’s upset enough as it is. I’ll go!” she sighed.
Brian sighed and nodded, “Ok. I’ll go home now then. Look after her ok?”
Mark smiled and nodded as he walked him to the door.
Brian turned around before he left, “You know I said all those things to Mandy earlier, but I still love her like you wouldn’t believe!”
Mark smiled and nodded as he patted his back, “Yeah, I know mate!”
Brian smiled weakly and then turned around, “See you tomorrow then.”
Mark smiled and waved, “Yeah. See ya!”
Mandy walked out of the bathroom to be faced by Fina.
“Are you ok?” she asked sympathetically.
Mandy shrugged as she wiped her eyes with a tissue, “Is he still here?”
Fina shook her head, “NO, he’s gone now.”
“Good!” Mandy muttered, though deep inside she was crushed. When she first saw him when she walked into the house, her heart skipped a thousand beats and she felt warm inside. Now that warmth was replaced with emptiness and her heart was back to its normal rhythm.
Fina smiled, “Do you want something to eat or drink?”
Mandy shook her head, “NO thanks. I am just really tired. I just want to go to sleep!”
Fina smiled and walked on, “Well, then I’ll walk you to your room!”
Mandy followed her in and she saw the single bed. She smiled and walked in.
“This is going to be Emma’s room when she is older. I like it decorated even if she Is not sleeping in here. Now if you need anything just give us a shout ok? I’ll place a towel for you on the railing by the stairs if you want to have a shower.” Smiled Fina.
Mandy nodded gratefully, “Thank you very much for all this Fina. I really do appreciate it!”
“Nah, don’t mention it!” she smiled, waving her hand about.
Mandy smiled, “Well, thanks anyway. You really saved my butt!”
Fina laughed, “NO problem. Goodnight and sleep well ok?”
Mandy nodded and walked in as Fina closed the door. Mandy went up to it and opened it slightly. She put her bag on the floor, got undressed and got into bed. She lay there awake for a while, just picturing Brian’s face. She let out a soft sigh and turned around.
“OH Brian. Why is it so hard for me to show you how I feel?” she sighed to herself. She finally closed her eyes and fell asleep.
IN the morning she got up, showered and went downstairs, as Fina was already up, giving breakfast to Tammy.
“Morning!” yawned Mandy.
Fina looked at her and smiled, “Good morning. Did you sleep ok?”
Mandy smiled and nodded, “Very well, thanks!”
“Sorry if Emma woke you up last night, by the way. She’s a very hungry baby and just loves her midnight feeds!” she laughed.
Mandy smiled, “I didn’t even hear her to be honest!”
“Oh, that’s alright then!” smiled Fina.
“How do you cope with 2 of them?” smiled Mandy.
“Oh, I am used to it. I love being a mum and all the jobs that go with it.” She smiled proudly.
Mandy smiled and nodded.
“Water’s boiled, by the way. And help yourself to anything!” grinned Fina.
“OH, I’ll just have a coffee. I never eat anything first thing in the morning!” smiled Mandy.
Mark then walked in with Emma in his arms, “Look who’s just woken up?” he grinned.
Emma lay quietly in Mark’s arms, squirming slightly.
“Wow. She has slept in late this morning. Not surprising after the night she had.” She smiled as she kissed her husbands lips and then picking up Emma, and giving her a slight peck on the forehead.
Mark sat at the table and poured milk into his cereal. He looked at Mandy and smiled.
“Ready for work?” he grinned.
Mandy sighed and nodded, “I am beginning to wish I had never applied to that place!”
“Why? Don’t you like it?” asked Mark, taking a sip of his coffee and then buttering his toast.
“It’s not that I don’t like it. I actually quite love it. It’s just that…Well…” she sighed, trying to find the right words.
“That a certain person in there is not making things easy for you!” concluded Mark.
Mandy sighed and nodded.
Mark gave her a serious look, “Listen, Mandy. Brian is just gutted because he wants you so much and you’re obviously still madly in love with your husband, and quite rightly so. It’s too early to be over him already. But Brian…Well…He just doesn’t want to see you hurt. It hurts him when you are hurt and he cannot handle it. Rather, he doesn’t know how to deal with it!” he explained.
Mandy stared at him, “He called me a slapper, Mark!”
“He what?” shrieked Fina.
Mandy looked at her and nodded. Mark looked from Fina back to Mandy and shook his head, “He didn’t mean it. He really didn’t. He regretted it and still does. He was just really angry because he wants you that badly. The guy is crazy about you, Mandy!”
Mandy shrugged, “He sure ain’t acting like he is!” she sneered.
Mark smiled, “Only because he is too proud to admit that he is hurting beyond belief, but inside, I can assure you, he is gutted.”
Mandy signed and shook her head.
“Just talk to him Mandy!” he advised.
“And say what, exactly?” she questioned.
“I dunno. Just talk about how you both feel!” he shrugged.
Mandy sighed, “There’s an office party tonight, isn’t there?”
Mark nodded.
“OK, I will talk to him tonight. But you tell him today at work to leave me alone, you got that?” she warned him.
Mark smiled and nodded.
“Ok then!” she sighed, getting up, “I am going now. I want to be early as I have loads to do. See you there!”