Tear Away

Chapter 11

A week later Scarlett was sat on the sofa of her old flat with Tom and a very large glass of red wine. She hadn't had much time for the boys since she moved out but she was determined to keep some friends at least. Tom had been good to her when she'd first moved to town and she didn't want to let him down now.

"Have another." He topped up her already full glass.

"Trying to get me tipsy?" She asked.

"Well , you've got to catch up with me haven't you." He giggled.

"How's Craig?" Scarlett asked, it was easier to talk about him than her own relationship with Mark and Sophie, and if he was drunk she might be able to persuade him to open up for once.

"I'd only know the answer to that if I'd been obsessed with his Facebook page." He downed his 3rd glass before opening the next bottle.

"And..." Scarlett wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily.

"His friend Jack died a few days ago. Turns out that's who I'd seen him with when..." Tom couldn't finish his sentence.

"When you thought he was cheating on you?" Tom nodded sadly. "And have you apologised yet?" This time Tom shook his head.

"I tried to call him but he didn't answer the phone." Tom was visably upset. "I made such a fool of myself, I must have hurt him so badly."

"Come on, let's get kebab" said Scarlett, "I need some food."

..........................................

It was dark and cold as Scarlett and Tom walked arm and arm towards the kebab shop, cuddling to keep warm.

"So what's happening at work?" Tom asked Scarlett, trying to divert the conversation away from himself.

"Sophie is back." She muttered, the venom obvious.

"And..."

"I'm now meant to be her assistant!"

"Wow!" Tom stopped and faced her. "How did that happen?"

"So, well, I may have missed a few days from the office..." She was now embarrassed and hated to admit she'd let herself down, being unable to preform both the room of full time career woman and full time home maker. "She brown nosed Jane." Scarlett made a gagging noise and they both fell into the shop laughing.

As they fell into the kebab shop together Scarlett noticed just one over person waiting for an order and was relieved the shop wasn't busy, she didn't notice at first that Tom had frozen and stopped laughing. Scarlett looked at him as the mood around them changed and she tried to work out what was happening. Tom was staring at the third person in the stop. 

"Craig!" Scarlett suddenly recognised him and rushed over to him in a wine fuled frenzy. She fell into his arms as his order, one box of food only, was placed on the counter. 

"Scar, nice to see you." He stood her up and he reached for the food. "Tom." He inclined his head in Tom's direction.

Tom took a step forward, a large grin on his face, and took a deep breath. "Craig I'm so sorry let me explain I was an idiot I made a mistake I was jealous did I say I was an idiot? I love you I'm so sorry." Tom didn't take a breath as he blurted out everything running through his head.

Craig ran his hand through his hair as he took a step back surveying the scene in front of him.

"So you're both drunk then!" Said with disdain. 

"Yes, but it's okay, because he knows he's an idiot." Said Scarlett as she lent on the counter. "Two large Doner's with Salad and garlic sauce."

"No garlic!" Craig called to the waiter over Scarletts shoulder.