Artful Dream

Chapter 13

With only a week to go before their flight to Florence, Richard and Maggie decided to not work the last Saturday. Richard asked artists Robyn and Amber to look after the shop in exchange for space in the gallery for their forthcoming exhibition.

Maggie was being taken up West by Janet for a ‘shop to you drop’ day, while Richard went to collect their euro’s and seeing that Maggie was away, take the opportunity to go and buy the ring. Now keeping Aunt Roses' ring as a back-up.

As Richard continued washing their breakfast dishes, Maggie’s phone rang. It was Janet, “Your carriage awaits outside.”

Maggie then called out to Richard, “Janet’s here I’m going now!”

He came out of the kitchen, arms opened covered in soap suds wanting to give her a hug. She pulled back saying, “Keep away I don’t want to be all soapy!”

So, instead he settled with giving her a kiss on the forehead. “You have a lovely time.”

Maggie returned the sentiment with a kiss on his cheek. “Don’t wait up!” she jokingly said then she was gone.

With Maggie inside the cab, it pulled away. “Where to first ladies?” asked the cabby.

“Liberty and Co., Regent Street, full-steam ahead.” said Janet, as she appointed the role of ships master.

“Aye, aye Captain,” said the cabby playing along with the nautical theme.

Looking at the cabby in the rear-view mirror, Maggie asked. “I know you don’t I?”

“That’s right Miss, I pick Mr Maple up on Wednesday’s to take him to the auction. Maggie, isn’t it?”

“That’s right, and your name…”

“George, Miss. George Butler at your service.” George was a typical EastEnder, full of charm, character and told it like it is.

“He’s got a thing about you, that Mr Maple.”

Maggie felt her cheeks flush but said nothing.

“He’s alright though, good bloke for a toff. Tips well.”

“Richards no toff,” said Maggie.

“Speaks a bit plummy though, doesn’t here.”

“Here’s well spoken if that’s what you mean.”

The conversation dried for a few seconds before George asked, “What’s this about you being late for work the other day 'cos, you shit the bed?”

Maggie rolled her eyes, looked briefly towards Janet, who was laughing. Then turning back towards George. “How many more people as he told that story too?”

George gave a proper hearty laugh. So, Maggie had to spend the next ten minutes explaining about the chocolate buttons.

After telling her story, she rested back in the seat. George sensing the two women wanted to talk in private, left them in peace.

The cab drove pass Maggie’s apartment and she saw there was a builder’s van outside. She wondered how Richard’s solicitor, Nick Skerrett, was getting on with the landlord. She had to admit she received no more emails or phone calls from the landlord. Then the cab turned left on to Fulham High Road and Maggie couldn’t help but look at No.32.

Janet saw Maggie look backwards towards the house as the cab drove pass. “He’s not there anymore.” she said.

Maggie turned, surprised by what Janet said.

“He’s been gone just over a year now.” Janet continued.

“Where did they go too? Maggie asked.

“They?” replied Janet.

“Yes, Martin and Debbie.”

“Oh, no she left him just before he moved away.”

Maggie waved her phone in front of her friend’s face, “These work you know. Why didn’t you tell me?"

“Why are you still concerned about Martin after all these years? You’ve got Richard now a man that loves you very much. Don’t let Martin poison those tender shoots that are growing between you two.”

“Oh Richard knows who Martin was, he found some of his stuff at my apartment.”

“Yes was, past tense and that is where Martin should stay. In the past.”

Janet was wondering if Maggie had truly moved on from her painful break-up. “You’ve got to deal with this Mags before Richard catches you one day looking over your shoulder. He’ll get suspicious and think you don’t love him like you loved Martin. It will drive him away from you and deeper once more into his shell. He’ll never trust another woman and you’ll end up broken and living in regret for the rest of your life. If that happens, then men like Martin have won. Because, emotionally, they are still in control of you.”

Maggie sat and listen, knowing that Janet was making prefect sense. “Your right, Martin is dead in my life. Why should I care what he is up too? He never really cared about me and he proberly never really cared about the other women he’s hurt. He’s a parasite taking what he can and then throwing away the empty shell when he’s finished.”

Janet, smiled and patted Maggie’s hand. “Focus all your emotion on Richard, like he is now focusing on you. Go to Florence, share the experience. Build up memories, eat great food, get drunk and fool around. Then you’re come back a stronger couple ready to kick the Martins' of this world up the arse!”