Work Text
Things happen and time passesChapter 1Its nearly Christmas in Emmerdale, but some are far from seasonal feelings of Joy. Brenda and Eric have split up, Ross is back and seems to be causing trouble. MacKenzie as usual is part of the problem. He seems to be winding him up about Moses. There are some that should be happy but somehow it isn’t all it seems. Charity is on the face of it is happy but seems more tense than usual .Ruby seems to be welcoming her father back into the family. Amelia seems to be getting on with things, and Will and Kim seem to be loved up again. Life is so uncertain sometimes. Chas on the other hand does seem happy.
Vanessa is sitting on her sofa just thinking about her neighbours and friends. The village feels strange at the moment. She also knows things aren’t as she had hoped for herself either. They aren’t bad, they just aren’t what she had hoped they would be. Suzy hasn’t done anything wrong , its just not making her that happy. Suzy moved in earlier this year and Vanessa hoped that would seal the relationship and improve the way she felt. It was ok but it didn’t make her heart flutter every time she saw Suzy and she knew it should if this was the real thing. In her heart she knows why she rushed forward with Suzy when she returned from Canada and as always it was Charity. She hid it well , only Rhona had questioned her a couple of times. When would she be free of her, and did she want to be free of the feelings. Charity seemed settled with him, but that hadn’t stopped occasional looks and some stinted conversations when exchanging the boys. She loved the way Charity was with Johnny and the fact she kept up having him and allowing Moses to come and stay. To others it was probably a surprise that she hadn’t just dumped him when they split up, but not to Vanessa as she was one of the very few who knew the real Charity. Knowing that she still found it difficult to understand the turn of events with MacKenzie. She wishes so much she could turn back time and actually hear Charity out , she might at least have an explanation. Vanessa gets annoyed with herself.
“ What’s the bloody point woman , just get on with it”
“ You talking to yourself again V”
“ You gave me a fright , yes I’m just feeling annoyed with myself”
“ Anything I can help with Sis”
“ Err no just a work thing, please don’t worry, Do you want a coffee”
“ Yeah go on, or do you fancy popping over to the café “
“ Ok lets get out of here.”
Walking across the village she sees Charity shouting at Ross, more drama She thinks , then she notices MacKenzie on the ground and realises that Ross has hit him and shoved Charity. Her first instinct is to run over and make sure she is alright, but that’s not her place anymore. Tracy looks at her and then at the scene in front of them.
“ You ok V “
“ Yeah , just more drama eh “
“ Nothing unusual for them, bet you are glad to be out of it and with someone nice like Suzy”
“ Yeah of course, lets get that coffee, Come on “
Someone nice like Suzy, was she that nice, Tracy doesn’t know about the drugs or Leyla and Jacob. She on the face of it is nice , but there is always more to people than you see. She always thought Charity was a horrible person and she was anything but. Vanessa’s heart aches and she knows why. What can she do, its in the past she knows it’s been years now. She is sure this will fade, but when.
They are sitting in the café when Eric comes in to beg Brenda to reconsider, Brenda says her mind is made up and he leaves heartbroken. Vanessa was surprised to hear that he taken all her savings and lost it. Leyla had pushed the boat out for their engagement party only for it to fall apart shortly after.
“ Hey you two, I wondered where you were when I got home to an empty house”
“ Hi luv , how was your morning, you want a coffee”
“ Not too bad a new corporate company booked us today for their Christmas do so that will keep the wolf from the door. They were let down by another event firm “
“ Oh hope you can sort them something this late in the day”
“ Yeah Leyla has been pulling in a few favours. Let’s go out tonight babe and celebrate”
“ Could you imagine if we went out to celebrate every time I cure a pet problem or save a pet life”
“ Hey that’s a great idea babe”
“ I think after a late surgery today I will be happy to stay in”
“ Ok , you don’t mind if I go out with Leyla then”
“ Not at all”
Vanessa is fast asleep at 2am when there is a crash from downstairs and a cry, and a few swear words. Vanessa is wide awake now, seeing no Suzy next to her she realises that she has obviously either got up or has just come in n. So she goes to see.
“ Hi , you look pretty drunk, do you need a hand”
“No I’m just fine thank you, you missed a great night”
“ Well I may as well of come with you as I’m up now”
“ Oh yeah ermm sorry”
“I’m going back to bed”
She turns to go back upstairs and sees Johnny and Moses standing at the top.
“ What is it Mummy”
“ Back to bed boys , it’s nothing to worry about. It’s only Suzy”
“ Is Suzy drunk Mummy Ness”
“ Well Moses I think she might be a little, off you two go please back to bed”
When Vanessa snuggles back into bed she can hear Suzy banging around in the bathroom. This is not what I want from my life right now. I bet Moses tells Charity, Vanessa quietly fumes and turns over facing away as Suzy comes to bed. She feels alone and not for the first time.
Hi Mummy , we had fun at Mummy Ness’s last night and we got up really late”
Vanessa cringed as he said that and Charity’s eye brows went up.
“Erm the boys woke up when Suzy was making some noise”
“ Really Vanessa”
“ No not that Charity, She had been out and came home late”
“Oh I see, come on young man put you stuff in the wash basket. Thank Mummy Ness for having you”
“ Thank you”
As Moses ran into the house Vanessa turned to go…
“ Everything ok Ness”
“ Yes of course, Thank you”
Vanessa didn’t miss the fact that Charity called her Ness, she hadn’t done that for a long time. She walked quickly away aware that Charity’s eyes were watching her go.
A week later Vanessa was in the pub with Rhona having a girls lunchtime drink. She had told Rhona about her concerns about Suzy and to her annoyance Rhone had just said ‘ well I’m not surprised as you are still in love with Charity’ She denied it of course.
As they sat there discussing a client they had to deal with earlier Charity came in and was talking to Chas behind the bar. Vanessa couldn’t help but notice she didn’t look happy in fact she seemed to be angry.
“ You know she is still in love with you too”
“ Rhona don’t be stupid she married MacKenzie”
“ Only because you dumped her and only after months”
“ Well what difference does that make , she is always saying how happy she is “
“ Exactly , she never said that when she was with you because it was obvious”
“ Just leave it Rhona , its all past history “
“ Did you ever listen to her back then when she tried to explain and I know I should have said this before , but she was mortified when she came back that day”
“ What day”
“ The day she literally bumped into MacKenzie, and then we saw him in the village and found out he was Moira’s brother.”
“ Well no , but she already knew him, according to Tracy it must have been going non for a while. It doesn’t matter and I really don’t want to re live it thanks”
“ You’re wrong Ness, she had literally been hit by him in his car, she had been crying and didn’t see him and pulled out. Ness you need to talk , even if it’s just to stop all this not knowing”
“ Look Rhona , I haven’t needed to know all this time what difference will it make now. Just leave it “
“ Ok , sorry I thought I was helping”
They had another drink and thankfully Rhona didn’t mention it again. After afternoon surgery Vanessa went home and her and Johnny had their tea with Tracy and Frankie. Suzy had texted to say she would be late.
Another evening out for Suzy, Vanessa was beginning to think that maybe Suzy wasn’t that happy either. She realises they need to talk. She needs her to be sober though so she will see how she is when she gets in.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Things happen and time passesChapter 2Three weeks had passed and Vanessa was still waiting for a good time to talk to Suzy as she seemed to be doing a pretty good job of avoiding her. She was out seeing clients most evenings and if she was home she went to bed early because she was tired. Fed up with evenings alone Vanessa talked Rhona into getting out of the house and meet her in the pub. Vanessa was very aware that Marlon and Rhona had problems with April at the moment and things were very tense at home.“ Its great to be out Ness , but I’m worried what Marlon is having to deal with”“ Yeah I get that, just have a couple of drinks Rhona . You can relax for a bit. Maybe Marlon could do the same with Paddy one evening”“ That’s not a bad idea.”They carried on chatting about April and work, Vanessa was aware that Chas kept looking over, she looked worried. After Rhona headed home and the pub had got a bit quieter Vanessa decided to have another drink and sit at the bar.“ Ness, how are you doing, No Suzy tonight ““ No she is working meeting clients most evenings at the moment”“ Is that usual, I suppose it’s a better time for some.”“ Yeah I suppose, didn’t used to be almost every night mind”“ Everything ok Ness ?”“ Honestly Chas I don’t know ““ Ermm well I don’t know if I should tell you something I was told , I’m sure it was innocent. Just a client probably. I was told by someone who saw Suzy out in Hotton with a blonde lady and they were deep in conversation.”“ Oh right , well yes I’m sure that was a client. Did the someone say when this was.”“ I think she said night before last, so that was Tuesday evening. I’m sure you are right Ness”“ She ? ““ It doesn’t matter Ness ““ It was Charity wasn’t it.”“ Ness she would never make that up, Not to you , she was genuinely worried”“ Oh please Chas, this is Charity we are talking about.”“ True but she has changed a lot in the past few years.”“ Must be being happily married does that “Chas didn’t say anything , but gave Vanessa a really strange look and just muttered as she walked away. Vanessa stayed sitting at the bar and Mary served her next as Chas had disappeared. Vanessa was almost sure that night before last Suzy had said she was catching up on paperwork . She must be mistaken or her plans had changed. Strange Suzy didn’t say.Vanessa had been cheated on before and she knew that she was hoping that wasn’t the case here. Why did it have to be Charity that saw her with another woman and jump straight to conclusions.Another week went by and April had gone missing , so life for Rhona and Marlon had gone from bad to worse. Vanessa was helping in the search all she could. As she joined the search team in the pub Charity was behind the bar, They passed the time of day and talked about April and both being mothers could understand the heartache. Charity offered Mac’s services, followed by “ He has nothing better to do ““ I thought he was working for Cain”“ Seems he is pretty useless and Sarah is getting more hours. I think he has been helping Moira”“ It must be hard watching her go through all this ““ I’m not sure it has impacted him much, but he does disappear a lot, so maybe he is helping more than he says”“ I best get going, Bye”“ Yeah bye Ness, Good luck”As Vanessa left the pub she smiled softly as she heard Charity call her Ness. It felt so familiar. So warm deep down where all the wonderful memories were buried. Still too painful to look at.Another week and April was still missing. The village had been in upheaval all week with all kinds of upsets and goings on. In this atmosphere Vanessa decided she had to talk to Suzy and managed to get her home for an evening when she was also home and not on call.“ Johnny has gone off to sleep really fast, tired out from the park with Moses, How are you”“ I'm fine V, Been busy but I’m ok ““ You seem to be doing more than your fair share. Leyla and Belle don’t seem to be pulling there weight, I get Belle is still struggling a bit”“ Well I disagree, Leyla does a lot more behind the scenes , all the paperwork etc.”“I thought you spent a few evenings helping with that”“ Yes I did, What’s this about V ?”“ Well you are hardly ever here, that’s all. I’m worried that we are drifting apart”“ Erm well you are just as busy, so is that why the third degree. You sound like a nagging wife”“ Hey no need for that, we have never discussed that and I’m not”“ Well what ever, I’m off to bed I’m tired”“ Nothing new then”“ Oh sod off Vanessa”Suzy stomps upstairs and slams the door. Vanessa sits on the sofa. What the hell am I doing, I don’t think I’m happy anymore she realises and then thinks if there is no Suzy there will be too much time to think about Charity. Then knows she is kidding herself , she thinks about Charity more and more these days.The following day she sees Charity walking towards the pub with Mac by her side , as she watches they look like they are having words and then Mac tells her to give it a rest and walks off. Charity turns as if she knows she is being watched and half smiles and raises her eyebrows and walks into the pub. Vanessa follows and decides she will have a coffee and check on her ex.“ Hey Charity ““ Morning Ness, Coffee ?”“ Yes please, Are you ok Charity”“ Yeah sure, I’m fine why ““ Just seemed you were arguing with Mac”“ Why do you care”“ Thats not fair Charity, I won’t ask again”“ Sorry Ness, It is what it is.”With that she put the coffee in front of Vanessa and walked out the back. Before Vanessa left Chas had come out to check the bar, No sign of Charity.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chapter 3Vanessa saw Charity later the same day as she picked up the boys from school and they asked if they could hang out together till teatime. She stood near her as the boys ran around the park kicking a football around.“ Hey Vanessa”"Hi how’s your day”“ Its about the same as when I saw you earlier, are you really interested”“ Yes Charity I am , I thought we were friends, or trying to be”“ I suppose we are, at the least co parenting. Sorry it’s been a bit shit lately. I’m sure it’s what I deserve.”“ I don’t know why you would think that, and I disagree. How has it been shitty. If it helps I’m not that great either”“ Why , what’s wrong Ness, It isn’t your health is it”Vanessa looked at her and could see the genuine worry and fear in her eyes, no mistaking the look , she was being real and that threw her completely.“ No Not my health Charity , all good there.”“ Oh thank fuck for that. What is it Ness”“ I believe I asked you first”“ Ermm well if we are talking then I guess I should say, Mac and I aren’t really getting on too well ““ I’m sorry to hear that, do you think it will pass”“ To be honest I think it’s more me that’s not happy”“ I understand, Suzy and me are drifting and I really think I rushed it all. She seems to pretty much be doing her own thing”“ Yeah as you know I saw her and it freaked me. Chas assured me it was a client.”“ Yeah well I wish I knew, She is out so much”“ You need to make sure Ness, I don’t want you to be messed about again”Vanessa looked at her and raised an eyebrow.“ Yeah I know I kissed Mac while I was half crazy when you didn’t come home with me, and deserved to loose you. It doesn’t mean I want to see another woman playing away”“ Well you did more than kiss him , but that’s in the past and I appreciate the thought. I know I need to try sort it out.”“ Actually Ness not until you returned the ring in the letter, But as you say its in the past. Just want to see you happy”“ Well yeah and me too, Want to see you happy that is”“ Think its getting near teatime for Moses, would you like me to take both of them so you could maybe chat to Suzy ““ Actually that would be great thanks”She watched Charity round up the boys and offer them pizza and they were happy and smiling running up towards Jacobs Fold. Charity on the other hand walked slower and looking deep in thought. She couldn’t help replay Charity’s words ‘ Not until after your letter, and ring ‘ surely that wasn’t right. Tracy had told her it must have been going on for a while , and Rhona’s words come back to her. She starts to realise that maybe things weren’t as she thought.Charity sits on the sofa at Jacobs Fold and feels the lose of Ness from her life almost as much as the day she ended it . She has never taken this long to get over someone before, she knows the truth she has never loved anyone the way she loved Ness, Loves Ness. She knows she cares a lot for Mac , it just doesn’t compare. She lets the sadness flow through her.Mac comes home and sees her on the sofa and hears the boys upstairs“ Oh great we have Moses again, does Vanessa not have time for him ““ She has some stuff to sort out and it’s easier if Johnny isn’t there, And I offered”“ Of course you did, cause you are still soft on her. Well I’m off out then have fun with your sons”“ I will and they are my sons, both equally ““ Yeah right, you wouldn’t give a shit if he wasn’t Vanessa’s”“ Oh shut up and go out, you have no idea what you’re talking about”She felt the relief as the door closed behind him. He had literally been in the house 10 minutes. This really isn’t working. Then she remembers how bad it was to be alone with all the pain, a pain she still feels.Across the village Vanessa is trying again to talk to Suzy.“ I just feel that maybe we are as happy as we were at the start”“ I wasn’t the one that went to Canada for a year”“ Yes I know, you were going to come with me , but a lot happened”“ Ok I know I got into a few things you didn’t approve of ““I Didn’t approve of, you had drugs in my home with my son, and its against the law. Probably just as important I don’t want to be with someone on drugs”“ Well you made that quite clear. What I don’t understand is you blowing hot and cold when you got back. Thought you might still be pinning for the barmaid”“ Very funny, I wasn’t sure then we had a few dates and it was ok so we sort of rushed a bit at that point and I know that was me ““ Oh great so what you want me to move out now, Just make up your bloody mind V ““ I just don’t know what I want , I’m just not happy with it the way things are.”“ Well I have to go meet a client so maybe you can work it out and let me know yeah”Suzy stomped up stairs and changed and less than 15 minutes later she was gone again. Vanessa sat there and then got up, grabbed her coat and headed to Jacobs Fold.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chapter 4Maybe she is crazy Vanessa thought as she crossed the road and knocked on Charity’s front door and she couldn’t helping remembering when it was her front door too. The pain was still there deep inside whenever her mind went back to those days, Charity was no saint but she had been so happy through all their hard times. She is forced out of her thoughts as the door opens“ Hey Ness”“ Hi , is Mac home ““ You want to see Mac ““ No I just want to know if you can do me a big favour, Suzy literally came home and out again in 15 minutes and I want to follow her , she is meeting a client in Hotton”“ Ok , Belle is here let me see if she will watch the boys for a bit. Mac is also out tonight”Vanessa stands waiting, then Charity re appears with her coat and keys and they set off. There is only one main road from Emmerdale to Hotten and Charity puts her foot down , its not long before they see Suzy’s little sports car up ahead.“ So you think she is up to no good then Ness”“ I don’t know honestly, I tried to talk to her and she blamed me and left again”“ mmmm maybe she is just really busy , if she is messing you about she must be crazy”“ Well I’m not really convinced of that as everyone does”“ Ness I’m so sorry, ““ No I’m sorry that wasn’t a dig, honestly I just feel it must be something I do, or don’t do”“ Ness that isn’t true at all, I’ve never been as happy as I was with you”“ Well lets just leave it there’s no point talking about it, look she is pulling up”“ I cant think where they are meeting around here, maybe some new place”Suzy parked and got out of her car and went up to a door, it looked just like a house. Vanessa just kept her eyes glued on the door and as it opened a stunning blonde was standing there, she immediately put her arms around Suzy’s neck and they kissed as Suzy pushed her backwards into the house and the door closed. They sat in silence for a few minutes. It felt longer when Charity spoke“ I’m sorry , I really wanted to be wrong but that is the woman I saw her with the other day”“ Yeah i had a feeling you would say that. I think I knew before , I just choose not to do anything.”“ Why ““ It hurts as bit that she has done this rather than just broken up with me and started dating her, but to be honest it really wasn’t completely what I wanted.”“ I thought you were happy , you seemed to be when ever I saw you”“ Suzy was very attentive at the beginning and it was fun , when I came back from Canada she pursued me at first and then I thought why not , You were married to Mac”“ Why would that be anything to do with you being with Suzy , you made that quite clear Ness”“ Yeah I know. I said to you in the café the day after we almost kissed that you only wanted me because you couldn’t have me and you asked me to look you in the eye and tell you I didn’t love you. Well I couldn’t and I felt a fool especially after that you agreed to marry Mac. The job offer in Canada was a god send. Take me home please, I’m tired”Charity started the car , she was stunned and couldn’t think of anything to say “The car drive back to the village was in total silence. Both women lost in their own thoughts of a time gone by. A time when the only thing that mattered was them being together. Vaness got out as Charity pulled up outside the pub. She said thank you softly and disappeared into her house.Charity sat there for about 10 minutes not knowing what to do. Then went and parked out side Jacobs fold and went in. Pouring a large glass of wine she told Belle that she had just run Vanessa into Hotton and left it there. She left and Charity sat on the sofa lost in thoughts of the woman she knew so well and loved like no other before or since.Across the village Vanessa sat on her sofa with a similar glass of wine and tried to piece some bits of conversation and actions from the past and started to think long and hard of where she was and where she was going. Maybe it was time to leave this place. It hadn’t been a very good place for Vanessa the good memories were too painful and there had been too many bad ones. She couldn’t sleep as her mind tried to come up with a plan. Feeling restless she went up stairs and packed up all of Suzy’s belongings.That was a start.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chapter 5Vanessa continued to look at ways of moving away and starting again somewhere new. Tracy of course was against the idea, She did understand why. Tracy just thought with her there and Johnny loving seeing his other Mum, Moses and all the kids that going was a mistake. Vanessa had to agree that Johnny would miss them all and so she thought would she, especially Charity. She kept thinking about the things Charity had said and started to piece bits together. She felt hopeless though as there was no future, and she still felt leaving might be less painful. The part she hadn’t said when she reminded Charity about her asking her to say she didn’t love her anymore was she still couldn’t say she didn’t and was so glad Charity hadn’t asked again during that part of their conversation.The same morning Charity sat nursing a coffee and staring into space. Some of the things Vanessa had said running around her brain, trying to make sense of them. She said that she had still loved Charity when she came back and after Canada she moved on because she had married Mac. How can she still be so stupid. She had promised herself she wouldn’t stop fighting for her. All she did was ask her once more and then agreed to marry Mac. No wonder she left to go to Canada and when she came back went back to Suzy. She felt like the worst person. Why oh why hadn’t she just gone on showing she wanted her back and showed she really loved her.“ Charity, for the third time, Morning is there any coffee left. Where are you , your miles away”“ Oh sorry Mac I was just thinking about what stock I need to order”“ Really ? It looked more serious than that”“ No just pub stuff. Did you have a good night, you were pretty drunk when you got in”“ Yeah sorry, it was good and I was fancying some extra loving when I got back, I think I must has just fallen asleep. Maybe we could make up for that now”“ Erm sorry gotta get to the pub”“ I thought you were off this morning”“ Well no got to go in now. See you later”Charity rushed out of the house grabbing her coat as she ran. She stood outside the door. She didn’t really need to be there so she decided not to go in and walked on to the pavilion and sat looking out over the green. Her mind went back to a fun filled few hours with Ness and the boys, Water guns and Noah soaking them all. How did she ever let it go. She knew she needed an appointment with the therapist she had been seeing. She hadn’t seen her for a few weeks as she had done so well so far, they hadn’t spoken about Ness and she felt now she needed to.It had been nearly a month since that night she caught Suzy cheating and after the initial upheaval things had gone back into some kind of routine. She missed having someone asleep next to her, the warmth of a body. The more nights that passed she realised it wasn’t the same with Suzy or Fee as it had been with Charity. Why oh why cant she get that bloody woman out of her head and her heart. If Johnny was to be believed things weren’t as nice at Charity’s house the last couple of weeks. He said Mac and mummy Charity were sort of talking quietly but still angry. And then they weren’t talking at all. Moses told him it been like this for a few weeks now and he didn’t like it either.Vanessa agreed to meet Rhona for lunch and a catch up in the pub, as usual Rhona was late. She walked over to the bar and chatted to Mary.“ Can I have a pint and can you put one in for Rhona, How are you”“ Hi Nessy coming up. I’m well thank you, I hear you threw Suzy out”“ Erm yes I did, she was cheating on me”Mary looked surprised and flushed slightly.“ I’m sorry to hear that Nessy , but im sure she isn’t all bad. Don’t you think you could forgive her”“ Mary you know I was cheated on before and to be honest it wasn’t right.”Vanessa couldn’t work out the look on Mary’s face, she had her pint so she went and found a table and waited for Rhona.Charity was just getting back from a session with her therapist and felt quite positive about her way forward. The time had come she knew to stop living a lie and sort it out. Even if it meant being alone. She often felt that way even when things had been better between her and Mac. She did care about him , and its isn’t his fault that her heart is still with her Ness. She knew she was going to have to end the marriage. The thought of being alone scared her. If she was honest not the way it used to. She felt stronger now and ready to stop making mistakes.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chapter 6Charity continues to feel positive and sure of her next move. She is not in the pub today and asks Mac if he has anytime free today.“ To spend some alone time with you I will make some, How does lunch time sound”“ Yeah that’s fine, I will make some food and we can talk ““ Erm kinda hoping there won’t be much talking “He grabs Charity and tries to give her a passionate kiss, she pulls away and he grunts and walks out. Great she thinks, well lets hope he still comes back at lunch, and that she manages to get her decision across to him and for once and for all he believes she is serious. This won’t be the first time she has tried to end their relationship , she remembers many occasions it came up and he would either laugh it off or persuade her she was wrong and couldn’t be without him. Well not this time.Vanessa had had a really bad week at work and Johnny suddenly deciding to test his boundaries, She was at her wits end when Rhona suggested a drink out. Vanessa asked if they could go the Hide as she really didn’t want to see Charity behind the bar and Mac mooning at her from the other side of a pint glass. They met there at eight and Rhona had lots to tell her about the lad that had come to find April and how Marlon just can’t seem to let her breath and have some space. Vanessa reminded Rhona that Marlon cares and although Rhona agreed she said he was stifling her. They had just ordered another drink when a very drunk, grumpy and loud Mac walked in.“ Oh you’re here Great, That’s made my day. I hope you are happy . You’re welcome to her love everybody else has been there”“ Just shut up, I have no idea what you are going on about.”“ Look Mac me and Ness are just here for a girls night, go be miserable somewhere else. Go see your wife at the pub”“ Well let me be the first to tell you, I won’t have a wife for much longer and I don’t have a home either. All thanks to your mate there”“ What ???”“ Yeah that’s right play the innocent I know it’s your fault. Ever since you dumped what’s her name my wife has changed ““ I can assure you there is no connection at all. Charity and I were over a long time ago”“ Don’t think she really knows or believes that anymore luv”“ That’s not my doing or my concern. Now please leave us alone”“ why don’t we go to the woolpack then as he is here, I know you hate seeing them together, and don’t lie I see your face and know you well lady”“ Rhona that was a long time ago please just leave it”As luck would have it there was no sign of Charity when they got in the pub, Vanessa chided herself when she realised she was disappointed. Chas appeared from the back and smiled at them.“ What can I get you ladies”“ Hi Chas, Can we have 2 white wines please, erm no Charity tonight”“ Well funny you should ask, she should be working but right now she is sitting back there on my sofa”“ Oh right , no problem was only going to ask if Moses want’s to stay on Saturday. I will just text her”“ Don’t be daft, go on through”Vanessa wasn’t sure what to do and looked at Rhona who annoyingly just winked. So she went around the bar on a familiar route to the back room. She remembers all the times when she lived her with Charity , and felt the familiar quickening in her chest. Why oh why does she still affect her this way. She takes a deep breath and walks into the back room. There sits Charity, her eyes red. Vanessa knows she has been crying.“ Erm Hey, sorry to disturb. Are you ok we just saw Mac at the Hide and I wanted to ask about Moses coming Saturday and Chas said come on through. Should I go”Charity just stares at her , then as if suddenly realising she needs to say something.“ Hi yeah no problem, let me know what time you want him. I’m sure Mac is drowning his sorrows, But I wasn’t crying about him. Splitting with him is long overdue. One of my many bad decisions ““ I’m sorry Charity, he did have a few things to say. One of the reasons we came down here. If you are ok I best get back to Rhona”“ Ness, thanks.”“ For what”“ Asking.”“ Right of course, see you Saturday “As Vanessa left the back room she saw a sadness in Charity’s eyes, she wants to know what its about, She feels that she will be better asking Saturday. She rejoins Rhona and they share a few more wines and eventually head home. She cant shake the feeling that the sad look in Charity’s eyes might be something to do with her. Why else was Mac so certain that Charity still has feelings and she is the reason that Charity ended their marriage. She finds it hard to sleep. Saturday cant come soon enough.