Page 44 of One More Time

She looked at him as though he’d just stabbed her in the heart. ‘I’m trying to do just that, Charlie. You don’t make it easy.’ Her expression softening, she moved closer and brought her hand to his arm.

Enough was enough. He was losing out in their relationship too. It was his turn to step out of reach, before he said any more – he’d only regret words said in hurt and anger. ‘I really need to get some fresh air. Then I’ll go and get the boys ready.’ And he hastily made his exit, before the tears that were building fell.

* * *

They made it through the Girl Guides barbecue without another word spoken. The drive home was equally uncomfortable, although the chatter of the kids helped to ease the awkwardness.

After making sure to help to put the little ones to bed, Charlie left Moonflower Acres, and his family, behind just as the sun had begun to set, steeping the palm-tree lined footpath in shadow. Since their quarrel, he hadn’t been able to shake the pit of dread in his stomach, nor could he ease the burning desire for a drink to numb the torture of Grace’s words. He didn’t know how he could try any harder. The pressure she was putting on him was unfair, even as he understood the pressure she was under too.

I can’t lose her and the kids.

Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, white lines rushed beneath the tyres of the family sedan as he made his way to the only place he could seek comfort in private. Before he knew it, he was at his grandparents’ graves, tears streaming down his face as he spilled the chaos of his life to their ghosts.

Through the gloom of twilight, voices suddenly carried across the cemetery. Turning, he spotted two familiar faces. Panic rose within his chest. What in the hell were they doing here, especially at this time of the day? He didn’t want to face Rodger and Alison Burrows right now, but it was too late to duck behind the tombstones.

Catching Charlie’s gaze, Rodger made a path straight for him, like a seeker bomb hunting its target. His wife chose to stop in her tracks, a bunch of yellow daffodils in her hands.

Rodger stopped two feet from him. ‘Wilson.’

‘Burrows,’ Charlie replied, not bothering to stand. He had no respect for this man.

A short silence permeated the thickening atmosphere. A curlew called out, its eerie cry echoing.

Growing impatient with Rodger’s intrusion, Charlie huffed. ‘What do you want?’

Arms folding, Rodger glared down at him. ‘You made a vow that you’d take care of her, and from what I hear, you’re doing a crap job of that.’

Rage fuelling him, Charlie shot to his feet, coming eye to eye with the man he hated with every fibre of his being. ‘What business of yours is my marriage?’

Rodger shrugged. ‘Grace is a friend.’

Charlie wasn’t in the mood for Rodger’s games. ‘Get the hell out of my face.’

‘Or what?’ Rodger gave Charlie a little shove in the chest.

His fists clenching at his sides, and his jaw clenching, Charlie grunted. ‘I’m warning you, Burrows, don’t start anything with me right now. I’m not in the mood for your bullshit.’

‘This isn’t bullshit, it’s me looking out for Grace.’

Charlie’s breath caught in his throat. ‘Focus on your own wife and marriage, and stay out of our lives, you son of a bitch.’

Rodger raised his fists. ‘Come on, let’s get this over with, once and for all.’

‘Rodger, don’t.’ Alison arrived at her husband’s side. She stood between the two men, her back to Charlie. ‘I came to pay my respects to my nanna, not to yet again watch you two work out who has more testosterone.’

‘Sorry, Ali. You’re right.’ Rodger turned his attention back to Charlie. ‘I’ll leave you be then, Charles.’

‘Yeah, you do that.’ Shoving his hands deeply into his pockets was all Charlie could do to stop himself from grabbing Rodger by the scruff of his shirt, and wiping that damn smirk off his damn face once and for all.

The confrontation left a sour taste in his mouth, and Charlie found himself in a packed bar, his second drink in hand and his boiling temper starting to ease. Chucking the shot of whisky back, he smacked his empty glass down. ‘Another.’

Charlie could feel himself spiralling, but he’d learnt the hard way to put the brakes on before he slammed into the darkness of it – his next drink would be his last. He’d make sure of it. Just one more, then he’d go for a walk along the beach and sober up before heading home.

‘You sure about having another, Charles?’ Sliding in beside him like the snake he was, Rodger wore a smartarse smile that was more a sneer.

‘Oh, for god’s sake, not you again.’ Rolling his eyes, Charlie deliberately turned on his bar stool so he could look the other way.

‘Uh-huh, me again. And don’t you worry, I’ll be popping past Moonflower Acres on my way home to let Grace know that her husband is back to his old ways.’