‘Greg, just go. You’re supposed to be singing, aren’t you? So, go do it,’ she snapped viciously.
‘Look I’ve said sorry about everything. What else am I meant to do?’ he pleaded.
‘Nothing. There isnothingyou can do. Just go!’
Ten minutes later Greg sat in his usual place ready to perform. The bar had filled up and there was a hum of chatter and anticipation. Greg had become somewhat of a local star and his gigs were very well attended. Mallory did her best to stay focused and busy, serving the many thirsty customers.
‘Evening all.’ Greg’s voice boomed out of the PA system. ‘I’m not going to talk much tonight. I’m sure yous don’t want to hear me rambling on about stuff all night, eh?’ He cleared his throat. ‘I know you all are gradually discovering how eclectic my taste in music is. Well just to prove the point even further I’m going to kick off with a little bit of Chicago. The band not the musical.’ He chuckled and the audience chuckled with him. ‘This is a beautiful song called “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”.’ The audience clapped and cheered before falling silent and listening intently as raw emotion poured from Greg’s lips.
Mallory tried her damnedest to swallow the lump that had become lodged in her throat as she listened to the words she knew were indubitably for her benefit. She avoided making eye contact with him at all costs and she had to remind herself why this chasm had opened between them lest she run over and fling her arms around him.
She stuck it as long as she could but when her emotions got the better of her Mallory had to leave the room. She went to the ladies restroom and splashed water on her face. When she stood up and looked in the mirror at her red, puffy eyes, a presence startled her.
‘Hello Mallory,’ the beautiful blonde woman addressed her reflection.
‘Alice.’ She dabbed her face with some paper towels and threw them in the waste bin.
Alice folded her arms across her chest and leaned on the sink. ‘You’ve broken his heart you know.’
Mallory scrunched her brow, affronted at the accusation and annoyed at being cornered in the bathroom. ‘I think you got there before me, don’t you?’
‘What you’re doing is much worse,’ Alice snorted.
‘How the hell do you figure that one out?’ Mallory couldn’t quite believe her ears.
‘You could just walk away. You could crawl back to your little hole in Yorkshire and let him move on. But instead you’re here taunting him with the presence of what he thinks he wants but can’t have. It’s cruel.’ Her eyes flashed angrily.
Bile rose in Mallory’s throat. ‘How dare you? You told him you were pregnant! There was no baby!Thatis the epitome of cruelty. Then you slept with his best friend! And my “hole”, as you referred to it, is more desirable than spending another second in your fucking company.’ Mallory was shaking with rage as she stepped forwards to leave. She didn’t swear lightly and the words falling from her mouth sounded completely alien.
Alice stepped to block her way. ‘You should know, before you walk away, that he and Iaregoing to give things another go. He still loves me. It won’t take him long to get over you.’ And with that she turned and walked out.
Mallory leaned against the sink feeling as if she had been winded.
She gathered herself and went back out to the bar. She glanced over to Greg who was having a drink before his next song. Mallory wondered if Alice was right. Was her presence hurting him more? She didn’t intend to make things worse. Buthehad been the one to convince her to stay. God this was so damned confusing. Did he still love Alice? After everything she had put him through? And if so, how could she stand in the way of that? If he was willing to give his wife another chance then maybe Mallory being herewasmaking things worse? She knew he had feelings for her. No one is that good a liar, surely? But Mallory wasn’t his wife. Alicewasand that had to count for something.
Greg lifted his head and locked chocolate brown eyes filled with sadness on her but Alice arrived at his side, briefly drawing his attention away as she kissed the top of his head.
Stella, who had appeared from the back, saw the display of affection and looked over at Mallory with a sad smile.
‘Anyway, onto my next number… ahem… Now unrequited love is a bitch eh? I know, I’ve been there; anyone else?’ The audience murmured in agreement. ‘Aye well, some of you should relate well to this next one. It’s by one of my favourite bands, Fleetwood Mac, and it’s called “Go Your Own Way”. Oh, and don’t sing along, eh?’ He forced a laugh and winked at the audience who laughed along with him. But Mallory knew the smile hadn’t reached his eyes.
He began to sing yet another song aimed at Mallory. She felt her cheeks burn and saw Alice glaring at her as if to sayI told you so.
Greg’s eye burned into Mallory whilst he sang. She wanted to leave but for some reason she was equally compelled to stay. She didn’t want to run and give Alice the satisfaction of knowing she had burrowed under her skin.
Greg was doing his usual thing of communicating with other people’s words and tonight he was once again on a mission.
‘Sorry folks, it’s all a bit melancholy tonight. I’m feeling that way out. Must be my hormones.’ He laughed. ‘Anyway, this next one is a sad, sad song by a wonderful song writer called John Waite. It’s about a guy who’s in love with a girl. She left him and moved away. He really doesn’t know why she’s gone and he misses her desperately but he’s trying to convince himself that he isn’t… he’s failing miserably. She’s all he can think about. She’s all he sees. He wants her to realise and come back to him… it’s called “Missing You”.’
He began to play and Mallory stopped what she was doing this time.If he has something to say then you should damn well listen!
She listened for a few moments, knowing the song of old. The lump in her throat returned and she was finding it difficult to see through the glassy film over her eyes. Was this one actually aimed at Alice? Was this his way of telling her he wished they had never parted? Unable to take any more she feigned a headache and Stella told her to go on home. She was certain that Stella knew exactly what the real reason for her swift departure was. Mallory slipped out of the back door and made her way back to the cottage.
As soon as she walked through the door she grabbed the phone, needing to hear Josie’s voice.
‘Hi, babe! How you doing?’ Josie answered within two rings.
Mallory sobbed down the line at her best friend. ‘I need to come and stay. Please, can me and Rubes come tomorrow?’
