Page 54 of The Vow We Made
I’ve already decided what to do, so the answer is easy. “Yes, mate. Moral support would be good and I’d appreciate your opinion.”
Will strides up the few steps to Steph and plants a kiss on her cheek. She giggles and glances my way with a coy smile and flushed face. I’m not sure if I’m happy with these two in cahoots or not.
“Alright treacle, got the kettle on?” Will asks and I’m pleased he isn’t trying to be something different around her. These two could not be more different. Steph is well spoken, her accent clear, crisp and precise. Her tall frame is perfectly poised and even I can spot a genuine Louboutin sole when I see one. She has class in abundance, and I’m not saying my brotherhasn’tgot it, but Will is more salt of the earth rather than Champagne and caviar. He’s a proper London cockney, at least, that’s what he wants you to believe. He’d tell you he was born under the sound of Bow Bells if he thought you were gullible enough to believe it and I’m sure he’s used it as a line in his cab a few times. One thing is for sure, he’s true to himself and as loyal as they come.
We get the pleasantries out of the way quickly and while Steph pours tea from the huge polka dot teapot, I launch into the dilemma on my mind.
“Thanks for this Steph and I’m sorry for what I’m about to put on you, but I don’t know who else to turn to.”
“My God, Aiden. What on earth is it?” Her eyes narrow as she places the pot on the table.
I rub my eye sockets with my thumb and forefinger. Now I’m here, I’m not sure what to tell her. There’s a silence, as I swallow hard and glance over to my brother who nods in my direction.
“Go on bro.”
I focus on my hands as Steph’s harsh voice demands, “Do you want to stop seeing her?”
I’m immediately on the defence. Losing her is the last thing I want. “No, not at all. I wouldn’t be here if that was the case, I’d tell her straight.”
She tilts her head to the side, laying a comforting hand over mine. “I knew as much. I saw you at the hospital just after she was brought in and I could tell how worried you were. You care about her.”
“I do. Maybe more than I should at this stage and that’s half the problem. I’m not prepared to let her go.” The words flow before I have time to think.
“But why would you?” Steph turns to Will as if he has the answer but he seems just as confused when he shrugs his shoulders and asks, “What is it bruv? What’s going on?”
I sit with my head in my hands.
“Before I tell you, I want you to know I wouldneverhurt Victoria.” They both sit silently, while I take a deep breath. “But while she was in hospital, I learned something about her past and I’m not sure how to handle it.”
“What on earth is it Aiden?” I think Steph is starting to panic.
“I’ve recently found out via our hospital records, that Victoria was widowed.”
Steph sighs. “Aiden, I’m sorry you’ve found out this way and I’m sure, given normal circumstances, Victoria would have told you in her own time. Are you angry with her for not telling you about it?” She doesn’t give me time to respond. “You shouldn’t be. It was a terrible ordeal and you can only imagine the heartbreak she went through. I mean, who would ever entertain the idea of losing the person they’d just married and on the way to their reception. She was devastated.”
A shiver travels my spine. “Wait, are you telling me the accident happened on their actualweddingday?”
“I am, yes.” My silence speaks volumes and Steph fills the void. “I’m sorry I wasn’t clear.” There’s another pause until Steph breaks it. “I understand your shock. It’s awful isn’t it?”
“Jesus.” Images of that day hit me like a freight train out of the blue. The echo of footsteps against the sterile tiles as I made my way to speak to the deceased’s family. Victoria, now so clear as I reflect back in time, has long dark hair which cascades around her face and is scooped into a messy bun. There was nothing hiding how beautiful she was; perfect despite her imperfections. The scorched and torn wedding dress against blackened and bloodstained skin is clearly visible in my memory whereas I’ve previously had nothing of significance to remind me.
“Aiden, I’m so sorry—” I hear Steph’s gentle voice fade into background noise as I remember how I held back from speaking to the dead man’s new wife in the hope her family would soon arrive. She was alone but I couldn’t keep her waiting any longer; that in itself must have been tortuous. She’d already been there too long.
With some apprehension, I approached the once radiant bride who was wiping her dirty face with her bloodstained hands. She stood as I reached her and it’s then, I envisage so clearly, the hope when she first saw me and the devastation as she processed exactly what I was saying. Those few seconds it took for her to settle and make sense of it all and her cries; gut-wrenching and torturous in their delivery. She was the girl who sat in her wedding dress and mourned the man she loved. I told myself I would have to erase that memory for my own sanity. Up until now, I had.
“Are you alright bruv?” Will asks and I note them both staring towards me.
My head is spinning. “Not really.”
Steph is quick to offer her comforting arm. “You’re white as a sheet.” She rubs my back while I contemplate how to come clean and tell them. “Take your time Aiden.”
“I’m trying,” I add, “but there isn’t an easy way to say this. You see Steph, I was on duty the night Andrew Hughes came into the hospital.Iwas his doctor.”
She is silent and pale as her hand slips away from me and she slumps into the empty chair at my side.
“Who the fuck is Andrew Hughes?” Will asks in his usual bullish tone.
“Victoria’s husband,” I tell him while never taking my eyes from Steph and waiting for her response.
