A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Fifteen
Jack peered through Stacey’s window looking
for Rose. He’d never been inside the place before. It wasn’t the kind of place
where Rose would normally go but it was still up market for him. A loaf of
bread and a chunk of cheese or ham were cheap. He couldn’t afford to eat out.
But he had heard tales of Stacey’s sandwiches and of their famous chocolate
cake.
He guessed Rose was inside at the back. He took a chance and walked in. A
smartly dressed waitress approached him and he nervously looked round, not
knowing what to say. Rose saved him by standing up and waving to him from the
back.
"I’m with her, er, over there" he explained to the waitress and went
and sat with Rose.
"Where’s Trudy?" he asked.
"She’s going to visit her mother tomorrow. I sent her to get a
present." Smiled Rose, a lot more relaxed now they were alone and away
from prying eyes.
"So Rose," Jack looked round. "It’s nice here." All the
tables were neatly laid out, a good distance from each other and interspersed
with large pot plants. The table Rose had chosen was in the corner and
discreet.
"Yes, it seems suitable" Jack suddenly became painfully aware of how
Rose spoke, a reminder that they were classes apart.
"You said there were reasons that you couldn’t explain?" asked Jack
Rose looked uncomfortable. She was struggling with what to say.
"Well, someone saw me out in the park when I shouldn’t have been and told
Cal." Rose smiled and tried to hide her despair. Jack noticed she was
wringing her hands again. Rose continued. "He’s a little jealous sometimes
and it caused a little friction. I just wanted to avoid any similar situation
by being a little careful coming here"
The waitress came over and Rose ordered some sandwiches and tea. Jack watched
the way she communicated with her, the way she moved and spoke. She really is
something thought Jack. But something was bothering him.
Rose untied the ribbon and removed her hat. Jack couldn’t stop staring at the
bruise. A notion had entered his head. It was that notion that was troubling
him.
"Rose, forgive me for asking. Did Cal do that to you?"
Rose looked very uncomfortable and felt it. "Why Jack, what an absurd
notion." She’d taken her hat off, as it was awkward to wear inside. She
had hoped Jack wouldn’t draw attention to it again, she was wrong.
"Now we are here, why don’t you tell about your Fabrizio and his
fiancée?" Rose tried to change the subject.
Jack wasn’t very at ease. The notion was gnawing way at him. He tried to relax
and to tell Rose all about his best friend.
"Maria is really nice. Typical Italian girl, all dark hair and eyes. We
went into her Dad’s bakery one day and that was it. Love at first site. I
couldn’t believe it."
"So you don’t believe in love at first sight then Jack?"
I do now, thought Jack.
"No it’s not that. I just never figured Fabri would fall in love so easy.
There had been other girls but nothing serious then wham. Wherever we go, Maria
comes too. To the Nickelodeon, to the pier, everywhere! Mind you, it got us
cheap food. Her mom is really nice. Loves to cook. Treated us like the family.
Then it was time to move on. So I said to Fabri, if you want to stay here,
that’s fine. I’ll go on alone. I didn’t want to stay in New York you see. So
Maria’s father gave him a job at the bakery and a roof over his head. I kind of
think the Italians stick together." Jack laughed.
The waitress brought over the sandwiches and tea. Rose, without thinking,
removed her gloves. Jack felt sick to his stomach and almost jumped up when he
saw Roses arm.
"Jesus Rose! Did he do that to you too?"
Rose went red with embarrassment. But it was too late. Jack had seen her arm
and there was nothing she could do to hide it now. She said nothing but looked
down.
Jack gently took her arm and brought it closer for him to see.
"Rose", he said gently. "Why did he do this? Because someone saw
you out in the park?"
Rose looked at Jack with her eyes wet with tears.
"Leave it Jack, please." She pleaded.
"I can’t Rose. I’m your friend. I can’t believe he did this to you. I
can’t" Jack shook his head in disbelief. It was like a nightmare. Not only
was the girl he only just come to love married, but married to man who raised
his hand to her.
"You don’t understand." Rose pleaded again.
Jack was still holding her arm and shaking his head. He felt so angry yet so
sad at the same time.
"Too right I don’t understand. How someone who promised to look after you
and love you could ever, ever do that. My Ma and Pa taught me always, never lay
a hand on a lady. Don’t they teach the same to gentlemen?"
"I disobeyed Cal." Rose said weakly.
"You aren’t a child or some dog, Rose. You are a grown woman and there is
no excuse, ever for doing that to you. Can’t you go to the police?"
"And tell them what exactly? " Rose laughed bitterly. "Jack, no
policeman in the world would arrest Caledon Hockley for taking his wife into
hand."
Jack slipped his hand into Rose’s. He could see the pain in her eyes now. The
touch of his hand reminded Rose of how she clung onto the vision of Jack that
night she so nearly took her own life.
"Jack, please. You really must leave it. It is my problem, my life."
She pulled her hand away. "I must also remind you that." She paused
for breath, trying to control her emotions that were screaming at her inside.
"that I am another man’s wife."
"A man that doesn’t deserve you." Jack hadn’t meant to blurt this
out.
Rose looked at him still with pain in her eyes, but a different pain. It wasn’t
the physical or the mental pain that hurt now. It was the realization that not
all men were like Cal, but it was too late to do anything about it.