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| KATIE'S SORROW by Janey <<< Part 5 PART 6 James had met Katie at the hospital for her check up. Both of them thought that it should be a relatively simply thing and shouldn’t take long. However they discovered that Katie had contracted an infection and this was one of the reasons behind her tiredness, otherwise the consultant was satisfied with her progress, considering all that she had been through. He was, however, rather scathing when she told him she had returned to work, albeit on a part time basis, and had made her promise that she would take at least the following week off, which Katie reluctantly agreed to. She was prescribed a weeklong course of very strong antibiotics and a further supply of painkillers. The consultant also wrote to her GP, to outline the current situation, and informed Katie that he would see her in three months for a further check-up and that she should see her regular doctor for anything else. “Martin is going to go ballistic,” stomped Katie as they walked to James’ car. “Hey, if the consultant says you need to be off work then he can’t argue with it. Anyway, I’d bet that he will half be expecting it.” “Couldn’t you have parked any further away?” asked Katie with a giggle. “I’m supposed to be taking it easy and you’ve got me doing a 10 mile hike to the car.” Abruptly James stopped, and hugged her to him and, ignoring the disgusted looks by some of the public passing them by kissed her fully on her lips. “I couldn’t wait any longer,” he said simply as way of explanation. “Me neither. I thought you’d gone off me,” Katie teased. “Umm. As if that’s ever gonna happen,” mused James. “I think there’s more chance of Buddy Holly and Elvis bringing out a brand new record together.” “Well you know that some conspiracy theorist’s do say that they’re still alive, so don’t be too sure that it won’t happen.” “Oh stop twittering and come here!” James silenced her with another kiss. Katie and James had stopped off to see Martin to inform him of the outcome from the hospital, and as James had predicted, he was fine about it, as he was fully aware that Katie wasn’t well enough to be back. They then went shopping, and then went to Katie’s home. The answer machine was blinking to indicate that some messages had been left. Katie pressed the ‘play’ button as she sorted through her mail. There was a message from her solicitor requesting her to call him back as soon as she received his message. Immediately she rang back, whilst James put the shopping away and set about making them a drink. When she walked through to the kitchen Katie was grey and ashen in appearance, and staggered unsteadily to a stool. “Baby what’s wrong? What’s happened?” James pulled up a stool and sat alongside her. “I’ve got a court date. In three months we go to court and he’s representing himself.” Her voice was monotone and flat, and her eyes were once more black and devoid of emotion. “I’ve got to go and see Mr Sanderson to go through my statement, and he’ll explain the court process to me.” “I still can’t believe that dirtbag is going to go ahead with this! I mean they have DNA and the medical report as well as Martin’s testimony of what he saw.” “Apparently he’s going to say that I consented until Martin came, and then, because I was mortified at my boss seeing me in such a compromising position, I yelled rape.” “Oh darling.” James cuddled her lovingly and ran a hand soothingly up and down her back. The telephone rang and James went to answer it. It became very obvious quickly; that it was Martin and he’d been told the news as well. “I guess he’s not best pleased,” said Katie with classic understatement. “How does livid or incensed sound?” They had a gentle weekend and James tried to make it as relaxing for her as he could. He played her some new music that he was working and she helped him out by playing guitar and keyboards for him. Katie surprised James by having a good singing voice and she was able to help him work out harmonies and backing vocals. “So what other talents have you been hiding away from me huh?” James asked as she sat on his knee during a coffee break on the Sunday afternoon. “Not much really,” she blushed. “I write poetry, the odd lyric, and trust me when I say ODD! A bit of music and of course I’m writing a novel but I’ve already told you all about that.” “No. No you didn’t,” James smiled. “What’s it about then?” Eventually Katie showed James the chapters of her novel that she had printed out and he spent the following couple of hours reading it avidly, whilst Katie tried to read his features for a reaction, to gauge whether he enjoyed it or not. James however, was able to keep his features fairly neutral, so all Katie could do was wait anxiously and try to pretend that she wasn’t particularly worried about it. James smirked as he watched her preparing their evening meal. She was so obviously tense about what he would say, but he was determined to read as much of it as he could. “James, the food’s ready.” Katie called as she placed the plates with steak in mushroom sauce on the table with a variety of vegetables. James placed the folder carefully face down on the sofa so that he didn’t lose his place. “Coming sweetheart.” He calls. “Umm, smells and looks delicious baby.” “I hope it tastes as good.” Katie laughed nervously. “I think I may have overcooked the steak.” James tucked into his steak and smiled, appreciatively to Katie, and gave her the thumbs up sign. “It’s beautiful darling,” he said after he’d swallowed the first mouthful. “Don’t kid me.” “I’m not.” It was simply said and then James helped himself to new potatoes, carrots, broccoli and garden peas. He smiled back to her. “You’re a great little cook you know?” “Next weekend I’ll do a full roast lamb dinner, how’s that?” “My favourite. Do I get Yorkshire puddings as well?” “If you behave, and I may even treat you to my bread and butter pudding for dessert sometime during the week. A bit too heavy to eat after a large meal.” “I’m gonna hold you to that.” Monday passed her by in a haze – her antibiotics had given Katie an upset stomach, and she felt very ill on them now that they had got into her system. If she wasn’t in the bathroom with vomiting or diarrhoea, she was curled up on the sofa, feeling absolutely washed out and exhausted. James popped in once to see how she was doing and if he could get her anything because he was so worried about her. He had gone back to do some more interviews and photo shoots, but Martin, Sean and Nick had eventually told him to go home as he was not in the least bit interested in what they were doing. With his best intentions at heart, James had fussed around her like an old mother hen and Katie grew increasingly annoyed with him. She hated people fussing around her no matter how bad she felt. However she said nothing, and instead bit her tongue and thanked him for his concern and love. That night she slept downstairs so as not to disturb him, but that just meant that James had a sleepless night worrying about her, and making numerous trips to check that she was ok. Eventually, at daybreak, he had curled up beside her and fallen into a light and unrefreshing sleep. “James you can’t drive into work,” said Katie next morning. “You’re way too tired.” “I’m not going in. I told Martin that you were going to see Mr Sanderson today and he told me not to come in but to stay and take care of you.” “I can…” “I know,” interjected James. “Indulge me here ok? Let me at least have the mistaken conception that I’m being useful.” Katie laughed and then grimaced in pain. “I’m fine. Don’t fuss! And I’m touched that you want to be there with me. Sometimes I’m very stubborn ‘cos I’m used to being independent and doing stuff on my own. I’m going to have to learn to change, aren’t I?” James hugged her and gave her a fleeting kiss on her forehead; “yes you are. We both are.” Katie came away from Mr Sanderson’s office feeling more at ease than she entered, but she was still filled with trepidation. Michael Clarke was going to be her barrister, and he had a fearsome reputation in the crown court system; Katie herself, was very aware of several high profile cases that he had been a part of. He rarely lost. A meeting had been scheduled for the following Monday with Mr Clarke, and both Martin and Katie had to attend it. That had created huge problems, as Katie was aware that they were all supposed to be over in Germany for some promotion at the time. “Martin’s going to go apoplectic,” said Katie to James, as Don their driver, took them back home. “I know, but it has to be done. Your barrister is going to be the one acting for you in court and he needs to know how you may both react.” “I’m going to have to tell the others aren’t I James?” Katie asked with dread. “Baby, we are going to have to tell them something. Sean will not do interviews and stuff unless he has too.” “I know.” She pushed her hands together as if in prayer and sighed deeply. “Fuck James! Why, why, why?” All James could do was hug her tightly to him, and kiss her hair as he moaned inwardly. Why did the woman he loved have to go through so much pain? Mid afternoon and they were back at Katie’s house. James decided to go home for a few hours as he knew Katie needed to be alone for a while, so after making sure she was ok, he asked Don to drop him off, after arranging a pick up time with him. Katie heard the doorbell ringing as she watched afternoon kids TV in the hope it would help her sleep. Although she really wanted to ignore she knew that wasn’t the right thing to do, and so, almost zombie like, she staggered dazedly to the door and saw through the peephole that it was Rachel with Clara. Her breath caught awkwardly in her throat, and she had to count to ten to compose herself. “Hey! Great to see you,” she enthused as she opened the door. “Come on in.” “I’m sorry to call unannounced, but Nicky told me how poorly you’d been, and I know how much you love this little stick of dynamite, and well, she’s been missing you too.” Katie helped Rachel in with the buggy and pulled some funny faces at Clara, and that made Clara laugh back. Then Rachel and Katie hugged each other warmly and Katie became aware of her legs buckling underneath her. “Come on, inside now.” Instructed Rachel. Luckily Rachel knew Katie and her home very well. Although Katie was also good friends with Rhian and Richey’s Rachel, it was Nicky’s Rachel that she was the closest to. They were great friends and never kept secrets from each other. Until now, that is. Much like Katie had done with her sister. Rachel opened the fastenings of the buggy and straight away Clara ran to Katie; “Auntie Katie! I need a big hug and a kiss.” “Come here then poppett!” giggled Katie as she whipped the taller than average toddler up into her arms. “Hey now beautiful!” “Love you.” “Oh darling…” Katie fought back her tears as hard as she could, but Rachel had noticed. “Into the lounge sweetheart,” Rachel grinned warmly to her daughter. “Then you can play with us ok?” “Thanks Mummy!” “She’ll be asleep soon don’t worry,” said Rachel. “I just had to come and see you but she heard me and Nick talking, well you know you’re her favourite person in the whole wide world!” “Apart from Uncle James you mean,” laughed Katie as she walked into the kitchen and got some no added sugar fruit juice for Clara and put the kettle on to boil for her and Rachel’s coffees. “Where Uncle James?” asked Clara sweetly. “He’s busy sweetheart,” whispered Katie as she kissed Clara and stroked her affectionately. “If he could be here he would you know that.” “Sorry but she heard us talking,” offered Rachel by way of explanation. “Hey it’s fine. He’d be here if he could. He adores his little angel.” Katie smiled as she noticed Clara clap her hands in delight. “I’ve got some nice biscuits we can spoil ourselves with.” “Don’t let me hold you back!” guffawed Rachel, “I love all those bad things.” “Yeah I know!” They played with Clara for a couple of hours and the picture that Clara drew, of Katie together with her Uncle James; getting married especially delighted Katie. “Why have you done that Clara?” Katie had asked. “Because you and Uncle James will be happy Auntie Katie.” It almost made Katie weep… When Clara eventually succumbed to the tiredness that washed over her, Katie took her upstairs and whispered that Clara would be sleeping in James’ bed as well as her own (Katie’s), Clara sighed, “ah nice’ and then quickly went to sleep. “What’s wrong Katie? Please don’t say ‘nothing’ because I know there is, and it’s more than you not being physically well,” said Rachel compassionately. “Rache, I don’t know where to start.” Katie shivered and started to gently weep. “It was all before James and I got together.” “Hey, if you don’t want to talk I do understand you know.” “I don’t WANT to talk about it, but I need to. You are all going to have to find out at some point,” said Katie with slumping shoulders and heavy, dark eyes. “Martin and I need to go to court and it’s going to disrupt the schedule of the guys. Sean is going to have to step in and do interviews or Nicky will be on his own.” “James won’t let you do it on your own? It’s gotta be serious then.” “Rache, it’s bad. Really, really bad.” Her resolve crumbled and tears started to gently fall, but Katie bit her lip and took a huge breath. When composed enough, Katie started to tell Rachel the whole sordid story. Rachel clung to her friend as huge sobs wracked her body from head to toe. Katie’s words had stung her so hard, and she wondered how Katie and James had held this to themselves. The only other person who knew was Martin and that was because, indirectly, he was involved. “You should have called me honey,” urged Rachel as she tried to understand how Katie must feel. “Rachel, I didn’t call anyone. Not even Wendy knew. It was only after I’d lost the baby that James got through to me about how much I’d cut myself off. Even then it took time. I just pretended I was fine but of course I wasn’t, and James knew that.” “I never thought I would say this, but, well, you and James belong together. I’ve seen the film and the photo’s that Nick’s brought home and it’s so obvious that you and James adore each other.” “Trust us to get together in weird circumstances,” said Katie with a heavy edge of irony. “Not the best way to start a relationship I have to say. Poor James must be fed up with my ever changing moods and me but he doesn’t complain. He confronts me about how I behave at times and it’s always been the right thing for him to do, you know? I keep pushing him and goading him to try and get a reaction from him and that’s not me Rache.” “I know, but I guess in the back of your mind you need to test him to make sure he isn’t going to hurt you. That he can stay the distance, and lets be honest it is going to be tough, especially with that fruitcake defending himself.” Rachel’s eye’s glanced upwards, “sounds like my darling daughter is awake.” “I’ll go and get her,” winked Katie. “One thing before Clara is with us,” sighed Rachel whilst trying to hide the huge grin that was spreading over her face. “Do you and James have the keys to each other’s homes as well then?” “Yeah we do,” replied Katie as blandly as she could, before turning and going upstairs to collect Clara. Clara was sat up on the bed holding a photograph of Katie and James and planting lots of kisses on it. “I can see you still love your Uncle James”. “Kisses you too,” Clara answered simply. “Love you Auntie Katie.” “Right then, mummy’s waiting downstairs and we don’t want to leave her on her own do we?” Clara sat down on Katie’s lap and finished her juice from her own plastic ‘glass’, it always made Clara feel very grown up when she drank from it. “I guess we should get you home for something to eat,” said Rachel brightly to Clara as she kissed the top of her head. “I can eat here mummy.” Katie laughed and hugged Clara tightly and began tickling her. “Can you indeed?” “Nice cooked chips!” “She keeps going on about these chips,” moaned Rachel. “We’ve tried every type of oven chip there is, but we can’t do it like you do. ‘Katie’s chips is all we hear, and Nicky is about to have a nervous breakdown over them I think!” “He should have asked. It’s no big secret. You know I’d love to do her something to eat, then when you get in it’s one less thing to worry about.” “Only if you don’t mind.” “S’ok mummy see?” insisted Clara as she jumped down from Katie’s knee and started walking to the kitchen. “Let’s pick, Auntie Katie.” Clara chose fish fingers, chips and some salad, and for pudding Katie cut some strawberries and fanned them out on a plate, and gave her a tiny pot of fromage frais to dip the strawberry pieces into. Rachel had laughed when she’d realised how simple the chips were. All Katie did was cut a potato into chunky chips, par boil them, let them drain and then sprayed a baking sheet with 1 cal oil, put the chips on top and sprayed them again, before putting them in the oven like you would do roast potatoes. Rachel and Katie stayed at the dining table with Clara while she ate with Rachel letting Clara know that there was no excuse for her not to have salad at home if she can eat it at Katie’s home. Clara had just beamed back a huge, infectious smile. Then all heads turned as they heard the door being opened. “Hey! Hi Rache,” smiled James as he hugged her. “And how are you gorgeous, huh? You missed your Uncle James then?” James kissed Katie before giving Clara a big hug and kiss. Clara nodded as she popped some more of the fruit into her mouth, James then pinched a piece and ate it, and Clara smacked his hand and shook her head at him. Once she’d swallowed her food she said, “That not nice Uncle James.” “Quite right, it’s not,” he smiled. “But it looked so lovely I couldn’t resist.” “Aww, do some for Uncle James Auntie Katie, please.” “Uncle James can do his own sweetheart,” smiled Rachel as Katie took a cup out to make James a drink in. “You ok babe?” James softly whispered as he wrapped his arms around Katie and nuzzled her gently before kissing her tenderly. Before Katie could answer, they both heard Clara starting to snigger so turned to look at her. She was clapping her hands together and smiling. “Aww Uncle James and Auntie Katie kissing!” They looked at each other and started laughing with her. Part 7 >>> Janey's stories |