The Vine Cross (The Vine Series Book 1) Read online

  “If you need anything, please come and speak with me.”

  Hayley nodded, wiping her teary eyes.

  “I best let you get on with prep for tomorrow, or we’ll both be in trouble,” he laughed, trying to lighten the sombre mood, knowing too well that his Sous Chef was more feared than himself; ruling the kitchen with a rod of iron.

  In the locker room after shift, Rob took his whites off, chucking them in the wash bin, as Hayley walked in. Turning to see her, he smiled, but it was that same vacant smile Ash had used before.

  “Rob?” Opening the metal locker door, he turned to look at her. “What was going on earlier?”

  Rob looked back within his locker, grabbing a blue T-shirt out, slowly closing it, he gave himself time to think. “Nothing you need to worry about,” he said in way of explanation.

  “About what?”

  “You.”

  Hayley rolled her eyes, sighing. “I gather that!” She explained, opening her own locker, as she unbuttoned her own chef whites. “What, about me?”

  Rob looked around uncertainly before glancing back at her. She could tell he didn’t want to divulge, but she needed to know what she was up against. Although Colin had wanted to know everything about her last job, he had answered none of her questions about what the rumours actually comprised and it was driving her crazy. How could she defend herself when she was being kept ignorant of the charges?

  “You used to work at a supermarket in town.” he questioned.

  Hayley nodded.

  “Caity’s cousin works there,” said Rob uncomfortably.

  Realising this was like getting blood out of a stone, she sat down on the bench and removed her steel toe cap shoes whilst looking at Rob to continue his explanation.

  “His best mate is there too.”

  “Bloody hell, Rob, spit it out!”

  Hayley needed to catch the bus home; she’d have to wait forty-five minutes for another and was growing more irritable by the second.

  “She said something about a bloke called Nick.”

  Hayley’s colour drained from her face, she’d known he would have something to do with it, but having it confirmed did nothing to cushion the blow. Some part of her hoped she’d heard him wrong, but the pit of her stomach opened up and swirled. Thankful to be already sitting down, as her legs suddenly turned to jelly, she held onto the sides of the bench for support.

  Having had a quick fling with a manager at the supermarket she worked, later finding out he was married left her heartbroken, she then had to listen to the team pulling her character apart; whispers started, and they destroyed her fresh start. Her life became unbearable, and she escaped, again.

  Rob watched her face turn from a pale green to chalk-like. He somehow felt guiltier than he did when she’d walked into the kitchen and overheard what they’d been discussing. “I’m sorry.”

  “What did they say?” Asked Hayley, desperately.

  He could see tears pooling in her eyes and not for the first time, he wished that Caitlyn had never spoken with Liam. Rob took a seat next to her, being careful not to touch or crowd her. “Caity’s cousin told her you accused him of assault.”

  Hayley chewed on her bottom lip, trying to stop it from wobbling; she would not cry, not anymore.

  “He said you tried to get him sacked.”

  Hayley stood up, pushing her shoulders back; she couldn’t allow people to see her with her guard down, especially not someone who’s fiancé wanted to hurt her so badly. The guilt she felt ate away at her every day, but she knew he’d never understand. She wasn’t even sure she did. But she knew that if she hadn’t done what she did, Nick would have suffered even more.

  Grabbing her pink T-shirt off the hanger, she pulled it over her head, ready to get out and go home to her empty flat with no one to witness her breakdown.

  When Rob saw her eyes, he swore, feeling even more torn than before. “Hayley, I’m so…”

  “Forget it!” She said waving her hand behind her, so she didn’t have to face him. A part of her past had crept up on her, and it had only taken two months. It was depressing if not laughable when she thought about it. Chucking her shoes in the locker, she pulled her chef trousers down, stepping out of them, uncaring of her audience.

  Rob looked away respectfully and stood up, pushing his key into his locker door. When he turned round, she had on her jeans and trainers, and was slipping her wallet in her back pocket. “Hayley?” He said responsively.

  “What?” Hayley snapped, without turning to face him, struggling to keep her temper in check.

  “What did he do?”

  Attempting to get her locks into a ponytail, she dropped her elbows and stopped. Suddenly her arms felt too heavy to tie her hair up. Tears fell and there was no stopping them.

  Grabbing hold of her, he crushed her head into his shoulder as she sobbed. Rob held her trembling body against his and wished he could take all her pain away. Smelling the coconut shampoo, she’d used that morning made him take a lingering sniff. The scent always reminded him of holidays and sun cream.

  After a few minutes, her sobs subsided, and she pulled away, realising Caitlyn already had concerns about them. If she walked in on this, she’d be hanged, drawn and quartered on the entrance gates, probably with a lynch mob with pickaxes in tow.

  “I’ll give you a lift home.”

  Hayley shook her head vehemently.

  “You can’t go on the bus looking like that,” he stated, holding her by her shoulders, as she kept her head down.

  Her eyes puffy and her skin mottled, she peered up at him, witnessing genuine concern.

  “Come on, I’m taking you home.” On walking to the exit, he turned to check she was following.

  Shutting the locker door, before walking out of his sight, she threw her whites into the wash bin and walked back into view, attempting to dry her cheeks with her palms.

  Rob held the door open for her, strolling outside into the warm air behind her. After they climbed into his car, he pulled away from the Spa. Her face dried quickly, and her throat didn’t feel as though something was lodged in it anymore. Watching Rob concentrating on the road returning to Newark, she was thankful he’d not made her feel any worse. No one had just accepted what she’d said before, and she wasn’t sure how to react or whether to trust it.

  “Do they all think I’m a predator, all set to jump on the most unavailable man to ruin his life?” She attempted to sound sarcastic, but it fell short.

  Rob looked at her for a second to acknowledge he’d heard her but didn’t answer, instead he just shook his head woefully. Reaching Newark, she gave him directions to her home.

  Pulling up outside her flat, she glanced up to it. “Thanks for the lift.”

  “No problem,” turning away from him, she opened the car door and stepped out. “Hayley!

  Don’t worry about work, I’ll have a word, it’ll die down soon enough.”

  She nodded, attempting a tight smile.

  “Are you going to be OK?”

  Hayley didn’t answer for fear of letting her emotions get the best of her. Slamming the door shut, she made her way to her flat and that bottle of wine she’d been saving.

  That night Hayley laid on the sofa watching the television, with a share bag of minstrels and a bottle of Blossom Hill. Thankfully, there had been a film on she quite liked. It kept her from having to find something out of her minimal DVD collection, not that she could follow the story, anyway.

  Her mind replayed events repeatedly. Bringing up all the feelings that had once plagued her. Opening old wounds and tearing the stitches.

  Just when she thought she could start over, forget about all the awful things she had done to her and clear the slate clean, someone wrecked her life. Hayley didn’t want to walk away this time. She loved her job and being around the other chefs, sharing jokes, and singing to the radio after lunch service. Hayley couldn’t imagine them not being part of her existence, but it wouldn’t be her choice to
make if they turned against her. It wasn’t like she could defend herself; they wouldn’t understand, even if she explained.

  Her mobile rang, so she grabbed it to see who was calling. ‘Lucy’ flashed up; one of the waitresses. She didn’t need her world picked apart by vultures, intent on finding the next raw nerve to tug at. So, she threw it back on the sofa. Thirty seconds later, her phone pinged, alerting her to a voicemail. Rolling her eyes, she tried to ignore it, but curiosity got the best of her. She picked it up, entering her pin code to retrieve her message.

  “Hi Hayley, it’s Lucy… we’re all going out tomorrow, just wondered if you wanted to join us. We’re just going round town, nothing special, but we’re meeting at Caity’s at seven. Ring me back.”

  Hayley rolled her eyes and groaned. She didn’t fancy going out, especially with Caitlyn. But she knew she’d end up moping for another night, and they were getting all too frequent.

  Besides, it was probably a good opportunity to build some bridges. If she didn’t attend, she’d surely be the hot topic of conversation. Even they weren’t so brazen as to do it in front of her.

  Looking at the time on her phone, it buzzed in her hand. A text flashed up. It was Rob.

  ‘Hi, having a party tomorrow at mine, I’ve had a chat :)’

  If Rob was there, it wouldn’t be too bad, would it? Hayley texted a reply.

  Rob sat with his feet on the mahogany coffee table, staring at his phone. He wasn’t sure if he’d done the right thing or not. He wanted to include her with his friends; be that much needed shoulder of support, if required. Hayley had looked so vulnerable. He knew that her presence was making rifts in his own relationship with Caitlyn, but she’d crossed the line today. Whatever had happened between Hayley and Nick, they didn’t have the full story; he was sure of it. He just couldn’t work out what could have happened. Caitlyn had almost immediately taken a dislike to Hayley and hadn’t yet explained why, he’d never seen her judge someone so quickly before.

  Annoyed with her for telling the other waitresses, she had found things out about Hayley; he wasn’t in the mood to talk. Caitlyn had run with what her cousin had told her, with no evidence. Rob already knew how unreliable he was. A waste of space. A school drop-out who pissed about with his mates, smoking weed, and getting drunk most days. He’d not had a job any longer than six months because he couldn’t get out of bed and make it in on time. He shifted from one job to the next, mostly cash in hand.

  Rob didn’t begrudge anyone trying to help themselves, but he did it to the detriment of others. Her cousin had produced a daughter with one of his ex’s, refusing to pay anything as he wasn’t in registered work. Rob knew the bloke didn’t visit either; he’d just disappeared from her life as if she meant nothing. Caitlyn had taken what Leon had told her as gospel, though.

  Caitlyn nudged his legs off the coffee table as she walked past him to sit down. Holding out a bottle of Budweiser.

  Taking it, he thanked her. “I’ve invited Hayley tomorrow,” swallowing a sip of his beer, he watched Caitlyn shift on the settee away from him, moving her feet up on it between them. Saying nothing, he knew she wasn’t happy about it, but refused to apologise for inviting her.

  “What’s got into you?”

  “I just don’t see why you have to invite her,” she answered, staring at the television. She was simmering with rage. It wouldn’t be long before she bubbled over, he thought.

  “Well, after today, she feels like the entire place is against her.” He watched Caitlyn ignore him. “Why did you tell your staff about what Leon said?” He asked, watching her shrug.

  “What if he’s got it wrong?”

  “What if he hasn’t!” Caitlyn snapped back, looking him dead in the eyes. “What if she’s exactly like he says, don’t you think they all need fair warning?”

  “What, the girls under you? No, not unless she’s bi too?” He asked, watching her roll her eyes before taking a long swig of her drink. “You did it because you don’t like her,” argued Rob.

  “Saint fucking Hayley!” She snarled.

  “No! I just don’t think it’s very fair, you’ve only got one side of the story, and now you’ve got people gossiping about something none of you know anything about,” he snapped.

  Caitlyn grabbed her phone, walking around the back of the settee before stamping up the stairs.

  Sighing, he put the beer bottle on the table, glancing at his buzzing phone.

  Chapter 2

  The next day Hayley went to work as normal and got the bus back. The kitchen had been excitable with the prospect of a party at Rob’s. All the staff were excited because it was all they could talk about. Caitlyn had avoided speaking to Hayley. She had frequently thought about taking her to the side, just to put her mind at ease regarding Rob. But it didn’t matter how she prepared it in her head, it always sounded patronising, and she didn’t want to offend her any more than she already had.

  Caitlyn had an awful way of timing her entrances to the kitchen, though. With either Rob telling a joke, whispering, or Hayley laughing about something that had happened. She was beginning to see things from Caitlin’s perspective. She knew there was nothing in it, other than just being friendly banter, but she could understand her suspicion.

  The small wooden porch with PVC double-glazed windows and a door displaying a glass mosaic kingfisher taunted her. Flicking her fingers; a nervous habit she’d picked up long ago, she continued staring at the door to Rob’s house feeling a tremendous amount of anxiety.

  Hayley had grown to trust Rob over the few months she had known him. He’d always been patient and kind and made her feel at ease while she learnt the ropes, but this was another kind of challenge she hadn’t prepared for. Their friendship was important, but she didn’t want to be the person who put pressure on another couple’s relationship. He deserved better than that, and Caitlyn was clearly more dependent on the relationship than she liked to say.

  Breathing quickly and flexing her fingers, she looked around for an escape, a sign to walk away and let them have their happily ever after. She should leave and explain she was too busy and couldn’t make it. Just as she turned to leave, the front door opened.

  Rob stood at the open door, looking Hayley up and down before allowing her to step over the threshold. Hayley felt underdressed in her skinny jeans and white blouse when she noticed Caitlyn’s sparkly black cowl neck dress, high heels and large hooped earrings. Once Caitlyn saw her, she turned back round and left them in the kitchen alone. Swallowing hard, Hayley looked up at Rob, who smiled uncomfortably.

  Bending down, Rob kissed Hayley on the side of the cheek, and whispered, “you OK?”

  Hayley nodded timidly, taken aback by the sudden connection.

  “Everyone’s in the living room.”

  Walking through, she could see old faces from work, all with glasses or bottles in their hands.

  The music blared out from a large stereo system sat on its own unit that held hundreds of CD’s. There were two worn beige chenille settees pushed back to the walls to make room for the mass of people. A coffee table held bowls of nibbles comprising crisps, biscuits, chocolates and nuts. At the back of the room there stood a bunch of lads, all around Rob’s age. They were discussing cars by the sound of it. Hayley knew nothing about cars and didn’t feel comfortable trying to chip into flowing conversations. So, she just stood, watching for an opening or someone to realise she was there, once Rob left her side.

  Lucy turned round and spied her “You came!” Running over to her. Drink in hand, she threw her arms around her. “Drink?”

  Hayley nodded, following Lucy back to the kitchen.

  Out of all the servers, Lucy was the one Hayley had connected with the most.

  It seemed they had a similar sense of humour and Caitlyn’s attitude towards her hadn’t swayed Lucy.

  Handing her a bottle of Smirnoff ice, Lucy knelt down to look through the glass in the oven

  “Do these pizzas look done?”
/>   Hayley bent down to look. Grabbing the oven gloves off the side, she opened the door. Lucy made room for the trays on the hob while Hayley took one out, placing it down and turning the oven off.

  Suddenly someone walked by the front window and bumped into the waitresses, who were giggling on their way outside whilst opening packs of cigarettes. Hayley looked up to see what the matter was and caught sight of a man she didn’t know.

  Wearing a brown leather jacket, dark blue shirt, black jeans and brown boots, he carried an aura of authority and confidence. His short hair combed to the left, held in place with gel, glistened off the kitchen lights as he entered. Feeling the heat of the second tray under her fingertips reminded her of her task as she dropped the last tray down.

  “Come on girls, out the way, this man needs pizza!” Said the man in a deep gravelly voice, glancing to Hayley.

  Realising she was staring, she looked away. The girls made their way outside and he moved towards the pizza on the tray.

  “This ready?” He asked, looking at the pizza.

  Hayley tried to clear her throat, realising Lucy must have left.

  “Yep, I mean no, it’s not cut yet,” she babbled, tripping over her words. She should stop staring, she thought.

  “All right,” he laughed, turning to pull a drawer out from underneath the sink. Pulling out a carving knife, he began cutting the pizzas on the trays.

  Hayley tried to do something useful by looking for a serving dish to put them on. “What you looking for?”

  “A plate,” she exclaimed.

  “In there,” he kicked the cupboard just behind him at the bottom.

  Hayley crouched down, opening the door, trying not to let it swing back and hit him. When she stood up, he was holding four slices of margarita pizza together in his hands, ready to dispatch. He winked at her and she couldn’t help but blush. They finished dishing up, then he took both plates and walked through, placing them on the coffee table in the living room. It was then he grabbed a piece and took a bite.