Time After Time Read Free Page B

dick,’ Rick said.
    Hayley nodded. ‘He’s definitely a dick. But he’s not stupid.’
    Rick picked up the newspaper again. ‘All I’m saying is that you need to do something.’
    She raised her eyebrows. ‘
Do
something? What the bloody hell do you think I’m
doing
, Rick? I –’
    He held up a hand. ‘Maybe you and Tony should go out on your own. Or speak to another recruiter,’ he said, his tone more subdued. ‘Okay? That’s all.’
    Hayley knew he could tell she was dangling ten – badly in need of a pedicure – toes over the warpath. That’s why he was backing off; he preferred to leave her alone until she calmed down. It irritated the hell out of her sometimes. Why couldn’t he stand up and fight? Taking a deep breath she walked to the fridge, counting slowly.
    1 … 2 … 3 …
    ‘Do you need me to fold any washing?’ she said.
    4 … 5 … 6 …
    Rick looked at her and blinked.
    7 … 8 … 9
…
    ‘I didn’t do any laundry. I had to –’
    BOOM!
    ‘Oh come
on,
’ Hayley shouted. ‘For fuck’s sake. You were at home, why couldn’t you do a couple of loads?’
    Rick gestured to her to lower her voice.
    ‘Don’t shush me,’ Hayley snapped.
    ‘You’ll wake the kids,’ he said, his jaw tight. ‘Look, I had to finish the website and start a quote for another project. The biggest one I’ve ever had, actually. That was more important than the fucking washing, okay?’
    Hayley stared at him.
    ‘I’m sorry, okay?’ he said. ‘I guess now’s not a good time to tell you the toilet upstairs isn’t working properly as well.’
    ‘You’re joking?’ She put the wine back and slammed the fridge door. A plastic magnet – the letter O – clattered to the floor, leaving the word HELL behind.
    ‘Don’t worry,’ Rick said. ‘I remembered to call the plumber. He’s coming tomorrow.’ He held his arms up in mock defence as he sat, weaving his upper body around like a boxer, pretending to get ready to dodge whatever she might throw at him by ducking under the table.
    Hayley welcomed his humour like a hairdryer in a bath. ‘I can’t deal with all of this as well,’ she said in a strained whisper. ‘I can’t handle my job and continually remind you to sort stuff out, then spend weekends doing the washing and running errands.’
    ‘Hayley, listen –’
    ‘No.
You
listen. I need to see Mum and Dad. I haven’t been over in two weeks. Oh, and I thought we’d squeeze in some family time. Remember that?’
    ‘You’re blaming me for the lack of family time?’ Rick raised his eyebrows and Hayley could tell she’d hit a nerve. ‘You spend every goddamn waking hour at that office. We hardly see you.’
    ‘I’m
working
.’
    ‘I know that. But you promise the kids you’ll be back for supper and you rarely are. I get it and don’t worry, I’m okay with it but the kids, they …’ His chair toppled backwards as he stood up and it landed on the floor with a crash. ‘
Shit.
’
    ‘You know how much pressure I’m under. I need you to be supportive, Rick.’
    He acquiesced. ‘Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I know you’re worried about the finances. Look, I’ll help tomorrow, I promise.’ He opened his arms and walked towards her but she moved away.
    He sighed.
    ‘What?’ she said. ‘What was that sigh for?’
    ‘Nothing.’
    ‘No, go on.’ Hayley’s hands were on her hips and she raised her chin. ‘What was it for?’
    Rick spoke in a low voice and she saw that the anger in his eyes had been replaced with sadness. ‘Every time I … you’ve got this big wall around …’ He waved a hand as his voice tailed off. ‘Forget it. Never mind. What’s the point?’
    ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
    Rick puffed out his cheeks. ‘Nothing.’
    She closed her eyes. She knew what he meant.
    The distance.
    She felt it too. The silence between them took up an increasingly large space, filled with all the things they should be saying to each other, but couldn’t, or wouldn’t, or