The Quilt Read online

  Every night, her frustration led to anger and her anger led to bitter arguments. What a waste of emotion and energy. It had become routine for her to walk away before things escalated to unpleasantness and words spoken in anger became too harmful to be forgiven.

  Cliff top neighbours watched every evening as the tall, elegant Joanne painted a lonely picture making her way along the deserted beach. Often she could be seen skimming shells into the surf or scooping up driftwood as she walked along the sand deep in thought. Often she was bent against the cold, her long blonde hair clinging wet to her face masking tears as she struggled to capture the happiness she was sure she should feel.

  Was she to blame? Surely she could find the answer? It was her job to calmly guide clients on to stable ground when their lives unravelled. Why was it so much more difficult when your own emotions were there to confuse the issues?

  She made another mental note.

  “Make time to have a romantic weekend away with Stephen.”

  The traffic had freed up slightly.

  How did her mother cope? She held down a position that was even more stressful with travel and different time zones, climates and language barriers to contend with. She still managed to perform professionally, meet deadlines and remain a wife to a demanding husband.

  “Get out of my way you idiots!”

  The slow moving traffic ground to a sudden halt again forming a barrier in front of the small vehicle.

  She had almost reached the office when her eyes had darted to the empty passenger seat. Her brief case sat in the foot well and with horror she realized her first morning client’s folder still sat on her bedside cabinet.

  “This is what you get from taking work home and getting over tired!”

  Joanne continued to reprimand both herself and Stephen.

  “Stephen, if you had answered the damned telephone you could have met me with the Tucker’s file. I would have been at the office by now. Driving back home in this traffic will make me late and I dread to think of the reception Kelvin will give me!”

  It took a further five minutes before she could turn off the main road that wound its way out of town and break away from the long line of slow moving traffic.

  She felt panic rise in her throat. Perhaps it was just because she was over tired. She had worked late into the night and remembered reading a full page at one o’clock this morning without comprehending a single word.

  It certainly was out of character for her to leave a file at home.

  She braked hard outside the studio apartment. Something had to be done about the self-imposed stress she was putting herself under.

  It would help if Stephen actually went out to work to take at least some of the financial burden off her. If only he was willing to settle for a normal job until his art began to provide a regular income.

  By now Joanne had reached the door, she felt dizzy with panic and failed to notice the small insignificant white sedan parked at the curb-side.

  Without hesitating she barged into the bedroom her eyes darting towards the bedside cabinet and the Tuckers brown manila client folder.

  As the fog of panic cleared, Joanne’s brain comprehended the sex glazed look in Stephen’s eyes. He abruptly sat bolt upright in their large soft bed. His mouth opened but no words came out. He blinked and then his lips fell slack. Still there were no words, just a vacant confused stare.

  Shocked Joanne tried to comprehend how he had grown so many limbs. The scene didn’t make any sense, whatsoever.

  As if to answer, a startled brunette head popped out from under the duvet.

  The owner of the head had two huge staring eyes that looked back with both confusion and annoyance.

  Joanne dragged her attention away from the stranger and focused on Stephen. She had no idea what she expected him to say. He didn’t disappoint by saying nothing. He just sat there opening and shutting his mouth like a fish gasping for water.

  Confusion subsiding and anger rising Joanne addressed the head.

  “Hello, I am Joanne. Get out of my bed!”

  The head just stared. It was probably empty, Joanne thought.

  By nature Joanne was a strong and rational person. Normally, her intelligence and profession gave her the words and quickness of wit to verbally respond to unexpected or stressful situations.

  Today there was nothing to say.

  Without even glancing at the entwined smooth and slender limbs trespassing on her crisp clean sheets Joanne marched to the side cabinet.

  She snatched up the Tuckers folder and walked out slamming the door so hard behind her that the wall shook and the charcoal print fell, coming to rest on top of a soft white pillow.

  The sudden noise seemed to wake Stephen from his pathetic state of shock.

  What the hell was she doing home? Joanne never came home early. In fact, she was hardly ever home before dark.

  He should have taken a moment to answer the telephone when it had rung a few minutes earlier. If he had Chrissie would be in the wardrobe now and Joanne would have picked up her bloody folder and be happily on her way back to work.

  He stumbled out of bed shaking loose the brunettes arm and reaching for a towel.

  If the situation had been less tragic there would be a funny side to the scene that played out in Joanne’s rear-view mirrors. Joanne committed the image of Stephen’s lanky frame struggling to keep a tiny piece of towelling over his groin while he frantically sprinted after her disappearing car.

  Joanne was numb with shock and confusion. The hurt and betrayal threatened to break through Joanne’s well practiced barrier. She drove without consciously finding direction, fighting a battle to keep the tears from cascading down her cheeks and ruining her make-up, clothing and dignity. The bastard! How could he do this to her and how long had it been going on?

  Was she that naïve, that unobservant, that he could do this to her and it could go unnoticed while she worked to earn a living to support them?

  Where the hell from here? The studio would no longer feel like a home. Stephen had allowed someone to intrude, to peek into her life and invade her privacy.

  Where could she go?

  She could only tackle one thing at a time in her present state of mind. Any decision she made today would potentially change her future.

  The only thing she knew for sure was that Stephen would never share her life again.

  Joanne concentrated on parking the small car and assembling herself into some form of composure. There are clients waiting and they deserve a lawyer without personal issues clouding her professionalism.

  It was unnecessary, but Joanne reached down to smooth the surface of her skirt when she reached reception. Carol eyed her cautiously and gave a small, almost unnoticed gesture towards the door.

  Kelvin Wade was standing in the entrance waiting impatiently. He glared threateningly at her. But it wasn’t his anger that was alarming, anger was justified, she was late for an appointment. It was the victorious gloating expression that played across his sagging jowls.

  He had showed obvious resentment when the small diamond ring had been placed on her finger. She shuddered as she remembered the dangerous glint in Kelvins eyes while his words expressed congratulations. Now he stood unmoving in front of her. He had visibly drawn himself up to his full height. His lined, yellowing face looked contorted and he spoke sarcastically making it obvious by his tone that he had rehearsed his words.

  “Good afternoon Joanne. I am so grateful that you took the trouble to turn up today. You will be pleased to know your clients have only been waiting for thirty minutes and are happily reading magazines while you leisurely make your way to your overpaid job.”

  He was enjoying this. Could the day get any worse?

  “Please come to my office as soon as you have attended to your professional duties.”

  The ugly little man stopped.

  “I am assuming you are not too tired to do a small favour for your clients and see to their needs?”
>
  His lips parted.

  “And I mean come to my office immediately after you have seen your clients. I have organized for your following appointments to be handled by a more reliable solicitor.”

  He turned triumphantly and minced his way out of the reception area.

  Joanne’s eyes met Carol’s. For a moment the young girl looked frightened she then returned her attention to the diary sitting open in front of her. The happy, energetic receptionist had been reserved and evasive for several weeks.

  Another person I have neglected recently.

  Joanne again smoothed down her skirt; it was totally unnecessary but seemed to have a calming effect and gave her time to assemble her legal, efficient expression. The Tuckers stood when she entered the room.

  “I am so sorry for being late Mr and Mrs Tucker. The traffic was horrendous this morning. I see Carol has brought you a cup of tea. I hope you have not been kept waiting too long.”

  The Tuckers had been assigned to Joanne when she had first joined the firm thirteen months ago. She had managed their affairs and often wondered if they needed company rather than advice. Their grown up children had moved out of the area and she appreciated that must be hard for the couple who were now in their eighties.

  The appointment to draft the elderly couple’s Last Will and Testament took less than thirty minutes. Their estate was straightforward and the will was really not much more than an update of a previous document.

  Joanne felt distracted by the mornings unravelling of her life. Her concentration was limited and she struggled to apply herself even to something as simple as the Tucker’s affairs.

  Within an hour of her arrival at the office and within two hours of discovering Stephen in bed with another woman, Joanne sat stiffly in front of her employer’s desk listening to his reprimand.

  He rattled on angrily, his face was flushed red and a vein bulged and throbbed dangerously in his temple. His voice rose and cracked as he criticised her inability to get into work as scheduled in the morning.

  Joanne apologised and listened politely. Perhaps, if she controlled herself, he would run out of energy and she would be allowed to retreat back to the safety of her office. She had no intention of explaining the circumstances or reason for being unpunctual to this repulsive man. Instinct told her he would find satisfaction in her predicament.

  She was finding it hard to stay focused as he continued irrationally. He seemed to be rewording the same message over and over again. Slightly different each time, degrading, insulting trying to belittle and to humiliate.

  Perhaps it would be easier to excuse herself for the afternoon. She hadn’t taken any sick days despite several occasions when she probably should have stayed at home. She could book herself into a motel until things settled down and she could find the time to locate somewhere more permanent to stay.

  Kelvin had said her appointments had been delegated to someone else for today. It occurred to Joanne this move seemed a little excessive. Why would he clear her work load for the entire day? Was he going to release her from the firm? Terminate her employment?

  Suddenly alert she registered his voice had dropped to a whisper. Joanne focused, she looked up and was greeted by a sly smile. Kelvin had readjusted his position, propping himself against the huge, polished desk and she hadn’t even noticed. Her attention had wandered to things that appeared to be more urgent a few minutes ago. He now stood relaxed and arrogant, elated that Joanne had not objected to his position.

  She uncomfortably dropped her gaze and found his bulging crotch at eye level.

  “Joanne, answer me. Do you not realize how hard it is for a new graduate to find a position like this?”

  What position he was referring to? Employment or something related to her sitting at eye level with his fly? He was obviously enjoying the power this situation gave him. He smiled and watched Joanne struggle to manoeuvre her chair back slightly. It grated on the hard wooden floor.

  Was she misreading the situation? Joanne felt increasingly uncomfortable with his proximity. The stench of his body made her want to recoil and his expression made it an effort to contain her anger.

  “You are grateful for the opportunity you have been given aren’t you, Joanne?”

  Joanne grappled for words to put an end to this conversation, a reason to excuse herself without further jeopardizing her employment and the words to help her regain control over the direction he was steering her.

  She needed to be careful, she repeated the word, breathe. If Joanne mishandled herself and lost control she could find herself looking for alternative employment as well as a new place to live.

  Joanne’s thoughts drifted again. How had things changed so quickly? A few hours ago she was in a relationship that she was willing to commit her life to. She had a long term tenancy on a beachside studio and was looking forward to an evening walk down a stretch of isolated sand and watching the gulls ride the thermal waves above her.

  Was that only a few hours ago? She willed herself to stay focused.

  The bulging crotch had slipped closer. In fact, to her horror, it was now positioned only a few inches away from her face.

  The last thread of control slid away.

  “What the hell do you think you are doing?”

  Her voice sounded high pitched and distant.

  The crotch retreated quickly out of harm’s way.

  “You are bloody lucky you haven’t been up on a sexual harassment charge before now.”

  She sounded more controlled, more rational and more dangerous.

  The crotch retreated to safety on the far side of the huge desk.

  “In fact, I think that would be an appropriate option for me to consider.”

  Joanne looked directly at her employer his yellow tinged eyes regarded her with distaste. He searched her face, judging and weighing her up. He watched her expression intently as his tongue played along his dry lips. He focused his professional cunning on analysing this unexpected outburst.

  Was it a genuine threat, was she to be taken seriously or could he disregard her objection completely? The bitch looked confident.

  Hold your nerve, Joanne. There is no going back from here.

  “How would your lovely wife enjoy hearing about how you grab at your female staff?”

  “How would she react to your behaviour today?”

  Kelvin made up his mind. Yes, she was to be taken seriously; but he could still intimidate the little cow. She needed employment. She needed him. He advanced on her threatening, keeping both fists balled tightly at his sides.

  “Are you intending to physically assault me Kelvin?”

  Joanne stared unblinking at the man walking towards her. He ignored her question.

  “You are not suggesting I have acted inappropriately are you, Joanne?”

  His voice was low and calculated. He had found control again.

  “That is, exactly, what I am accusing you of Kelvin.”

  “I am a respected and established professional in this town. I am a senior partner in the firm that has employed you. Who the hell would believe a newcomer running around with unsubstantiated irrational accusations? Who would believe a junior staff member over someone with a reputation such as mine?”

  “I have served this community for nearly forty years! What evidence do you have that could possibly cast doubt on my professionalism or my integrity?”

  A tiny bead of doubt registered in his eyes and as it did Joanne grabbed at something that had previously seemed unrelated. Was this the reason pretty Carol in reception had become withdrawn and surly?

  “Carol in reception.”

  The words fired from Joanne like a bullet.

  That was all she needed to say. She had accounted for the recent change in Carol’s mannerism.

  Joanne saw a look of panic flash over the ugly jowls and Kelvin flushed to a deep crimson, anger turned to dangerous and barely contained rage. His voice dropped and his knuckles showed white under his clenched fis
ts.

  “You don’t expect to continue working for my practice after today do you Joanne?”

  Joanne narrowed her eyes; she would not allow this man to intimidate her. She had nothing further to lose.

  “Kelvin, I do not intend to continue working anywhere near you. My files are up to date. Each folder contains accurate notes and my diary has scheduled all follow-up appointments well in advance. Claire is an efficient secretary. She is very capable of helping whoever takes over my clients if they have any questions.”

  “I assume that should I require a work reference at any time it will be given freely and fairly and without prejudice.”

  “Of course, Ms Kyle.”

  Kelvin Wade suddenly looked ancient. A wizened skeleton slumped in an oversized chair. Unfortunately, the final card still belonged to him.

  “Now get the hell out of my office and the hell out of my life,” he spat.

  For the second time that morning Joanne slammed a door shut behind her.

  Joanne walked to her car and began to shake; the adrenalin flooding her body like a wave.

  She collapsed into the driver’s seat and dialled the office starting to speak before Carol had even uttered the firm’s standard greeting.

  “If that prick ever touches you or anyone else in the office again I want you to ring me immediately. If there is even the smallest complaint about Kelvin Wade’s conduct I will file charges that the bastard will never recover from. Do you understand?”

  Carol said yes, but her voice sounded cautious.

  “I have resigned due to an unexpected family emergency.”

  Joanne continued.

  “If I could remain here and make sure Kelvin faces a harassment suit I would. Unfortunately, this cannot be my priority at the moment. That doesn’t mean he should be allowed to continue. My cell phone number will remain the same. Please write it down as it will probably be erased from the firms stationary.”

  Carol sniffed, her voice was small and nervous.