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As she waited for her milk to heat in the microwave, Allee let her mind wander back over the events of the past few months. So much had happened; her life had changed so drastically this taste of newfound freedom was heady.
With a ding, the microwave finished, and Allee roused herself from her musings. She took the heated milk and added a generous amount of chocolate powder, stirring thoughtfully while she wandered to her darkened lounge.
Allee’s home was on a quiet street, a cul-de-sac with mostly young families or older retirees. The sense of community, and the streetlight directly outside the front of her house, had helped Allee decide to live here. In the 13-weeks that Allee had made this place her home, she had come to know most of her neighbours quite well; she even knew most by their first name.
She stood at the front window, gazing out through a part in the heavy drapes, feeling the cat rubbing against her calf in the hopes of more milk. Allee glanced down at the feline, a smile on her face.
“You’re pudgy enough as it is, young lady,” she chided the cat. Piddle responded by turning around, leaping onto the couch, and then ignoring her.
Allee’s grin faded when a sudden movement from outside caught her eye.
A man was watching from across the street. He was tall, about 6’2”, and the dark jacket and jeans he wore emphasised his broad shoulders and solid build. His hair was thick and curly, and although the artificial lighting made it look orange, she knew that it would be golden in the sunlight. He leaned up against a car, a SV6 Holden Commodore, with all the bells and whistles. He lit up a cigarette, and she watched, horrified, as the flame of the lighter flickering in a slight breeze made grotesque masks over his face.
The man looked outwardly calm, yet Allee knew that he was anything but. She could see the rage bottled up inside him by the way he planted his feet on the ground and in the stiff set of his shoulders. Allee knew he could restrain himself in public, not willing to destroy his carefully crafted persona of a charming, genuine and sweet man. She held her breath as he flicked the butt of his cigarette towards her house and then checked his watch. He looked up at her home, smirked, then turned and got into his car. He revved the engine and sped out of the street.
He knew. Stuart had found her.
Chapter Two
Late October, Four Years Ago
Their first date had been wonderful. Here was a guy who seemed to have it all together; a well-paying job in an industry he loved, a company car as well as his prized classic Holden Monaro, plus a well-appointed and expensively furnished apartment. In contrast, Allee felt as though she had yet to find her place in the world. She rented a small, two-bedroom unit, drove an older, battered Astra, and worked in a job that she found boring. To tell the truth, Allee felt as though she was playing at being an adult, but Stuart appeared to have it all sorted.
“Well,” Stuart murmured as they left the restaurant and strolled along the darkened street, “I really enjoyed tonight, and I think you did too. How about we repeat this next Saturday night? There’s that biopic showing, my treat?”
Although Allee wasn’t a huge fan of the biopic genre, she had heard good reviews of the movie, and she did want to spend some more time getting to know Stuart. She wondered if this could be the man with whom she would end up spending the rest of her life. It was early days yet, but his confidence, charm and charisma were very alluring, and she imagined that Stuart did not want for feminine attention. Allee did not want to find herself replaced.
“Saturday sounds wonderful, but you don’t have to pay for my food and drink. You’re already providing the ticket!”
“It’s my pleasure. Besides, what kind of man asks a beautiful woman out and then makes her pay? I was brought up to be a gentleman, and gentlemen pay for dates.”
“If you’re sure?”
“I’m positive,” Stuart nodded and tucked Allee closer in under his arm. “Wear something dressy yet warm, the theatre will be cool, and I don’t want you catching a cold.”
“Dressy and warm it is,” she smiled. “I suppose I should say goodnight. It’s been a lovely evening.”
Allee wondered if Stuart would try to kiss her. Part of her hoped that he would, as she was curious to see if he was as good a kisser as she suspected; the other part hoped that he wouldn’t, as this was only the first date.
Stuart took Allee’s hand, folding her fingers in his, and gently kissed her knuckles, “Goodnight it is pretty lady,” he said, “until next Saturday. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Allee walked back to her car, glancing back once she got there to see Stuart was watching her. He smiled and waved.
Late November, Four Years Ago
“Wow, you sure are one lucky girl! Check out these beauties!”
Allee looked up from her computer screen and saw the other office assistant Lianne walking towards her with a large bunch of red roses. She smiled a little guiltily, already knowing who was behind the extravagant gesture. Today marked the one-month ‘anniversary’ of her first date with Stuart. They had joked about it last night, with Stuart asking her how they should celebrate the special occasion.
She had jokingly told him, “With flowers, of course! And chocolates, jewellery, and an expensive dinner out!” She had never imagined he would take her seriously! Allee took the floral arrangement and noticed a card nestled amongst the green of the leaves. Opening the card, she read,
I know you weren’t serious last night, but I love your sense of humour, and I thought the flowers fitting. I’ll pick you up at 6.30pm.
Allee looked at her watch; it was already a quarter past three, and she knew that Stuart expected her to be ready and waiting for him. She also knew that she was not due to finish work until six, and it would take her twenty minutes to get home. She glanced over at Lianne; she had covered for her colleague several times when Lianne had been hungover or broken-hearted due to relationship issues, so she was confident that Lianne would be only too willing to grant her this favour.
“Lianne, I’ve got to run home early today. Can you cover for me?”
“So,” Lianne grinned, “is someone getting lucky tonight?” she said.
