Living Next Door to Alex - Chapter 8
By Julie D Cole

This chapter submitted after the competition closing date but the story continues as requested.

I didn’t have chance to move before Rachel pushed past Gemma and I.

‘No way it’s me first not some opportunist looking to cash in. He never mentioned anything about a girlfriend to me.’

Dr Ellingham just let her go through and Gemma and I were left speechless. Angel was full of apologies but she didn’t want to cause an argument with Alex in close proximity. Gemma spoke.

‘Now you see why I had so many disagreements with the witch. What Alex ever saw in her I will never know. I suppose she laid it on a plate for him and he was like most men and his brain dropped between his legs.’

‘Don’t worry Gemma, I don’t think Alex is likely to change his mind. I’ve known him a long time and he is quite stubborn.’

‘Yes I know but she had her zip case with her and I bet she threatens him with the contract that is very one sided based on what I recall. Mine was bad enough but she didn’t want me. It was still a mess trying to escape and it cost me a lot. Luckily Alex helped me and paid two large legal bills. He is some guy and you are lucky to be his girl.’

‘I’m lucky to be his longest friend but I’m not sure that our relationship can go very far.’

‘Why. He loves you and he thinks the world of you. He never stopped talking about you whilst we were trying to find a place to hide away.’

It was all very flattering but I wasn’t sure what Gemma would think when she inevitably finds out my past. I might look OK at the moment but it was hard work trying to avoid any slip ups and keep the more feminine voice I’d managed to create.

‘What about your relationship with Alex? Did it ever get serious? Did you make-out together?’

‘Don’t worry Jules I’m not a threat but I won’t divulge how far our relationship went. That’s for Alex to tell if you both need to go there. He is a very kind guy and I owe him a lot. Mum and dad think the world of him so I don’t know if they’ll ever accept anybody else I might take home.’

Rachel stayed at least 15 minutes so both Gemma and I were annoyed by the time she came out. I let Gemma go before me because she offered to just stay for 2 or 3 minutes so I got the rest of the half an hour if indeed we were visiting against the clock. Rachel had a big smirk on her face when she looked across at me and she didn’t seem in any hurry to leave. I did my best to ignore her.

As Gemma appeared at the door from the recovery ward Dr Ellingham re-appeared through the entrance to the waiting area.

‘Sorry ladies but I need to hurry you up since we managed to contact his family earlier today and I’m pleased to say that they are only 10 minutes away. So please finish your visits so Angel has time to tidy things before they arrive.’

Gemma pushed me and told me to hurry up and go in before Dr Ellingham stopped me. I stumbled forward and Angel took hold of my arm and whispered that she’d stall them and distract Dr Ellingham.

Alex looked in pain and was grimacing as I approached his bedside then he opened his eyes and saw me.

‘Jules at last. Forgive me for disappearing on you with Gemma. I didn’t want you caught up in any publicity.’

He was obviously in some discomfort even though he was on a drip with painkillers being administered. I smiled as best I could and his face brightened.

‘I understand Alex but look what’s happened as a result of those goons. I hope they are proud of themselves. You could have been killed.’

I sat down on the chair beside the bed and told him that I’d been advised to hurry up because his mum and dad were arriving shortly.

‘I don’t want to see them Jules. They have a nerve turning up here.’

‘Alex they are your parents and whatever happened in the past they love you. Hopefully this will bring them to their senses.’

‘Pigs might fly. I don’t feel like an argument and I hope there is something you can do to distract them or keep their time short and sweet.’

‘I should put them with Rachel since she will scare them away. She had a real smirk on her face when she came out. I hope she wasn’t threatening you about not fulfilling your contract?’

‘ She did make threats but she can at least get some of her money back if ticket sales drop now I have a legitimate excuse to cancel.’

‘I thought she looked pleased with herself. She is an awful woman. Whatever did you see in her.’

‘I suppose it was all the platitudes and the speed of our success. We were both excited and I’m sure that the alcohol and the uppers she provided had a part to play.’

‘I hope you didn’t become addicted. It’s a downward slope.’

‘I could have but I think I owe a lot to Gemma who intervened and managed to coax me to spend time with her and visit her parents place. Luckily that brought a bit of normality back into my life.’

‘Good. I like Gemma she is nice. Same with her parents. Tell me who got in touch with your parents and how? Was it Gemma?’

‘It was Rachel. She just told me and she was like the cat that got the cream.’

‘How did she know where they were?’

‘Our lawyers got all that information when they were drawing up contracts. It seems that Rachel has been in contact with them when she was trying to find us. Then when she heard about the accident she was straight on the phone.’

‘That’s all you need an argument with your father.’

‘I don’t want to see him so will you talk with Dr Ellingham for me please. I don’t mind seeing mum.’

‘OK I’ll do that but I don’t really want to let them see me like this. They hated me as it was. I’m scared for both of us.’

Before we could talk anymore Angel came in and I had to leave. Gemma was waiting for me and came towards me and suggested we go for a coffee out of the way. Rachel was still seated and obviously waiting to see Alex’s parents so she didn’t move or say anything. She still had a smirk on her face.’

We found the cafeteria and purchased our coffees and sat at a quiet table. I spoke first even though I sensed Gemma had something to tell me.

‘Thanks for being there for Alex. He told me how you much you’ve helped him. I guess I misjudged you and your motifs.’

‘Never mind that. It’s you that he loves not me and I think he needs you more than ever. I have something to tell you that Alex doesn’t even know yet.’
‘What?

‘She says she is pregnant and that Alex is the father.’

‘WHATTT? No he wouldn’t be so stupid surely.’

‘We only have her word for it but no wonder she was so pleased with herself. She thinks she’s got Alex by the nuts now.’

‘He won’t believe her. He’ll want proof. It must be ages since they were at it surely.’

‘I guess we’ll find out soon but what if she tells his parents. His dad wants a grandchild and he will insist they marry and Alex gives up his career.’

‘Alex won’t do that. He is strong willed. I don’t think he’d marry Rachel whatever happens.’

‘Well I don’t know what we can do about it.’

‘I promised Alex I would keep his father away from visiting him so we should go back to the waiting room before they arrive.’

I couldn’t bring myself to look Rachel in the eye when we arrived back to the waiting room. She was on her mobile phone so at least that helped. Then Angel and Dr Ellingham returned and said it would be better if Gemma and I didn’t hang around and leave Rachel and Alex’s parents to spend time with Alex. I wanted to burst into tears. I was way down the pecking order yet I knew that it was me who cared the most and who Alex wanted to see.

Just then Rachel sprung up from her seat as Alex’s parents came through the door. She spoke as if she was a lifelong friend and part of the family. ‘Ah I’m so sorry this has happened and I hope you’ve both recovered from the shock but I had to tell you. Luckily he will be OK but he’ll be out of action for a few weeks at least.’

Jack seemed larger than ever and had put on a lot of weight. He looked fearsome and I recalled how much I was scared of him growing up. They both looked us up and down trying to get their bearings as Rachel continued to fill them in.

Then Alex’s mum looked me in the eye and her mouth dropped open. ‘Julian is that you? What on earth are you doing here dressed like that?’

You could have heard a pin drop and I froze. Rachel and Gemma looked at me and it was like I was being undressed. I wanted to crawl into a hole.

‘Julian it is you. Does your mother and father know? You’ll bring shame on the house.’

‘Yes it’s me and I’m Julie and for your information my parents have been very supportive.’

‘Don’t tell me that Alex has seen you like this? I always had my suspicions about you growing up and I don’t want you near our family. You should be ashamed of yourself.’

Rachels smirk had widened whilst Gemma looked as much in shock as I felt. I managed to speak.

‘Yes Alex came to find me since he’d had enough of being on the road and he wanted my opinion on the future. He wants me to be part of it.’

‘Jack spoke ‘Not like that you won’t I’ll make sure of that. It’s time he came home and I can beat some sense into him.’

‘No you won’t. And for what it’s worth he told me that he doesn’t want to see you only his mum. You always bullied him because he didn’t want to follow you into your business.’

‘You’d better get out of here before I tan your hide young man.’

‘Take care because I’m not a young boy anymore and I’m legally a woman. Don’t threaten anybody and I’m no longer scared of you. I’d expect you to be more concerned about Alex than me.’

Gemma took my arm and whispered that we should leave before things escalated any further. Then Rachel cut in and spoke up.

‘I have some more positive news for you both but Alex doesn’t know yet.’

‘Come on spit it out then what is it? You’d better get used to the idea he is coming home.’

‘Well the news is that I’m 2 months pregnant and Alex is the father.’

Gemma and I left and as stepped into the lift I burst into tears and fell to my knees. ‘Oh Gemma this is so crazy. I loved him so much.’