The Sexy Rugby Star

Chapter 4

I took my gran shopping the next day, she wanted new curtains for my room. Even though there is nothing wrong with the ones I have, she was adamant to get some. It gave me the perfect opportunity to shop for some new work clothes.

The shopping centre hasn’t changed in the last few years and I knew exactly what shop I want to go to, so it wouldn’t take long for me to be done but gran had other ideas.

She wanted to get a coffee and something to eat after she got what she wanted to so did that and as we sat talking, I could feel the gaze from other shoppers. Clearly people who know gran, they figured out who I was and then the whispers start.

Gran ignores them and keeps talking but I just can’t. I go around quietly and take a peek to see who is whispering and it just so happens to be a few girls I went to school with. My bullies.

“I know it’s hard, but you have to ignore them sweetie” my gran says not lifting her gaze and focusing on me.

“it’s hard gran. I knew it would happen sooner rather than later. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t want to come back.” I say with a sigh.

“this is your home too. Give it a few weeks and they will all soon move on and gossip and whisper about something or someone else. You have every right to be here just like they do.”  I nod my head as we get ready to continue our shopping.

We wonder around the store looking at the different outfits I can choose from. I’m not a dress or skirt type of person unless it’s full length and drags on the floor. My legs are one part of me that I hate. So trousers are always what I go for.

My gran did find a nice long skirt, but it just wasn’t long enough for me, so I put it back earning chuckle from gran.

“Dianne, I thought that was you” a familiar voice said from across the rail of clothes.

“Oh Alice. How are you?” my gran replies. Alice as in Mrs Black. I look up to see her smiling widely with who I think is her husband beside her.

“Callie, you probably won’t remember Stuart, my husband?” she questions and follows that with an introduction.

We stand and talk for a little bit and they actually involve me in the conversation. Stuart asking about college and gran telling him about my new job. Turns out Gary is the accountant for nearly everyone in town and does the books for Stuarts businesses as well as the shop Alice owns.

“So no doubt we will be seeing more of you” Alice says with a smile.

Stuart mumbles something under his breath making Alice chuckle and shake her head.  I look away embarrassed thinking he said something horrible, but Alice instantly says.

“Not just work related either” with a wink. They say their goodbyes and walk off giggling.

I suppose I will see them more with my cousin being friends with Alesha, I know that Alice and Sophie, Alesha mum are close so maybe that’s what she means.

“think they were hinting about Noah” my gran whispers as I continue shopping.

“yeah right. Never going to happen gran.” I tell her as I head to the fitting room to try on the few items I have.

So after purchasing, three new pairs of dress trousers, 3 blouses and a few nice smart jumpers we head to get new boots and a nice pair of heels.

“you have spent a fair bit today” my gran states as we walk back to the car.

“yeah, but my balance is still good gran. My investment pays out every month and now I’m home and starting work it will grow” I tell her as we climb in the car.

My grandparents have never been rich. Comfortable but not rich. They both retired early and have never really worried about money. I know that they invested in shares just like my dad did and have that as an extra income. Also the rent from my dad’s house goes to them. Even though the property is in my name, I didn’t need that extra money so they use it however they feel.

“Can we go see dad?” I ask as we drive out the car park.

“of course sweetie. You remember the way” grans says.

I haven’t been to see his grave for a few years now. I used to visit every month while at school but when I moved to college it just wasn’t possible. Now I’m home again, I’ll pick up that tradition I had. It gives me a sense of peace and I definitely need it just now.

Pulling up to the cemetery brings back memories of coming here when I was a little girl. My grandparents were always proud of my dad and his achievements. Not necessarily what happened between him and Alice, but what he had achieved at school and college. The career he took by the horns and made history in the banking world.

Walking up to the graveside, I notice fresh flowers sitting, thinking that maybe my grandparents had laid them there. Well, that was until my grandma questioned who put them there.

“You didn’t put them there?”  I asked her confused.

“No sweetie, we haven’t been for a few weeks, I know the caretaker removes all the dead flowers every so often, so they have to have been laid here recently.”  She says looking around, thinking she would spot someone.

I kneel down on the damp grass and brush away a few leaves that are lying around the grave stone.  I move the flowers a little and place the flowers I had bought on the way over here, in the pot planted in the ground.

“There is a note attached gran”  I tell her as I lift it and see the unfamiliar handwriting.

Gran takes the note from my hand and opens it.  She quickly reads it and puts it back with a sigh.

“Your mother has been, the flowers are from her”  she says handing me the note.  I open it and read what it says. Two simple words, “I’m sorry”.

I place the note back, trying not to think about it. She can come and visited my dead fathers grave but not reach out to her daughter. Just when I was beginning to let go of her in my mind, she does this.

I sat and talked to my dad, telling him about college and my friends there. How I have a new job and how proud his parents are of me. How well they have looked after me and how it feels being back here after three years.

We leave the cemetery after nearly an hour, I would have stayed longer but the weather was starting to get cold and by the looks of the clouds it could rain soon as well.

The drive back home was quiet. Neither me or my gran wanting to talk, but I was ok with that. It was always the same after we had been to visit dad. We were both lost in our thoughts but I felt good. I feel like a little bit of the weight I was carrying on my shoulders has gone, but that note from my mother, it was strange seeing it and it hurt a little.

Knowing that she had been to visit my dads grave but not reaching out to me or my grandparents. I can’t help but think she may be up to no good and that is the last thing I need right now.

Once we were home, I headed up stairs with my new clothes and got them out away. When I returned back in the kitchen, I heard gran tell my granddad about the note and the flowers.

“Do you think she could still be in the area?”  I asked them.

“Not sure sweetie. I haven’t seen or heard of her being around here in years.”  Gran says and grandad agreed with her.

“I’ll talk to your Aunt. She always knows what is going on around here.” Gran said with a chuckle.

The town is full of gossipers, and my Aunt is probably one of the worst one’s going, but she isn't a b***h about it. If she hears of something, she knows when to keep it a secret and when to tell others about it.

I leave them to it and head back up stairs to chill out and prepare for work tomorrow.

I still can’t believe I managed to get a job on my first try. I had been applying for jobs before graduation hoping I wouldn’t have to move back home, but there wasn’t anything at the time.

After organising my bag and sorting my outfit for tomorrow, I logged into my social media and scrolled through the most recent posts.  When I got to thinking about Noah, I wonder if he has a girlfriend or is seeing someone.

Not that I think I have a standing chance with him, but a little stalking won't hurt, will it?  No, it won't, he will never know.

Finding his account I scroll through and see nothing but posts of him and his brother Liam training at the gym with his dad and Xander, some have Zack in them as well. No mention of any girlfriend, but I did notice that the same girl has liked just about every single photo. Her name is familiar, but I can’t place it, she was probably one of the many girls at school who fancied him.

Looking at some of these pictures, just makes me crazy. He has muscle in places I could only dream off, and his smile, god it would make you go weak at the knees. He is most definitely my dream man. Everything about him is perfect.   His hair has darkened over the years but my good that body, hell I will be dreaming of that all night now.

Whoever he ends up with will be the happiest woman in the world. I can only wish that it would be me, the chances are slim but I will always have my dreams.