Free Incineration (Heart of Stone) by D H Sidebottom Page A

had just left.
     
    I was in the hallway sorting the mail when I heard laughing
behind me; I turned to see Mason and Rebecca descending the stairs, laughing as
she clutched his arm as his hand rested on her backside, whilst he whispered
something in her ear. I froze, my stomach clenching and my chest pounding.
    Mason looked up and when he saw me he closed his eyes slowly
and I saw him swear under his breath. Refusing to show any emotion, I plastered
a smile on my face and walked back through to the kitchen, desperately biting
my lip harshly to stop the tears that wanted to embarrass me. I could taste the
blood on my lip, when I bit down harder as I heard Rebecca whisper my name and
then laugh.
    I was shocked that he could go from me to her in the space
of a day, he really had no scruples. This was not the kind of man I needed in
my life and  I decided there and then that I needed to move on, I couldn’t work
with him, he was already breaking me.
    Gathering my bag and car keys and ignoring the love birds in
the hallway I walked to the front door, shoulders back and chin high then
looked Mason straight in the eyes “I’m going to do the shopping and run a few
errands. Do you need anything while I’m out?” I asked with no emotion. His gaze
dropped to my chewed lip and he frowned “Ava, your bleeding” he scowled at me
but I looked away “Yes I Erm…I Erm jumped when Rebecca came in and bit it. Do
you need anything?” I repeated bluntly, still avoiding his eyes but focusing on
Rebecca’s hand slowly stroking Masons thigh. “Erm no” he said, slowly and I
nodded briskly and left, softly closing the door. The need to slam the bloody
thing coursing through me and I was proud of myself when I controlled it.
     
    I climbed in my car and left, slowly pulling out of the
driveway. I drove a quarter mile and after spotting a layby I pulled in, pulled
the handbrake on and sobbed, heart wrenching, racking sobs that tore through
me.
    I couldn’t do this; I was in love with him. I finally
admitted it to myself and then the pain in my heart hit me and I doubled over,
my head resting on the steering wheel as I cried, draining sobs that wouldn’t
stop and I stayed in the layby, crying wildly as my heart refused to stop
bleeding.
     
    I eventually simmered down after an hour and just sat
staring into a field, at the side of the layby for another half hour with the
image of Rebecca’s wandering hands burning my vision. Taking a deep breath,
determined to do what was needed I pulled off and headed to the supermarket,
picking Masons shopping up and some writing paper. I sat and wrote my
resignation in the car park, giving a weeks’ notice so he could find someone
else, slipped it the envelope and made my way back.

CHAPTER 11
     
    I pulled up outside Masons house and sat flipping the
envelope in my fingers, my courage now slipping. Gritting my teeth and mentally
preparing myself I placed the letter in my bag and got out of the car, took the
shopping from the boot and entered the house.
    I walked into the kitchen to see Mason and Brian sat at the
island drinking coffee. Mason looked at me, a deep frown on his face as he
searched my eyes but Brian jumped up and walked over to me, enveloping me in
his strong frame “Ava Sweetheart. How are you? You look a bit peaky” he cocked
his head and studied me “I’m good Mr Cox, just a headache” I forced a smile
“How are you Sir?” I asked politely as I started emptying the bags and ignoring
Mason. “Oh I’m fine Darling. In fact I’m here to see you really. I’m having a
birthday party Saturday night and I came to bring your invitation. Brenda
insisted you came because she’s eager to see you” he winked and added “I think
she’s toying with the idea of being your surrogate mother now George has gone”
he smiled softly and I grinned at him.
    I had really taken Brian into my heart and his wife sounded
as wonderful as he was “I’ll do my best Mr Cox but I can’t promise