#vanity rise

Chapter 2:

Noah with the help of Chas and Marlon had been extremely busy while his mum was over apologising to Vanessa. He knew it would take his mum a while to find the right words to say to Vanessa, she he took his time organising everything. He had tidied the living room and dining area, set the table using the best cutlery, Chas had helped him pick out a good bottle of wine and Marlon was busy making their dinner. He had ordered his mums favourite hoping that Vanessa would have similar tastes.

The pair walk in, hand in hand shocked to see what Noah had done for them, “babe did you do all this?” A surprised Charity asked.

“Yeah!… well I had help from Chas and Marlon, but I did most of it”, Noah explained.

“It’s amazing, thank you Noah”, Vanessa said with a huge grin on her face.

“Sit down, make yourself comfortable”, Noah said as he attempted to open the bottle of wine.

“Should have chosen a screw top babe!, give it here”, said Charity trying not to laugh.

As Charity expertly opened the wine bottle, Noah popped into the kitchen to see how the food was coming alone.

“Marlon, how long on the food?” Noah said in a bossy manner.

“You sound just like your mother!, shouldn’t be long about 5 minutes boss”, Marlon replied.

“Ill just wait until its ready then, can I try the mushy peas?”.

“Go on then but just a little bit”, Marlon said.

Meanwhile back in the dining room, Charity and Vanessa are enjoying the wine and the atmosphere. “When you said dinner I wasn’t expecting this! Your boy has done good”, a smitten Vanessa said.

“He’s done very good, I wasn’t expecting this either. I wouldn’t have been surprised if beans on toast has of been served”, the pair laughed. “He went to all of this trouble to make sure that i apologised to you and that we were on good terms”, explained Charity in a soft and caring manner.

Noah clears his throat *cough cough* to break up the little romantic conversation that was going on, “main course is served”.

“Oooooh, this looks nice”, said an excited Vanessa.

“You’ve got a steak and ale pie, served with chunky chips and mushy peas”, Noah described.

“Babe, this is amazing. Make sure to thank Marlon and Chas for all the help yeah?”.

“Will do mum”.

The three of them all tucked into their meals, the atmosphere around the table was a little tense as no one really knew what to say. As the silence grew, Vanessa caught Charity’s eye and gave her the look as if to say *say something would you*. Charity quickly chimed in and asked Noah how his video games were going as if she actually knew what she was talking about. “Completed anymore levels on your game yet noah”.

“They are called missions mum, not levels”, Noah said in a disappointed tone.

“Oh my bad, well have you completed any more missions then?”

“Yeah loads, i find it really easy.”

“Do you reckon you could give me a lesson one day? So that when johnny is old enough i can beat him”, Vanessa asked trying to make a connection with Noah.

“Yeah sure, anytime. Once johnny is old enough i can give him so lessons too”, said a very enthusiastic Noah.

Charity’s smile grew bigger and bigger, as she could see the pair getting along extremely well. Could her son and the woman she has feelings for be sparking up a friendship? Could this be the beginning of the rest of her life?

“I would love that, i have to warn you I’ll probably be rubbish. But ill make sure i bring over sweets and pop and we can make and afternoon of it”, Vanessa replied with a beaming smile on her face.

The three of them finished their dinner and came to an agreement that because Noah went to all the effort of organising and sorting the meal, Charity and Vanessa would do the washing up. As Vanessa got her rubber gloves on, Charity ceased on the opportunity to fill the sink with too many bubbles as she knew this could lead to some fun. As Vanessa washed the dishes she suddenly felt a spot of water on her cheek, as she turned to face Charity, an onslaught of bubbles smacked her right in the face.

“Oh my god, your dead”, Vanessa said as she flicked water in Charity’s direction.

“You didn’t”, said a playful Charity.

“Oh i so did”, Vanessa replied.

The pair continued to cover one another in hot soapy water for the next 5 minutes, both covered completely, soaked through. “Hey, I didn’t know this was a wet t-shirt competition”, Charity said.

“I’d deffo win, I’m a tiny blonde rocket woman remember”, a smirking Vanessa replied.

Charity gives off a quiet giggle, as she grabs Vanessa’s waist and pulls her in close, whispering “your my tiny blonde rocket woman”. Kissing her passionately on the lips. “I think we need to get out of these clothes, stay with me tonight?”

Taking off her wet shirt, Vanessa replied “Try kicking me out of that bed, but I do need to just ring trace and ask her to look after johnny”.

The pair headed of upstairs for a wild night in the sack.

***

Morning came with the bright sunshine beaming through the curtains of Charity’s bedroom, Vanessa led there spooning Charity as she peacefully slept. She lay there thinking to herself I could get used to this! Her thoughts were interrupted as Charity’s alarm went off, Vanessa carefully untangled herself to quickly turn the alarm off allowing Charity to sleep in. Covering herself up using Charity’s black silk robe, Vanessa headed downstairs to make a start on Noah’s breakfast.

Unsure of what Noah usually ate for breakfast she decided that it was best to make him some toast and cereal. A sleepy Noah walked down the stairs, surprised to see Vanessa, but even more surprised to see she had made him breakfast.

“Morning, I didn’t know what you normally had, so i made you a couple of options”, said Vanessa.

“This… this is for me? But its not my birthday!”, a shocked Noah expressed.

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, of course this is for you”.

“Thanks, ill have them both please”, said a grateful Noah.

“Ive also made you a packed lunch, I wasn’t sure if you had school dinners or not but i made you one just in case”.

“This is the best day ever, thanks. I normally have to make my own lunch and i usually cant be bothered so just eat chocolate. Thank you so much”, Noah replied.

“You’re welcome”.

As Noah finished his breakfast, he grabbed his lunch for school, he approached Vanessa and gave her a hug. A stunned Vanessa gave him a hug back and watched him leave for school. Overcome with happiness a smile covered her face, she heard a creek from one of the floorboards on the stairs. “You scared me! How long have you been there?” Vanessa said.

“Long enough to see how amazing you are with Noah, you let me sleep in, made him breakfast and packed him a school lunch. I could kiss you right now”, Charity explained.

“Come here then!”, Vanessa demanded. The pair kissed, “sit down, its my turn to treat you! Breakfast?” Charity said.

“Breakfast sounds perfect!”

“I still cant quite get my head around the fact that you did all that for Noah, well and for me!”

“It was no big deal, just breakfast. He’s a good kid Charity, you should be proud of how you’ve raised him. I know i would be if he was mine!” Vanessa expressed with sincerity.

“That means a lot, I’ve not been the best mother in the past but i do try and raise him the best i can. I even forget how old he is most of the time!”

“That’s old age creeping in”, a giggling Vanessa said.

“Oi, watch it you”, Charity said leaning in for a kiss.

“Ive got to head to work, but I’m free later so ill pop in and see you while your working. You can provide me with pints and ill provide you with the eye candy”, Vanessa said winking at Charity.

“It’s a date, but only if you wear that sexy yellow knitted jumper”, joked Charity.

“Deal” said Vanessa as she kissed Charity one last time before heading to work.

Over at Home farm, there was a quiet knock at the door, Graham opens the door to see Noah standing there. “Noah i thought your mother didn’t want you coming up here?”

A voice from the kitchen interrupted, “Oh never mind that Graham, he’s here now and ready for me to teach him to play poker”.

“I don’t think this is a good idea”, Graham murmured from across the room. “Charity made it very clear she didn’t want you seeing him”.

“I’m not here to play, i want you to tell me about my father”, a tentative noah said.

“Here’s the thing little brother, I don’t really remember that much about him. I know that he was a good man who loved to make money and live the good life”.

“Mum said he sent you away to boarding school so you weren’t in the way? Is that true?” Noah asked.

Joe’s expression changes, a slight look of anger mixed with sadness covered his face. “It wasn’t to get me out the way, when dad had his accident life became more difficult for him, me being here all the time didn’t help.”

“So it wasn’t my mums fault that you went to boarding school?” Noah asked.

“No, i was already at boarding school but it is her fault my father died”, an angry Joe stated.

“Now is not the time for this Joe, Noah come with me I’ll take you home”, Graham said trying to calm the situation down.

“How is it her fault? What did she do.” Noah replied with a quiver to his voice trying not to get upset.

“She poisoned him, all she ever wanted was his money. She killed our father Noah”, Joe shouted.

Noah physically started to shake, fighting back the tears he ran out of home farm. Graham chased after him, “Noah wait, I’ll give you a lift”.

****

Meanwhile over at the Pub Charity and Vanessa were having a catch up over a drink and a bite to eat.

“What can i get you two love birds?”, asked a smiling chas.

“Oh shut it chas, and get us a couple of pints”, an embarrassed Charity replied.

Over at a quiet table in the corner of the pub the ladies were filling each other in with what’s been happening in their lives. Charity jokingly asked “so babe where you taking me on our next date…”. Before being able to finish her sentence the pair were interrupted by a devastated Noah rushing into the pub. A worried Charity shouts “Noah babe, why aren’t you at school?”

“Just leave me alone”, Noah replied with tears streaming down his face.

Charity’s face drops, her smile disappears, worry starts to set in. A concerned Vanessa does her best to encourage charity to go comfort him, but she knows what she’s like. “Go after him, go see if he’s ok! I can wait, he’s more important right now”, Vanessa said in a calming manner.

Agreeing, Charity leans forward towards Vanessa kissing her gently on the lips. She whispered “thank you” as she got up and made her way into the back.

****

Charity rushes through to the back room, composing herself she asked, “Noah babe what’s happened?”

“Like you don’t know”.

“Know what babe? I cant help if I don’t know what’s wrong”.

“My dad, it was you that killed him? You wanted his money so you poisoned him”. An angry Noah shouted.

“This is all Joe isn’t it? What did i tell you about spending time with him? He is toxic, he messed with Debbie’s head and now he is trying to mess with yours”. She started to pace around the room, not knowing what to say or do, breathing increasing with every footstep. “I loved your father, yes we had our bad times, but show me a couple who doesn’t. He died in my arms Noah and there was nothing i could do to save him, i was devastated when he died”. As the tears filled up her eyes and the sadness crept into her voice she mumbled, “I have done some pretty messed up things in my life, but i promise you with my whole heart I didn’t kill your dad”.

“Why would he lie to me?”, questioned Noah.

“Because he is messing with you to get back to me… surely you can see that, even you cant be that stupid”, an angry charity shouted.

Noah picked up his bag and stormed out the room slamming the door behind him. He rushes past a worried Vanessa, “Noah, everything ok? Noah.. wait”. Ignoring everybody in sight he runs out of the pub.

Worried about what’s just happened, Vanessa tracks down an angry Charity. “What’s happened?’ She said calmly, reaching to hold onto charity’s hand.

“That little weasel has brainwashed Noah into believing that i killed his dad.”

“What? Surely he didn’t believe him. I mean you had nothing to do with him dying… did you?”

“VANESSA, did you honestly just ask me that? I thought you of all people would believe me and know I wouldn’t do that?” Questioned Charity as she moved her hand from underneath Vanessa’s.

“Umm.. of course i know you wouldn’t” mumbled Vanessa.

“You know what just leave.. go on GET OUT”. A visibly upset Charity shrieked.

With her heart racing, Vanessa gathers her thoughts and reluctantly leaves, as she moves towards the door she whispers, “im sorry”.

*****

Whilst walking home, Vanessa spots an upset Noah in the distance. Not wanting to make a scene she quietly makes her way over to where he is sat and sits down beside him. She reaches into her handbag searching for a tissue, she pulls one out of the packet and hands it to Noah, “here, take this”.

Wiping away his tears, he snuffles “thank you”.

“Everything ok?” Vanessa asked in a calming manner.

“All i wanted was to get to know my brother, yet my family hate him and i just don’t know who to believe anymore”.

“Things are complicated between your family and Joe. Joe blames your mum for things she didn’t do, and because he blames her he’s done some really nasty to things to your family”.

“Why is he saying mum killed dad”.

“I really don’t know, maybe he is trying to find someone to blame. But the truth is your dad was a very ill man and he tried to frame your mum for his murder because Charity was seeing Cain behind his back”. Expressed a concerned Vanessa.

“So because mum was cheating on him, he tried to make it look like she killed him”.

“Yeah, i know your mum can be a nightmare sometimes. Even i have experienced first hand what your mum can be like. But she would do anything for you, to protect you and she loves you with her whole heart”.

Noah replied, “I know she loves me but sometimes i just wished she didn’t always have a go”.

A smiling Vanessa explained, “That’s our job, we nag, we moan when your bedroom isn’t clean or when you spend too much time playing video games, but we do it because we care.”

“I guess so”.

“How about we go and get a milkshake and a cake and figure out what you want to say to your mum”.

With a smile creeping back onto Noah’s face, he nods in agreement, wipes his eyes one last time and the pair make their way to the cafe.

*****

Back over at the Woolpack Chas has poured Charity a large glass of wine hoping it will calm her down. Pacing back and fourth Charity is losing her mind worrying where Noah is, “i should be out there looking for him”.

“If you go in this state you will end up saying something else you regret”, Chas replied.

“Well i cant just sit her waiting can i?”, Charity responded.

“Look you’ve already upset two people today, just sit there and drink your wine and i will go find him. Marlon can cope for 20 minutes on his own”.

“Thanks Chas”.

Before Chas even had the chance to leave the room, Vanessa entered the room with Noah in toe. “Noah, where have you been? Ive been worried sick, i called you a million times”, said a frantic Charity.

“I went for a walk, then we went for a milkshake”.

“Look I’m so sorry for shouting at you and for calling you stupid. Because you are anything but stupid, you are the smartest boy i know”. Charity expressed as she walked over to embrace Noah.

“I’m sorry for saying you killed dad, i know your not capable of doing anything like that”. Noah replied squeezing his mum tightly.

“I best be going, Noah if you ever want another milkshake you know where i am ok? Ill see you soon”, Vanessa said from the other side of the room.

Before Charity could respond or even look at vanessa, she was gone. She knew by the tone of Vanessa’s voice she was upset and hurt by what was said to her earlier.

“Mum you can let go of me now”, said Noah who was struggling to breathe due to charity squeezing him so tight.

“Sorry babe, I just don’t ever want to lose you, you are too important to me”.

“I’m not going anywhere, but you are! Go after Vanessa mum, you need to apologise to her for whatever you have done. I like her, she nice and well she got me cake as well as a milkshake”.

“When did you grow up so much?”

****
Realising she had messed up big time with Vanessa, Charity knew she had to take Noah’s advice and go sort things. Taking the short walk from the pub to Tug Ghyll, taking a deep breath in she knocked on the door. Vanessa opened the door to a nervous looking Charity, “Hey babe, I’ve got some apologising to do”.

A hesitant Vanessa invites her in, “come on in”.

“Firstly i need to thank you for looking after my boy, he really likes you you know?”

“Well he’s a great kid, all he wanted was to hear the truth” Vanessa stated.

“I know and i should have told him a long time ago i just wanted to protect him from it all. I also owe you a massive apology, i should never have spoken to you the way i did, even being angry. It was no excuse and i will do my best to make sure it never happens again”.

“I accept your apology, i should never have doubted you and for that i am sorry. I didn’t know the Charity back then, i hear she was a bit of a wild one, but the Charity i know now would never be capable of anything like that”.

“So were good? Because Noah and I would like to invite you over for dinner tonight, he told me I wasn’t allowed to take no as an answer”.

“I would love to”, Vanessa replied with a smile the width of her face.

Grabbing Vanessa’s hand, she leads her to the door and the pair make their way to the pub for dinner.