Taking Off
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Aurélie hadn’t crossed paths with Katie for more than a few minutes since helping her with the move the previous Friday. Katie studied late at Airdrive School and Aurélie’s own six am start prevented her from bumping into Katie in the morning.
When Katie announced she planned a night off from studying, Aurélie dashed to the supermarket and bought ingredients to make a beef bourguignon, one of Katie’s favourite dishes. She had never followed such a recipe before but the scents emanating from the sauce pan reassured her and she watched an old Simpsons episode on TV. Katie arrived during the commercial break.
“You’re home early, that’s a nice change,” Aurélie said.
“Yes, we decided to skive off the economics class, it’s boring.”
Behind Katie, a young tall woman stood in the doorway. Aurélie raised her eyebrow but Katie walked past her and led her guest to the kitchen. They prepared two brie and pickle sandwiches and carried them to Emily’s room. Aurélie didn’t mention what she had cooked for Katie and ate it, alone, increasing the volume of the TV to cover the laughter and murmurs descending from the room upstairs.
***
After the family Christmas and Boxing Day meals without Matt and Charlene, who had travelled to Chicago for the festivities, Katie returned to her studying schedule, concentrating on Weather Statistics and Emergency Procedures, the two repeat exams she had to take in early January. A phone call interrupted her on New Year’s Eve afternoon and she massaged the tension out of her lips quickly before answering.
“I’m going to Ruth’s, she’s having a party. Everybody will be there, you have to come,” Fiona said.
“I’m not sure. I’ve got so many things to do.” Katie stretched out her arms above her head and yawned.
“You’re not going to study tonight, are you?”
“No…”
Fiona laughed. “You were going to, weren’t you? I never see you anymore.”
“I’m busy but in seven months, it’ll be all over.” Katie dropped her arms on her lap, closed her eyes and rolled her head on the back of the armchair.
“I’m going at eight o’clock. Are you coming?”
“I might. I’ll call Amanda-”
“Who’s Amanda?”
“This girl from school.”
“A girl or the girl?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Well, I’m glad to see you’re still having some kind of life. So, shall we count you in?”
Katie sighed. “OK then.”
***
At the start of January, Katie moved into Aurélie’s room for one week, as Emily had returned from her trip and Aurélie had extended her stay in France. She spent the night at Amanda’s on Monday, sat for her repeat exams on Tuesday and received an A for each on Friday. On Saturday, she vacated, cleaned, dusted and vacuumed Aurélie’s room, then lit a few candles.
Aurélie arrived in late afternoon and Katie cooked pasta for two.
“The flight was delayed once again,” Aurélie said.
“It always is, isn’t it?”
“Not on the way there but it seems to be on the way back.”
Katie stirred the sauce and inhaled the rosemary and thyme evaporating from the pan. “I’ve been delayed on the way there before.”
“Have you? Anyway, it was a nightmare journey. I really wish Luc could have come with me.”
“Luc?”
“Yes, he’s coming next week. We’re back together.”
Katie served the pasta and retreated to her bedroom to study.
***
Katie couldn’t sleep in the back room. The single glazed window didn’t keep the noise from the side street out and the club a few doors down attracted revellers throughout the night. They spoke loudly, sometimes argued, and often stopped just outside the house and giggled. Gareth admitted that he had neglected the back room when he had installed double glazing throughout the house and he promised to deal with it. In the meanwhile, after trying several ear plugs, Katie decided to test an old fashioned method. She bought a small bottle of whisky, the smell of which had always repulsed her, and drank one sip before brushing her teeth. That night, she slept for six hours with no interruption.
Two weeks later, she returned to her local off licence.
“Are you sure you want the small one? We have an offer on the bigger one.”
“I’m sure.”
“They are only one pound more.”
“One pound more for twice the size?”
“Yes, one pound more only madam.”
“OK then.”
She carried her shopping bag along the street, the big bottle banging against her knee. Several times, she halted and rubbed the side of her leg. Once, she retraced her last six steps but swerved around as the wind blew her cardigan open. She pressed her hand against the loose buttons and hurried home.
***
Katie broke an egg on the edge of the pan and the inside splashed into the oil. She sprinkled the white with grated cheddar and the yolk with cinnamon powder. The red brown spice melted over the yellow centre and Katie turned down the heat. She dashed to her bedroom and returned with a bag full of papers and bottles. She pressed her foot on the bin pedal and hit it down several times before the lid opened.
“Katie, we put glass in the blue bin by the fridge,” Aurélie said.
Katie let go of the pedal, placed two empty bottles on the worktop, gathered the scrap paper and tipped it in the recycling bag. Aurélie pushed the bottles further away from her chopping board without looking and one of them fell on the floor.
“I’m so sorry,” Aurélie said.
“It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have left them there.”
Aurélie picked the broken glass off the tiles, put the pieces in a plastic bag, dumped the bundle in the regular bin and grabbed the remaining bottle.
“Whisky? Is it yours? Did you drink this?”
Katie leant over Aurélie and filled a saucepan with water.
“You drank this?”
“Yes.”
“Why? I thought you didn’t drink anymore.”
“It’s only to sleep. My room is too noisy, it’s driving me mad.”
“You’re drinking again.”
Tears swelled up in Katie’s eyes. “I’m horrible, I’m a drunk.”
“No you’re not horrible. But you need to stop this.”
“I will. I will not buy another bottle. I promise.”
Katie went to the corner shop later in the evening and eyed the alcohol behind the counter while queuing. She bought five chocolate bars, two bags of crisp and one bottle of Coke. She didn’t sleep well and Aurélie’s words ‘You’re drinking again’ chimed in her ears all through the night.
