Across a Crowded Room

Across a crowded room

By Sandy Paris

I'd intended Full Circle, to be the final outing for Sarah and her family but an idea hit me which lead to Different Circles. This story is about two characters from that story and some who have appeared in my other works.

All characters are fictitious and over eighteen when involved in anything sexual, which is all consensual. Any resemblance to other persons is accidental.

As soon as the judge left the bench I flopped back into my seat with a sigh and stared into space, trying hard to quell my desire to scream out loud in frustration. The trial had collapsed, one I'd spent many hours preparing for. It was the Court Officer asking me if I was okay that brought me back to reality. I packed away my papers and made my way from the room.

As I trudged down the staircase, I saw someone approach and it looked as if they were going to say something. I gave them a glare that made it clear I wasn't up to chatting.

The cold wind didn't help my black mood as I made my way across the road toward my office. The five-minute walk chilled me and the warmth of the Prosecution Service office building was welcome.

I dumped the papers on my desk and headed two doors down to my boss's office. "Hey, Constance, what are you doing here?" She asked as she looked up.

"My star witness decided to tell some completely new story, nothing that he'd said to the police or when he'd been interviewed later on. It bore no relationship to what we were expecting. I put his signed statements to him and he said that the police had threatened him if he didn't sign it."

"You folded then?"

"I had to, without his evidence the other witnesses, the forensics, they all fall apart. I put bloody hours into that and I'm raging. If ever meet that shitbag again I'm going to kick his...." I couldn't think what to say and my boss started laughing.

I pretended to be annoyed. "Go on laugh. You're my boss, you're supposed to support me, to console me."

She smiled back, "Why don't you take the rest of the day off, get an early start to the weekend?"

"Marg, you have good ideas, at least when you're not laughing at me."

It didn't take me long to tidy up the paperwork that was lying on my desk; before I grabbed my bag and coat. I was about to get into the lift, but stopped, turned and walked down the corridor to where my Mum's team were based. Mum, Olivia Churchill, was the senior prosecutor in the serious crime division. It had been her that inspired me to pursue a career in law, not that she'd said anything to encourage me, it had just been the way that she'd spoken about her work, her passion for justice. I'd made my own way, determined not to get any favours because of who she was and although she loved me, she'd never have tried to help like that. In the long run, it would have done far more harm than good.

She was leaning over a desk examining some photographs with one of her staff. When she looked up, she smiled.

"Hi, the trial collapsed, so I'm finishing early and heading home."

"Okay love. Oh, remember we're going to Faith's tonight, the opening of her new studio."

"I hadn't forgotten, see you later."

*****

I stripped off my clothes and got into a robe before running the bath. I started a load of laundry and by the time I got back the bath was almost ready, I just had to add some crystals. I slid into the water and allowed the warmth to wash away the stress of a frustrating day.

I thought about something Sarah had said a couple of days ago. She thought that I seemed to have lost my sense of fun and that I often looked sad. It had annoyed me when she'd said it and it took me all my effort to stop myself from snapping back to deny it. But it was true, for some reason I felt lonely. I hadn't been aware of it to start with, but looking back it began when Chloe left to work in South Africa on a wildlife project. It was her passion and something that she was desperate to do. I was pleased when it had all fallen into place, but I'd missed her. I don't think I realised how much I'd missed her until Charlotte flew to Australia a few months ago. She'd been offered the chance to play for one of the women's cricket franchises and managed to also find a job teaching primary school kids. It would be a great experience for her, a tremendous opportunity and one she would enjoy. The thing is it left me at home without either of my sisters.

I really shouldn't bitch about it, I was still living at home, in the lap of comfort with Mum and her partner Sarah. They included me in everything, they loved me, but they had their own lives and social circle.

I'd tried dating a couple of times recently and neither had gone well. The dates had been with women but there hadn't been any form of connection between us. I didn't have a very successful dating history, I'd started with guys when I was younger and I'd never felt anything for them, sex had been okay but it wasn't what I knew to be possible, fireworks had not gone off, more like damp squibs at best.

My parents were lesbians and so was Sarah. I knew that Charlotte had also dated both sexes and that had made me wonder if I was also gay. I'd tried dating women, although they were softer and I preferred them to the guys I'd dated, it hadn't been much better. Maybe it was just that I needed to find the right person, maybe I needed to try another guy, there were certainly a few in the office, even a couple of cops, that had expressed interest but I knew that my heart wasn't in the opposite sex.

I checked myself out in the long mirror after dropping my towel. Not too bad, twenty-six years of age, 5' 7", slim but with wider hips than either of my sisters and I'd been blessed with a bigger bust than both of them as well. A nice round face that looked good when I smiled, shoulder-length very dark hair, a cute nose and quite long lashes.

I pulled on underwear and found one of my favourite dresses, it was a pale blue, long-sleeved, scoop neckline and it stopped about three inches above my knees. By the time I had my make-up done, I looked quite presentable.

*****

I helped Sarah with the dinner and it was ready a few minutes after Mum arrived home. She got a hug ad a kiss from Sarah and the look that they gave each other expressed tender love. I looked away, jealous, I wanted that.

We talked over dinner and I asked about the evening's events. "I assume there will be lots of people there tonight?"

Sarah looked over at me, "I assume so, it's Faith's new studio, so there are sure to be a few musicians, the people who manage her affairs and friends, like us."

"It's quite something when you think about it. Kirstie couldn't move because of her research work, so Faith ups sticks and not only moves in but builds a new recording studio and offices in the house next door. It shouldn't leave anyone in any doubt about how she feels about Kirstie." Mum added.

"She admitted to being gay as well, that took guts considering the number of fans she has. I've checked a few social media posts and it seems that almost all of them are positive and supportive." I added.

"I think that they make a great pair. They're potty about each other. I suspect that Faith may well serenade Kirstie again tonight." Mum was laughing.

"Kirstie has warned her off at pain of death, or so she told me the other day," Sarah added.

Opening party

I stood alone in the corner of the studio, near the drum kit with my glass of wine. Sarah and Mum were off chatting with someone they knew slightly and I was alone once more, it was becoming a habit. I looked over the drum kit, it wasn't unlike mine, I flicked one of the cymbals with a fingernail and it rang out far louder than I'd expected, several people in the almost full room turned to look at me and I grimaced in return. I was a bloody fool, no wonder I was alone.

I saw Kirstie through the huge window of the studio in the room next door, where the giant mixing desk was. She was talking to a blonde woman who stood with her back to the big window. I liked Kirstie, a genetic researcher, she was good company and a great contrast to Faith, a pop star. They were a lovely couple and I loved the chance to play the drums with Faith, not that I was that good, but she indulged me occasionally.

Kirstie moved towards the door leading back into the main room, the woman with her still had her back to me, but I took in the pale grey dress that was short and revealed the longest slender legs I'd ever seen in person. She wore pale grey tights, they had to be tights because stockings would have been obvious with the length of that dress, or rather the lack of length. The shape of her legs was, no doubt, enhanced by the pale grey four-inch heels. My eyes lifted from her legs and caught sight of her blonde hair, which stopped in the middle of her back, a slender back, but a nice figure with a neat waist.

Kirstie saw me, she gave a little wave and smile before turning to her companion and saying something. It was then that the woman turned around and I'm sure that I stared, wide-eyed, she had the most beautiful face. She caught me looking and her eyes smiled, they were entrancing, although I was too far away to be sure of their colour.

The two of them came over, I took a sip of wine and hoped that I wasn't going to make a fool of myself in the presence of this beautiful creature, she stirred something in me that I wasn't sure I understood. "Constance, thanks for coming, do you have enough wine?"

"Yes, thanks Kirstie, it's nice of you to invite us."

"This is Nicole, my Research Assistant. Nicole this is Constance, she's a lawyer, a prosecutor actually, so watch your step. She and her family are good friends." She gave a little laugh as she spoke.

We both muttered "hello," Nicole took my hand and held it for a fraction of a second longer than was normal. I felt an instant attraction to her and it was something so profound that it took me by surprise.

"Can I leave you two alone, I need to catch up with someone over there?" Kirstie didn't wait for an answer and disappeared.

Nicole and I stared at each other for a moment before she asked, "Have your family known Kirstie and Faith for long? I've only met Faith once before this evening."

"It's a long story, but my Mum was a bridesmaid when Kirstie gave the happy couple a horseshoe, she was about ten years old. They didn't meet again until a couple of years ago. My sister attended a lecture Kirstie gave and invited her to watch a cricket game that my other sister was playing in. Sarah, Mum's partner, had invited Faith and that's how they met. That's the short version anyway. By the way, it's Connie, to my friends."

"Well as your newest friend it'll be Connie. You have two sisters? Are they both as gorgeous as you?" Nicole laughed as she spoke.

Me, gorgeous? Not compared with her I thought. "I'm not sure that I qualify as gorgeous, but I'd guess that if I am they are too. How long have you worked for Kirstie?"

"A few months, but I met her a while ago. I drove her to one of Faith's gigs." I must have looked puzzled. "I paid my way through university, driving a limo."

My glass was empty and so was Nicole's. "Do you have plans for the rest of the evening, we could go somewhere and chat?" She asked. We'd only known each other for a few minutes, but the idea of not spending any more time with her was something that I didn't want to imagine.

"We could head to a pub, it's not far and it's okay," I answered.

"Let's go, come on." She took my elbow and I followed.

I caught mum before we left and I told her that I was going out with Nicole. She smiled and waved.

*****

I have no explanation as to why I hooked my arm into Nicole's as we walked along the road and no idea why she left it there. When I think about it, I had no idea what the hell I was doing at all.

"What's the pub like? Is it quiet?"

"It's okay, I've been with people from work a couple of times. It's a pub, what can I say?" We made small talk as we dashed along. It only took us a few minutes to reach the door, only to find that it was packed and noisy. "Maybe not such a great place for a quiet chat. Sorry." I looked at Nicole and could see her thinking, those eyes were blue, a deep dark sensuous blue that made me melt inside. I'd never met anyone who had this effect on me.

"I know a place, not far by taxi."

"Okay," I muttered, thinking that anywhere would be good for me.

There was a taxi at the corner of the street and we dived in. When Nicole gave the address to the driver I turned to her, "That sounds very much like a house?" She kind of grimaced and smiled at the same time. I took that as a good guess, "Your place?" She nodded. "Do you have ulterior motives, a dungeon, what?"

"It's quiet, cosy and I have more wine, no dungeon. Is it okay?"

I nodded. If she'd said that she intended to hold me, hostage, I don't think that my response would have been much different. I was high with excitement to be in her company.

It took five minutes to reach an old large sandstone building that was divided into three apartments, one on each floor. Nicole's was in the middle and we galloped up the stairs, her leading and still holding my hand. Once the door was closed, she took my coat and hung it alongside hers on the coat rack in the hall. She pointed ahead to the lounge. It was a good size, light and nicely furnished with bright colours. Green, blue, yellow and red cushions decorated the beige sofa and a large red wool rug sat under a glass coffee table. The artwork on the walls was a mix of modern and traditional, the theme being more bright colours. She flicked a switch and the room filled with a mellow tune.

"White wine, okay?"

I nodded, poison would be fine with me, I was enthralled.

The two of us sat on the sofa. I sipped my wine, it was delicious. "Lovely wine."

"Apparently life is too short for poor wine." I laughed. She told me about her work with Kirstie and I asked about her driving a limo. She had some great stories about the people she'd met, many famous ones, some who were lovely and others who were just plain awful.

I told her about my work and she asked what made me choose law. "My Mum, who you didn't really meet tonight, is head of serious criminal prosecutions. I decided to follow her into law. My sister, Charlotte, chose to follow my other Mum and be a teacher. Although right now, she's playing cricket in Australia."

"Your other Mum?"

"Yeah," I paused to take a breath. "Once upon a time three young girls met during their first days at high school, they became firm friends, like sisters, always together. One of them, Sarah, started playing cricket, she was good and it took her away from the other two a little more. She was nineteen when she was selected to play for England, her first game was here in the city. Her step mum invited a few people to watch the game, including the other two girls, Olivia and Karen."

"Olivia is your Mum, the one I saw you speak to before we left?"

"Yes. That night the two of them stayed at her house and things happened. Over the next couple of days, they realised that they were more than friends and in love, it took them by surprise. A couple of months later Sarah went on tour, to the Caribbean and she fell in love with Hayley, her teammate, although she'd had a crush on her for a while. They got married that summer and Kirstie was there. My Mum's were bridesmaids and they got married themselves a year later." I started to weep.

Nicole stroked my shoulder and touched my cheek, "Hey, take your time. You don't have to tell me the rest."

I sniffed and used a tissue, "No, it's okay. Karen had me and Olivia had Charlie eleven months later, they used the same donor so we're half-sisters." I sniffed again.

"You mentioned two sisters?"

"Sarah gave birth to Chloe, using one of Hayley's eggs, five months after me. Mum, Karen, stayed home and looked after us. When Hayley and Sarah were away playing cricket, she looked after Chloe as well. The four of them were close and so were the three of us kids. Then when I was sixteen Hayley and Karen were killed in a road accident. The five of us were together when the police came to tell us and we've been together ever since." I laughed, "Well, we were until Chloe buggered off to Africa to count wild dogs and Charlie is 'down under' playing cricket for one of the franchises and having a great time. She's doing some teaching there as well, elementary school."

"Are Sarah and your Mum...?"

"The night of the accident they consoled each other and the five of us have all lived in the same house ever since. It took them a while, Sarah and Mum, they'd always loved each other, but that love changed, they're a couple. Sarah never tried to take Karen's place, but she loves me, the same as she loves Chloe and Charlie. I've never, ever doubted that and having her has made my life better for it. I'd love mum Karen to see how we turned out but..."

Nicole took my hand and looked deep into my eyes, suddenly I felt as if I was being probed. She made me jump as she spoke. "Thanks for telling me about your family, it sounds as if you miss your sisters."

"I do miss them and my social life seems to have stalled since they went away. I have no idea why I just told you all of that, it's not like me."

"I'm glad that you did." She stroked my hand and I just let her, I didn't pull away because I liked it.

After a moment I asked her, "What about your family?" She frowned and I instantly realised this had caused some anguish. "Sorry, is that a sore point?"

"Constance, I like you and as your newest friend I'll tell you." She took a deep breath, "My Dad fucked off when I was three, I don't remember him, I don't even know his name, my mum wouldn't tell me." I gasped. "She promised to when I was older."

"She didn't though, did she?" I knew that this was going to be tragic.

"No. When I was about ten, she started on drugs, hard drugs. I suspect that she stole to get the money, maybe she sold herself, but I'm not sure. She always made sure that I was fed and clothed, but it wasn't easy. A neighbour found her dead one day whilst I was at school, I was thirteen. I have no idea if it was an overdose or something else."

I felt like the world had imploded and it was my turn to take her hand. "Oh god, I didn't mean to bring this up. I'm so sorry."

She smiled at me and asked, "We're going to be friends, right?"

"Yes, I hope so," I replied. I did want to be her friend, very much. I felt so comfortable in her company when normally I was very wary of new people.

"Then it's okay, but please keep this to yourself, under your hat. Do you have a hat?" I laughed and nodded.

"Good, I went into care. I had two foster placements and hated them both. I asked to stay in the children's home and they agreed. I learned a lot there, most of it useful and some, well the sorts of things the people you prosecute might know. I can pick a lock, hotwire a car and forge a signature. I'm not admitting anything, but I only forged notes for school and never stole a car."

"But you did pick locks?"

She grinned, "Maybe, but I want to see my lawyer before I say anymore." We both laughed.

"I was clever and knew from early on that it would be my route out of the situation. A teacher helped me to get into a sixth form college, they gave me a bursary and accommodation. That got me into university and because I'd been in care the local authority paid for most of it. I got a job driving, moved up to a limo service and it paid my way. I was lucky, I was an attractive girl and I used it to my advantage. I could have made a fortune if I'd ever been tempted by some of the offers, I received, but I'd never dream of going that route. I was smart enough to get my master's degree and that lead me here to work with Kirstie and I love it."