Calling All Neighbours (Calling All... Book 4)

by Tara Ford

  Tiff peered up at the ceiling and blinked the wetness away from her eyes, before it ruined her make-up. She looked down again and mustered up a half smile. She wanted to enjoy the evening. She wanted Wayne to say the right things. She wanted to find answers to everything. She wanted to believe.

  Reaching down, Joe took hold of her hand and smiled. “Come on, we’ll find Wayne first.”

  He opened the door. Pitch black, apart from a solitary spotlight which shone on the floor, directly in front of them. There was complete silence and darkness in the room. No party.

  Tiff halted momentarily. “Joe,” she whispered, as he continued to drag her into the room and under the spotlight.

  A shuffling noise could be heard at the back of the room. Tiff held her breath. What was he doing, dragging her into a darkened room, it was more than spooky, it was utterly creepy and bizarre. Where were the partygoers? Where were Hayley and Wayne? The heat from the single spotlight warmed the top of her head.

  Joe turned to face her and gave her a lingering look.

  “What’s going on?” she whispered.

  Lowering himself down to the floor, Joe knelt on one knee, still holding her left hand. He peered up at her and smiled.

  “Joe?” She looked down at him, her heart racing in her chest. Emotions surged through her body erratically. Fear, love, confusion and elation.

  “Tiffany Cuthbert…” He squeezed her hand, his eyes fixed on hers. “Will you do me the honour…” He smiled so sweetly, an expectant look in his eyes, “of marrying me?”

  Tiff clapped her free hand across her mouth and stared at him incredulously. Tears welled in her eyes instantly.

  Time stood still for that moment. Under the warm spotlight, her head swam with images and conversations they’d had in the past. Now she was here… and he’d just asked her to marry him. Was he truly serious? She nodded her head, took her hand away from her mouth, as the tears fell on to her cheeks, and said, “Yes.”

  Joe pulled a tiny box from inside his jacket, opened it up and presented a shiny, gold ring, encrusted with three sparkling diamonds. He carefully removed the tiny ring from the box and gently slid it up her ring finger. It fitted snugly. Pulling himself up from the floor, he took both her hands in his and kissed her lips softly. “Thank you my beautiful babe,” he whispered.

  He was truly serious.

  It was real.

  A sudden vibration of energy and sound resonated around the room. People clapping and cheering.

  The lights went on. Blindingly bright.

  Tiff turned towards the back of the room, startled by the din. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the glaring lights. Still holding onto Joe’s hands, she swivelled her head from side to side along a crowd of people standing at the back of the room. They began to move forward slowly, still clapping, cheering, whistling and whooping. She stared at them incredulously. Trying to comprehend what was going on. Who these people were.

  The first people Tiff recognised, once she’d become compos mentis, were Hayley and Wayne. They were clapping their hands together and smiling at one end of the crowd. And there was Lilly, dressed in a beautiful lime-green, flowery dress. She waved heartily. A huge crinkly grin filled her face.

  Tiff looked back at Joe, who was still holding her hands. She stared deep into his eyes disbelievingly.

  Turning back, she peered along the throng and then took a second look. Alex and Grant were there. They were clapping and grinning widely. Alex’s eyes looked glassy. Was she crying? Emma (Joe’s younger sister) and her new boyfriend, Andrew, stood alongside Grant and Alex. They all continued to clap and slowly move forward. Aaron (Joe’s older brother) was there with an attractive young lady standing closely beside him. Letting go of Joe’s hands, Tiff turned and faced the crowd, head on. There was Pat and the rest of her work colleagues, all smiling and slapping their hands together enthusiastically. Tiff recognised several faces from the rugby club – they were Joe’s friends and their partners too. The staff from the leisure centre, where Joe worked. Carol, Lee, Dave and Tracey. She had only spoken to Tracey yesterday, on the phone. Tiff was speechless. She could only gape at the sea of familiar faces.

  Continuing to scan along the lines of people, incredulously, Tiff could see Betty and Cyril at the far end… and there… at the very end of the line… Tiff gulped back overwhelming emotions. Her dad was standing tall and proud… alongside her mum. Her mum was here. She had travelled here. She was wiping a tissue under her eyes and smiling waveringly. Their eyes met before Tiff’s mum began to weep on to her dad’s shoulder. Tiff smiled and cried at the same time.

  Huddled at the back, right in the corner of the room was Georgie, clapping along with everyone else, a broad, friendly smile across her face.

  “Babe.”

  The sound of Joe’s voice, filtered in over the raucous din. Tiff turned back and peered deeply into his eyes. He had asked her to marry him. He’d arranged for all these people to be here. He really, truly loved her. More tears fell from her eyes and he gently wiped them from her cheeks.

  “Babe, you are my wife-to-be. I have so much to tell you… so much to explain to you.”

  Tiff gazed into his eyes, not knowing quite what to say. She glanced down at the sparkling ring on her hand and then looked up to see that everyone had now surrounded them both.

  Some people, particularly Joe’s friends from rugby, patted him on the back while others took hold of Tiff’s left hand and gazed, admiringly at her new ring. Everyone seemed to be talking at once and Tiff struggled to comprehend anything. People congratulated her, hugged her, held her hand and looked at her ring. She was dumbfounded. Speechless. Bowled over by the scale of Joe’s secrecy. Astounded by his intention.

  “Ladies and gentlemen.” A familiar voice of a man boomed through the room’s ceiling speakers, jolting Tiff back from her bewildered state. “If you could all make your way towards the bar area, champagne will be served while we arrange the tables at this end of the room. Thank you.”

  Tiff began to search the sea of friendly faces, acknowledging, greeting, smiling and showing off her ring as she went, as if she was on automatic pilot. She eagerly looked for her mum and dad. Within seconds, she had been separated from Joe and slowly drifted away from him, on a tide of inspired guests.

  “Congratulations Tiff.” An unmistakable voice whispered in her ear, “I’m so happy for you both.”

  Tiff turned and almost touched noses with Georgie. Dressed in smart black trousers and a cream blouse, her attire was rather conservative.

  “Thank you.”

  Georgie brushed a hand down her trousers, “I’m working here tonight – an invited guest as well. I’ll catch up with you later, we really must have a proper chat.” She grinned and winked an eye before walking off to the bar.

  Tiff peered after her, stunned by her turn of character. She had just spoken to Tiff in a friendly, courteous manner. Or was Tiff seeing and hearing her properly for the first time?

  A small hand touched Tiff’s shoulder and she turned around. “Mum,” she cried and threw her arms round her mum’s shoulders. “You… how…?”

  Mum wiped her eyes again, took Tiff’s hand and looked down at the ring. “It’s so beautiful.” She sniffed. “We got here this afternoon.”

  Tiff peered incredulously. “By car?”

  Mum nodded. “Your dad helped me. We did it in two stages. I told you a little white lie last week.” She shrugged her shoulders and grinned as the tears continued to fall. “I’ve been seeing a counselor for several weeks now.”

  “Oh, Mum, I’m so proud of you.” Tiff hugged her again and felt like she could burst into tears herself. She had to remain calm, keep focused. For the sake of her mascara, if nothing else.

  “I’m so proud of you too Tiffany – look at you – you’re going to be getting married.”

  The words hit Tiff between the eyes. She hadn’t quite taken it all in. “Yes – oh my goodness – yes.”

  “Dad’s just get
ting you and Joe a drink. He’ll be over in a minute.”

  “Congratulations.” Tiff turned to see Alex standing beside her, “I’m so excited for you both.”

  “Thank you,” said Tiff, kindly. “I can’t believe you’re all here. Did you know about this when I saw you last?”

  Alex nodded her head wittingly.

  Tiff turned and beckoned to her mum. “Mum, this is…”

  “Oh, I know who this is. She’s your mum – well she had better be.” Alex let out a burst of laughter.

  “Sorry?”

  “She’d better be your mum – she’s been round my house all afternoon, drinking tea.”

  Tiff stared, disbelievingly. “You’ve been…”

  Mum nodded her head and grinned. “Oh yes, we’ve met already. Your Joe has been pretty cunning behind your back.

  Tiff shook her head, unable to get her thoughts around the extent of Joe’s covert activities.

  “Hello Tiff – welcome to the family – almost.” Aaron bent down and pecked her on the cheek. “Can I introduce Jenny to you?”

  “Hi, call me Jen, most people do.” Jen offered a handshake. “Congratulations to you both. It’s lovely to meet you.”

  “Thank you,” replied Tiff. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

  “Ooh, I’m so excited for you.” Emma appeared from nowhere and flung her arms round Tiff’s neck. “We’ll be like sisters, when you two get hitched.

  Tiff’s eyes widened. It was really starting to dawn on her. She was engaged to Joe. He’d asked her to marry him. In front of so many people. They were going to get married.

  “Meet Andrew…” Emma turned and introduced a tall, dark-haired man behind her, who was standing with his hands in his pockets. He smiled politely, mouthed a ‘congratulations’ and shook her hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you Andrew – I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “All good I hope.” Andrew smiled and placed a hand round Emma’s waist.

  “Yes, all good.”

  Dad appeared with a tray of drinks. “Champagne all round,” he said, a wide beam of satisfaction spreading across his face. “Congratulations Tiffany. He’ll make a fine husband, you know.”

  Everyone agreed and took a flute from the tray.

  “Ladies and gentleman.”

  Tiff had gathered her thoughts together enough to realise that it was Charlie speaking over the microphone, from the stage.

  “If you can have your drinks ready…”

  Tiff could see Joe, over the throng, edging his way back through the crowd towards her.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure you will join me as I propose a toast to Joe and Tiffany. Congratulations to you both and we all look forward to the day you become Mr and Mrs Frey. To Joe and Tiffany.” Charlie raised his own glass and the crowd of onlookers did the same.

  A hubbub of voices repeated the words and the clinking of glasses resonated around the room like the peal of high-pitched church bells.

  Joe slipped an arm round Tiff’s waist and clinked his glass on to hers. “To us,” he said, before taking a sip from the champagne flute. “Here’s to our future.”

  Tiff gazed into his eyes, still stunned by the breadth of his surprises. She had no words to express her feelings or even to reply. Whatever had happened before, she knew that she loved him entirely. Nothing mattered anymore. She would become Mrs Joe Frey in the future and that was all that counted from now on.

  Charlie, Peggy and several other members from the community centre voluntary staff were shifting tables from the back of the room and scattering them around. Georgie was busily adorning the tables with vases of tulips in an array of colours, while others placed chairs around. Peggy looked across the room and smiled at Tiff. Then she put the chair she was holding, under a table and walked towards her.

  Several people were bringing trays and giant sized, serving plates, filled with buffet nibbles to one side of the stage and placing them on tables. On the other side of the stage, Tiff noticed a huge pile of wrapped presents and cards, neatly displayed on another table. She stared in awe at the glitzy ribbons and bows and the assortment of shapes and sizes of the presents. They were their engagement presents. Hers and Joe’s. They were engaged. They were going to get married. She hadn’t had a clue about any of it. She believed it. She was utterly astounded.

  “Hello Tiffany,” said Peggy as she approached her with an extended hand. “Pleased to meet you properly, at last.”

  Tiff took her hand and shook it gently.

  “I’d like to congratulate you. Joe’s a fine young man.”

  Tiff nodded. “Yes, he is. He’s full of surprises too.”

  “I think I need to explain why I used to come and sit in your front garden.” Peggy tutted and rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t until Joe came here to talk to us about his engagement party that I realised you both lived there.”

  “Oh… OK,” said Tiff, unsure of what to say.

  “Dear old John, the man who lived there before you…”

  “Oh, yes, I’ve heard of him.”

  “He used to let me have a sit down there when I was delivering the community centre leaflets.”

  “I see,” said Tiff, politely.

  “I’d seen a ‘for sale’ sign. I knew he’d gone – dear old soul. I didn’t know you lived there though. Silly me. I live in a blinkered world.”

  “It’s not a problem, really.”

  “Well, of course I stopped, just as soon as Joe told me his address.” Peggy grinned. “He said that you recognised me at the quiz night. He was fretful that you might find out about his plans. But I could see by your pretty little face that you didn’t have a clue about this tonight.”

  “No, I didn’t know, but a lot of things are starting to become clearer now.”

  Up on the stage, a DJ had appeared from behind the curtains and was pulling his speakers and turntable forward, to the centre. He picked up his microphone, mumbled, ‘1…2…3…’ and then the main lights dimmed and an assortment of colourful spotlights danced around the floor and shone out from the stage. “Just wanna congratulate Joe and his beautiful fiancée, Tiffany, before we get this party started,” said the DJ, in a low, husky voice. “Heard a whisper that the buffet will be ready at nine o’clock… so let’s set this off with one of Tiffany’s favourite tunes.

  Tiff looked up, surprised by the DJ’s personal touch. She turned and smiled at Joe, who was slowly drifting away in a crowd of well-wishers, as her favourite song came pounding out of the giant speakers. Joe turned around and began to move back towards her.

  “That’s your cue to have a wonderful evening,” said Peggy, smiling kindly before she turned to leave.

  “Thank you, I know I will.”

  People began to move their hips and shoulders in rhythm to the song, Clumsy by Fergie. Tiff pulled Joe back towards her, before he could get sucked up by his group of friends and encouraged him to move his feet and dance alongside her to the up-tempo beat. Normally shy to be one of the first to dance at a party, she just couldn’t help herself when she heard this song. Luckily, surrounded by a crowd of people, their dancing was not too noticeable. Then some of Tiff’s work colleagues joined in and Joe’s rugby friends stepped in beside Joe too.

  Over at the back of the room, Tiff could see her parents grabbing some seats, next to Alex, Jenny and Emma. They’d claimed a neat little corner of three tables and were arranging the chairs to accommodate the men who were at the bar, getting more drinks. Emma looked over, lifted her shoulders and grinned. Then she bent down and whispered something in Jenny’s ear before they both headed over to join Tiff on the dancefloor.

  “You had absolutely no idea, did you?” shouted Emma, directly into Tiff’s ear.

  Tiff shook her head and grinned. “No – I thought I was coming to a charity do. Joe told me to dress up though, as we were going on to a casino later.”

  Emma giggled and jiggled alongside her. “We’ve known for weeks.”

  “Have you
really?”

  “Yep! Joe said you’ve been hard work.” Emma laughed heartily and put an arm round Tiff’s shoulder as the three girls danced together.

  “Hard work?”

  “Yeah – trying to keep it all a secret from you.”

  “Oh, I see,” said Tiff, nodding her head agreeably. “Yes, I think I probably have been. I was starting to think he was having an affair.”

  Emma and Jenny laughed simultaneously.

  Joe smirked at his sister, stepped away with a few cool dance moves and headed for the bar.

  “Well, now you know,” said Emma, winking an eye. “That’s Joe for you – never does anything by half.”

  “He certainly doesn’t.”

  Tiff came to a halt as the music stopped. “Phew,” she breathed, “I do love that song but it’s a fast-paced one to dance to.” She smiled politely at Emma and Jenny. “I’d better go and thank everyone for coming. I’m just about landing back down on planet earth now.”

  “Catch up in a bit,” said Emma, patting Tiff on the back. Then Emma began to jig around with Jenny as the next song started.

  Chapter 30

  The alcohol was going down swiftly, as it seemed that everyone wanted to buy Tiff and Joe a celebratory drink. They’d been separated for the last hour or more as they both worked their way around the guests, in different directions. Tiff knew she had to slow down on the drinks as she could feel her legs wobbling slightly as she went from one table to another, thanking people for coming, repeating the fact that she had no idea about Joe’s intentions and generally making polite conversation.

  “Hi Tiff – that fooled you. The look on your face when you realised what was going on.” Hayley grinned. “We thought Wayne was going to get into trouble with you at one point.”

  Tiff took a seat next to Hayley and placed yet another wine spritzer on the table. “Wayne? Why?”

  “He messed up a couple of weeks ago – about the text messages.”

  “Oh, OK. I get it. You know, I’m beginning to realise that Joe’s odd behaviour lately is all because of this.”