by Shari Low
Caro laughed, causing a few people at surrounding tables to stare. ‘Again, thank you. My ego would thank you too but it’s too busy being kicked to death by your kind words.’
‘You know I didn’t mean that,’ he said, laughing. ‘She is gorgeous though. Although, keeping tabs on her does make me feel slightly stalker-like.’
‘Don’t worry about it. Going by the number of posts she puts up of her perfect life, and the fact that she has no privacy settings, I’m thinking she enjoys the attention. God, was I just bitchy about a half-sister I may or may not have, on the basis of the fact that she is gorgeous, glamorous, and leads a far more exciting life than me?’
‘You were. It’s a whole new side of you, but I quite like it. Anyway, you didn’t answer me. Have you got a plan yet?’
‘I have…’
‘And it is?’
‘Two-pronged.’
‘Oh, get you – a double strategy, Nancy Drew.’
‘I’m going to look at the places she normally goes to, find out which ones are near here, and then go check them out in the hope that she’s there…’
‘Okay, I can see the sense in that.’
‘At the same time, I’ll keep an eye on her Facebook and see if she checks in anywhere. If she does, I’ll follow the trail.’
‘And if you find her?’
‘I have absolutely no idea… but I guess we’ll soon find out.’
Chapter 10
Cammy
It wasn’t the money. Sure, he’d lost a grand, but in the big scheme of things, that wasn’t the end of the world. It was the fact that he had been sure that was the right ring, and that Lila would love it and he could picture it on her finger until the end of time. Now, three shops later, he still hadn’t found another one that made him feel the same way.
‘I swear to God, Cammy, if you don’t pick one soon, I’m telling them to gift-wrap the biggest piece of tat they have and then we’re dragging you out of here,’ Josie warned.
‘And I’ll help her. Although, I lost the feeling in my feet ten minutes ago,’ Val added.
‘Sorry, it’s just…’ Cammy ran his fingers through his hair, a sure sign that he was stressing, ‘…which one?’
He stared at the ring tray again, then looked beseechingly at the very attentive assistant, the one who’d put up with an hour of deliberation in the hope that the good-looking guy with the two stroppy older women would actually bloody buy something.
Josie stepped in again. ‘Right, what’s the bottom end of your budget?’
‘Ten grand.’ Cammy replied, forcing Josie into a non-Benson and Hedges choke.
‘Sweet Jesus – ten grand? I don’t even want to know what kind of talents that girl has to warrant a ten-grand ring.’
The assistant tried not to sigh at the negativity. If this sale happened, the commission would be enough for the flights to New York that were on sale in Thomas Cook’s window. It had to happen. Fifth Avenue beckoned.
‘I could show you something else…’
Josie pretended to faint.
Thankfully, Val attempted to steer the situation in a more positive direction. ‘Look, Cammy, you don’t make a massive purchase like this in a hurry. There’s nothing here that’s close enough to the one that you originally picked. So why don’t we go home, look online, think it through.’
The assistant had a mental image of the plane taking her to New York screeching to a halt on the runway.
‘No. I need to get it now. I can’t propose to her tonight without a bloody ring.’
‘Then maybe you could wait a while, find a new one… Give you time to think about it a lot, lot more,’ Josie mumbled. ‘Just saying.’
Val took up the mantle again. ‘Maybe you should buy a “holding” ring.’
‘What’s that?’ Cammy asked.
‘Just a lower-priced ring. A temporary measure. Something gorgeous to pop the question with – and then you can bring her along here afterwards to pick the perfect ring of her dreams. It means there’s less risk of making a monumental mistake because you’re being pushed into a panic buy.’
Cammy could see the sense in that and his mood slipped a few notches down the tension scale. ‘Okay, let’s go with that.’
Val took charge of adjusting the plan. ‘Let’s go with something under the £300 mark, maximum. Cubics are fine.’
The sales assistance tried not to grimace. Goodbye New York, hello day trip to Millport.
A tray of sparkly rings arrived and Cammy scanned them, hoping one would jump out. Nothing. A second scan. This time, one caught his eye. It was a plain, white gold band, one diamond (okay, a cubic) inset into the metal. He’d seen a similar one before and the thought made him sigh.
Mel. That looked exactly like the ring she wore on the third finger of her left hand. Her wedding ring though, not an engagement ring. She’d never been one for elaborate gestures and blinged up statement pieces. A thought struck him – she’d have hated the huge rock he’d been planning to buy for Lila. She’d have been embarrassed by it. Thought it too flash. Working with her for all those years, he knew everything about her. Loving her for all those years, there was not a single thing he’d have changed. Apart from the fact that she was married to someone else.
When he’d fallen in love with her, about ten seconds after he’d fallen flat on his face in the shop, she’d been married to her first husband, Joe. The fool had cheated and Cammy trod easy, waiting for the right time, trying not to blow it. It hadn’t worked. After he left for LA, Mel had married Josie’s son Michael and now they’d built a family together. It had taken him a long, long, time to stop wishing that he’d been the guy to make her happy. The only time he’d ever heard Josie’s voice crack with emotion was when she called him a year after he’d left to tell him that Mel and Michael had fallen in love, and had decided to marry.
‘I’m so sorry, son. I know how much you loved her.’
‘Is she happy?’ he’d asked.
‘She is,’ Josie replied softly.
It took Cammy a moment to speak. ‘Then I’m happy for her.’
He meant it. Most of the time. Since then, he and Josie had never discussed it with anything other than a casual ‘how are they?’ and ‘fine.’ It was all he needed to know and he was just glad it hadn’t affected his friendship with Josie in any way. He loved her. He’d loved Mel. The second one was past tense.
He pushed the thought back into his memory bank. Why was he thinking about Mel again now? On the day he was planning to propose to Lila, it should be all about her, shouldn’t it? His stress levels slid back up the pressure scale.
Why was this happening? Mel was over, a closed chapter in his history. He’d blown it with her, because even when he did have the chance, he’d made a huge mistake that had meant they could never make it work. End of story. Now, years later, it was time to move on. It had taken him until now to realise that he wasn’t going to find someone else exactly like her. That’s why it worked with Lila. She and Mel couldn’t be more different. Mel hated a fuss, hated to be centre of attention, wasn’t bothered by stuff like designer labels and flash cars. Lila was the opposite and he loved that about her – she was entirely unapologetic about liking the finer things in life and going after them. Nothing wrong with that. And yet…
‘I’ll take that one,’ he said, pointing to the white gold band.
‘Hallelujah!’ Josie threw her arms up like she was singing the chorus in a gospel choir. ‘Okay, let me try it on.’
‘Isn’t there an old wives’ tale about that being bad luck?’ Val mused.
‘He’s planning to marry Lila. His luck doesn’t get much worse than that,’ Josie said, deadpan.
At least that made Cammy laugh, relieving the anxiety on several counts. First of all, it reminded him how much he loved her brutal honesty. Although, there was no denying that he preferred it when it was aimed in someone else’s direction. Secondly, he had the ring, so panic averted. Thirdly, he could now go about the
rest of the day, back on schedule, knowing that a hitch like this hadn’t derailed them.
It was all good. Lila would love the ring. Okay, maybe not love it, but as Val said, it was only a temporary measure. Disaster averted.
‘Why do I feel like I’ve seen this ring before?’ Josie mused, slipping it on. ‘Argh, the ageing process is bollocks. I think every time I pee I lose brain cells. My memory is shot.’
‘No idea,’ Cammy shrugged. ‘Anyway, let’s get this and get out of here. We’ve still got loads to do.’
Don’t remember. Don’t. Please don’t.
Josie, hand out in front of her, was still staring at it. ‘I have definitely seen it. Val, do you recognise it?’
Val shook her head. ‘Don’t think so. I’m more of a yellow gold person. If I was a young one nowadays I’d be drowning in gold chains and rapping out my shopping list down at ASDA.’
Save me. Cammy looked heavenward to the Gods of romance and age-related forgetfulness.
‘Mel!’ Josie exclaimed, channelling Angela Lansbury, solving a mystery at the end of every episode ever of Murder She Wrote. ‘Mel had a ring just like this when she was married to Joe and… oh.’ She finished on a low point, was looking at Cammy now with genuine concern.
‘Josie, it means nothing. I just liked the ring. I didn’t even remember that it was similar to Mel’s. Look, this is for Lila. End of story.’
Was it though? If he was entirely truthful with himself, he wasn’t even sure that Lila would like it. It definitely wasn’t the kind of ring that would make her exclaim with delight, throw her arms around him while feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. But it was fine. She’d love what it stood for and she’d be thrilled when he explained it was a two-part operation, and she could come and chose her own afterwards.
The events of today were seriously killing his buzz. This morning he’d woken up so sure of what was ahead, excited about how it was all going to play out, and now… Maybe he just needed something to eat. It had been hours since breakfast. Yes, that was it. Once he’d eaten he’d be thinking straight again and Mel would stop popping into his head. A bit of lunch would sort that out and then he could just get on with making everything perfect for Mel. Oh bugger - he meant Lila.
After he handed over his credit card, the assistant went off to box up the ring.
‘So what’s next on the agenda?’ he asked Val, ignoring Josie’s raised eyebrow of inquisitive disapproval. It was nothing he hadn’t seen before. Ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away, but he could only hope she got distracted and moved on to some other outrage or point of interest.
‘We’re going to the restaurant to check everything is ready for the proposal tonight. Do you think Lila has any idea what you’re up to? What does she think you’re doing this evening?’
Cammy shrugged. ‘I’ve told her we’re going out for dinner with you two.’
‘Och, Cammy, could you not have come up with something a little more appealing than that? I bet you my last pair of support kecks that she’ll cancel. She’s never exactly taken to us, has she?’ Val was looking worried now – and if Val was worried, then there was something to panic about because the woman could cope with just about anything. ‘Maybe you should make the offer a bit more appealing. Is there no-one else you could ask?’
She had a point though. He’d thought it had been a clever move, because it didn’t involve anyone that could let the secret slip, but now he could see that it may be slightly flawed. Lila had never really engaged with Josie and Val. He knew why – they were, as far as she was concerned, part of his old life, a life that she wasn’t connected to. On top of that, Josie and Val, and their extended circle of family and friends, were a tight group to penetrate. It made total sense that Lila felt a little out of place and would rather spend time in the company of people she knew and loved. He got that.
Perhaps he should have invited her parents along.
‘You’re right. I’ll call her mum.’ He pulled out his phone and called Louise.
‘Louise? Hi, it’s Cammy. I’m good thanks, how are you? You’re where? Oh. I didn’t realise you golfed. I won’t keep you then. I just wondered if you and Jack were up to anything tonight or if you’d like to join Lila and I for dinner? You did? And is she still with you? Didn’t think so – don’t think she’s got the shoes for it. Yes, sure, I’ll hold…’
Strange, Cammy thought, Lila hadn’t mentioned anything about popping over to meet her parents this morning. She’d said she had a completely jam-packed day of appointments and presentations. There was a muffled sound at the other end of the line.
‘Hi, yes, I’m still here. Ah, no worries. Another night then. Nope, completely understand. I’ll see you soon.’
He hung up to four raised eyebrows of inquisition.
‘She said no?’ Val asked, blatantly unimpressed. Cammy knew she was all about her family and nothing would stop her joining them for dinner. Only a couple of years ago, she’d lost her daughter, Dee, in a car accident just before her thirtieth birthday, and it had brought the rest of her family closer than ever.
‘Yeah, Lila’s dad had already made plans to take her mum out to dinner, so they’re doing that instead.’
‘But that’s…’
Josie was cut off by the ring of Cammy’s phone.
‘Louise! No of course not – that would be great. I’m glad you changed your mind. Yes, Grilled, on Royal Exchange Square, at eight. The table is booked. Look forward to it.’
He hung up; pleased he’d claimed a small victory against the doubters in front of him.
‘Guilt,’ Josie sneered. ‘That’s what changed their minds. Pure guilt. But at least if Lila thinks she’s having dinner with Ma and Pa, she’ll show up. Yer support pants are safe, Val.’
‘Here you go, see you again soon,’ the sales assistant said hopefully, handing over a navy and gold gift bag.
Outside, Cammy paused, look around him, adjusted the game plan.
‘Okay, restaurant next, but I’m starving and I don’t want to eat there twice in one day. What about stopping off somewhere on the way?’
Josie and Val both nodded, before Val, mission leader, synchronised her watch. ‘What about that tapas place just off George Square? Service is always really quick in there.’
Chapter 11
Bernadette
‘He’s fine. Your dad’s fine, so don’t worry,’ Bernadette blurted, reassuring her daughter, just as little Casey threw his arms around Bernadette’s leg, like the koala bear he’d seen at Edinburgh zoo the weekend before. He refused to be prised off, so she had to walk to the kitchen, dragging one leg behind her. ‘Remind me how cute he is when I’m in getting my hip replacement,’ she said, so grateful for the light moment that she could have let him stay there, hugging her all day, delaying the inevitable.
Eventually Nina tempted him off using the persuasive powers of strawberry yogurt, while scrutinising her mother’s face for a hint as to what had warranted the unexpected visit.
‘Right Tiger, why don’t we give you a treat and let you watch SpongeBob,’ Nina said, evoking a riotous cheer from her son, who then darted over to the family area of the kitchen and parked himself in front of the TV. ‘Yet another thing I said I’d never do,’ Nina mused. ‘It’s up there with feeding them anything that isn’t organic and bribing them to go to bed at night.’
‘I was guilty on all those counts too,’ Bernadette said, with a wry smile. Her daughter was a great mum to Casey and Milo. Compassionate. Thoughtful. Focussed. It was what had made her a great nurse. Bernadette had been surprised when Nina had followed her into the job, albeit in a very different field.
‘The kettle’s just boiled, Mum. I’ll just be a sec, if you want to get the mugs out.’
Bernadette busied herself making tea while Nina sorted the TV out for Casey, trying to steady her hands as she poured the water into the mugs.
Nina had married a lovely guy, Gerry, an electrician for a local house-building company. T
hey’d got a good discount on this house because Gerry worked for the company and finished it himself. They didn’t have a great deal of money, now that Nina was only working part-time, but they were happy. At least, Bernadette thought they were. Who really knew what went on behind closed doors? She was pretty sure anyone who looked at her life with Kenneth would think they’d had a great marriage. If only it had felt that way from the inside.
Casey settled and engrossed in the cartoon, Milo gurgling happy in a playpen next to them, Nina finally sat down.
‘Ok Mum, you’re going to have to tell me really quickly what’s wrong because my imagination is running riot here and my heart is thudding like a train. So whatever it is, you need to blurt it out. Are you sick? Is Dad sick? That’s it, isn’t it? Oh God, Mum, I’m so…’
‘I’m leaving your dad, Nina.’
That hadn’t come out the way she’d planned at all. What had happened to breaking it gently, pre-empting it with reassurances and explanations to soften the blow? Nina had always been a daddy’s girl, adored her father, hung on his every word. And now she was staring at her, chin dropped, eyes wide, completely speechless.
Bernadette reacted to the silence by going into panic mode, a state that sent a direct message to her gob to ramble like a woman possessed. ‘Nina, I’m sorry, love, I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that. I know this will be shocking to you, but I promise it won’t change anything. I’ll still be here. I just can’t stay and there’re a million reasons, but I won’t go into them, because…’
‘It’s about time.’ Nina had finally found her voice.
‘…What?’ Bernadette wasn’t sure she’d heard right.
Nina sighed, then took a sip of her tea. ‘It’s about time,’ she repeated. ‘Mum, I don’t know how you’ve stuck it so long.’
Bernadette sagged back in her chair, completely flabbergasted. ‘I don’t understand. I thought you’d be upset, devastated even.’
Nina sighed, clearly neither upset nor devastated at all.
