"Your father’s on the phone for you," she said with a lovely Irish lilt. She pressed a few buttons and then passed me the receiver.
"Hiya, Dad."
"Oh, Geri, I've been beside myself with worry. Are you alright, love?"
I don't know why but the sound of his voice brought tears to my eyes. "Oh Dad, I'm okay, but I was really scared. Thank goodness you called James." Just the mere mention of his name brought heat to my cheeks.
"He's a good boy, that one! His mother would have been so proud of him. When I rang him, he was around at the house within minutes."
"God only knows what would have happened if he hadn't," I said. "It was a miracle he found me at all."
"Don't talk like that, my angel. I couldn't bear losing you too," he said, choking back a sob.
"Hey, Dad, it's okay, and you definitely won't be losing me I promise." I hated hearing him so upset. He'd been coping really well since Mum died. Yet, for the first time, he sounded old to me.
"I've just got off the phone from Beryl, and she said to tell you that Carl will be home tomorrow."
"About bloody time!"
"It's all down to you, lass. But listen, you sound tired out, so I'll get off now and come to see you first thing in the morning."
"Okay, Dad—I love you."
"I love you too, lass."
I was back to my own thoughts again, and the message on the card was at the top of the list.
There was no way I could have misunderstood the meaning of that card, could I?
Simon told me he'd had a long discussion with James in the early hours of the morning, while they were waiting for me to come out of surgery. And although Simon refused to go into detail, he was obviously thrilled that he'd been right all along.
I pulled the card out of the drawer next to the bed and re-read it.
To My One True Love,
I have no intention of losing you for a third time.
James x
The door opened, and James stood in the doorway looking sheepish.
"Hi Geri. You read it then?" He nodded at the card in my hands.
"Hi, yes and I umm ... I have to say I'm a bit confused."
"Maybe I was out of order, especially after everything, but I needed to let you know how I feel, once and for all."
My heart was leaping about in my chest. I wasn't sure if I could take much more.
"Then you'd best explain. I'm very confused." Surprisingly, my voice sounded much calmer than I actually felt.
"The thing is, Geri, I've loved you since we were in school. You never even noticed me back then. You only had eyes for Simon. But I was grateful for any attention you gave me. My dad said I'd get over you, but I never did."
He paused and looked down at his hands like a frightened little boy, and my heart contracted.
"When I bumped into you in the village that day, I'd only been back a few days myself and thought you were long gone," he continued. "I couldn't believe my luck when you told me that you and Simon had separated and you agreed to come out with me."
He was still standing by the door, and I indicated he sit on the bed.
James came over and perched on the edge of the mattress beside me.
"I had a wonderful time that night and thought you had too, until you got back from collecting the car."
"I did! But I was jealous when I found you and Carl getting up close and personal." He smiled and rubbed his stubbly jaw with his knuckles.
"But you were horrid to me!" I whispered. "You bit my lip when I tried to kiss you."
"I didn't mean to. I wanted our first kiss to be special. I'd rehearsed it so many times in my mind."
"So you bit me instead?" I giggled.
He groaned. "I'll never live that down, will I? I wasn't expecting it and I was just taken by surprise, that's all," he explained. "Also, I didn't want to scare you off by being too forward. I had every intention of contacting you a few days later, but after that night you were constantly with Carl, and then Vinny, and I knew I'd lost the chance—again."
"When your dad rang me last night and said you'd gone missing, I was beside myself. I even said a prayer and swore that, if I found you safe and sound, I was going to confess my feelings."
"I see." I was stunned.
"So there you are. The truth after all these years." He walked to the door. "I know you're probably shocked, so I'll leave you to absorb it and I’ll come back tomorrow."
He opened the door and was just closing it behind him when I panicked.
"So you're just going to leave? You're not even going to give me a chance to speak."
He slowly came back into the room.
"I am shocked, that's true. And I honestly never guessed that was how you felt." I patted the bed for him to sit down. "When we met up again after all this time you told me the love of your life had married someone else."
"She did. You did!"
"I realise that now, but it honestly didn't occur to me."
"When I'd plucked up enough courage to ask you out again, Simon turned up, and I lost my chance for a second time."
"Simon and I are just friends—best friends."
"I know—he told me all about it this morning. He said I should come clean.
"I'm glad you did," I said shyly.
"So there's a chance that maybe ...?" He looked at me with those beautiful eyes, and I almost melted.
"The thing is, James, I don't want to make any more mistakes. I've got the baby to think about now."
"I understand," he said, sadly.
"But if you're in no hurry, maybe we can take things slowly—see where they lead."
Epilogue
The sun shone high in the sky, and the birds were singing.
"Do you think French birds sound prettier?" I looked over at Simon lying on the sun bed at the other end of the balcony.
"I think everything sounds nicer with a French accent." He laughed.
"Me too—I love it here. I feel awful that your mum and dad left as soon as we arrived though.”
"You know what they're like, Geri. They've always been the same. I don't think they'll ever change, do you?"
"I guess not, though you'd have thought they would want to spend a bit of time with their granddaughter." I'd been a bit upset about that, and I knew Simon was too.
"Their loss, Geri. Don't lose any sleep over it."
"I'd best go and have a shower. They'll be here soon," I said.
"Me too. I'll race you. Last one to the bathroom starts dinner."
I jumped up and moved faster than I had all week, but Simon got there first.
"Aw, come on, Simon. I take longer than you to get ready."
"No way, my dear. I beat you fair and square."
I heard him slide the bolt across.
"Pig!" I shouted through the closed door.
I made my way to the kitchen to make a start on the vegetables, but I needn't have bothered. Kevin had beaten me to it.
"You two will never grow up will you?" he laughed.
"It's not me, it’s him." I laughed at how childish that sounded, and then had to agree with him. "No, probably not."
"I have things pretty much sorted here. You go and pamper yourself. I know how important this evening is to you."
I put my arms around his neck and gave him a big kiss.
"Thanks, Kev. You're a superstar."
***
Showered and changed, I began pacing the floor, barely able to contain myself.
When I heard a car on the drive, I ran downstairs to the door.
I couldn't wait to see him. It seemed like forever.
He must have felt the same as he was out of the car and already on the top step as I opened the door.
He looked fantastic. I flew into his arms and didn't want to let go.
"I've missed you, Dad," I gushed.
"Oh, my angel. How've you been? Where's everyone? This place is fantastic. Where's my granddaughter?"
I laughed at the str
eam of questions all merging into one.
"One thing at a time, Dad. Come in and have a drink. You must be gagging. We'll sort out your bags later."
The car door slammed and we both turned to face it. Beryl came running up the steps as large as life, her arms laden with gifts and a purple sombrero on her head.
"Geraldine, you look beautiful and so slim!" We hugged and I ushered them both into the hallway.
"You don't look so bad yourself, Beryl. Look at your tan. I hope you took lots of photos. I'm dying to hear all about your trip."
They'd been on a world cruise. It was something Mum had always dreamt of doing but never got around to, so they took her ashes with them.
A farewell trip for three old friends.
We headed to the kitchen first, where Simon and Kevin had worked wonders with the amazing food we'd bought on the market earlier today. Everything was prepared and smelling delicious.
After the initial greeting frenzy, Simon handed everyone a glass of champers, and we went through to the lounge.
"Come on, Geri. I can't bear it much longer. We need to see the baby," Dad said.
"She'll be here shortly, I promise."
Once they were seated, I excused myself and left the room, returning a few moments later.
"Dad," I interrupted. "Let me introduce your granddaughter, Grace."
James walked in behind me with our little baby nestled in the crook of his huge arm. He handed the sleeping bundle to my dad who was speechless for a change.
Beryl reached for the box of tissues and dabbed at her eyes.
It was a special moment.
"Hello, Grace. I'm your Grandad."
I glanced around the room and was blown away by the love in everyone's eyes. I knew my little girl would want for nothing.
Not with three doting fathers, her Grandad and Beryl.
Although we weren't a typically traditional family, I knew it would work. This was the way it was meant to be. I was sure of it.
Simon and Kevin were besotted with each other, and they worshipped the little mite. It was such a blessing we were able to be friends.
I smiled across the room at James—the love of my life, and he looked adoringly back at me.
He reached for his glass from the coffee table and raised it in front of him. "To family," he said, his eyes locked on mine.
"To family," we all chimed.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Netta Newbound, originally from Manchester, England, now lives in New Zealand with her husband, Paul and their boxer dog Alfie. She has three grown-up children and two delicious grandchildren.
For more information or just to touch base with Netta you will find her at:
www.nettanewbound.com
Facebook
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For more books by Netta go to
Amazon
Amazon UK
Acknowledgements
To my wonderful critique partners Serena Amadis, Teresa Shultz and Lynda Stafford—you’re the best.
To Sandra Toornstra, my good friend, editor, and the person who gives me that much needed boot up the behind—thanks heaps Sandra.
And finally, to the BOCHOK Babes—my go-to group for anything from critiquing to formatting or just a good old moan. Where would I be without you?
Embellished Deception: A Psychological Suspense Novel (The Crime Files) Page 23
