The Truth About Ellen: A feel-good romantic comedy

by Sarah Louise Smith

  On my last day before the holiday, I was typing an email to Oscar, and only half listening to them when Tammy caught my attention.

  “So did you see that Jasper Ryan is dating Felicity Thompson? You know, the model?”

  “Oh my god,” Darby said in dramatic fashion, “Fifi is a friend of my cousin!”

  “No way!”

  “Where did you read that?”

  Tammy pulled a magazine out of her bag and passed it to Darby.

  “Oh wow, they look so gorgeous together.”

  Why did I feel a pang of jealousy? Jasper was a celebrity crush I should’ve grown out of years ago. He’d probably dated and slept with hundreds or thousands of women since I met him. And I was in love with Tom. Yet I couldn’t help but look over at Darby as she scanned the magazine.

  She felt my eyes on her and looked up. “Wanna see?”

  She passed the magazine and my eyes fell on Jasper. His blue eyes were looking right at the camera and for a split second I remembered the way he’d looked at me in the elevator.

  Tom, Tom, Tom! I passed the magazine back.

  By the time I left the office that day, something I knew for sure; I had to stop thinking of Jasper in the way that I did. What if I met him at this reunion thing? I couldn’t let myself get carried away on a crush when I had something so amazing with Tom. I just had to hope Jasper wouldn’t recognise me, and keep reminding myself that he was an arrogant, pretentious knob. Who never called, despite saying he would.

  I got home and put a protesting Bob into his pet carrier, and dropped him off at Zoe’s.

  “I still can’t believe you’re going to move in with Tom when you get back,” she told me for the tenth time that week, “and I’m still insanely jealous.”

  I gave her some money for pet food and then went to say goodbye to my parents. Luckily for me but sadly for her, Mum was still unwell so the lecture and concern she’d have no doubt have thrown at me in healthier circumstances was cut down to a croaky: “I’m sure you know what you’re doing but be careful.”

  I left them my key to hand back to my landlord in another few weeks when my lease would be up, and then met Tom at Gran’s house.

  He greeted me with a hard hug and a kiss on the forehead.

  “You still sure about me moving in? It’s not too late?” I asked him.

  “Never been more excited about anything in my life.”

  I was pretty sure performing in front of thousands of fans would have been more exciting than having your girlfriend of only a month move in, but I declined to suggest it.

  Gran came out wearing a new dress and carrying a tiny bag which Tom whipped away from her and helped her squeeze into the back seat in his Porsche. She offered us both a wine gum and then settled back to chat about how handsome Gordon had been, how sweet and kind and caring he was, and she wondered how he had changed. She told us he looked good in his uniform, and that she’d thought about him a lot over the past few years. She was excited, but her tone suggested she was also very nervous.

  I loved Bath. Sand-coloured stone town houses and cobbled streets, it was busy and yet exuded calm, somehow. I wondered what these streets and buildings had seen over the years. We found the hotel and checked in. It was a narrow building, with just three bedrooms per floor. Gran had the room opposite us and after settling in, we set off for Shane’s café.

  It was a nice place, not too big but with more character than the chain coffee shops. It was nearly dinner time and a man, who I assumed was Shane, was wiping down tables.

  “Shane?” I asked him as we approached.

  “Ellen?” He turned and gave me a big smile. He had a warm, friendly face and a bit of beard.

  “And you must be Gladys, and Tom?”

  He shook each of our hands and told us to get a table while he fetched us drinks.

  “Here you go, and some muffins.” He put a tray down and sat down with us. The muffins looked amazing and I took one.

  He asked about our journey and told us he would collect his granddad the following morning.

  “Where does he live then?” Gran asked him.

  “Just on the outskirts of town, in a quiet little village.”

  “When did he move to Bath?”

  “Back in the ’60s. He left the army and came here for work, then he met my Nana, but they got divorced before I was born. Remained close, though, and she died last year.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” She patted his arm affectionately and he gave her a grateful smile.

  “I’m sure he’ll tell you more about his life so far tomorrow. He’s looking forward to seeing you.”

  “I can’t wait,” said Gran, taking a sip of her coffee. She seemed giddy with excitement. Shane smiled at me.

  “So, tonight, there’s a great Italian around the corner if you want a bite to eat. And there’s a nice walk down by the river, the weather’s supposed to be good.”

  “Sounds great,” said Tom, munching on a muffin.

  Shane played with his beard while he spoke. I liked him a lot and wondered if he was like his granddad.

  After thanking Shane and bidding him goodbye until tomorrow, Gran told us she was too excited to eat, and too exhausted to sight-see, so we saw her back to her bedroom and went and had dinner at the Italian Shane had recommended. Tom chatted on about France and how excited he was for me to come and see his place. I watched him talking animatedly and wondered, yet again, how I’d got so lucky.

  “So, this reunion,” Tom said when our main courses had been delivered.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “I’m coming around to the idea.”

  “Cool. What about Alex and George?”

  “Yeah, they’re keen. I said perhaps we can find a date that we’re all available for when we’re back from France. I guess Jasper’s diary is pretty full.”

  “Where will you meet?”

  “Somewhere discreet. Jasper’s likely to get noticed anywhere too public and we don’t really want to all be in the newspapers the next morning.”

  “There must be so much for you to catch up on.”

  “Yeah, it’s going to be strange. George suggested we bring our girlfriends, make it a bit less intense.”

  I nodded. “Sounds like fun.”

  I wondered if Jasper would bring this Felicity-oh-so-pretty. Not that I cared.

  We went for a walk after dinner. It was a warm evening, and Tom held my hand as we looked at the old buildings and went down to the river, like Shane suggested.

  The next day, Gran was almost beside herself while we ate breakfast in the small dining room at the hotel. She wolfed down some scrambled eggs while chatting on about Cardiff and her youth faster than I’ve ever heard her talk before. She fidgeted around and kept looking at her watch. Tom was very chatty with her, asking questions and encouraging her to open up. I was glad he’d come with us.

  By 11:30, I thought she might be about ready to pass out, but she somehow had an air of calm as we walked to Shane’s café. It was much busier now but he’d saved us a table in the corner and then he went up to his flat above to fetch Gordon down.

  An old man walked in, looking nothing like I’d pictured him, but there was no mistaking the eyes – it was Gordon. Gran stood up and held out her arms and he gave her a big hug.

  Shane looked at me and grinned and put his hand on his heart. “How sweet,” he whispered.

  “I’m so happy to see you,” Gordon said to Gran.

  “And you too.”

  “Tell me everything that’s happened to you. Everything.”

  “This might take a while,” Shane said, pulling out chairs for them to sit down.

  “Why don’t we leave you to it?” Tom suggested. I was glad he did, it hadn’t occurred to me to give them any privacy, I was too in awe of their sweetness.

  We moved to another table on the other side of the café and watched them from a distance. Shane bought over turkey and avocado wraps, which were delicious.

  “Look
at them,” Shane said when he cleared our plates. “Granddad told me that she was the love of his life. He married my Nana but they got divorced and he’s been alone for over thirty years. Never once mentioned Gladys, but his face lit up when I told him about your email.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Tom said.

  I felt a little sorry for my granddad, who’d been such a kind attentive man. But Gran looked so happy I couldn’t begrudge her enjoying this moment.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Gran and Gordon spent the rest of the day chatting. Shane kept refilling their cups of tea, and Gran looked happier than I’d seen her in years. Tom and I went out for a walk around town and left them to it.

  It was a warm sunny day, and we wandered around the shops and up to the Abbey. I kept saying how pretty everything was and Tom bought me a little bracelet from a gift shop. We sat by the river for a while, watching the world go by. Tom had a book with him and he got it out and read some while I texted Zoe and my mum to update them on what was happening. Mum thought it was all very romantic, but I wasn’t sure what my dad would think. He’d not said much about the whole thing when Gran told him, but he was never one to talk a lot. He probably had little chance between his mother and his wife.

  Tom’s phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket.

  “Oh, it’s Jasper.”

  My heart flipped at the sound of his name, much to my annoyance. I reminded myself yet again that Jasper wouldn’t remember me. As Tom spoke, I went back to staring at the people walking by. We were sitting close and I could hear Jasper’s voice. It made me feel a mixture of excitement and terror at the same time.

  “Hey Jasper.”

  “Tom. How are you?”

  “I’m good, thanks. You?”

  “Good, yeah can’t complain. Alex said you’re up for the get together?”

  “Yeah, where were you thinking?”

  “I know a nice quiet hotel in Devon. I thought we could meet, have dinner, stay the night. Drive home the next day.”

  “Sounds good, we could have a drink then.”

  “I don’t drink anymore.”

  “Oh yes, of course. Sorry mate.”

  “No worries. But you guys could.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Sounds good. So, when are you free?”

  “I’m going away for a few weeks, how about July?”

  “Yeah, sounds good. I’ll speak to the others and get my assistant to see if she can book us in.”

  “Cool.”

  “I know it’ll be weird, but I meant what I told you; I’m sorry about all the shit I said.”

  “I know, man; it’s fine.”

  “It’ll be good to catch up.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Alright, thanks. I’ll let you know. And you’ll bring your girlfriend?”

  “Ellen. Yes.”

  “Looking forward to seeing you both then.”

  “Take care, Jas.”

  “See ya bud.”

  “Bye.”

  Tom put his phone in his pocket and picked up his book.

  “So, Jasper yeah?” I asked, even though I’d just about heard it all.

  “Yeah. Felt a bit weird, a bit awkward.”

  “You still want to go?”

  “I said I would.”

  “But do you want to?”

  “I think so. Lots of water under the bridge and all that. It might be fun to catch up and reminisce. When we were in the band… well, we were like brothers. It’s been a long time but I’d like to get together.”

  I nodded. “So, when?”

  “After France. You’ll come, yeah?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Tom smiled and picked up his book. I carried on watching the world go by, but my mind was buzzing. Jasper had met thousands of women, why would he remember me?

  Yet, although I needed him to not remember me, the thought that he wouldn’t saddened me and I couldn’t figure out why. Before all this, I’d not thought about our evening together in a long time, so why now was I feeling hurt and rejected that he hadn’t ever contacted me again? Had I really expected him to? It was just a few hours, really. A blip in time. There was no way he’d thought of me ever again, and I had to accept that. It was for the best, anyhow. It’d ruin everything with Tom if he knew about Jasper.

  So I forced myself not to think of him.

  A few hours later we were heading home, Gran squashed in the back of the Porsche, even with her little legs. She chatted on about Gordon, about how he hadn’t changed one bit, how he made her laugh and how good it was to see him again. She thanked us over and over again.

  Their goodbye had been quite touching.

  “Now, you hear me, don’t leave it another fifty years!” Gordon had said, his hands on Gran’s shoulders.

  “Not a chance! I’ll write to you when I get up tomorrow morning,” Gran told him. Writing letters, how romantic and sweet.

  They had a little hug and he kissed her on the cheek. I smiled at Shane and he looked delighted.

  “I’m going to write him a letter as soon as I get up tomorrow morning,” Gran confirmed again from the back of the car.

  “Good for you, Gladys.” Tom smiled at her in the rear view mirror.

  We dropped her off at home, still giddy, and then drove down to London. I was exhausted as I climbed the stairs to the top floor of Tom’s house. I flopped on the bed and he put our bags down and joined me.

  “Thank you so much for driving today,” I told him. “Gran seemed really happy.”

  “She sure did, it was quite sweet really.”

  “Yeah. Bless them.”

  “You ready for France?”

  “Yes, I think so. Excited.”

  “Good. Let’s go to sleep.”

  We snuggled under the duvet and Tom fell asleep quickly, but Jasper came back to me again and I couldn’t shake him from my thoughts. What would I say if he recognised me? What would Tom say if he knew?

  I eventually fell asleep and dreamt that I woke up back in Jasper’s hotel room, laying on the sofa in his suite, talking to him about Gran and Gordon. He told me I had beautiful eyes…

  I woke with a start and forced myself to think about something – or someone – else. Tom. I was pretty sure Tom was it for me, so that was that. There was no need to worry about Jasper. I’d cross that very unlikely bridge later on.

  The bed was empty next to me, so I found my dressing gown and went downstairs, where Tom was making pancakes.

  “Oh wow,” I told him as I entered the kitchen. “Smells amazing.”

  “I wanted to use up some eggs.”

  “Good decision.”

  I perched at his breakfast bar and watched him flipping the pancakes.

  “I didn’t know you could cook,” I told him.

  “This is about the only thing I can do. I used to make breakfast with my dad when I was a kid.”

  “Sounds like a nice memory.”

  “One of few I have of my dad to be honest,” he said sadly. “My folks and I aren’t exactly close.”

  “That sucks.”

  “Yeah. Well…” He flipped again. I got up and poured out some orange juice for us both.

  “Fresh croissants every day after today, sound good?” he said, pulling out some plates.

  “Oh no, I’ll burst out of my clothes before we get back.”

  “We’ll just have to swim plenty.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “It’s a private pool, no over-lookers.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yes. Good for… well, let’s see.”

  “Have you ever done it in the pool before?” I asked, wondering how many other girls he’d taken there.

  “No, I’ve only ever taken mates to the villa. My family came one time.”

  He’d never really mentioned his family before now. I knew he had a brother, if my Four Apes memory served me well, but he’d not spoken to or referenced anyone other than a few friends since I’d met him. />
  “You never mention your family.”

  “Nah, we’re not close really.”

  “When was the last time you saw them?”

  “I saw my brother about three months ago. My parents, maybe a year.”

  “A year?!”

  He shrugged. “We’re not close.”

  “Don’t they ever call you?”

  “No.”

  “And you never call them?”

  “Nope. I used to go visit every Christmas but this last one, I went skiing with some friends.”

  “Where do they live?”

  “They’re in New Zealand at the moment.”

  Huh. So I didn’t know all the trivia. I’d have said Tom was a close family type guy back then. Funny. I wondered how many other assumptions I’d made about the four men I thought I’d known fairly well. Hundreds, probably. And how much was there still to learn about the man I was now living with? Plenty, it seemed.

  “George called, he wants to pop over today, pick up a record I borrowed off him ages ago.”

  “Okay, it’ll be nice to meet him.”

  It’d be more than nice. George! From Four Apes!

  Tom put a plate of fluffy pancakes in front of me and set another plate down for him opposite. Yummy.

  After breakfast I took a long shower and spent an extra amount of time choosing my outfit. I was about to meet George. George Barnes of Four Apes. The thought kept swirling in my head. I’d have met 75% of the band by the end of the day. How I wished I could go back and tell my 14 year old self that this would happen. She’d be beside herself with excitement.

  George was shorter than I expected. I always knew he was the shortest, but he was only the same height as me, if half an inch taller at most. He was very polite and friendly and we made idle conversation while Tom made cups of tea.

  He asked how we met and I asked him what he was up to these days; he had invested in a chain of night clubs and was doing quite well for himself, as it turned out. Who knew? Not me. I made mental notes for Laura.

  I liked him, right away. He was down-to-earth, unassuming and calm. And obviously very fond of Tom. They made jokes and messed about, not that dissimilar to all the TV shows I’d watched them muck about on, save a few more lines around the eyes and much broader chests. And a much more handsome face, in the case of Tom. Sigh. I could watch him all day.