Aaron pulled back to frown at his brother. ‘What’s Mia got to do with any of this?’
‘What? Oh, nothing.’ Luke shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away. ‘I just meant seeing her with Daniel… you know… seeing them happy together… it triggered a few memories, that’s all.’
Aaron shrugged. Everything Luke said made perfect sense, and yet he got the feeling he was missing something. ‘Did you speak to her friends, ask them if they knew where she went?’
‘I never really met them. Like I said, we got so wrapped up in each other we hardly spent time with anyone else. It was just a mad fling.’ He shook himself like a wet dog. ‘Enough of that sentimental shit. I met a girl, she broke my heart, I’ll get over it. Fancy another beer?’
It was tempting to push for more information, but Luke’s body language, as much as his words, made it clear he didn’t want to say anything else. ‘Sure, why not, but make it a small one, okay? Hey, do you want to come back with me tomorrow night? I’m sure Daniel can find something for you to wallop with a hammer until you feel better.’
His brother gave him a funny look over his shoulder before turning back to examine the contents of his fridge. ‘Nah, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your new project. Besides, it sounds like you’ve no room for me.’
Aaron bristled at the jibe. Kiki wasn’t a bloody project; she was just a friend of a friend who needed a place to stay. ‘Give it a rest, will you? There’s always room for you. Mia and Daniel have a spare room on their third floor. If you don’t fancy that, I’m sure Madeline would be thrilled to put you up for a few days.’
‘Ugh, I’m being an idiot. Just ignore me, all right?’ Luke held out a beer as a peace offering.
He stared at it for a couple of seconds before taking the stubby bottle and clanking it against Luke’s. ‘You’re an idiot.’ They both laughed and the tension between them broke. Aaron took a sip and sighed. ‘So, let’s talk about something fun instead. How’s Cathy?’
Luke choked on his own mouthful of beer. He wiped his chin with the back of his hand. ‘Jesus, Bumble. If we kick that hornet’s nest we’ll both end up in the funny farm.’
They laughed again. Luke had never pulled any punches when it came to his mum. He knew her faults, called her out on them even when Aaron would’ve preferred he kept quiet. Well, it wasn’t his problem any more. ‘Have you spoken to Dad?’
‘Sunday night. Your fake headache at Mum’s birthday weekend fooled no one. He’s racked with guilt about letting you walk away like that. As he should be.’ Luke mumbled the last around the mouth of his beer bottle, but Aaron caught the bitter aside.
‘You blame him?’ Dad had always done his best to play fair by all of them.
Luke took a long drink, eyes fixed hard on Aaron. He lowered the bottle and shook his head. ‘And you don’t? Get real. If he’d faced up to her indifference towards you, then we wouldn’t be in this mess. But of course he won’t, because he feels guilty about how much he still loves your mum. If one or other of them would just let her rest in peace they might actually move on.’
‘You think that’s still the problem, after all this time?’ Bloody Hell. Dad and Cathy would be celebrating their silver wedding anniversary in a few days. How had they managed twenty-five years together without clearing the air over their feelings about his mum?
‘I’m sure of it, and they’ve kept you stuck between them from the very start.’ Luke sighed. ‘You’re as bad as he is, always so bloody reasonable. I’ve watched you take every time she slighted you, turning the other cheek so many times I’m surprised you didn’t give yourself whiplash.’ He checked his watch. ‘Look, I’ve got an early start tomorrow so I’m going to turn in. Are you sure you’ll be all right on the sofa?’
Still trying to absorb everything his brother had said, Aaron trailed around after him while they sorted out the spare quilt and a pillow for the sofa. His first meeting in the morning wasn’t until nine-thirty—his artistic clients weren’t exactly early risers.
Luke shook the pillow and laid it on the sofa. ‘You’ve got everything you need?’
‘Yes, thanks. Do you fancy going out tomorrow evening? We could go to the pictures and then on to Chinatown for dinner?’ It had been too long since they’d just hung out together and that had been one of the reasons for his visit. The family stuff would still be there, had always been there, but they’d never let it come between them and Aaron was damned if he was going to let that happen now.
The sunny smile that lit his brother’s face made everything else fade into obscurity. They weren’t just brothers, they were best friends, and he gave thanks for it every damn day.
***
‘Just here will be great.’ Aaron indicated the top of the driveway to Honeysuckle Cottage and his new-found friend pulled over. They’d got chatting on the train when the last of the other passengers in their carriage had alighted a few stops before Orcombe Sands. Simon had made a joke about civilisation abandoning them and it had gone from there. Once he’d realised they had the same destination, Simon had insisted on giving him a lift home.
Aaron slid out of the car, grabbed his case from the back seat, then leaned down to speak through the open passenger window. ‘Thanks again, I really appreciate it.’
‘No worries. It’s good to meet someone our age, Nancy will be thrilled. We’d heard about the changes down at Butterfly Cove and she’s been dying to have a nose around.’
‘I’ll have a chat with Daniel and arrange a tour. You can bring the kids and we’ll have a bit of a barbecue or something.’
‘Sounds great. I’ll email you the details of that holiday club we’ve enrolled Christopher in. Have a good weekend.’
Aaron waved him off then turned towards the cottage. A light glowed at the living room window and another upstairs in Charlie’s bedroom. A sense of rightness settled over him. He’d lived on his own since leaving university, had always been fiercely protective of his own space, but the cottage had felt too big for him to fill on his own. He picked up his case and hurried forward, eager to see how Kiki and the children had managed on their own.
The smell of roast chicken hit his nose the moment he turned the key and pushed open the door, making his mouth water. No frozen dinner chucked in the microwave or greasy takeaway tonight. He didn’t mind cooking, but it was hard to be creative for one. He always made too much, and eating the same thing for three days on the trot could be tiresome.
Letting the light spilling from the front room draw him down the hallway, he poked his head around the door. Kiki sat on the sofa. Her hair was down, the rich-brown length tumbling over her shoulder like a silken waterfall. Charlie sat cross-legged next to her—rosy-cheeked and clad in an adorable onesie with fluffy ears on the hood. Matty was sprawled on the carpet in front of them, tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth as he coloured in a picture filled with planets and stars. On the TV, a Disney princess swirled around her ice palace telling herself and the world to ‘Let It Go’.
Witnessing such an intimate family moment made his heart thud painfully in his chest. What would it be like to be part of that scene, to belong to that little tribe? To be able to claim a place among them… He knew better than most what hid behind the perfect tableau. He’d appeared in enough of them over the years—the happy, smiling group out enjoying a meal together. The children running happily around the park watched by adults with indulgent smiles. Everyone put on a façade, a performance for external consumption. This was different, though. No one was here to watch them. Except him, and he didn’t belong there.
He pushed the deep sense of longing away, and forced a bright smile to his face. ‘I’m home.’
Three sets of surprised eyes turned towards him, followed rapidly by three happy smiles and competing greetings.
‘Aaron’s home!’
‘Look at my picture! Richard bought me a book and it’s full of stars and spaceships…’
‘Hello, you
should have called, I would have come and fetched you from the station…’
Not sure who to answer first, he chose Kiki. ‘I met someone from the village on the train. He offered me a lift.’
Crouching down, he let the children surge around him like eager puppies as they vied to tell him a hundred vitally important things. He reached out to steady Charlie when she overbalanced and she cuddled against his thigh as Matty showed them the pictures in his colouring book. He spared a quick glance at Kiki, stopped and looked up again when he caught the expression on her face. One hand over her mouth, her damp eyes were glued on the oblivious children.
Noticing him watching her, she straightened up and blinked a few times to clear her eyes. ‘I’ll just go and check on dinner. Give Aaron room to breathe, you two, he’s only just got in the door.’ She tugged the ears on Charlie’s onesie as she walked past, making the little girl giggle.
He stood up. ‘I’ll give you a hand. Just give me two minutes to get changed.’
She laughed. ‘You’re fine. Matty has already set the table, and dinner is all done bar the gravy.’
Feeling equal parts grateful and guilty, he nodded. ‘Okay, if you’re sure. I told you before that I didn’t expect you to do everything.’
Her lips pursed and a light gleamed in her eyes. ‘I’m sure there’ll be plenty for you to do, don’t worry.’
Matty tugged his sleeve, and he looked away from Kiki’s departing back. ‘Mummy’s made you a list of chores,’ he said, eyes full of sympathy.
‘Has she now? Is it a very long list?’ The boy nodded, and Aaron battled to keep his face straight. Clearly chores were the worst thing he could think of, but they sounded pretty bloody brilliant to him. Kiki was not only making herself at home, she had thought of things he could do to help her. It probably shouldn’t please him as much as it did that she’d been thinking about him whilst he’d been away. Even if it was only to fix things around the place.
He let Charlie lead him further into the room and over to the sofa. ‘Elsa!’ She pointed at the TV, clambered back onto the seat and patted the cushion next to her.
Aaron sank down with a happy sigh and let the images on the screen flicker before him. This might not be his family, but maybe he could pretend it was—just for a little while.
Chapter Thirteen
Hands full of Tupperware boxes, Kiki used her elbow to open Mia’s kitchen door. ‘Sorry, sorry I’m late!’ The top box in her pile began to teeter and she hurried to the table to set them down before the Victoria sponge could tumble to the floor.
Wiping her hands on her jeans, her sister turned towards her with a smile. ‘It’s only five minutes, Kiki Dee, no need to panic.’ She glanced past Kiki’s shoulder. ‘Hey, where’re the kids?’
Kiki shrugged off her light cardigan. With the Aga on full blast, the room was already growing warm. She crossed to the sink to wash her hands. ‘Aaron took Matty to check out some kids’ club they’re running in Exmouth over the summer. Charlie insisted on going, although I think she’s too little for the kind of activities they’re putting on.’
Aaron’s new friend, Simon, had sent through an email the previous weekend with details of an adventure club run in conjunction with the local schools and the lifeboat team. The main aim was to have fun, but there was a strong emphasis on teaching safe behaviour on the beach and in the water. Matty hadn’t been entirely sure about it, but she hoped, once he’d had a chance to meet the organisers, his enthusiasm would grow. It would be a good way to make some friends and boost his confidence. Maybe they do a course for adults, too. Kiki sure could do with a dose herself.
Her solicitor had sent a text advising, now she knew Kiki was at least temporarily settled, that she’d dispatched the divorce papers and expected them to be delivered that morning. It was ridiculous really, but they’d been so busy settling in at Honeysuckle Cottage, she’d almost allowed herself to forget the harsh reality of her circumstances.
Neil hadn’t done more than send her a quick email advising of his safe arrival, and instructing her not to bother him unless there was something urgent to be dealt with. Proof of his self-centredness had been a relief and she’d tried to push him to the back of her mind. The solicitor had made it clear Kiki was not to talk to Neil if he attempted to contact her, but it didn’t help with the growing queasiness in her stomach. The only answer was to keep busy. She opened the fridge and began to shuffle things around to make room.
‘If there’s anything without cream in it, you can store those in the pantry. It stays cool enough in there.’ Mia touched her shoulder and Kiki flinched away in surprise. She swallowed a sigh at her own involuntary reaction. Not jumping like a rabbit anytime someone came near her needed to go on her self-improvement list. ‘Hey, everything okay?’ her sister asked.
‘Yes. No. I don’t know.’ Kiki laughed at her own nonsense. ‘Neil is going to get the papers today.’ As though saying his name out loud summoned him, her mobile began to ring. She rushed to where her cardigan hung from the back of a chair and pulled it out. ‘It’s him.’ Her hand shook so much, she dropped the phone on the table.
‘Leave it. Let it go to answerphone.’ Mia hurried to her side. ‘Hey, you’re shaking. Sit down, Kiki Dee and I’ll make us some tea.’
Six. Seven. God, how many rings before her answerphone cut in? ‘Just piss off, will you?’ she yelled at the handset. The double-ring ended halfway through and she slumped into the chair in relief. Aware of the sudden silence in the room, she glanced up to find Mia staring open-mouthed at her. ‘What?’
A broad smile split her sister’s face. ‘I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you raise your voice to him.’
Heat warmed her face. ‘Shouting at the phone doesn’t exactly count, does it? It’s not like he can hear me.’
Mia crouched beside her chair and took Kiki’s hands between her own. ‘It counts, darling. You’re being so brave about all this, I’m so proud of you.’
Kiki swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘Don’t be nice to me, Mimi. I’m trying not to cry so much, I even wrote it down on my to-do list. Or should I say my not-to-do list.’
They laughed, both a little watery, and Mia straightened up. ‘Get to work, slacker! Those toilets won’t scrub themselves.’ She cocked her head. ‘Better?’
‘Much. Thank you.’
Kiki made to get up, but Mia pressed her back down into the chair. ‘Hey, I’m kidding. There’s no rush. Everyone is having a late start today so they’re still having breakfast. Just let me drop this fresh pot of coffee next door and we can have a chat while we wait for them to head out for the day.’ She nodded towards a stack of bridal magazines. ‘I’m in dire need of some input.’
The beautiful images proved the perfect distraction and Kiki found herself engrossed in an article urgently explaining why homemade favours were the must-have decoration for every fashionable bride’s reception. Mia leaned over her shoulder. ‘I hate sugared almonds. I’ve been dreaming about the bloody things.’
‘I don’t remember all this being such a big deal.’ Her wedding to Neil had been a small affair—intimate, according to him. ‘Cheap,’ her mother had sniffed after too much wine at the reception in the back room of a local pub. Mia and Jamie’s a few months earlier had been bigger; Kiki hadn’t realised they knew so many people. Neil had sneered about the ostentation, leaning over to whisper in her ear how they didn’t need an audience to prove their love for each other. She wondered now whether he’d just been jealous. Jamie always had such an easy way with people, drawing them into his circle, making them feel special without any effort. It hadn’t been a performance with him—he’d just been a friendly soul.
She looked up at her sister. ‘Does it feel strange, doing this all over again?’
A sad smile quirked one corner of Mia’s mouth. ‘It did a bit at first, but I love Daniel and I want to be his wife. It’s his first time, and he deserves a proper wedding. I don’t want hi
m to ever feel like he’s an also-ran. What I had with Jamie was wonderful, but we were little more than kids back then. This is different, deeper, no holds barred.’
Kiki swallowed. ‘I’m so pleased for you. It was hateful of me not to let you tell me about him when you came home.’ She looked away, uncertain whether she could explain without sounding as awful as she suspected she was. ‘I was jealous.’
A soft hand stroked through her hair. ‘Oh, darling. You were having such a bad time of it, I don’t blame you for not wanting to hear me gush about my new boyfriend.’
Kiki shook her head. ‘No. You don’t understand.’ The words caught in her suddenly dry throat and she took a quick mouthful of her tea. Hotter than she’d expected, it burnt her mouth and she welcomed the pain as some kind of retribution for her ugly thoughts. ‘Before. When Jamie died. There you were, broken into pieces, and all I could think of was how I wished it was me. How I wished it had been Neil driving—’
‘Kiki Dee…’
She pushed her chair away, undeserving of the tender sympathy in her sister’s voice. ‘I need to get on with those bathrooms.’
‘Please don’t. Stay and talk to me. You know you can tell me anything.’ Mia moved towards her, but Kiki held up a hand to ward her off.
‘You don’t want to hear this. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t even want to think about how much I hate him.’ She was crying now. God damn, she’d sworn there would be no more tears, but she couldn’t stop them pouring down her cheeks any more than the words pouring from her mouth. ‘I hate him. I hate his perfect suits, those bloody striped ties he always insists upon. Matty chose a cartoon one for him for Christmas last year, and he made me return it! God forbid anyone shouldn’t take Dr Neil Jackson, Ph-bloody-D seriously enough.’
On and on and on, all her darkest secrets tumbled out. ‘The stink of that gel he puts on his hair makes me retch; the way he gargles after he cleans his teeth, sounding like he’s choking. I used to cross my fingers and pray he would choke on it. I used to lie there, smelling that gel and the mint on his breath, wishing one or other of us would just die so it would be over and I’d never have to let him touch me again.’ She turned away, covering her mouth to physically prevent herself from saying any more.
Wedding Bells at Butterfly Cove Page 11
