I stared at Gary’s text again and frowned. I put the phone down on the sofa beside me. ‘Sorry I haven’t seen you since I moved, but thanks for the offers of drinks. I wouldn’t have been great company. Needed to get my head straight.’
‘That’s okay. I understand. Bad news?’
‘What is?’
‘You keep staring at your phone and frowning, so I’m wondering if it’s bad news.’
‘Sorry. Text from Gary. He’s putting the house on the market.’
‘Oh. That’s a big decision to put in a text.’
‘It wasn’t out of the blue. I saw him yesterday and told him he could buy me out or sell up.’
‘Big step. How do you feel about it?’
I shrugged. ‘Bit strange. I thought he’d buy me out.’
‘Maybe there are too many memories for him to stay there.’
‘That’s what he said.’
‘It’s a big house for one person too. I can’t really imagine Gary rattling round there on his own. Can you?’ He smiled.
‘Probably not.’ I stared at his dimples. ‘Can I touch them?’
‘Touch what?’
‘Your dimples. They’re so cute.’
His smile widened and his dimples indented even further. Very cute. Actually, quite sexy. Why hadn’t I noticed that before?
‘If it turns you on,’ he said.
‘Oh, it does.’ I reached out my right hand and gently stroked the side of his face. His skin felt soft whereas Gary’s was nearly always stubbly. My lips parted as I ran my fingers from his dimples into his hair. It felt very soft too. Gary’s was usually hardened with product.
‘Elise…’
‘Shhh! I don’t want to talk.’ I reached out my other hand and touched his thigh. He didn’t tighten it like Gary had last time I’d touched him. My heart thumped along with the baseline of the music. My breathing quickened as I stared into his eyes. I’d never stared into anyone’s eyes except Gary’s. Stevie had beautiful eyes like melted pools of chocolate with flecks of gold in them. Why hadn’t I noticed them before either?
‘Elise,’ he said again, ‘I don’t think this is such a good idea.’
‘What isn’t?’ I brazenly leaned forward and gave him a gentle peck on the lips. They felt soft, moist, and incredibly kissable. I’d only ever kissed Gary before. My body shook with anticipation.
‘This. You’ve been drinking…’
I kissed him gently again. ‘I know what I’m doing.’
‘I’m sure you do. But…’
‘But what?’ I pulled back. ‘Don’t you want me?’
‘Elise, you’re gorgeous. You must know that. But…’
‘BUT WHAT? Don’t tell me you’re gay too.’
‘Of course I’m not. It’s just that… it’s not right. You’ve only just split up with Gary. I don’t want you to do anything you might regret. I don’t want to lose you as a friend.’
‘Friend?’ I snapped. ‘Friend? Is that what I am to you?’
‘Yes. A good friend.’
‘Good friend. Yes, that’s me. Everyone’s best friend. Can I ask you a question, Stevie? What’s wrong with me? Why does every man I meet want to be my friend? Why does nobody want to rip my clothes off and enact Fifty Shades with me? Do I score zero on a desirability scale?’
‘You’d score top marks. You’re very desirable.’
‘Then how come I just handed myself to you on a plate and you said no?’ I grabbed my bag, stood up and shoved past him. ‘Don’t answer that. Tell Curtis to meet me outside.’ Then I fled.
Chapter 13
* From Curtis
This time last week, I was travelling home after an amazing weekend with a gorgeous woman. What would they say at work if they knew? Just had a very tame weekend in comparison. No idea The Bay had so much going on! Please tell me you’ve been in touch with Dimples this week and sorted out your misunderstanding xx
* To Curtis
I miss you, but my liver doesn’t! I swear it took me till Wednesday to recover. I haven’t been in touch with Stevie. I was hoping he’d make the first move :(
* From Curtis
He’s probably thinking the same about you. Remember you were the one who propositioned him & you were the one who ran out on him. Be brave. Don’t lose a friend over this xx
* To Curtis
Easier said than done. I feel like a prize idiot, but I also feel hurt and humiliated. What’s wrong with me?
* From Curtis
Nothing’s wrong with you. Except your timing. Chin up xx
I put my Blackberry down on the worktop and returned to the task of washing up the breakfast pots. Curtis was right. It had been a great weekend and, other than the incident with Stevie, it had been exactly what I needed. Waking up late on Saturday morning, my head had felt like it may spontaneously combust. Thankfully a walk round The Headland, a bottle of Lucozade, and a bag of hot sugared donuts from the seafront returned me to the land of the living. Curtis promised to be gentler with me the following evening so, after a quick trip into town to buy him some fresh clothes, we had a Chinese followed by a walk along the beach.
He wouldn’t accept my story that I’d left Stardust because I felt sick. Eventually I confessed, cringing as I re-lived my failed attempt at seducing poor Stevie. I still had no idea why I’d done it. I could only plead drink-induced temporary loss of sanity! It wasn’t like I fancied the guy. He was just a friend. Although he did have cute dimples, very sexy eyes and gave the best hugs ever.
My Blackberry beeped again. I wiped my hands on a tea towel and checked my texts.
* From Sarah
Can you meet me at The Chocolate Pot at 2pm today? Got some exciting news!
My stomach sank. It had to be wedding news. Perhaps they’d found a venue and set the date. Feeling very guilty after her comments in Minty’s at the weekend, I’d dropped by Flowers & Gifts after school on Wednesday like I used to, and had asked how the plans were going. Sarah had refused to talk about it at first, but after I managed to convince her that I wasn’t about to collapse in hysterical sobs at the mention of anything wedding-related, she’d admitted that there was very little news. Sherrington Hall was fully booked for the next eighteen months, as expected, so she needed to get over that disappointment before she started looking for alternative venues. She didn’t want to go dress-shopping until she had a venue and date, and she’d realised it was pointless further developing any of the other ideas she’d shared on the evening I broke the news about Gary.
I read her text again. It had to be wedding news. Something had obviously changed and, as I’d recently experienced, a heck of a lot could change in the space of a few days. I replied to say I was free and, after a light lunch, I took a slow meander into town. I’d just reached the top of The Old Town when my Blackberry beeped. I stopped and dug it out of my bag. Gary. Which meant one thing: the final valuation on the house was complete and he’d made a decision as to who would sell 9 Fountains Close. He’d booked three estate agents to give valuations the day before and had texted their verdict after each appointment. The first two had come in ten grand apart. The third agent had to cancel last minute due to a family emergency, but had agreed to drop by over lunchtime today — Sunday — as an apology for the inconvenience. My hand shook slightly as I opened the text. This was it; the next key step in our separation.
* From Gary
Lawtons have just gone. They came in at the same higher price. The agent from there seemed most switched on so I’ve instructed him to put the house on the market. He took the measurements and photos while he was here. Don’t panic — I got my act together and cleared up after you came round! I’ll get the details to approve by the end of Tuesday so the house could be on the market by Thursday at the latest. Are you sure you want this?
* To Gary
I’m sure. Thank you.
Keep me posted on viewings. This is it then
* From Gary
Looks like it. Feels strange
* To Gary
I know :(
I put the phone back in my bag and sat down on a bench overlooking The Old Town and South Beach. Fluffy white clouds floated across the blue sky and seabirds squawked as they caught the thermals and soared into the air. The tide was in and the remaining stretch of beach was absolutely packed. The ferris wheel turned in Pleasureland and a jet boat bounced across the waves. I couldn’t hear them, I couldn’t properly see them, but I knew that everyone would be having fun in the sun while I struggled with another key milestone in the collapse of my marriage whilst on my way to meet my best friend to no doubt talk about the start of hers. Could the timing be any worse?
‘Thank you for all for coming,’ said Sarah.
As soon as I spotted Clare and Nick’s sister, Callie, at a table with Sarah, my suspicions about it being wedding news were confirmed. My heart sank and I admonished myself immediately. Don’t be so selfish. You know how much she’s longed for this day. Be happy for her. You’ve managed to be supportive for Jess. You can do the same for Sarah.
I plastered a smile on my face. ‘You’re welcome. I take it you have wedding news.’
‘I do,’ Sarah said, giggling at the wedding pun. ‘We’ve set a date.’
Callie squealed and clapped her hands together. ‘Please tell me it’s next year. I can’t bear to wait until the one after.’
Sarah grinned. ‘As you all know, Nick and I have been venue-hunting over the past few weeks and we’d set our hearts on Sherrington Hall, but they were fully booked. However, they phoned on Friday with a cancellation, which nobody seems to want. It’s quite a bit sooner. I originally turned it down, but Nick persuaded me to call them back and accept it. We’re not having a spring wedding anymore. We’re having a winter one. We’re getting married on the twenty-first of December.’
‘Next year?’ I said.
Sarah shook her head. ‘This year. Can you believe that?’ Her eyes sparkled with joy.
Callie squealed again and gave Sarah a hug. Clare offered her congratulations and all I managed to say was, ‘That’s a bit close to Christmas, isn’t it? People might not come.’ I looked at three shocked pairs of eyes. Did I really just say that out loud? Oh my goodness. ‘That came out wrong. I meant that’s probably why nobody wanted it. I’m sure all your guests will come. I’m delighted for you.’
‘Thank you.’ Sarah smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, just like Gary’s smile on all those photos at home. I’d hurt her. Again. Damn!
‘I’m so excited,’ Callie said. ‘Have you booked the church too?’
‘Yes. All done…’
Sarah gushed about the church she’d booked, what time the service would be, what time the reception would be, their thoughts about going to Canada for their honeymoon. I felt as though I was having an out-of-body experience throughout the discussion, as if my usual ‘nice Elise’ persona was floating above me and this nasty, bitter individual was left in her place, pretending to be delighted for her best friend. I hoped desperately that the feeling wouldn’t continue for five months of planning because if it did, I knew I would screw up my friendship with Sarah forever. This was a woman who’d dreamed of her wedding day since she was a little girl — a woman who, after finding her single uncle dead at the tender age of thirteen, had made it her mission to find her soul-mate so she didn’t end up all alone like him. How could I begrudge her a perfect day, especially when I’d enjoyed twelve years of happy marriage myself? Or so I’d believed. No, they were happy. Or ten of them were. Even Gary admitted that. I had to stop thinking about the whole thing as a disaster.
‘I have a little surprise if you’re all free for another hour or so,’ Sarah said when we’d finished our drinks.
We settled the bill, headed out of the café, and turned left along Castle Street. Sarah stopped a few paces later outside The Wedding Emporium, a wedding dress shop that had opened earlier that year next-door to The Chocolate Pot. She knocked on the door.
Callie squealed. ‘Have we got a private appointment? On a Sunday?’
‘We shop owners like to do each other a favour or two,’ Sarah said as a petite dark-haired woman in her early forties opened the door and welcomed us inside. ‘Thanks for doing this, Ginny.’
‘No problem at all. Thanks for that great deal on my sister’s wedding flowers.’
Callie squealed again and grabbed Sarah by the hand, dragging her across to a mannequin wearing a big sparkling wedding gown; the sort of dress I envisaged Sarah wearing. I felt my throat tighten and my eyes moisten. Don’t cry. Not now. I had to pull myself together. Smile. Play happy bridesmaids. I reminded myself that I’d longed for this day too. How many hours had Sarah and I spent over the years talking about her dream wedding? This was the start of it. Join in. If I couldn’t do it genuinely, I could act my little heart out!
A cool hand touched my arm, making me jump. ‘I know that this will be hard for you,’ Clare whispered. ‘But can’t you just pretend? For her sake?’ There was a tenderness to her whispered tones that suggested she really did understand.
‘Gary’s just put the house on the market,’ I whispered back. ‘I’m feeling a bit sensitive.’
‘Ah, that’s just bollocks. I’m sorry.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Champagne is served, ladies,’ Ginny announced.
‘How lovely,’ I said, reaching for a glass. Smile. ‘So, Sarah, what’s the plan? Wedding gowns or bridesmaid dresses first? Or all together?’ I glanced across at Clare. She nodded her head approvingly. I could get through this. It was only an afternoon. I did it for Jess. I could do it for Sarah. Just as long as nobody announced they were pregnant because that might just tip me over the edge and no amount of acting could cover how I’d feel about that.
Chapter 14
* To Curtis
Been bridesmaid dress shopping with Sarah. Not an easy afternoon, especially as Gary texted en route to say the house is now on the market. Another brick in the wall. Now feeling guilty for being so unsupportive towards Sarah
* From Curtis
And she probably feels guilty for doing wedding stuff, but you don’t expect her to put it on hold, do you? Chin up, Red, one day at a time. What colour are the dresses? Are they fabulous? xx
* To Curtis
Champagne and teal. They’re absolutely gorgeous. We’ve all got the same skirt, but a different style top. I’m having halter-neck, Callie’s having floaty sleeves and Clare is having strapless. I’ll send you a picture later
* From Sarah
Tried you at Auntie Kay’s, but you’re not home. Your mobile’s switched off so sorry for the informality of a text. Hope you’re OK. I know you said you were OK about wedding stuff on Wed, but that was when you expected me to get married next year. I’m a bit worried that this afternoon may have been insensitive and too soon for you. I didn’t mean it to be, but I had to kick-start things because of the date. I promise not to witter on about the wedding all the time. I know it’s hard for you at the moment. Please let me know you’re OK and I haven’t screwed up xxx
Whoops! Curtis was absolutely right. Poor Sarah. I’d better call her. Then I stopped. I couldn’t do it. If I spoke to her, I’d cry, and I needed to stop crying. Wallowing wasn’t doing me any good. I’d have to text her and I was going to have to lie. She’d be devastated if she knew I’d deliberately ignored her calls earlier.
* To Sarah
Went for a walk round The Headland. Must have been no signal as phone’s on. It’s not the easiest having my two favourite people getting married while I get divorced, but I want to be involved. I may not look it, but I promise I’m over the moon for you. Please keep telling me your plans and slap me if I start to wallow! The dresses are stunning. Don’t tell Jess, but I like the
se better than hers. Can’t wait to see which dress you finally select. I hope I didn’t spoil your afternoon. Gary texted to say the house had gone on the market on my way into town so I was a bit distracted. I’ll come to the shop after school on Wed as usual if that’s OK xxx
* From Sarah
No! So sorry to hear that. Why didn’t you say? Glad I haven’t messed up. Remember that, just because I have a wedding to plan, it doesn’t mean I’m not here for you with a big hug and shoulder to cry on any time you need me and you don’t have to wait till Wed if you need me sooner than that xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
How guilty did I feel? I suspected she’d gone home and cried because of my behaviour. I looked towards Marmite seated on a chest of drawers. ‘It’s not only the two of us who are affected by this mess, Gary. It’s affecting my friendships too. It’s not fair.’
A sharp knock on the front door echoed around the room. I reluctantly rolled off the bed and headed downstairs as the knock echoed again.
‘So it’s true. You are here.’ Gary’s mother pushed past me.
‘Come in, Cynthia.’ I looked up and down the street then closed the door. Deep breaths.
I found her standing in the lounge. She looked immaculate, as always, in a straight navy skirt, crisp white blouse, short-sleeved red cardigan and nude stilettos. Her dark hair was scraped back into a sleek chignon and she wore a slash of red across her lips. Her very angry-looking lips. Which parted and uttered one word, ‘Well…?’
I really wasn’t in the mood for this. ‘Well what?’
‘Don’t play games with me, young lady. You know why I’m here.’ She crossed her arms and glared at me.
I wasn’t going to make this easy for her. I also wasn’t about to drop Gary in it. I didn’t know how much she knew. ‘I have no idea why you’re here, Cynthia. Why don’t you enlighten me? I’d offer you a drink, but I’m hoping you won’t be staying long enough to need one.’ Go Elise! After years of listening and accepting her criticisms in order to keep the peace, I no longer needed to and, if it was a fight she wanted, I was going to defend myself for once. I’d stood up to Gary. I could stand up to her. This worm was turning.
Getting over Gary (Whitsborough Bay Trilogy Book 2) Page 11
