She groaned. ‘How can I think about weddings when Mum and Dad are splitting up? I just … I just want Andrew back!’
This time her tears crumpled her face. William stroked her hair.
‘Stop it, Kizz. Please. People will think I’ve poisoned you with the garlic bread or something! I promise, no wedding talk. But let me ring him.’
‘All right,’ Kizzy wiped her eyes. ‘But later, when I’m not here. And yes, I’d enjoy an evening out with Lisa.’
‘For you – anything.’ He grinned. ‘I hate the idea of the divorce, too. But at least they talk to each other more now.’
‘I know. Oh, I understand that love doesn’t last for ever, but I still wanted to believe that it did. Even Jamie seems to have accepted it more than me – all he’s going on about is working in the burger bar when Dad opens the Four Seasons.’ She gave a wan smile. ‘Have you met Felicity Phelps yet?’
‘I’m not sure that I want to,’ he admitted, ‘but maybe we’ll have to. After all, if the divorce goes through, he might want to marry her.’
‘He couldn’t! Could he?’
‘Who knows with Dad?’ His eyes suddenly lit up as the door opened and he rose to hug Lisa. ‘Do you fancy a girls’ night out with Kizzy?’
‘Oh, lovely!’ She beamed at them. ‘It’s ages since I had an evening off. Where are we going? Into Dawley?’
‘If you like.’ Kizzy got to her feet.
‘William, you won’t forget to ring Andrew, will you?’
‘Cross my heart.’ He winked at her.
Lisa stood on tiptoe to kiss William goodbye. ‘Actually, you’re not the only one who can spring surprises. I’ve got one for you, too.’
William groaned. ‘I’ve experienced your surprises before. Lewis – Otis – not to mention that dragon of a landlady! How bad is this one?’
‘That depends on your definition of bad.’ Her smile was impish now. ‘We both have tomorrow off, don’t we?’
‘Yes … What have you got in mind?’
‘How would you like to spend it meeting my parents?’ she asked.
Leon stretched out on the sofa, wriggling the downy cushions more comfortably behind his head, and concentrated on the phone.
‘Sounds like a great idea. You’re sure that’s what he really wants to do?’
‘So he says,’ Rosie’s light voice told him. ‘Is it all right to talk, Leon? Is Felicity there?’
‘No, she isn’t, and even if she were, you know you can ring at any time. Especially about the children. You’re all right?’
‘Up to my ears in building regulations and quotes for partitions and conversions and goodness knows what else.’ He could tell she was smiling. ‘But at least all this upheaval means I can give the housework a miss. Actually, I’m quite enjoying myself.’
‘You sound great.’ Leon’s voice was surprised. ‘Maybe you should have done something like this years ago.’
‘No, I don’t think so. It doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m heaps better at being a –’ She stopped. ‘I was going to say wife and mother, but perhaps homemaker is a better description.’
‘I think you were right the first time,’ Leon said softly. ‘You were the best wife any man could wish for …’
‘Stop it! You didn’t think so at the time, did you?’
‘I always thought so.’
There was silence for a moment.
‘So you’ll tell Jamie we’ll do that?’ Leon was the first to speak. ‘He can take half a dozen of his friends to Laserquest for his birthday and then on to the Pizza Palace. And you’re sure he wants us there? I didn’t want my parents hanging around on my fifteenth birthday.’
‘I’m sure you didn’t, but he’s still very vulnerable. He wants us to be there – together.’
‘Not Felicity – or Steven?’
‘Not even Kizzy and William. And don’t lump Steven into the same category as Felicity, please.’
‘No. Sorry. Well, that’s fine. Tell him I’ll buy him the biggest pizza in the place and beat him at the Laserquest.’
‘I’ll tell him. I’ll have to go. I’m child- and dog-sitting and they both want feeding. Kizzy has gone out and William and Lisa are both working – and it’d take more than me to prise Jamie away from his new computer game.’
‘OK. I’ll ring you soon. Take care.’
Leon put the receiver down and glanced at his watch. Felicity should be in soon. She’d been at a meeting in Birmingham, and it was now nearly eight o’clock. This was something he was getting used to, being alone in the flat. Coming home to nothing but this elegant apartment, with its pale woods and carpets and soft, pastel drapes.
This flat was Felicity, sophisticated and elegant, just as Honeysuckle House was all Rosie, flowers and warmth, cluttered with the possessions of a lifetime.
How long would it take him not to listen for the children as he unlocked the door? How long would it be before he didn’t look for Rosie, emerging flushed and smiling from the kitchen? But looking back through rose-tinted spectacles wouldn’t do. That picture was from long ago. It was far too late to rekindle the flames.
He heard Felicity’s key in the door, then she was there, dropping her briefcase on the floor and crossing the room to nestle in his arms. ‘Hi! Oh, I’m shattered. The traffic was a nightmare.’ She pushed her face into his shoulder, luxuriating in his warmth. She loved coming home to him.
‘Sit down. I’ll get you a glass of wine …’
‘You’re wonderful.’ She eased her feet from the high-heeled shoes. ‘Just let me unwind a bit, and then I’ll have a shower and we’ll go out to eat.’
Leon brought her glass across. ‘I’ll cook if you like.’
‘No. That’s not fair. We’ll go down to that new place on the waterfront.’
‘But I’m not working – I haven’t worked all week,’ Leon protested.
‘Make the most of it!’ Felicity laughed, sipping her drink. ‘Things should start moving on the Old Granary by next Wednesday. You won’t have a spare moment after that!’
‘Next Wednesday? As soon as that?’ Then he paused. ‘Oh, no …’
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Wednesday. I’ve got something else on.’
‘Something more important than a planning meeting with the architects?’
‘I’m afraid so.’ Leon slid his hands under the silky fall of her hair. ‘It’s Jamie’s birthday on Wednesday. We’re taking him and some friends to Laserquest and then on to the Pizza Palace …’
‘Sounds fun …’ Felicity turned her head to kiss him. ‘We’ll have the planning meeting first, then drive into Highcliffe to pick up Jamie – they both stay open late –’
‘It’s the Easter holidays, and the booking has been made for the afternoon,’ he explained, then went on, ‘It’s just me and Rosie, Felicity. No one else. Not even Kizzy or William.’
‘I see.’ The words dripped with ice. ‘So your family comes before your future again? Well, you can tell Mitchell Jarvis you want to cancel the appointment, because I certainly won’t.’
‘I’m sorry. But maybe Mitchell Jarvis can rearrange for the morning?’
‘I doubt it.’ She headed towards the door. ‘He’s booked solid for months. I used all my charms to get Wednesday! Still, I’m sure he’ll understand that Rosie must come first.’
‘Felicity!’ His cry was drowned by the slamming of the bathroom door.
‘Oh, why did I have to say that?’ Felicity groaned as she turned on the shower. ‘You’re a jealous, selfish, and nasty person, Felicity Phelps!’ She glared at herself in the steamy mirror.
Of course Leon had to celebrate Jamie’s birthday; of course he and Rosie would be together for it.
‘You’ll drive him away if you go on like this,’ she muttered to herself, stepping into the shower. ‘Every time you mention Rosie or the children, it comes out wrong.’
I’m so afraid, she thought. Afraid he’ll leave me … and there’s that other matter we h
ave to talk about …
Smiling, she lifted her face into the steam.
She showered and dressed quickly, and when she went through she went straight in to his open arms.
‘I’m sorry! I do it every time, don’t I? You never believe me when I tell you how unsure I am. Please, Leon, don’t leave me. I love you so much.’
‘I love you, too.’ He stroked her hair. Rosie had never needed him this much. Rosie had never needed constant reassurance. In fact, he thought in surprise, Rosie was far, far stronger than Felicity.
‘Let’s go and eat.’ She relaxed in his arms. ‘I’ll treat you to the best of everything, and you can tell me about Jamie’s birthday.’
A Shock For William
The restaurant on the waterfront had only been open a week. Leon looked around him with a professional eye. It wasn’t going to offer a threat to the Four Seasons. In fact it wasn’t even up to the standard of the Nook. People might come out of curiosity, but they certainly wouldn’t make the journey from Highcliffe to Dawley specially. He was pleased. He wanted William to do well with the Nook.
‘Any ideas we can pinch?’ He grinned at Felicity as she returned from the ladies’ room.
‘Quite the opposite. Very basic. Our cloakroom facilities at the Four Seasons are going to become legendary!’ They laughed together.
‘I was thinking.’ Felicity paused, her fork poised. ‘About Jamie’s birthday … I know you and Rosie will be giving him a joint present, but I’d like to give him something, too. Do you think he’d object if I did?’
‘I’m sure he wouldn’t. It’s a good idea. It’s about time they were all introduced to you anyway. Have you any idea what you’d give him?’
‘Well, he’s football crazy, isn’t he? I thought I might buy him the latest strip of his favourite team. What d’you think?’
‘I think he’ll love you as much as I do!’ Leon laughed, pleased at her insight, and the effort she was prepared to make.
Felicity nodded happily. ‘But maybe you should ring Rosie, just to make sure I’m not stepping on any toes?’
‘I’ll do that.’
She was watching him closely, he noticed, amused. ‘What’s the matter?’
Laying down her fork, she took a deep breath. This was probably the most important moment of her life.
‘I have something to tell you. Leon – I’m pregnant. I’m going to have your baby …’ She held her breath, waiting.
‘When – when did you know?’ Leon was amazed to hear his own voice sound so normal when the world was reeling. The clatter and hum of the restaurant had faded away to the merest whisper.
‘This morning …’ Felicity gazed at him. ‘I went to the doctor from my meeting, but I knew.
‘And – and you don’t mind …?’ Leon was still stunned.
‘Mind? I’m ecstatic!’ The joy she felt was impossible to put into words. ‘How do you feel? I mean, I won’t put any pressure on you. I’m not asking for anything …’
‘You never have.’ Leon sat still, searching the face of this beautiful woman who held his future in her hands. ‘But what about your job? I mean, will you want to give it up? Do you want a nanny?’
‘No. This baby will give me more than Brennan and Foulkes ever could! I’m not going back after maternity leave. I want to be a mother – a proper mother – to our baby.’
Their baby! The words finally filtered through. His baby – like William and Kizzy and Jamie …
How on earth was he going to tell Rosie?
‘Leon?’ Felicity reached across the table. ‘You are pleased, aren’t you?’
‘Pleased?’ He clasped his fingers round hers. ‘I’m overjoyed! I’m scared stiff, I’m totally stunned, I don’t know what to say –’
‘I love you.’ The smile shone from her green eyes. ‘I love you – and I’m having your baby – and I’m the happiest woman in the world! But you’ve been through this before …’
Leon was whisked back to half-remembered days. The pride and the panic when Rosie had told him they were expecting William – only one year married, and him still a catering student – and living in that pokey flat!
His delight when Kizzy was born – his daughter, his little girl, with her cute curls and her flashing smile, able to charm him from the moment he first saw her.
And Jamie – the one he had promised would have the best of everything, because Cookery Nook was really taking off and they could afford to live in Honeysuckle House – and then he’d discovered that although there was money, there was no time.
And now – this baby, part of him but not part of Rosie … This baby who would be growing up when he at last had the time and money and security to be a proper father.
He hoped his other children would forgive him.
‘Felicity …’ Tenderly he reached across the table and stroked her cheek. ‘What will this mean to us?’
‘It’ll mean that I’ll grow delightfully chubby and be able to leave my natty little suits firmly in the wardrobe!’ She grinned, holding his hand against her face and gazing into his eyes. ‘It’ll mean moving out of the flat to somewhere with a garden – trees for a swing, a sandpit, a paddling pool. It’ll mean that I’ll be behind you one hundred per cent, at the Four Seasons.’ She paused. ‘Leon, this baby means everything to me …’
‘And to me,’ he said from the heart. ‘You – you do want me to be part of this? I mean, you’re not intending to be one of those dedicated mothers who don’t want Dad around … ?’
‘Without you, I’m nothing,’ she said simply. ‘But I won’t force you to stay with me. I just want you to.’
‘And I will. Always. I’ll be the proudest man in the world.’ Leon felt in his pocket for his wallet. ‘Do you think we could go now? I want to kiss you so very much.’
Laughing, arms linked, they left the restaurant.
It was a mild night, gently warm, with a hint of summer washing in from the sea. Fairy lights twinkled along the promenade, and early holidaymakers were out enjoying the evening.
Solicitously wrapping Felicity’s jacket round her shoulders, Leon held her protectively. This feeling of floating delight was a novelty. He had been pleased when Rosie had announced she was expecting the children – but there hadn’t been this absolute happiness. Maybe it was because this baby was so much more of a treasure; an unexpected, delightful bonus at a time when he had felt life could hold no more surprises.
‘Leon.’ She stopped and turned to face him. ‘About Rosie …’
‘You must have read my mind. Telling her won’t be easy.’
‘You should do it sooner rather than later. It would be terrible if she heard it from somewhere else.’
‘I know.’ Leon sighed. ‘I will tell her – but not until after Jamie’s birthday. I can’t spoil that for him. I’ll tell her after Wednesday – then I’ll tell the children.’
‘How do you think they’ll take it?’ She threaded her hand into the crook of his arm and pulled him closer to her.
‘I expect William will be philosophical, Kizzy will be disgusted – and Jamie …’ He paused. ‘I never know how Jamie will react. The other two are grown up and planning their own lives, but Jamie’s still fragile.’
‘It’s such a shame that loving always seems to have to hurt someone.’
‘That’s what Kizzy said,’ Leon murmured. ‘This – our love – has hurt so many people …’
She lifted her face to his and kissed him.
They were still in each other’s arms when Lisa and Kizzy emerged from the Golden Garden opposite them. Having made complete fools of themselves on the karaoke, they were giggling and in high spirits.
Lisa saw the couple with their arms around each other leaning against the rails, and grabbed Kizzy’s arm. ‘Er while we’re still in a silly mood, how about visiting the fairground? I could probably beat you on the Dodgems.’
‘I haven’t driven a Dodgem car for years! Aren’t we too old?’
‘Never!’ Li
sa tugged Kizzy away from the promenade. ‘This is the night you banish your doldrums for ever – Andrew Pearson or not!’
‘Whatever you say.’ Kizzy laughed, bemused at Lisa’s haste.
Lisa smiled, thanking her lucky stars that Kizzy had been spared the sight of her dad and Felicity Phelps cuddling like lovelorn teenagers.
Completely unaware that his daughter had been within yards of them, Leon slowly drew away from Felicity.
‘Have you thought of names?’
‘Constantly.’ She grinned. ‘I thought Alex … Alexander for a boy, Alexandra for a girl. Alex Phelps has a sort of ring, don’t you think?’
‘Very nice.’ Leon held her close again, not wanting to let her go. ‘But Alex Brodie sounds a whole lot better. Because that’s what it’s going to be, Felicity. Your baby will be called Alex Brodie. Because I want to marry you.’
‘No, they didn’t see us,’ Lisa said the next day, as she and William bowled along the motorway. ‘They were far too wrapped up in each other! And thank goodness Kizzy didn’t have a clue! It cost me a fortune on the fairground but it was worth it. It would have broken her heart.’
‘So what did this woman look like? I know Mum’s met her, but I’ve never had the nerve to ask what she’s like. Parents! They give you nothing but trouble!’
Lisa looked at him quickly. ‘I take it you’re none too keen on this little jaunt today?’ she asked.
‘I’m scared stiff!’ he admitted cheerfully. ‘Especially after what you’ve told me about your parents. But if it means any sort of reconciliation …’
‘That’s doubtful.’ Lisa shrugged. ‘They were so angry about Lewis. Especially because I wouldn’t handle things their way. But at least they know I’m coming today, so who knows?’
‘And they know about me, do they?’
‘Oh, yes. I told them everything. I told them that if they didn’t accept you – and Lewis – this was the last time they’d see any of us.’
‘And what did they say to that?’
‘Nothing.’ Lisa lowered her eyes. ‘They couldn’t. I – er – left the message on the answering machine …’
‘Oh, great! So we might find the gates barred and bolted?’
Honeysuckle House Page 12
