by Carrie Stone
She watched as Kate looked up sharply, the realisation of the words having their effect. ‘Which means it’s likely he’s going to be moving back here, Kate.’
‘But he can’t.’ Her tone was horrified. ‘I mean, I know it’s his home town, but I can’t bear the possibility of having to see him on a regular basis. ’ The thought made her feel sick.
Everything suddenly seemed to be caving in on her. It had been one thing experiencing the separation knowing that Alf was happily tucked away in Scotland and telling herself that she didn’t miss him – because realistically he’d disappeared conveniently from her life. But if he was back South, living nearby and a constant reminder of what she’d walked away from…. Her stomach churned.
Megan sighed. ‘Maybe this is a good thing. It’s probably what you need to really move on.’
‘But I have moved on. You know that.’
Hesitating, Megan bit down on her lip. She wanted to see Kate happy – she deserved it more than anybody she knew. Yet she also knew that Kate was lost. Although in some ways the split had transformed her friend’s life on both a social and a creative level, she wasn’t convinced that Kate had truly faced up to her new single status. Her fixation and deflection onto Marcus had proved that.
‘I know you have and I think you’re a much better person for it.’ Megan said earnestly. ‘I can’t believe how far you’ve come along in such a short space of time.’ She picked up the wine bottle and opened it. ‘All I’m saying is, maybe if Alf comes back it will give you the real closure you need – you know – forcing the sale of the house and stuff and properly going your separate ways.’
Kate sighed, defeated. She knew Megan was right. With Alf in Scotland it had been easy to convince herself that the split was necessary and the best thing for both of them. It had also allowed her to avoid taking responsibility for the decision she’d made. Every time she began to think of him and miss him, she’d told herself it had to be this way, because she couldn’t possibly leave everything behind to be in Scotland with him. However, if he returned home – where did that leave her excuses to herself?
‘Anyway, there’s no point reading too much into it just yet. Like I said, I can’t be certain because it was only mentioned on an email I saw.’ She helped herself to two wine glasses from the cupboard. ‘If anything gets confirmed I’ll tell you, but I wanted to warn you. Even if I did sort of mess it up by bringing flowers. I just didn’t want you to be too depressed about it all.’
Despite the turmoil that was taking place inside her, Kate allowed a small smile and got up to turn off the hob. ‘I’m pleased you did. I guess it’s the kick I needed, anyway.’
Picking up a spoon from the side, she dipped it into the thick curry sauce and began to stir. ‘I met a financial advisor earlier and it was depressing, to say the least. Looks like I’m going to have to call Alf anyway and have a discussion and make a decision about the house a bit sooner than we’d planned to.’ She watched as Megan poured a generous amount of wine into one of the glasses, eyes widening as she caught the gleam of the diamond on her left hand.
‘Megan! What’s that on your finger?’ She scrambled across to her friend and grabbed her hand, looking at her in astonishment. ‘You’re engaged! But I thought you were waiting?’ She noticed the tone of disapproval in her own voice and immediately disliked herself for it as she looked at Megan’s flushed cheeks. ‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner?’
‘Oh, don’t look at me like that.’ She pouted in a sad way, making Kate feel even worse about her friend than she already did. ‘It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. We were in L’Oranger yesterday discussing possible honeymoon locations and I just decided it was silly to pretend when I could have the real thing.’
She held out her hand in front of her, allowing the small, but very reflective, diamond set in a thin band, to catch the light. ‘You were right, I am falling in love with him.’ She looked at Kate self-consciously. ‘So I thought, what the heck – why not grab happiness whilst it’s being offered?’
Mollified, Kate reached out and pulled Megan close to her. ‘Congratulations, honey. Come here and give me a hug.’ She threw her arms around Megan’s slender frame, her earlier fears of losing her best friend totally forgotten as she heard her excited giggle.
‘I would have told you sooner, but what with the Alf thing – I didn’t think it was appropriate – I wanted to mention that first. Plus I knew you’d notice regardless.’
Kate laughed. ‘You know me too well!’
‘Besides, I’ve told Michael I don’t want a celebration. We’re keeping it to ourselves for now. I still want us to get to know each other more first.’ She looked bashful as she poured the remainder of wine. ‘I’m definitely not into planning the wedding anytime soon. Maybe a couple of years yet.’
Kate raised an eyebrow mockingly. ‘Two years! Isn’t that a bit long?’ She saw Megan fiercely shake her head and began to chuckle at her response. ‘Well, whatever makes you happy, makes me happy. Anyway, who am I to advise you? I’m hardly a relationship expert, am I?’ Leaning across the counter she reached for the glasses of wine. ‘I’d say a toast is in order, then. One for your engagement and another for my new approach to getting my life in order.’
Megan picked up her glass. ‘Hear, hear. I’ll drink to that!’ Gently tapping her glass against Kate’s she took a sip of the lukewarm wine. She’d barely swallowed the mouthful of sweet liquid before she was consumed with an overwhelming feeling that perhaps she’d made a hasty decision in saying yes to Michael. The same paralysing feeling that had been seeping numbness into her since she’d awoken that morning and he’d presented her with the ring – which she could only imagine he’d managed to source from somewhere late the previous evening.
‘You do think I’m making the right decision marrying him, though?’
Kate looked at her oddly. ‘You mean you’re not sure?’
‘I didn’t say that, did I?’ She met Kate’s eyes and felt her confidence dissolve. ‘It’s just that I wasn’t expecting him to get the ring so fast and everything…’
Kate bit down on her lip and considered Megan’s words. She knew how strong-minded and changeable her friend could be and she also knew how determined she could be when she set her heart on something. But the flipside was that she was more vulnerable than most, for those very same reasons. It was natural that she was already beginning to question the situation when she’d never had to compromise in a relationship before – let alone allowed herself to fall in love.
She picked her words carefully. ‘I think you’re just scared, and I understand that.’ She saw Megan lower her eyes and knew she had hit a nerve. ‘The reason that Michael’s rushing is undoubtedly because he’s eager to make you his wife. He obviously cares a great deal about you to push things to this level of commitment so soon. You’re a lucky woman, Megan. Don’t fight it – go with the flow. If it makes you happy, then what’s to question?’
Megan looked down at her engagement ring and knew she’d heard the words she needed to. Smiling, she glanced back up at Kate. ‘What would I do without you, huh – oh Wise One?’
Kate laughed and stood up, opening the corner cupboard, where she kept her rice supply. ‘Well – firstly you’d be very hungry, given the amount of food you seem to be eating at my house these days.’
‘I’m so looking forward to that curry, though. It smells delicious. I should pop round with important news more often,’ she joked, taking a sip of her wine and watching as Kate filled a pan with water.
Rolling her eyes, Kate placed the pot on the hob and added the packet rice and a sprinkle of salt. ‘I think I’ve had more than enough news for one day.’
‘You’re okay, though, about it all?’ Megan asked, concern instantly sweeping through her as she saw the dark cloud pass across Kate’s face. ‘Alf, I mean.’
‘I guess I’ll have to be, won’t I?’
Nodding morosely, Megan agreed. She sensed by Kate’s stiff body langua
ge that she was struggling with the revelation, but she was bravely putting on a positive front. It was also an obvious shock to her about the engagement, especially knowing how it had affected her the previous week. Yet she knew that inner strength was Kate’s main virtue. She always had a way of holding it together when things got tough or challenging.
Instinctively, Megan reached out and squeezed her arm. ‘It’ll all be okay, you know. You’ve still got me. Even though I’m not a hot, hunky bloke, at least I’m reliable.’
Kate sniggered, her shoulders visibly relaxing a little. She turned and smiled. ‘Yes, I know that.’ And she did; even if Megan was now engaged, it clearly hadn’t changed things between them in the slightest. Knowing this helped to ease the tension that she was beginning to bottle up.
‘Good. Don’t forget it, sister.’ Standing up, Megan straightened her skirt and re-tied her hair. ‘I’m just going to pop to the loo, then I’ll be back to give you a hand.’ Walking out of the kitchen, she made the decision to tell Kate about Marcus’s call another time. There was nothing to be gained from such a conversation.
She’d already had had more than her fair share of revelations for one night.
Chapter 19
Megan glared at the screen, wanting to throttle the person at the other end of the mobile. It wasn’t that she minded giving out advice – and of course she’d never say no to him because she knew that helping him was indirectly helping Kate. But his pitiful tone was driving her to despair. Woe is Alf. Get over it!
‘Look, like I’ve said, off the record they haven’t handled it in the correct way – that much I agree on. But, Alf, the offer they’ve made seems very generous in the circumstances.’ She paused, checking there was no one in the corridor outside. ‘You remember the situation with Lance? Clyde pretty much ruined his career – his name was tarnished and last I heard he was in Guernsey because he was unemployable in London.’ She fiddled with a document as someone passed in the corridor, nosily casting a glance towards the glass window of her office. ‘I just don’t think that taking Hamilton’s to a tribunal would be the way forward. As much as you don’t like taking my advice, I think this time you should.’
She knew from his exasperated sigh that he agreed with her; there was a pause while he considered saying something and then seemed to think better of it. Megan saw it as the opportunity she’d been waiting for.
‘Anyway, if you take the offer, will you be coming back home?’
He didn’t skip a beat. ‘Yes, most definitely. It’s where I belong. Scotland’s nice, but there’s nothing here for me.’
He quietened again and Megan sensed the apprehension even through the phone. The thing that he most wanted to know but couldn’t bring himself to ask. ‘I see.’ She waited, knowing it wouldn’t be long before he would be unable to resist.
‘So how is she?’ His voice was barely a whisper.
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask ‘Who?’ but she refrained. As much as she didn’t like him, she wanted him to know that Kate wasn’t falling to pieces without him. ‘She’s fine. Moving on with things. Doing very well, actually.’
‘Has she met someone new?’ He knew she hadn’t; he’d read between the lines from various conversations with Marcus, but he felt compelled to ask. Just in case.
Megan paused, part of her wanting to let him know that Kate had fallen in lust with Marcus, purely to show him how stupid he’d been at letting her slip away and also the satisfaction of knowing it would destroy him. Yet, she knew it would only cause more heartbreak and problems for Kate. Instead she decided to answer with a bitter tone.
‘She’s single. You bailed out on her, remember?’
‘Don’t start, Megan, I’m not in the mood.’ His voice was tired, strained. ‘Besides, I tried to make it right, but she was the one who didn’t want it. And I’m perfectly aware of what I’ve lost – not a day goes by when I don’t regret it. She was the best thing in my life.’
‘Save it for someone who cares.’ She shook her head.
‘Nice’ he snapped. ‘Some things never change, do they, Megan?’
Sighing, she decided it was best to put an end to the call before they spiralled into a familiar and destructive pattern of snipes. ‘Listen, I have to go. For what it’s worth, I do hope it works out with the offer, though. Take it.’
‘I’m going to.’ Begrudgingly he muttered his thanks and said a swift goodbye, hanging up before she had a chance to say anything more.
Tutting to herself at his rudeness, she replaced her mobile onto its charging pod, relieved that she finally had confirmation of Alf’s intentions. The only problem was going to be breaking it to Kate.
Seeing her friend’s reaction when she’d first told her about the email hadn’t been reassuring. She was convinced that Kate still had strong feelings for Alf because although she’d tried to appear normal for the rest of the evening, Megan had seen straight through it. Barely touching her curry, Kate had drunk far too much wine and congratulated her on the engagement too many times. It had been uncomfortable to witness.
Her internal phone rang and she grimaced as she noted the name on the caller display. Janelle. No doubt Clyde finally wanted to bring her up to speed on the delicate situation. She sighed, picking up her pen and sliding her notepad closer to her.
‘At least you’ve got tonight to look forward to,’ she muttered to herself, picking up the handset. A small flutter of excitement spread through her. She couldn’t wait to sample the food at the exclusive restaurant that Michael had secured a table at.
Besides, she needed something to cheer her mood after the conversation with Alf. It had caught her strangely off-guard. Had he genuinely meant it when he said he missed Kate and that she was the best thing in his life? The thought was accompanied by a niggling feeling of guilt. What if Alf was the one for Kate after all?
These thoughts were wiped away as Janelle’s voice boomed down the phone at her.
‘The ninth of October? That’s barely a month away.’ Kate looked up from her mobile in astonishment. ‘I can’t believe he’s expecting me to have everything prepared within four weeks. How the hell does he think I’ll be ready for the exhibition in, what…?’ She counted quickly on her fingers, her horror growing. ‘Twenty-four and a half days…’
Vivian tutted, smoothing her hands across the swirled red-and-purple-patterned blanket covering her knees. ‘Nonsense. That’s more than enough time. All you’ve got to do is send out a few invites.’
‘I haven’t even finished painting the collection yet. I thought I had another month and a half!’ Kate shook her head fiercely. ‘No, Viv, it’s just not possible. I’d rather forget the whole thing. He can stick it.’ Her tone surly, she threw down her mobile onto the bed, annoyed that Marcus would do this to her. The thought crossed her mind that he might have done it on purpose, but she dismissed it almost instantly. He’d made it clear he didn’t think of her in that way, so why would he purposely change the dates of the exhibition he’d arranged on her behalf.
‘Don’t be such a defeatist. You’ve been looking forward to this.’ Vivian’s voice was stern. ‘It’s your big opportunity and if you pass this up, then I know for sure that you’ll not get another.’
‘Thanks a lot for your encouragement.’ Kate snapped, regretting it as soon as she saw Vivian’s lips purse together. She sighed and sat down next to her, on the special chair reserved for clients. ‘Sorry.’ She rubbed Viv’s arm apologetically. ‘It’s wound me up, that’s all. He knows I’m avoiding him and to send me a text like that…’ She picked at her fingernails, noticing how slim her fingers had become. ‘Well, it’s something I’ve got no choice but to reply to, have I?’
‘Oh, you don’t half feel sorry for yourself sometimes, Kate Wilson.’ Vivian retorted, wryly smiling. ‘You’re not a child. You’re a woman. He’s offering you an olive branch and you should take it – forget this silly business about the kiss.’ She noticed Kate wince. ‘I’m sure he’s had many a woman thr
ow herself at him if he’s as handsome as you say. He sounds like a good man and right now he’s offering you a golden cup – don’t cut your nose off to spite your face.’
Picking up a pleated skirt from the arm of the chair, Kate threw it towards the pile of dirty laundry she’d placed on the floor and considered her options. Four weeks was far too soon, but if she sent out the invites and managed to sort her speech, then really there wasn’t that much else to do. She hadn’t yet finished painting the collection, that was true, but she knew full well that she hadn’t been intending to display the entire collection anyway. She’d already prepared the pieces she wanted to showcase; in fact they were already covered and set to one side against the back wall of the living room. So what was holding her back?
Pride. She still felt stupid in front of Marcus, even though he’d tried to make it normal between them again; she hadn’t yet replied to any of his messages. She was behaving like a churlish teenager – not the thirty-two-year-old woman that she was.
‘Besides, you might be able to fool yourself, but you certainly can’t fool me, Kate – you’re going to need a distraction if Alf’s coming back. It’s written all over your face that you’re still in love with him.’
She stopped staring at the pile of laundry and bit down on her lip, willing herself not to cry and wishing she’d refrained from telling Viv about Megan’s discovery so soon. ‘Don’t.’ She shook her head and sniffled, feeling her throat tighten. ‘I can’t think about that right now.’
Getting up, Vivian walked across to Kate and put her arms around the girl, wishing that she had a remedy for heartbreak. ‘Now now, don’t cry.’ She brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. ‘You two were together a long time. Those feelings don’t go away overnight, darling. It takes a while.’ She patted Kate’s back and noticed that her eyes were brimming with tears.
‘Oh God, Viv. It’s such a mess. If only he didn’t have to come back…’ she tailed off.
