The Things We Never Knew

by Megan Mayfair

  She removed a ten-dollar note from her purse and slid it onto the table.

  “Good luck, Ashton.” She stood. “Safe travels home.”

  A light-headed dizziness set over her as she walked away.

  She didn’t look back despite him begging her to return. She didn’t need to look back. She didn’t want to listen to his pleas.

  Ashton James no longer meant anything to her.

  Chapter 34

  Bebe carefully applied her winged eyeliner while watching herself in the large gilded mirror in the living room. She took a deep breath. While there was little doubt she was looking forward to the engagement party, part of her wished she could lie on Harry’s couch and watch an old movie with him. Her stomach churned. Perhaps she hadn’t eaten enough throughout the day. Surely Tessa, being the foodie she was, would have some lovely food at the party. She’d make sure she had something to eat before she had anything to drink.

  “Where are you going tonight?” Her mother was working from a small, sleek laptop at a desk on the other side of the room. She was bathed in the light of a desk lamp that was giving the room a golden hue.

  “Tessa and Matthew’s engagement party.”

  Her mother took a sip from a glass of champagne and looked thoughtfully at her. “Tessa?”

  “I designed her that red dress I showed you, and she invited me to the party.” Bebe examined her mother in the reflection of the mirror, waiting for a moment of recognition, but when there wasn’t one, she refocused on her eye make-up.

  “Lovely.” Her mother turned back to her computer and continued to type.

  “The dress, or the invitation?”

  “Both.”

  Bebe placed her eyeliner back in her make-up bag. There was no point in pressing. Her mother never noticed her work, or remembered it. She smoothed over her own dress she’d made, a baby-doll style with a high lace collar and a swinging chiffon bodice. She’d piled her hair high on her head and swinging earrings to give it a 1960s mod look. Harry always had a vaguely mod look to him with his dark-framed glasses and a penchant for those skinny ties he wore when they went out.

  They’d look cute together. They always did.

  Thoughts of her conversation with Cole from the day before flooded back to her. As cute as Harry was, she had to take advantage of this opportunity. Maybe if she did make it to the upper echelons of the fashion industry, finally she’d be more than a postscript in her mother’s life.

  She removed some aspirin from her make-up bag.

  “Headache?”

  “I’m not feeling that great, to be honest.” Bebe swallowed the tablets. “I’ve been having a few headaches since we arrived, and today, I feel a bit off.”

  “Flu?”

  She felt her temple. She didn’t have a temperature. “I don’t think so.”

  “Have you seen a doctor?”

  “No, but I will though.”

  The buzzer to the door sounded.

  Her mother continued to type. “Are you expecting someone?”

  “Harry is picking me up.”

  “The boy from the café?”

  That made him sound like he was a kid with a paper route compared to an adult with a job, a life, and hobbies. But there was no point in starting an argument. Bebe mumbled, “yes” and moved to the front door, where she pressed the button that would allow Harry to enter the building and their floor.

  She waited at the door, looking forward to seeing him. As the elevator sprung open, her heart leapt and they locked eyes.

  He walked towards her and kissed her tenderly on the lips. “You look beautiful.”

  “You look pretty sharp yourself.” She eyed his suit, grabbed his hand, and lowered her voice. This was not ideal given the uncertainty between them, but she also didn’t want to be rude and bundle him out of the building like he was a secret. “I didn’t know this when we made plans, but my mother is inside.”

  “The apartment or jail?”

  She smiled. He had a way of diffusing any tension with his humour. “Inside. If you’d like to meet her, you’d be welcome, but if not, that’s fine too.”

  “I’d love to meet her.”

  She nodded and they walked back into the apartment. “Mum?”

  Her mother looked up and removed her glasses when she saw Harry. She never liked attractive men to see her wearing her spectacles.

  “Oh, good evening,” she said, smoothly, as if she had been expecting him all along. She sailed across the room, a kimono-type blouse swooshing behind her. She held out her hand and they chatted, before Bebe reminded Harry they had to leave.

  Her mother stood in the doorway as Harry went ahead of them to push the elevator button.

  “I like him,” she whispered to Bebe.

  Bebe tilted her head. “You do?” she whispered back.

  Her mother raised an eyebrow. “You’re surprised?”

  “I don’t know; I guess …”

  “That I want you to be alone like I’ve chosen to be?”

  She stared at her mother. “I don’t think that at all.”

  “Good. Have a nice night.” Her mother kissed her on the cheek and quietly closed the door behind her as Bebe walked to the elevator, Harry holding it open for her.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She slipped her arm through his.

  Arriving at the party, Bebe spotted Michelle and Leon, and immediately Michelle had gathered them round for a selfie.

  “Look how cute we are?” Michelle turned the phone around for them to see the photo. “Such squad goals!”

  Harry glanced at Bebe. “We’re her squad?”

  “How did the cooking competition go?” Bebe asked.

  “I won!” Michelle beamed.

  Harry gave her a high five. “Nice work. I hear the Fitzgeralds can get pretty competitive.”

  “Horribly. It really brings out the worst in our family.”

  “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself. They seem like such nice people.” Leon rubbed his neck.

  “That’s what we’d have you believe.”

  “Can I get anyone a drink?” Leon asked them.

  Bebe put a hand to her stomach. The nauseated feeling from earlier that day had not abated. It was as if she’d been on a boat for a few hours. “I might have something to eat first.”

  “There’s a cheese tower.” Michelle’s eyes were wide; childlike and delighted. “It’s like a cake.” She paused. “But made entirely of cheese! You have to see it.”

  As they admired the cheese tower, Bebe watched Tessa and Matthew as they spoke to their guests and exchanged loved-up glances with each other. Matthew leaned over and whispered something in Tessa’s ear. She gave him a feisty smile, then whispered back before catching Bebe’s eye and waving. Tessa grabbed Matthew’s hand and approached them.

  “Bebe, thank you so much. The dress is just perfect.” She ran her hand along the folds of fabric. The gown had come together perfectly. It was highly structured with a pull-in waist and the deepest scarlet colour that popped against Tessa’s olive skin and dark waves of hair, which were cascading over her bare shoulders.

  “You look stunning,” Bebe said.

  “She does.” Matthew looked at his bride-to-be admiringly.

  Tessa smiled. “If I get this many compliments, I might need you to design me a wedding dress too.”

  “Are you still thinking next year for the wedding?” Harry put his arm around Bebe.

  “Next year,” Matthew said, firmly.

  “Late next year,” Tessa corrected him. “I have another place to open before we get to the wedding.”

  Matthew rolled his eyes. “My fiancée, the workaholic.”

  “You can talk,” she poked his shoulder, affectionately.

  Bebe knew this game was totally in jest by the way their eyes lingered on each other. She cuddled into Harry, thinking about Cole’s words. She liked Harry very much, but enough to throw everything away for
?

  “Thanks again for the dress, Bebe,” Tessa said. “I’ll be in touch about the wedding gown.”

  “Of course.” She was about to say that she wouldn’t be in Melbourne by then, but she hesitated. There was no reason she couldn’t help with the project, even if she was overseas.

  As Tessa and Matthew moved on to greet more friends, Harry suggested they dance together. He held out his hand and she took it. They moved onto the dance floor.

  “I never thought I’d be at Tessa’s engagement party,” Harry said, placing one hand on her waist and holding her other hand as they began to dance to the pleasant ballad being crooned by the band.

  “No?”

  “I have never met a bigger commitment-phobe in my life. She was out of control, dating guys who were just not good for her. I don’t think she wanted to see that there were nice guys, but then she met Matthew and things changed.”

  “You adore her,” Bebe said.

  “Of course. She’s the best boss. She’s like family, in a way.”

  Bebe rested her head on his chest. “Family is important,” she murmured.

  You and me. Me and you. That was the only family she had, and given she was giving up her search for the truth about Greg, it was all she may ever have.

  Harry had his life here: a job he loved, a hobby he loved, and workmates who were like family. She couldn’t just ‘send’ for him the way Cole had suggested.

  She breathed him in, looking forward to curling up with him later back at his place. She would enjoy every moment they had before she got on that plane.

  Chapter 35

  “I don’t always drink the alcohol,” Clare’s words were starting to run together. She leaned forward and in a conspiratorial whisper added, “but when I do, it’s delicious.”

  Michelle hadn’t seen her sister-in-law this tipsy, but found it somewhat endearing to see the strait-laced, mouse-like Clare swaying from side to side in a blue prom-style dress and silver heels.

  Pete walked up to them and handed his wife a gin and tonic, who took it and immediately gulped a mouthful.

  “How much has she had?” Michelle whispered to her brother.

  He shrugged. “Enough for the moment. Hence the water.”

  “I thought it was a gin.”

  “This one tastes different. It must be the mint.” Clare hung her arms around Pete’s neck. “And you, Mr Fitzgerald, when you drink the alcohol, you dance so good.”

  She sounded like a drunk meme.

  “You don’t need to ask me twice.” Pete took the glass from his wife, who hissed ‘boo’ at him.

  Clare looked at her brother dreamily, and then turned to Michelle. “Your brother is soooo sexy. When I first met him…”

  Michelle didn’t need, or want to know where that sentence was going, but thankfully Pete had escaped with her to the dance floor.

  Leon returned from the bar with two glasses of wine, and handed her one. “Clare and Pete are great.”

  “They’re a bit tipsy. I guess that’s what a night away from the baby does.” She looked down at her phone and held it up. “Look how many likes our selfie got already.”

  Leon took a sip from his glass. “Probably more than I have followers.”

  “Correct.” She stared at the photo. They looked adorable together. She glanced up at the real thing and a sense of relief swept over her. What if Ashton being back had caused her to end things with Leon? She shuddered. It wasn’t worth thinking about. She put her phone away.

  “I’m going to go to the bathroom, but when I get back, what about a spin on the dance floor?”

  He grinned. “Can’t wait.”

  She walked through to a corridor that led to the bathrooms when she heard someone call her name.

  Ashton?

  She turned to find him leaning on a staircase railing. “Hey, babe.”

  Her mouth fell open. “What are you doing here?”

  He held up his phone and shook it. “Saw this on your Instagram. It looked a bit boring so I thought I’d spice things up. You are so easy to stalk!”

  She closed her eyes. Why had she posted that photo? She opened them again and Ashton walked over to her. He placed his hand on her waist. “Nice dress. Have I seen this before?”

  She pulled his hand off her. “Ashton. I mean what I said last night, I’m seeing someone else, and this is a private party, you’d better leave.”

  A thunderous look crossed his face. “A private party?” He scoffed. “Come on, don’t be stupid.”

  He’d probably never been refused entry to anything in his life.

  She crossed her arms. “Please, go. I thought I made myself clear last night.”

  He stepped forward, and lowered his tone. “I flew a lot of hours to be here and you—”

  “Michelle?”

  She looked up as Leon walked towards her.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Her heart raced and her mouth went dry. She mumbled a ‘yes’.

  “Ah-ha!” Ashton pointed at Leon. “Childhood sweetheart dude?”

  Michelle brought her hand to her forehead. She needed to diffuse this situation quickly.

  “Canadian dude?” Leon narrowed his eyes.

  Ashton smirked. “Yes. Michelle told me all about you and her last night.”

  Leon looked at Michelle and raised an eyebrow.

  “When I told you that I didn’t want to see you,” she hissed at Ashton. “Please, leave.” She glanced back at Leon, an ill feeling settling in her stomach. “I’m sorry, I’ll explain everything in a moment.”

  Ashton looked between them and his mouth fell open. “Oh, so you didn’t know that Michelle and I caught up last night?”

  “This is your friend.” Leon’s tone was so neutral that Michelle felt her blood run cold. She would have preferred him to be angry or upset, but this coolness was terrifying.

  “And she was very friendly last night,” Ashton smirked.

  Leon took a step towards Ashton. “Look mate, Michelle asked you to leave. This is a private party.”

  Ashton moved forward, puffing out his chest. “I don’t need to listen to you.”

  “You do. She doesn’t want you here. You’re trespassing. Get out.” He grabbed Ashton by the collar.

  “Leon!” Michelle gasped. She didn’t want this to descend into chaos. “No!”

  “Get your hands off me!” Ashton protested as Leon pushed him against the railing.

  “Leave then. Nobody wants you here.” Leon let go and took Michelle’s hand, and led her back into the party.

  They paused back inside the room. “I’m so sorry about that. He tracked me down on Instagram and I told him to leave…”

  Leon turned to her. “He was the friend you were catching up with last night.”

  “I didn’t want to hurt you.” She should have told him Ashton was back in town and that she’d agreed to have a drink with him, or better yet, she should have told him to leave her alone when he tracked her down at Espresso Walk.

  “And what did he mean by ‘friendly’?” Leon crossed his arms.

  Michelle exhaled. “He kissed me, but that was it. I ended it with him.”

  Leon took a step back. “Why didn’t you tell me this happened?”

  “It meant nothing. I told him I wanted you.”

  “It doesn’t mean nothing.” He looked at her. “Thank Matthew and Tessa for having me, but I need to get out of here.”

  “No, please, Leon, stay.” She grabbed his hand. “Please, let’s talk about this.”

  He pulled his hand back. “No.” He walked away.

  “Leon!” she called, but he kept walking. She followed him out. “Please!”

  He turned to face her. “No, Michelle. I want to be alone.”

  Tears stung at the back of her eyes as he disappeared down the stairwell. What had she done? She took a deep breath as she felt the arms of Bebe around her, telling her everything was going to be okay.

  Chapter 36

&n
bsp; “He’ll be fine.” Bebe squeezed Michelle’s hand as Pete hailed a taxi. She’d been able to discretely find a place for Michelle to tell her what had happened while Harry found Clare and Pete to help comfort her after they saw Leon storm out.

  “Leon hates me.” Michelle’s eye-makeup was smudged. Tears further dissolved what was left of her mascara.

  “No. He’s just upset. Give him some time to cool down.” Harry’s voice was calming and reassuring. “Call him tomorrow and be honest about what happened. He adores you too much to let this get in the way.”

  Bebe glanced up at him, her heart filling with warmth at his kindness.

  “Come on, let’s get you home,” Pete said as he held the door open of a car that had pulled up, and helped Michelle into the back as Clare got in the other side. She reached out and gave Michelle a hug.

  Bebe waved and blew Michelle a kiss as the car drove away.

  “Poor Michelle, I’m sure they’ll work through it.” Harry took Bebe’s hand.

  “I agree. Ashton coming back threw her a little, but she really cares about Leon.”

  “I’m glad Pete and Clare were here for her.” Bebe was pleased Michelle didn’t have to leave on her own.

  “And you. You really helped comfort her. You’re a good friend to her.”

  They were silent for a moment.

  She breathed in the night air. Was she a good friend to Michelle? She didn’t feel like it with the sneaking around and cyberstalking.

  Harry put his arm around her. “Aside from that, did you have a good night?”

  “Wonderful.” Bebe wound her arm around his waist.

  He pulled her towards him and gently flicked at one of her earrings. “You look incredible. The number of eyes on you tonight rivaled Tessa. I don’t think you are meant to upstage the bride-to-be.”

  “Hardly. But what choice did I have? I had to keep up with you.” She ran her hand over his lapel. He looked good, as he always did.

  As they walked towards Parliament Station, the streets were busy. There were people leaving restaurants, sitting out on rooftop bars, and scores of people in footy scarves and jumpers were out in a beer garden.