It Started with a Secret

by Jill Mansell

  “All right, love?” It was the emergency glazier. “You sounded so desperate earlier, I decided to bump you up the list. Where’s this broken window, then? Let’s get it sorted for you.”

  “Brilliant,” said Dan. “You’re her knight in shining armor.”

  And Majella’s heart did a tiny skip-and-a-jump because maybe this was fate, it was meant to be, and thirty years from now, she and Oliver would laugh and tell friends the story of how, if it hadn’t been for a kindhearted glazier, they would never have met at Oliver’s cousin’s lunch party.

  The replacement window was installed in record time, while Majella frantically plucked the scary eyebrow. Once the glazier and his frankly extortionate weekend call fee had been paid and the house secured, she jumped into the passenger seat of Dan’s Toyota.

  “This is so kind of you.” She checked her freshly plucked eyebrow in the rearview mirror—still bright red, but it would die down soon enough.

  “My pleasure.” They left Bude and headed toward St. Carys. “Should you make a call and let them know you’ll be there in an hour?”

  He was right. Majella rang Judi to update her on the situation and explain that—hooray—she’d be joining them after all. Then Dan’s ex-wife called him and he told her on hands-free about the unexpected turn his own day had taken.

  “She sounds lovely,” said Majella when the call was over and Dan’s ex-wife had wished her good luck with the potential new man.

  “She is lovely. We get on so much better now we aren’t married.”

  Twenty-five minutes later, they reached Menhenick House and he pulled up opposite the open gates. Majella said, “Thank you so much. Can I at least give you some money for the petrol?”

  “Don’t even think of it. Happy to help.” Dan frowned, gazing through the open gates. “Who’s that over there, the chap in the hat? You know who he reminds me of? That old actor…the one with all the ex-wives…”

  “Sir Richard Myles, you mean? That’s my father-in-law.”

  “You must hear it all the time then,” said Dan. “I bet people are always saying it. Your father-in-law looks just like him.”

  Time was of the essence. Majella opened the passenger door. “You’ve been brilliant. Thanks for finding the passports, and for the lift…”

  Jokingly he shooed her away. “Off you go. Get yourself done up and knock this guy’s socks off. I hope it goes well for you.”

  Majella ran a hand over her hair to smooth it down, which was especially pointless seeing as she was about to jump in the shower. “Me too. I’m starting to get nervous now.”

  “Hey, just relax and enjoy yourself.” Dan’s smile was reassuring as he knocked the car into gear. “No need to be nervous. Remember, he’s the lucky one.”

  * * *

  As soon as it was safe to pull up at the side of the road, Lainey stopped and called Seth’s number.

  He picked up on the second ring. “It’s OK if you missed it, you did your best.”

  “No, I got there just in time.”

  “Oh thank God.” She heard him exhale with relief.

  “Poor Mrs. Gardner. She and her husband were waiting in the taxi at the entrance to the main gate. She burst into tears when she saw me with the passports. Honestly, it was worth all the agony.”

  “Thanks so much for doing it. You’re a star.”

  His words made her flush with joy. “Two minutes to spare—I bet the taxi driver had to actually drive up the gangplank and fling them onto the ship—Aargh!” Lainey jumped in her seat as the earth-shaking blast of the ship’s horn sounded behind her.

  When it had finished, Seth said, “And off they go. All thanks to you. Go and get something to eat now.”

  “I will. I’m going to treat myself,” said Lainey, “to a convenience store sausage roll.”

  * * *

  “Oh, here she is at last,” Judi exclaimed, greeting Majella with open arms and an enthusiastic hug. “And look at her, doesn’t she look fabulous?”

  And Majella smiled, because she actually did feel fabulous. Having gotten herself showered and ready faster than the speed of light, for once all the preparations had gone well and it felt like an omen. Her makeup was just right, she’d put her freshly washed hair up in a casual topknot, and the loose fronds had curled fetchingly around her face, and her white sundress was the nicest thing she’d bought in years. Glancing around the restaurant, she nodded and waved at several people she knew and took note of those she hadn’t met before, searching for Oliver.

  Oh no, don’t say he was one of those people who put up photos of himself that had been taken thirty years ago. Unable to spot him anywhere, Majella said, “So where’s this cousin you were telling me about?”

  “Ollie? Oh, he’s not here yet. Something came up, but he’s going to try to get along later.”

  Which felt like nature’s way of letting you know what an idiot you’d been for thinking your own better-than-expected preparations might have been an omen.

  But when at last Oliver did arrive, Majella sent up a silent prayer of thanks, because he was even better looking in real life. Maybe today wasn’t going to turn out to be a disaster after all. Then again, mustn’t look too keen. Spotting a couple of friends in the open-air section of the restaurant, she made her way over to chat to them, because that was what you were meant to do, wasn’t it? At least it had been once, back in the olden days, when she’d last been single and in the market for a man.

  Twenty minutes later, a hand came to rest on her hip and a voice murmured in her ear, “Are you playing hard to get?”

  Turning, she saw his navy-blue eyes and intimate smile. “Sorry?”

  “Come on, my cousin told me I needed to meet you. She also told you that you should meet me. I know, because she told me that too. Yet here you are, completely ignoring me. Hi, I’m Oliver. And you’re Majella.”

  “Hello.” She tried to shake his hand, but he was already leaning in to give her a kiss on each cheek. “Sorry, I was just chatting to—”

  “I know, I saw. But I’m here now, so you can chat to me instead.” Guiding her over to a quieter section of the garden, he said, “So where are we staying tonight? Your place? Because that’d be easier than me having to book a hotel.”

  Majella said, “Are you joking?”

  “Hahaha, of course I’m joking.” He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger, then burst out laughing so wildly that everyone turned to see what was going on. “No, really, you’re gorgeous. Judi said you lost your husband a while back. So that was careless!”

  Viewing him from this angle, Majella saw the distracted look in his beautiful eyes, and the faint dusting of white at the entrance to his left nostril. Pointing from a safe distance, she said, “You’ve got a bit of powder…”

  “Oh, thanks!” He sniffed again and vigorously wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “Bloody good stuff, this. Got a few spare wraps if you want some. Have to sell it, mind—can’t give it away, no offense. So, you interested?”

  To think that she’d been looking forward to meeting him for days. Judi had described her cousin as a lovely guy, great fun and a real extrovert. What a shame she’d forgotten to mention that he was also a drug dealer and a prat.

  Oh well, at least she was getting used to being disappointed. “Thanks,” she said, “but no thanks.”

  “Oh whoa, and now you’re giving me one of those looks that tells me you’ve never tried it!” He raised his hands in mock surrender, then leaned in conspiratorially. “Which means you don’t know what you’re missing. Lighten up, Mary Poppins! Tell you what, I’ll do you a couple of wraps half price as a special treat, what d’you say to that?”

  He was drinking red wine and had evidently managed to spill some on his left hand. Majella belatedly noticed the stain on the side of her favorite new dress where he’d re
sted his hand on her hip.

  “I say, see that guy over there?” She pointed to a fiftysomething man she’d never seen before in her life. “He’s a good friend of mine and he’s also a detective inspector with the Devon and Cornwall Police.”

  Chapter 31

  The sun had been shining all day in Saint Ives and the temperature was perfect. Against all the odds, it had also turned out to be one of the best weddings Wyatt had ever attended.

  His ankle, snugly encased in the storm-trooperish surgical boot, was still swollen but no longer too painful to stand on, though the narrow, winding staircases and lack of an elevator at this hotel would have made it tricky to navigate his way up to the fourth floor, which was why it made sense to travel back to Mariscombe House tonight. Having driven them down here at lunchtime, Kit had spent the afternoon exploring Saint Ives. When Bella, the bride, had heard that he would be driving them home to St. Carys later, she’d promptly insisted that he join them for the evening party.

  “Is he good-looking?” she said.

  When Wyatt had hesitated, wondering how he was meant to reply to that, Penny had exclaimed, “Oh, wait till you see him. He’s gorgeous! And so lovely too!”

  “In that case, tell him to get himself over here.” Bella beamed. “I’ve got three single bridesmaids all gagging to meet the man of their dreams!”

  Whereupon Penny, her eyes sparkling after three glasses of prosecco, replied playfully, “They might have to get past me first.”

  The bride had laughed before casting a quick glance in Wyatt’s direction to check that laughing was allowed.

  And Wyatt had pretended he was fine with it, but deep down he experienced a brief sharp pang of envy. Or was it jealousy? He couldn’t tell which.

  Oh well.

  The band was good, though. Since the floor was shiny and attempting to dance would be playing with fire, he sat, temporarily alone, at one of the tables dotted around the perimeter of the function room and tapped his good foot along with the music. They were belting out a song by Take That and the dance floor was full of people giving it all they had, but there was only one couple whose progress Wyatt was following.

  Penny’s fine golden hair swung around her shoulders and her face was a picture of joy as Kit twirled her in a circle and did a bit of fancy footwork that made her laugh before reaching for her waist and pulling her into a reverse twirl. She had perfect timing, loved to dance, and was more than a match for him. Others were noticing them too and casting admiring glances in their direction, because they were such a great pairing and were so obviously having a ball.

  Wyatt took a swallow of Bacardi and Coke and carried on tapping his foot, wishing he hadn’t broken his ankle. What he wouldn’t give for it to be him out there.

  “You want to keep an eye on her,” Baz, one of his friends, called out jokingly as he made his way past with a tray of drinks. “Or who knows what might happen?”

  “If you want to be helpful,” said Wyatt, “you could ask her to join you for the next dance.”

  The music ended, and with a wink, Baz made his way over and succeeded in breaking up the pairing. Although how thrilled Penny would be when she discovered he danced like a giraffe was anyone’s guess.

  Kit returned to their table and thirstily glugged down half a pint of water.

  “It is hot in here,” Wyatt said. “I was about to head outside for some fresh air.”

  “Good idea. I’ll join you.”

  Out on the terrace, they found a wooden bench away from two groups of wedding guests competing to see who could be the noisiest.

  “This must be boring for you,” said Wyatt as Kit took another swallow of water. “Not knowing anyone and not even able to have a drink to take the edge off.”

  “It’s fine. Don’t worry. I’ve never been much of a drinker anyway.”

  “You must let me pay you for doing this. You gave up your day off.”

  “Hey, it’s not a problem. I didn’t have any other plans.” His smile wry, Kit added, “If anything, you’ve taken my mind off someone who isn’t interested in me, so that’s a good thing.” He craned his neck, checking that Penny was OK inside. “That guy’s a terrible dancer.”

  “I know.”

  “Does it bother you, seeing her dancing with someone else?”

  “What, with Baz? Not at all.” Wyatt brushed aside a fluttering moth. “So, who wasn’t interested in you?”

  “Oh, I’m not heartbroken. Lainey warned me it wasn’t likely to pan out.” Kit shrugged. “But you know what it’s like, sometimes you can’t help thinking that maybe you could be the one they’ve been waiting for all their lives.”

  Wyatt nodded slowly. For the moment, he couldn’t think of what to say.

  Kit said, “Sorry, am I being insensitive? I mean, it’s great that you and Penny are still able to be friends, but it can’t be easy. Especially for you.”

  “It isn’t a problem.” If only he knew. Wyatt took a sip of his Bacardi, keen to change the subject. “Where’d you meet this girl then?”

  “What girl?”

  “The one who wasn’t interested in you.”

  “Oh!” Kit looked amused. “It wasn’t a girl; it was a guy. Sorry, didn’t you know? I thought someone might have mentioned it.”

  Across the terrace, a girl shrieked with laughter, having fallen off her high heels while trying to twerk energetically like Beyoncé. Wyatt used the distraction to gather his thoughts, but it was hard to concentrate when your mouth had gone dry and your heart was suddenly hammering against your ribs. After a few seconds, once the girl had been hauled out of the flower bed by her friends, he said, “No, I didn’t know. I’m not very good at figuring out that kind of thing.”

  “No reason why you should be. I suppose I just imagined Lainey or Majella might have said something. Sometimes it crops up in conversation; sometimes it doesn’t.”

  He sounded so relaxed. Wyatt waved away an invisible insect and took another gulp of his drink in an effort to get his breathing back under control. He was remembering yesterday’s fall on the path leading down to Mariscombe beach, and Kit helping him to his feet, and the way his skin had reacted to the sensation of Kit’s bare arm around his waist as he’d supported him all the way back to the hotel.

  “What was it like?” He heard the words escaping from his mouth as if someone else were saying them. “Coming out?”

  Kit looked at him. Then his mouth softened into an almost-smile. “To my mum, you mean? An awful lot easier than I expected it to be, if I’m honest. Same as with the rest of my family and friends. Compared with all those months and years of endlessly worrying about how everyone was going to react, the relief once it was out there was just incredible.”

  “Right.” Wyatt swallowed and nodded slowly.

  “That was a while back now. Best thing I ever did.”

  “That’s good.” Wyatt cleared his throat.

  “Easier for some people than others, of course,” Kit said gently.

  “Yes.”

  “Have you ever told anyone?”

  “No.” Wyatt shook his head. “I never have.”

  Kit’s voice remained calm. “You can practice saying it to me if you like.”

  How many times had he looked at his reflection in the mirror and uttered the words? Dozens, maybe even hundreds of times. But only ever when he’d been alone, never when another person had been present.

  Well, apart from the time he’d gone to view his grandmother in the funeral home, but no one who was still breathing.

  He looked up at Kit, who gave him an encouraging nod. “I’m gay,” said Wyatt.

  “There. Well done.”

  Inside, the music had stopped for a few moments and through the windows, they saw Penny making her way out onto the terrace. As she came over to join them, she was fanning herself. “Phew, it’s coole
r out here! And that was an experience I won’t forget in a hurry—Baz is great, but he’s a shocking dancer.”

  “I’ve got something to tell you,” said Wyatt. “I’m gay.”

  For a second, silence shimmered in the honeysuckle-scented night air. Then, Penny leaned across to take his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Oh, darling. Thank you for telling me. I love you.”

  She didn’t sound very surprised. Then again, Wyatt supposed, she had less reason to be than most.

  “Did you know?”

  She smiled, reached sideways, and planted a fond kiss on his cheek. “It crossed my mind. I had an inkling, let’s say.”

  “Because we didn’t sleep together.”

  “Pretty much.” Another compression of his hand in her smaller one.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t you dare apologize. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  “It’s the family,” said Wyatt. “They never stopped talking about how I needed to find myself a nice girl, settle down, and start having kids.” He looked at her, willing her to understand.

  “And I was the nice girl,” said Penny.

  “I thought I could change. I really wanted it to work out for us. My brothers…they always teased me because I wasn’t going out to clubs and bars, putting myself out there like all the other guys and sleeping with…well, anything in a skirt. And Mom would tell them off, which just made it a hundred times worse because then they teased me more.”

  “Maybe she was defending you because she knew.”

  “I don’t think so. She used to tell me privately not to worry, the right girl was out there somewhere and I’d get there in the end. And the thing is, how could she know, when I wasn’t even sure myself? I didn’t know what I was feeling. I was confused, and the thought of upsetting Mom and Dad was just unbearable…I couldn’t do it to them.”

  “Would they be upset, though?” said Penny. “Really?”

  Wyatt spread his arms in defeat. “Who knows? You never can tell.”

  “They’re lovely people. I think they’d be fine.”

  “But what if they aren’t?”