‘Where are you?’ he demanded, cutting me short and instantly putting me on edge again.
‘Where do you think I am?’ I retorted.
‘I don’t know. That’s why I’m phoning you.’
‘You didn’t show up, so I waited for ten minutes then set off walking. I know you were annoyed with me earlier, but you could have let me know you wouldn’t be picking me up.’
‘I am picking you up. I’m at Bay View right now.’
‘You weren’t when I finished my shift.’
‘I was. I got here ten minutes early.’
‘You did not!’
‘Did you check the car park?’
I paused. ‘No. But you always meet me at the entrance.’
‘My mum phoned and I didn’t realise the time.’ His voice softened. ‘Do you really think I’d just not show up?’
‘I suppose not,’ I muttered.
‘Where are you?’
‘Sat on the wall of one of the terraces on Whitby Road, opposite the chippy.’
‘I’ll be there in five. Don’t go anywhere.’
I wasn’t sure I could move even if I wanted to.
Five minutes later, Rhys’s van mounted the pavement. ‘Hey pretty lady,’ he called. ‘Can I interest you in dinner, drinks and some make-up sex?’
I couldn’t help smiling. ‘In that order?’
He grinned. ‘I can be very flexible, depending on what pleases you.’
‘I’m sorry if I upset you,’ Rhys said as we snuggled in bed that evening after a lovely night out together. ‘I wasn’t keeping secrets. I’d never keep secrets from you, especially after what Tony did to you.’
I winced at the mention of his name. ‘I know. I over-reacted. I was just a bit surprised and a bit jealous.’
‘You know that Izzy means nothing to me, don’t you? She never did. I know that sounds awful, especially when we have a child together. If it wasn’t for Megan, we wouldn’t have kept in touch. She’ll never be anything to me other than the mother of my child.’
‘I know. I’m being stupid. I just don’t want you feeling like you’ve drawn the short straw by having to leave your daughter to spend the afternoon with me.’
‘Callie, you could never be the short straw. Spending the morning with Izzy is the short straw, but it’s the only way I’m going to get to spend Megan’s first Christmas with her.’
I stiffened. ‘Does that mean you’re not going to ask her about Megan spending the afternoon with us?’
Rhys gently stroked my arm. ‘It means I’m not going to ask her now. I’m surprised at the invite myself and, with Christmas still being weeks away, I don’t want to do anything to risk a retraction. It doesn’t mean I won’t ask at a later date. If the timing’s right.’
There was no point in pushing it. Rhys was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Izzy was an awkward little madam who needed to grow up and step into the real world.
‘There’s something you’re not saying,’ Rhys said after several minutes of silence. ‘You’re thinking I should push about Christmas?’
‘No,’ I said. ‘I get why you’re not and, knowing how awkward Izzy is, I think you’re right.’
‘So what is it?’
‘I saw Tony earlier.’
Rhys tightened his arms around me. ‘When?’
‘When I was walking home. He slowed the car down, called me names, and threatened me.’
‘Are you okay?’
‘I was shaken. That’s why I was sitting on the wall when you found me.’
Rhys kissed the top of my head. ‘He can’t do anything to you, you know.’
‘I thought that last time.’
‘What’s he playing at? He’s got a restraining order.’
‘I know. Didn’t stop him, though.’
‘It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have lost track of time.’
‘And I should have thought to check the car park instead of assuming you were in a strop with me and had done a no-show.’
Rhys and I lay in silence holding each other, lost in our thoughts. We’d had such a lovely evening planned yet our exes, Tony and Izzy, had managed to put a dampener on it. It wasn’t fair. Why did they still have power over us?
21
‘Morning, gorgeous,’ Rhys said as I emerged from the bedroom the following morning, rubbing my eyes, stomach rumbling at the enticing aroma of bacon.
‘What time is it?’
‘Seven. Sorry. I know it’s early for a Saturday, but I wanted to make you breakfast before I left for my shift at the pool. You can always go back to bed if you’re still tired.’
I shuffled over to him for a kiss. ‘No. It’s good that I’m up. I’ve got a few things to do before I go Christmas shopping with Mum. Did your parents enjoy their cruise, by the way?’ I asked, realising Rhys hadn’t told me about his conversation with his mum. I hadn’t met his parents yet because they’d been away for three months. Rhys’s dad had sold his construction company for a hefty sum and his mum had taken early retirement so they could travel.
‘Loved it. They’re already planning their next one. They want to tell me – us – all about it so they’ve invited us over to York for lunch tomorrow. I know it’s short notice, but do you feel up to meeting the parents? I can’t wait to show you off.’
‘Ooh, I think so.’ I might not be permitted to meet his daughter, but meeting his parents at the first possible opportunity was pretty special, even if it was a little terrifying. ‘Do you think they’ll like me?’
‘They’ll love you.’
‘Did they like Izzy?’ It slipped out before I could stop myself. ‘Sorry. You don’t need to answer that.’
Rhys grabbed a pair of tongs and placed the bacon onto slices of bread. ‘They never actually met her, or at least not while we were together. Obviously they’ve met her since Megan was born.’ He handed me a plate and we moved to the sofa.
‘They know about Izzy’s deception,’ he continued. ‘My dad can be very opinionated and very tunnel-visioned. There’s only one correct viewpoint on everything and it’s his. If you do something he doesn’t agree with, he never shuts up about it. As soon as I told them she was pregnant, Dad went off on one, as I expected, about how irresponsible I was for not practising safe sex in this day and age and what an idiot I was for ruining a young girl’s life. I didn’t see why I should take the flack so I set him straight’
‘I bet he was impressed with that.’
‘Let’s just say that Mum and Dad both tolerate Izzy because she’s Megan’s mum, but they aren’t exactly fans, particularly Dad.’
It was naughty of me, but I felt rather smug about it. It would have been horrendous if Rhys’s parents adored Izzy and believed that Rhys should be with her because of Megan. I’d have hated feeling like it was a competition.
When we finished eating, Rhys reached for my empty plate. ‘I’m going to have to love you and leave you with the washing up,’ he said, wrinkling his nose. ‘Sorry.’
‘I think I can forgive you seeing as you make the best bacon butties in the world.’
He gave me a gentle kiss. ‘Have a lovely day with your mum. Make sure she buys me an enormous and very expensive present.’
I giggled. ‘She probably will do without the prompt. If your parents like me even a quarter as much as my mum likes you, I’ll be a happy bunny.’
‘They will. I guarantee it. I’ll pick you up at about half ten.’
The buzzer to my flat sounded shortly after nine the next morning. Ever since Tony had pushed his way in, I’d been wary of unexpected visitors. Pulse racing, I pressed the intercom. ‘Hello?’
‘It’s only me. Don’t sound so scared.’
I relaxed at the sound of Rhys’s voice. Then panic set in. ‘I thought you said you’d pick me up at half ten. I was about to have a shower. I’m nowhere near ready!’
‘I did say half ten, but I missed you. I wanted to spend some time with my gorgeous girlfriend first. Is that okay?’
> I smiled. ‘Flattery will get you everywhere.’
‘Will it get me inside your flat, then, because I’m freezing my bollocks off out here talking to you?’
Laughing, I buzzed him up. I kept meaning to get a spare set of keys cut for Rhys but it always slipped my mind when I was in town.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, I leaned seductively against my open doorway. I was wearing a pair of tartan PJs with the jacket open except for one button just below my breasts, although it wasn’t successfully hiding anything.
His eyes widened appreciatively as he stopped on the landing and took in my attire. ‘Nice PJs.’ He ran up the final set of stairs and gently took hold of the tartan material. ‘I think you’ve missed a button, though,’ he said, pulling me against him and kissing me. He tasted minty and smelled of pine forests. Delicious.
‘I’m not very good with buttons,’ I whispered as he trailed kisses round my neck. ‘I might need some help.’
He swiftly unfastened the remaining button and slowly slid his hands over my exposed breasts. I gasped at the cold and at the pleasure of his touch. My body arched against the doorframe as he kissed my neck again, then trailed kisses down my body.
‘I think we’d better move this inside,’ he whispered between kisses, ‘before we get arrested for indecent exposure.’
I didn’t want to move and pause the ripples of pleasure running through me, but I knew he was right. One of my neighbours could open their door at any point, although I wondered if that element of risk was part of the reason I was responding even more passionately than usual to Rhys’s touch.
We reluctantly pulled apart. As I went to close the door, my next-door neighbour stepped into the corridor, chatting to someone on her phone.
Giggling, I slammed the door shut. ‘That was close! Now, where were we?’ I wriggled my PJ bottoms to the floor. ‘Oops! How did that happen?’
Rhys quickly removed his jacket, pulled his shirt off over his head, kicked off his shoes, and slipped out of his jeans. ‘Must be contagious,’ he said grinning at me. ‘I could still do with warming up, though. Did you say you were about to take a shower?’
I nodded. Still holding his gaze, I eased off my PJs top. ‘Care to join me?’
My bathroom wasn’t big enough for a bath, but it was big enough for a large shower, perfect for two. It was just as well that my neighbour had gone out because my bathroom wall bordered her flat and we were a little bit noisy. Okay, a lot noisy. Sex with Tony had been great, much as I hated to admit it given how much I despised the man now, but sex with Rhys was on a whole new level. It was as though our bodies had been designed to fit together. And he was so strong. Years of lugging sacks of soil and bags of rubble meant he could lift me with ease, holding me securely with my back against the tiles, legs wrapped round him.
By the time we’d finished in the shower, we were both exhausted.
‘A quick snuggle on the bed, then get dressed?’ Rhys suggested.
I gave my hair a rub with the towel, then dived under the cover to cuddle up to him.
The sound of my mobile ringing made me snap my eyes open. I focused on the clock on the wall opposite the bed. No! Sitting upright, I shook Rhys frantically. ‘It’s ten past eleven!’
‘Shit! We’re late!’ He threw back the covers and ran through the flat, retrieving his clothes.
I dived for the bathroom. My hair lay flat in parts and stuck up at peculiar angles in others – classic slept-on wet hair look. Shaking my head in despair, I squirted on some deodorant and perfume. I could apply make-up in the van, but there was sod all I could do with my hair except hope that it looked a bit less post-sex-in-the-shower after I’d run a brush through it. Why today?
‘I’ve texted Dad to say we’re stuck in traffic,’ Rhys said. ‘How long do you need?’
‘An hour to re-shower and sort out this mess,’ I said, pointing at my hair. His panicked expression suggested jokes weren’t appropriate. ‘Three minutes to get dressed?’
Rhys pulled his jeans up and fastened the belt. ‘Good. I don’t mean to rush you. It’s just—’
‘I know. It’ll be fine.’ I hoped it would be. Rhys didn’t say a lot about his parents. From the little he’d told me, his mum sounded lovely, but I wasn’t too sure about his dad. Rhys’s jaw seemed to clench on the rare occasion he mentioned him and I suspected they weren’t the best of mates. Hopefully I’d be able to charm his dad. I was pretty good at handling older men, after all.
The journey through to York was, thankfully, a smooth one with little traffic on the roads. Even so, we were over an hour late. Rhys barely spoke, seeming nervous and twitchy every time I asked if he was okay.
‘This is it,’ he said as he stopped the van opposite a large, immaculate, double-fronted property. ‘Better late than never.’ He smiled as he took my hand. ‘You look amazing, by the way. I should have said so earlier.’
‘My hair’s still sticking up, but it’ll have to do.’ I grabbed the flowers I’d bought the day before.
A shiny, silver Mercedes was parked on the drive alongside a sporty-looking two-seater. Looking up at the house again, I whistled. ‘Your parents must be loaded. It’s huge.’
‘It’s pointlessly huge,’ he muttered. ‘It used to have three bedrooms, but Dad built the extension on the right to make it five.’
‘I thought you only had one sister.’
‘I do. Debbie. Yeah, I know. Why the five beds?’ He sighed. ‘It’s a status thing. My dad’s like that. Always wants the biggest house on the street, the newest cars, the brightest kids in the best jobs. Hands up who let him down on that one.’ Rhys raised his right hand in the air.
I frowned. ‘But you’ve got an amazing job.’
‘I think so, but I’m just a gardener to him.’
‘And he was just a builder, wasn’t he?’
Rhys laughed as he hugged me. ‘Don’t let him hear you say that.’
‘Why didn’t you park on the drive?’ I asked as we crossed the road. There was enough space to accommodate several more vehicles.
‘It lowers the tone apparently. If he had his own way, I’d park round the corner and walk, but I like to rebel occasionally.’
‘Surely he had a work van before he retired.’
‘He did. But his was new and clean, not old and rusty like mine.’
I squeezed Rhys’s hand. Clearly there was history between him and his dad that I’d need to explore at some point. Perhaps that was the reason for the silence on the way. I now felt like I was about to walk into the lion’s den. It therefore seemed fitting that the doorknocker was in the shape of a lion’s head.
The door flung open to reveal a tall well-built man with salt and pepper hair, bright blue eyes just like Rhys’s, and an impressive tan. He stared at Rhys, expressionless. Taking in his expensive-looking dark grey suit, I felt very under-dressed in a jersey dress, leggings and boots.
‘Hi, Dad. Sorry we’re late. This is—’
‘So you finally decided to grace us with your presence,’ he interrupted, barely glancing at me.
‘I did text to say we were stuck in traffic,’ Rhys said.
‘Ah yes, the text. The thing is, I spoke with Giles Thomas earlier. Remember Giles? His son runs the travel desk for Radio York. He says the roads have been clear all morning. So what have you been doing?’
Shiiiiiit! I gave a sideways glance to Rhys who held his dad’s gaze.
‘I told you. We got stuck in traffic.’
It was like watching a staring contest. Who was going to blink or look away first? My money was on Rhys’s dad to win. What a scary bloke. I gave an awkward cough and they both looked at me. Oops. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that.
‘Er, hi Mr Michaels. I’m Callie.’ I added a stupid little wave to the greeting. What a muppet! ‘Thanks so much for inviting us for lunch.’
He stared at me for a moment, then smiled, transforming his face from terrifying to quite charming.
‘Welcome, Callie.
It’s lovely to meet you at last. Please come in. And it’s Ed.’
‘Thank you, Ed.’ I stepped into a grand entrance hall with a polished parquet floor and feature cornicing. Wow! ‘You have a beautiful home.’
‘That’s very kind of you, Callie. We try our best.’
After hanging up our coats, he led us to an enormous kitchen-diner at the back of the property. I tried not to gasp. You could fit my whole flat into their kitchen. Twice. The unmistakable aroma of roast lamb and mint sauce wafted towards me and my stomach grumbled appreciatively.
‘Jenny! Our guests have finally arrived.’
A petite woman with short, dark, curly hair and red cheeks turned round from an impressively large range cooker and smiled warmly.
‘Rhys!’ She hugged her son. ‘And you must be Callie.’ She hugged me too, helping dissipate the rising nerves thanks to Ed’s not-so-warm welcome. ‘I’ve heard so much about you. It’s lovely to meet you.’
‘These are for you,’ I said, handing her the flowers.
She looked genuinely touched. ‘That’s so thoughtful of you. Thank you.’ She sniffed the bouquet. ‘Gorgeous. I’ll pop them in some water for now and arrange them properly later, if that’s okay. Ed, can you put these in the sink and get our guests a drink? I need to mash the potatoes.’
He took the flowers from her without a word, although I swear his lip curled up as he clocked the Aldi label. Snob.
After the shaky start, Ed was charming throughout the meal. He and Jenny spoke with passion about their cruise: the ship, the people they’d met, the places they visited. However, if I hadn’t already been aware of his interest in all things materialistic, I certainly would have been by the time we finished dessert. Crikey! Thank God Rhys was nothing like that or he’d never have picked a poorly paid shift-working care-home employee who lived in a tiny rented flat and whose only mode of transport was a knackered old bicycle.
After lunch, Jenny headed into the kitchen to load the dishwasher and make some coffee. She refused my help, but Rhys wouldn’t let her clear up on her own and followed her into the kitchen, leaving me alone with Ed. My stomach did a nervous flip as he invited me to join him in the lounge. What if Mr Nasty returned?
Making Wishes at Bay View Page 12
