He grabbed my hand. ‘Callie Derbyshire, you kept that quiet.’
I retraced my hand and swiftly removed my ring. ‘I was meant to take that off this morning.’
‘Why? Is it a secret? I love secrets.’
‘Yes and no. I don’t want Ruby to see it yet. Rhys proposed yesterday before the wedding but we didn’t want to steal Iris and William’s thunder so we kept it quiet. He’s meeting me after my shift so we can tell Ruby together. Will you promise not to say anything in the meantime?’
Pete made a zipping motion across his mouth and smiled.
‘Thanks, Pete. You can tell anyone you want from tonight onwards, but Ruby needs to be the first to know this afternoon and that has to come from Rhys and me.’
‘Can I tell Maria?’
I smiled weakly. ‘If you want. I don’t think she’ll rush to congratulate me, though.’
‘I hate that you two aren’t friends anymore.’
‘Me too. I’ve tried.’
He nodded. ‘I know. Anyway, congratulations from me. He’s quite a catch, your young man. If only I’d been younger and had seen him first…’
‘As if you’d ever be with anyone except Lars.’
‘True. But Rhys is dreamy. Congratulations again.’
I always felt really guilty at Christmas time because, everywhere I went, residents pushed gifts into my hands with a whispered comment such as, ‘Don’t tell the others, but you’re my favourite.’ I seemed to be constantly traipsing back to my locker with boxes of chocolates, bottle bags and wrapped gifts that would likely be a mixture of smellies, stationery and jewellery. There was absolutely no need for them to be spending their money on me, but it was touching that they wanted to. I felt quite choked up that what I saw as doing the job I loved, they saw as going over and above. They weren’t simply residents to me; they were fascinating people with stories to tell and I was happy to be the person to listen.
Everyone crowded around the piano in the residents’ lounge for post-lunch carols and songs. We were midway through a raucous rendition of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ when I felt Rhys’s arms slip around my waist.
‘Happy Christmas,’ he whispered, nuzzling my neck.
‘And to you.’
Placing my song sheet on one of the tables, I followed him into the corridor. ‘How was Megan?’
‘I’ll tell you in a minute but, first, I need to do this.’ Rhys wrapped his arms around me and kissed me. ‘I’ve been counting down the hours all day till I could see you to do that. Have you had a good shift?’
‘It’s been lovely, actually. You won’t believe the stack of presents I’ve got from the residents. They’ve spoilt me so much.’
‘You deserve to be spoilt.’
‘So…? Megan…?’
He smiled. ‘It was good. She didn’t have a clue what was going on, of course. It took me and Izzy ages to open everything for her and then all she wanted was her favourite bunny rather than any of the new stuff.’
‘I suppose that was inevitable. And how was Izzy?’ I felt I ought to make some effort towards her.
‘A bit weird, actually.’
‘In what way?’
‘Really hyper one minute and crying the next. I asked her what was going on but she said it was just the emotion of Megan’s first Christmas. I’m not convinced, but she didn’t want to talk to me about it. She’s round at her mum’s now. Maybe she’ll open up to her.’
‘Maybe. Speaking of opening up, is it time to share the news with Ruby?’
‘Definitely.’
Ten minutes later, we were settled into the lounge area of Ruby’s accommodation with a cup of tea.
‘Sorry to drag you away from the carols, Nanna, but we wanted to give you your Christmas present before we leave.’
Ruby tutted as Rhys passed her a large gift bag with a fat Robin on the front. ‘I told you I have everything I need.’
‘We’ve bought you something you don’t need, but which we think you’ll love,’ I said, hoping we had. Ruby had never expressed an interest in anything like it before, but it had seemed like the perfect idea when I’d walked past the window of Bear’s Pad, the specialist teddy bear shop on Castle Street.
Ruby lifted out the jointed mohair teddy bear, a look of confusion on her face, then she smiled. ‘She’s dressed like me.’ The bear wore a dusky pink silk and lace skirt, crocheted top, silver tiara and sparkly brooch. ‘She’s gorgeous. Thank you. I’ve never owned a teddy bear before.’ She stroked the fabric of the bear’s outfit, seemingly captivated.
‘She’s actually a musical bear,’ I said. ‘There’s a key in her back.’
‘How delightful.’ Ruby found the key and wound her up. Tears pricked her eyes as she listened to the tune. Holding her hand against her heart, she looked over at us. ‘It’s… Oh my goodness. This is… You do know what tune this is, don’t you?’
I nodded. ‘I’m hoping it’s the Chopin piece that Teddy was playing the day you met him and I’m guessing by your reaction that it is.’
Ruby reached in her pocket for a lacy handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. ‘I can’t believe you found a bear that dresses like me and plays our song.’
‘Callie had it made especially,’ Rhys said. ‘She saw one similar in the window of Bear’s Pad in town and asked if they could make a musical version dressed like you. And of course, it’s a teddy like Teddy.’
‘Oh, darling. It’s the most wonderful, thoughtful gift I’ve ever received. Thank you so much.’ Still holding the tinkling bear, Ruby reached out her hand to me and drew me closer for a hug.
‘You’re welcome. Obviously Rhys didn’t know the relevance of Teddy or the music when we ordered it. I told him it was because the bear looked like you.’
‘And there’s something else,’ Rhys said after Ruby had hugged him too.
‘I hope not, darling. This gorgeous teddy bear is more than enough.’ The music had finished and I suspected that Ruby was dying to wind her up again.
‘It’s less of a gift and more a piece of news,’ Rhys continued.
Ruby’s head snapped up and I knew from the smile lighting her face that she’d guessed what he was about to say.
‘I asked Callie to marry me and the crazy girl only went and said yes.’
Ruby pressed her fingers across her mouth, tears glistening in her eyes again. ‘Oh my goodness, you two. When did this happen?’
‘Yesterday before the wedding, but we wanted to wait until today to announce it.’ I held out my hand so she could admire the ring, which I’d placed back on my finger after Rhys arrived. ‘We wanted you to be the first to know.’
She stood up this time to hug me, then Rhys, then dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief again. ‘What did your parents say?’ She looked from Rhys to me.
‘You genuinely were the first, Nanna,’ he said. ‘We’re seeing Callie’s mum and brother this evening so we’ll tell them then. As for Mum and Dad… well, I’m not exactly on speaking terms with him, but I’ll ring Mum later and tell her.’
We stayed with Ruby for another half an hour then headed back to my flat to exchange gifts. I might already have had an engagement ring, dress, cardigan and necklace, but there were still plenty more gifts from Rhys. I laughed when I opened a heavy package and a selection of bridal magazines tumbled out along with a wedding planner. I couldn’t wait to start filling it out.
‘You should phone your mum,’ I said when the presents were all unwrapped. ‘You could always ring her on her mobile if you’re worried about your dad answering.’
He kissed me gently. ‘Not just a pretty face.’
Jenny was obviously delighted by the news because I could hear her excited squealing down the phone. She insisted on speaking to me so she could officially welcome me to the family.
‘Thank you, although I suspect there’s one person who won’t share your enthusiasm. Did I ruin your Christmas?’
The phone went quiet and I could hear her opening and closing door
s. ‘Sorry about that. Just moving away from prying ears. No, you didn’t ruin Christmas. He sulked all the way home on Friday, he was like a bear with a sore head yesterday, and he’s coming round today, exactly as I predicted. He even suggested coming across to the coast at New Year. I predict big changes.’
‘Let’s hope so.’
I said my goodbyes then handed the phone back to Rhys, flicking through one of my bridal magazines as he chatted to her. My phone beeped with a text. Why hadn’t I had the sense to block him?
From Tony
Happy Christmas! I hear you and gardening boy are engaged. Good luck with that. Check your emails.
He’d added the crying with laughter emoji three times. How the hell did he know Rhys and I were engaged? Then I remembered Pete asking if he could tell Maria. News spread fast.
My fingers fumbled as I clicked into my emails. The title of Tony’s message was ‘Gardening boy gets his hose out.’ As I clicked on each image, my heart thumped faster. Taken in Hearnshaw Park, they depicted a cosy sequence of Izzy and Rhys pushing Megan in her buggy, laughing as Izzy threaded her arm through Rhys’s, Izzy touching his face, Rhys with his arms around her, and several pictures of them kissing.
Looking up from the photos and watching Rhys laughing as he chatted to Jenny, I thought about his apology card and picture, his proposal, and everything he’d said to me since. I touched my beautiful engagement ring, then reached for the glass heart on my necklace, recalling his words when he’d given me it: ‘If you ever doubt me again, just look at this and know that my heart is – and always will be – yours.’ And I knew.
Rhys ended the call. ‘Mum’s so excited about the wedding. She’s dying to meet your mum.’
‘I’m sure that can be arranged.’ I sighed. ‘I’ve got something to show you.’ I passed him my phone and watched his eyes widen as he scrolled through the photos, shaking his head. ‘This isn’t what it looks like. I know that’s a cliché said by men who’ve been caught cheating, but I swear that—’
I silenced him with a kiss. ‘I know. I trust you.’ I took my phone back and clicked on one of the photos that was clearly meant to show them kissing. ‘I don’t know what’s really happening here but, if you had been kissing, Tony could have captured your faces easily. He’d have been dying to rub my face in that but obviously he couldn’t because it was innocent.’
Rhys rubbed his hands across his eyes. ‘Izzy said her necklace was caught in her hair.’
‘And the one of her touching your face?’
‘She said I had some mud on my cheek.’ He took my phone and scrolled through to the one of Izzy with her arm threaded through his. ‘She’d tripped over trying to avoid some swan poo and grabbed my arm, then she managed to stand in another pile. It was funny.’
‘Do you think Izzy and Tony know each other?’ I ventured. ‘It seems very staged.’
‘How would they know each other?’
I shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. Maybe they don’t. Maybe she has nothing to do with it and it’s just been about Tony stalking you and trying to cause trouble.’
‘He’s a tosser. That’s all. I know she’s been a pain recently but I don’t think even Izzy would pull a stunt like this. Although…. Shit! She wouldn’t…’ He picked up his phone and clicked on a few buttons. ‘The little… ooh, I could kill her.’
‘What’s she done?’
‘She kept going on about having a ‘family selfie’ this morning.’ He made quote marks with his fingers. ‘I didn’t want to. I told her we weren’t a family so she dropped the family bit but insisted it would be nice for Megan to have a photo of us all together on her first Christmas. I couldn’t see the harm in that. Izzy took a couple of photos of the three of us, then she said something… I can’t even remember what… but I remember turning my head to look at her and she kissed me and took a photo. I went mad with her and she tried to make out it had been a joke and she’d delete the photo. She’s only gone and posted it on Facebook and tagged me in which means you’ll get to see it.’
He handed me his phone and I grimaced at the caption:
Merry Christmas from me, my man, and my munchkin xx
Even if Rhys hadn’t had his eyes wide open, clearly startled at the kiss, I’d have believed him. As soon as I’d discovered Tony’s infidelity, it seemed so blindingly obvious and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen the signs. With Rhys, it was blindingly obvious that he was innocent and the guilty parties were Izzy and Tony. Whether they were doing it jointly or separately, I had no idea, but it was time it ended. Right now.
I handed Rhys his phone back. ‘Fancy going out to spread a little Christmas cheer?’
He eyed me suspiciously. ‘What are you thinking?’
‘A couple of home visits. Izzy’s at her mum’s, yeah?’
‘Yeah.’
‘And you know where her mum lives?’
‘Yeah.’
I wandered into the kitchenette and looked into the various bottle bags I’d been given at work. Selecting a couple of bags containing bottles of red wine, which neither Rhys nor I liked, I grinned at Rhys. ‘We’ll pay Tony a visit first and it would be rude to turn up on Christmas Day without a gift.’
40
We sat in Rhys’s van outside Tony’s house. I wasn’t sure whether he was still living with his wife but I was pretty certain he’d be spending Christmas Day there even if she’d kicked him out. She didn’t seem like the sort of woman who’d keep a father away from his kids. Whether they were a couple or not, how would she react if she knew about Maria and the baby?
✉︎ To Tony
Thanks for your Christmas gift. You’re too kind. I’ve got something for you. I’m outside now ☺︎
It didn’t take long for him to reply:
✉︎ From Tony
Outside where?
* * *
✉︎ To Tony
Outside your house. Or is it just your wife’s house now? You have one minute
Rhys and I stepped out of the van and both leaned against the side, looking at Tony’s house.
✉︎ From Tony
Sod off. It’s not funny
* * *
✉︎ To Tony
Neither were those photos. Time’s up
We marched up the drive to the right of the property and rang the bell.
‘I’ll get it!’ I heard a woman shout. Next minute, the door opened revealing Hazel, a green paper hat jauntily angled on her head. I’d only seen her once before, the day I’d discovered Tony was really married with four kids. Back then, I’d been struck by how stunning she was and had been at a loss to understand why Tony had turned to me. The same thought popped into my head now.
‘Hi,’ she said, beaming at us.
‘‘Hello. I’m Callie,’ I said, wondering if she’d remember me from our brief encounter on the day I discovered the truth about Tony, or whether my name would be familiar, but there was no flicker of recognition, so I continued. ‘This is my fiancé, Rhys. We’re friends of Tony’s. We wanted to drop round with a bottle of wine to say Happy Christmas and thanks to Tony for some photos he took of us recently.’
‘Oh, how lovely.’ Hazel took the bag from me. ‘Tony’s nipped out for a bit but he should be back soon. Do you want to come in and wait?’
I hesitated. Much as I’d love to see Tony squirming, it wasn’t fair to Hazel and their kids to have us in their home. ‘No. But I would like you to give Tony a message.’ I bit my lip. I hated doing this, but Tony hadn’t given me much choice. ‘I lied when I said we were Tony’s friends.’
‘Oh. Then who are you?’
‘We’re the ones he assaulted in August. I promise we’re not here to cause any trouble. It’s just that Tony has—'
The lounge door burst open and a couple of kids came running out shouting, ‘Mummy!’
Hazel turned around. ‘Back in the lounge and stay there please. I’ll be with you soon, but you must leave Mummy in peace for the moment to talk to these visitors. Unders
tand?’ Giggling, they chased each other back into the lounge. When the door had closed, Hazel turned back to Rhys and me and sighed.
‘What’s he done now?’ she asked, her voice weary. ‘Another affair? Punched someone else?’ She leaned against the doorframe, looking completely defeated. ‘You and Tony aren’t…?’
I shook my head vigorously. ‘God, no! I actually hoped I’d never have to see him again but he’s broken the terms of his restraining order several times and he’s been following Rhys, taking photos of him with his ex, and trying to make out there’s something going on between them. I haven’t been to the police yet, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t if it doesn’t stop.’
Hazel gasped at the mention of the police and glanced back towards the lounge from where I could hear her children giggling. My heart went out to the poor woman and everything she must have put up with over the past months.
‘I don’t want to cause any more pain for you or your family,’ I said, softly. ‘You’ve been through enough already and I’m sure you want to move on. The thing is, I do too, but Tony seems intent on stopping me from doing so. Will you tell Tony that I don’t appreciate his interference and, if he doesn’t leave us alone, I’m sure the police will be very interested to hear what he’s been up to?’
Hazel nodded. ‘You’re sure you’re not…?’
‘Seriously, I wouldn’t touch him with a bargepole after discovering that he lies and cheats and hits people, and I can’t believe you’ve let…’ I stopped, holding my hands up. ‘Sorry. I know nothing about your relationship and I get that it’s more complicated because you’ve got kids. If you could just pass on that message, we’d be grateful.’ I turned to head back down the drive.
‘For all his many, many, faults, he’s a good dad,’ she said. ‘When he’s around.’
I turned round again. ‘But is he a good husband? He can still be a good dad, even if he’s not your husband.’
Making Wishes at Bay View Page 21
