The Next Forever

by Alix Kelso

  “This sounds serious,” Chrissie said.

  But Gregor only grinned. “Come on.”

  His car was parked out in the street, and once Chrissie had locked the shop, they got moving. The journey didn’t last long, and soon Gregor turned down a street on the other side of Fairhill and pulled up outside a small terraced house.

  “What do you think?” Gregor asked, grinning.

  Chrissie stared at the house. There was a pretty front garden, a smart exterior, and a freshly painted blue door – but she wasn’t entirely sure why Gregor had brought her here.

  “This place belongs to a friend of a friend,” Gregor said. “He’s selling it and plans to avoid using an estate agent to save a bit of money. I wanted to know what you thought first before I showed it to Alison. I’m not sure if it’s good enough for her. Maybe you could tell me if I’ve made a big mistake.”

  Chrissie had always hoped that Gregor would only ever do right by his young family, but these last weeks had given her so many concerns. Now, she realised that Gregor had been keeping a big secret from all of them.

  “It’s got three bedrooms,” Gregor said, gesturing to the house. “Lots of space for the new baby when it comes. There’s a small garden in the back. We’ll still be close to you, and I know that’s important to Alison, and—”

  “You can afford this place?” Chrissie interrupted. She’d lived in Fairhill long enough to know that it wasn’t going to be cheap.

  “I’ve been working lots of overtime and I’ve saved every penny so we could get a decent deposit together.”

  Chrissie sighed and shook her head. “Alison thinks you’re broke. She can’t understand how you can be working so much and still have no money.”

  “I know,” Gregor said, frowning. “I know I should’ve told her that’s what I was doing with the extra money I was making. But when we were renting, we tried to save up to buy our own place, but every time we got a little money together, we hit a problem. The car would go on the blink and need repairs, and then Alison got pregnant and cut her hours. All our money seemed to go on paying rent and dealing with emergencies. So, when the flat got flooded and we ended up living with you, I wanted to see if we could save the money we needed. I didn’t tell Alison because I didn’t want to get her hopes up. They’ve been dashed too many times already when it comes to this.”

  Chrissie gazed at the house in amazement. “All these months you’ve been living with me, you’ve been saving towards this?”

  Gregor nodded. “When our flat was flooded and we lost so much stuff, I thought we were finished. And when we couldn’t find anywhere else to rent, I could see how hard it was on Alison. I wanted us to have our own place. It’s not much to ask. And so I kept saving my overtime money and eventually realised we might be able to afford something like this. We’ll still be mortgaged to the eyeballs. But it’ll be our place. Our home.” He turned back to Chrissie. “So, what do you think? Will Alison like it?”

  Chrissie stared for a moment longer at the pretty little house, tears prickling her eyes. “She’ll love it.”

  Gregor blew out a sigh of relief. “The guy who owns the place is arriving in an hour so I can show Alison. It will be her decision to make an offer or not.”

  A whirlwind of emotions, mixed with a strange feeling of pride, rushed through Chrissie as she smiled at Gregor.

  “You’re a good boy.”

  Gregor looked sheepish. “It needs a lot of work inside, that’s the only way we can afford it. We’ll need to save up for a new bathroom, new kitchen, new flooring.”

  “Just promise me one thing,” Chrissie said.

  “What?”

  “Please don’t do any of the renovation work yourself.”

  Gregor stared in confusion for a moment before laughing. “I promise.”

  They looked at the little house together and Chrissie sensed the bright new beginning that now awaited her daughter and her boyfriend and their gorgeous growing family.

  “Thanks for everything you’ve done for us these past months, Chrissie,” Gregor said as he started the car. “I know it hasn’t been easy. But it really means a lot.”

  “That’s what family’s for,” Chrissie replied as they headed back down the road and towards home.

  An hour later, Chrissie sat at her kitchen table, drinking in the stillness and the silence. Gregor had taken Alison and Poppy out, promising ice cream cones and winking conspiratorially at Chrissie as they’d all piled out to the car, and Chrissie had grinned at the thought of their true destination. Now, she sat sipping tea and thinking about how quiet the house was. She’d longed for some peaceful time alone, and soon she’d have as much of it as she wanted, because Alison would adore the little house Gregor was taking her to see, and if they were lucky enough to have an offer accepted, it wouldn’t be long before they’d be moving on.

  And this was how it would feel all the time in this place. The quiet was so deep it almost had physical texture, and Chrissie closed her eyes to savour it.

  Yet somehow the stillness rankled. How could that be? For weeks she’d longed for a moment like this, had longed to have her house to herself for just a few hours. Now she had what she wanted, and yet something about it wasn’t quite right.

  She wanted to be alone. But she didn’t want to be lonely. A strange melancholy rippled through her.

  Chrissie rose and turned on the radio. The song that was playing stirred a memory, and after a few seconds, she finally placed it as the song the buskers had played that night Keith had kissed her in the park beneath the cherry blossoms.

  What a sweet moment that had been.

  An idea spun in her head. She could call Keith. Maybe they could talk for a little while and have coffee in the park together. Maybe they could just be friends.

  Maybe they could be more than just friends.

  Chrissie pushed the thought away. She didn’t want to fill her life with a man. Her life was fine as it was.

  But wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to share at least some of it with? Did it have to be all or nothing? Was it possible to have something in between?

  She was the one who’d ended things with Keith, she reminded herself. The decision, she now feared, had been too rushed and too rash. The excuse that her family needed her didn’t stand up, because here they were a few days later and her family was about to embark on a whole new episode without her. The fear and fright that had blasted through her when she’d discovered that something had happened to Poppy had caused her to react without thinking and push Keith away.

  And what had Keith been asking of her, anyway? Had he declared undying love after only a few days of knowing her? No, he hadn’t. Had he told her he wanted to spend all his free time with her? No, he hadn’t. All he’d done was suggest they enjoy one another’s company a little and maybe take a few trips together. There was nothing wrong with any of that. In fact, it sounded quite nice.

  But she’d dropped him like a hot potato. She couldn’t just pick him back up again as if nothing had happened. Chrissie knew how she’d feel if the roles were reversed. She’d be hurt and embarrassed, so it stood to reason Keith would feel the same way.

  The song on the radio came to an end and an annoying DJ began yapping. Chrissie snapped off the radio and quiet once more filled the house. Oh, the quiet stillness was delicious – there was no doubt about that.

  But it wasn’t enough. Chrissie wanted more than the peaceful sanctuary she prized within these walls. She wanted something beyond these walls, too.

  Walking to the hallway, Chrissie dug into her handbag and found the napkin she and Keith had written on that night at the hotel restaurant, when they’d listed all the places they wanted to go together. It had been fun to write that list and think about what might lie ahead, and Chrissie remembered the excitement that had burned at the whole silly plan as they’d scribbled down the destinations, her pen wobbly from the effects of the whisky.

  Glancing up at the hallway mirror, Chrissie s
miled at the memory. She liked how she looked when her mind was filled with thoughts of Keith – her smile was brighter, her eyes softer; her cares swept away, if only for a second.

  Maybe it wasn’t too late.

  The wedding cake for Keith’s friend would have to be delivered to the pub tomorrow morning. Instead of making Alison deliver it, maybe she ought to take it there herself. Test the water and see how Keith responded. Discover if there might still be a chance for something between them.

  Hope filled her heart. She prized her own space in this house, but there could be so much more, too – something bigger and richer that would make this quiet sanctuary all the more wonderful.

  And so tomorrow, Chrissie decided, she’d swallow her fear and go to Keith and see if it wasn’t too late to find out if the spark that had burst between them might still flicker into flame.

  31

  The last of the wedding decorations were being hung in the little alcove at The Crooked Thistle, and Keith was supervising Aiden as he clung to a ladder and reached out to pin the end of a string of bunting to the wall.

  “Be careful, son!” Keith shouted. “If you fall off that ladder, my insurance premiums will go through the bloody roof.”

  “That pin’s too low, Aiden, move it up a bit,” Jimmy Pearson advised from his bar stool, chortling as the young man reached ever further over the edge of the ladder.

  “Shut up, you!” Keith barked. “Do you want the boy to hurt himself?” He marched to the ladder and began gesturing. “Come down from there. I’ll climb up and do it myself.”

  “Don’t you dare, Keith McGraw!” Sophie called out from behind the bar. “You’ll get your good suit dirty on those filthy rungs.”

  Keith paused and glanced at his suit. Sophie was right. The ladder was grubby and it stood to reason he’d end up with grease or some other mess on his trousers. With a final grunt, Aiden shoved the pin into place and climbed down to the ground, before switching on the fairy lights now strung around the alcove and in amongst the strings of bunting. Everyone in the pub let out a little gasp at the lovely sight.

  “It looks good, son,” Keith said. “Well done.”

  “Keith, I need to get to work,” Jimmy Pearson said, rising from his stool and reaching into his jacket. “I only popped in to deliver this. Will you give it to Big Kev? It’s just a wee gift for him and his new missus.”

  Keith glanced at the envelope Jimmy was holding out and grinned. “I knew you had a heart in there somewhere, Jimmy Pearson.”

  Jimmy scowled. “Tell Big Kev I’m sorry I can’t come to the reception, and I’ll buy him a pint the next time I see him.”

  “Will do,” Keith said as Jimmy headed for the door. He placed the envelope behind the bar beside the one he’d already set aside for Big Kev. The young lad would have a few quid at least to see him into married life.

  Keith checked on the food preparation in the kitchen and harassed Marek the chef with endless questions about the buffet. He checked the bottles of fizz for the wedding party. He scowled at a smudged glass that had made its way on to the shelf and polished it furiously.

  “You seem nervous.”

  Keith looked up to see Janice coming through to the bar.

  “I’m about to find myself standing at the altar at a wedding,” Keith said. “I might not be the groom this time, but it makes me edgy just the same, given my track record.”

  Janice laughed, then gave him a serious look. “Have you thought any more about going to talk to Chrissie?”

  “No,” Keith lied.

  “Being alone doesn’t work for you, Keith.”

  “I’ve had my chances in life. I doubt there are any more waiting out there for me now.”

  Janice stepped closer and smiled. “Go to her. You know you want to. Let her know how you feel.”

  But Keith waved this away. “I already did that. That’s what scared her off.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I’m old enough to know what scares a woman off.”

  Janice gave him a look that was a mixture of sadness and regret, and then gestured to the suitcase she’d wheeled through. “You’ll be pleased to hear I’m leaving.”

  Keith frowned. “What about the rest of your stuff?”

  “My sister’s parked outside and I’ve already loaded everything into her car.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped.”

  “You’re all dressed for the wedding and there’s enough going on here today. You’ve done plenty for me already.” She glanced at the clock behind the bar. “Isn’t it time you got yourself over to the ceremony? People expect brides to be late for their weddings, but they tend not to like it if the best man doesn’t turn up on time.”

  Keith laughed and walked Janice to the doors. “I’m just about to drive over there. Listen, I hope things work out for you, Janice, I really do.”

  Janice smiled and squeezed his arm. “Thanks for putting up with me these past few days.”

  “We got there in the end.”

  She laughed. “Take care, Keith.”

  “You too, Janice.”

  The door swung shut behind her. Another chapter closed. Again.

  Keith patted his pockets to check for his car keys, because if he didn’t leave now for the ceremony, he’d risk being late, and the last thing he wanted was to leave Big Kev standing on his own, wondering where his best man had got to. He was just about to go when a terrible thought seized him. The buffet food was organised, the fizzy wine was chilling, and the decorations had all been hung. But where was the wedding cake?

  “Sophie?” Keith called out. “Has the wedding cake arrived?”

  Sophie rose from where she was refilling mixers behind the bar. “I’m not sure.”

  Striding to the kitchen, Keith stuck his head inside, but there was no cake in sight and the kitchen staff confirmed there’d been no delivery. Keith marched back out into the bar, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I need to phone the cake shop and see what’s happened.”

  “You don’t have time for that,” Sophie said, grabbing the pub phone from the cradle. “Get over to the ceremony. I’ll phone the shop and make sure the cake’s on its way.”

  “What if there’s a problem?”

  “There won’t be. She won’t let you down, I’m sure of it.” Sophie pointed to the doors. “Now go, or you’ll never make it to the wedding on time.”

  Keith frowned and sighed. Sophie was right. If he waited any longer and ended up hitting traffic, he’d be in big trouble.

  As Sophie began dialling the phone number, Keith left the pub, hoping desperately that when he returned, the wedding cake would have turned up.

  32

  The four-tiered wedding cake Chrissie had designed for the competition was finished and it looked glorious – glorious and gorgeous, and even more achingly beautiful than she had dared to dream might be possible. After so much trial and error, and so many mistakes, the delicate icing had gone on like a treat when she’d set to work on it this morning, and it had turned into a perfect confection of curves and peaks and swirls. Chrissie now added the final sugar rose to the top tier and stood back to look.

  She thought this might be the loveliest cake she’d ever created. Even though the tiers had not yet been assembled together – that would happen only once the cake was at the competition venue – it was still a thing of beauty. Of course, after all the work she’d put in, she might just be desperately biased.

  Turning, she looked at Alison and Irene, who were gathered in the little shop kitchen, watching her apply the final flourishes.

  “What do you think?” Chrissie asked.

  “Oh, Mum!” Alison said, her voice awestruck. “It’s so beautiful.” In her arms, Poppy clapped her hands and pointed a pudgy little finger in the direction of the cake. “That’s right, Poppy, your granny’s a genius, isn’t she?”

  “You have such an eye for detail,” Irene said. “I’m amazed at this.”

 
; They stood together, admiring the cake as the sweet scent of warm sugar perfumed the air and Poppy made little cooing sounds.

  “And this!” Irene exclaimed, pointing to the cake that sat on the other counter, the one that was destined for the wedding reception in The Crooked Thistle. “This is also exquisite.”

  Chrissie smiled and glanced at the smaller cake. She’d stuck to the simple brief she’d been given, but as she’d had some sugar roses left over from the competition cake, she’d applied them artfully to The Crooked Thistle cake, making sure the pale pinks complemented the ribbon colour and didn’t overwhelm the elegant design.

  “I did a little more to it than I normally would for the price-point, but I wanted it to be special.”

  Irene slanted her eyes at Chrissie. “So thoughtful of you to go the extra mile, especially after what happened with Keith.”

  Chrissie sighed. “Don’t start, Mother.”

  “I’m not starting anything,” Irene said mildly. “I’m just confused about why you ended things with the man when they hadn’t even begun.”

  “I made a mistake,” Chrissie said quietly, her gaze still on the wedding cake.

  Irene and Alison both swung towards her. “Meaning?” Irene asked.

  “Meaning I’m going over there to deliver this cake and speak to Keith and tell him I’m sorry for being an idiot.”

  “Thank God,” Alison said and laughed, causing Poppy to clap her hands in delight.

  “Not a moment too soon, either,” Irene agreed. “I don’t understand what you were thinking when you—”

  “Look there’s no time to rehash the whole thing now,” Chrissie said and checked the clock. “I need to get these cakes boxed or I’ll never make it to the competition in time.”

  Just then, the front door of the shop crashed open and Gregor barrelled into the kitchen, grinning from ear to ear.