Chapter Eleven
Ellie
Thursday 23 January
‘You’re what?’ Chloe gawped at her and almost fell over a stack of Rosie’s toys as she reeled from Ellie’s revelation.
‘I’m going to propose to Scott on the twenty-ninth of February. A leap-year proposal.’
‘Ellie, are you sure about this?’ Chloe’s eyes didn’t leave Ellie’s face as she handed Rosie a colouring book with one hand and a packet of colouring pencils with the other. She was exemplary at multitasking.
‘Yes, you know me, sis, once I’ve made up my mind, that’s that.’
‘I know, but you’ve only just decided to move in together. Proposing less than a month after deciding that, and without even having moved in together yet, seems a bit…’
‘Organised? Adventurous? As if I’m taking control of my own destiny?’ Ellie threw at her.
Chloe’s eyebrows knitted. ‘No, I was thinking more “extreme”.’
Ellie shot her an exasperated look. ‘C’mon, Chloe, we’ve hardly just started dating.’
‘I’d probably be happier if you had,’ Chloe muttered.
‘But you’re the one who told me to take the initiative if I wasn’t happy with the status quo.’ Ellie raised her hands then let them drop to her side in incomprehension.
Chloe sighed. ‘You’re right, I did, but it just all seems to be happening so fast. You’ve gone from almost being ready to ditch him a few weeks ago if he didn’t step up and commit, to buying a house with him and proposing marriage.’
Ellie slumped down on the kitchen bench. ‘I was hoping for a bit more support, Chloe.’
Chloe came round the table and put her arms around Ellie’s shoulders. ‘Ellie, I’ll always be here to support you, but I wouldn’t be doing my sisterly duty if I didn’t point out the whimsical nature of what you’re about to do, would I now?’
Ellie studied Chloe’s kind-hearted face and knew her sister, as always, was only looking out for her. She leant in to her, nudging her head slightly against Chloe’s arm. ‘I suppose not, but I really do think I’m doing the right thing.’
‘I know you do, and I’m not saying you aren’t, I’m just saying, stop and think. Don’t get too swept up in the moment. Romantic as it might seem, buying a house and planning a wedding and marriage are two of the three biggies in life. That’s why it’s best not to do them simultaneously.’
Ellie chewed on her lip. ‘I hear what you’re saying, but I’ve waited so long to be at this stage, I just want to get excited about it all.’
‘And that’s fine, but, please, exercise a little caution.’
Ellie’s heart plummeted. She’d been all fired-up at the prospect of sharing her news with Chloe, but her sister wasn’t telling her what she wanted to hear. Part of her knew she was right to be the voice of reason, but she was fed up with reason, where relationships were concerned anyway. She’d had her fill of waiting around for something to happen, so she’d made it happen, by having the estate agency value her property, and now not one but two positive things were happening, or three if you counted Scott’s commitment. She just wanted to bask in this moment, at least for a bit longer, then she’d put her serious pants back on again and consider the ramifications of her recent decisions and perhaps rein it in a bit.
‘And, Ellie, how does this affect your potential promotion?’
Ellie’s face fell. She hadn’t allowed herself headspace for that yet. The bottom line was she couldn’t have the best of both worlds. She either had Scott, living with him and hopefully marrying him, or she had the promotion. But there’d be other promotions, surely. If not with her current employer, she’d manage, eventually, to get one at another firm. Or would she? Plus, she liked it at Faraway Shores Travel.
‘I haven’t processed that part yet,’ she confessed.
‘Ellie–’ Chloe rubbed Ellie’s hand gently ‘–last week, you came to see me, gutted that you had to tell me you may, if you were lucky, be moving to Manchester for the job of your dreams.’
Ellie’s eyes remained fixed on Chloe’s.
‘We were both distraught at the thought of you upping sticks and leaving, but ultimately we both accepted it may be the best course for you and your career right now. Correct?’
Glumly, Ellie nodded.
‘Then, in the space of a few hours, you show your house to an estate agency and Scott asks you to buy a house together, and now your dream job is not only up in the air, but you’re going to propose.’
Ellie’s misery intensified as a tear slid down her face. ‘I don’t know what to do, Chloe. I want to have it all, but it seems I can’t.’
Chloe let Ellie cry it out on her shoulder. ‘Look, all I’m saying is think things through. I’m not trying to rain on your parade, I promise I’m not, you know me better than that anyway, but I’m worried you’re making some major life decisions without considering all the consequences.’
‘You’ve always got my back, Chloe. I know that. I just want to be excited about the fact my life is progressing. The problem is, it all seems to be doing so at once.’
Chloe nodded. ‘Ellie, I’m here for you whatever you decide. Just, keep your options open on the job front, that’s all I’m asking. You’ve worked too hard, to simply throw it all away.’
Ellie sniffed then took out a tissue and blew her nose. ‘I will.’
As Ellie drove back to Stockbridge, she mulled over what Chloe had said. When she got home, she slung her bag on the hall floor, and for once was delighted to be alone. She had an hour before she had to meet the girls, so she popped the kettle on, put on an album by one of her favourite indie bands and logged on to the Rightmove website to check out the properties she’d bookmarked for her and Scott to look at.
Maybe if she took some action in this direction, actually showed Scott some of the houses she thought might be a good fit for their first home together, she could gauge his opinion and they could start making plans. Perhaps if they visited properties together, she’d know which way to jump when decision time came.
Could they get married and initially commute up and down between Edinburgh and Manchester for a year? Was it a foregone conclusion that she had to turn the promotion down, if she was lucky enough to get it in the first place, if she and Scott moved in together or got married? Actually, the buying a bigger property made less sense than getting married if she took the job in Manchester. They could be married but potentially live apart for a little while, even if it wasn’t ideal, but buying a bigger house with a bigger mortgage, in a neighbourhood she’d want to live in, whilst simultaneously paying rent in Manchester or its suburbs made no sense. Aargh. Her head was about to explode again.
Right, enough of this nonsense . She stood up and strode around the room. She’d always thought pacing helped her think. After less than a minute, she knew what she had to do.
She picked up her mobile and dialled. ‘Hi, I was interested in viewing a couple of properties you have on at the minute.’
Ellie was last to arrive at Cirque. This was becoming a habit, although today it had more to do with her conversation with Chloe and no longer really wanting to share what she’d intended to with the girls, but they weren’t letting her off that easily. She’d promised them the goods and now they wanted her to deliver.
‘C’mon then, don’t keep us in suspense, what have you got for us?’ said Jess.
‘No, you give us your update first.’ Ellie smiled but she knew it wouldn’t reach her eyes.
Anouska frowned. ‘What’s wrong?’
Ellie sighed. ‘Nothing.’ She sighed again, more heavily this time. ‘Everything.’
‘Well, that’s specific,’ joked Jess.
Ellie gave a half-smile.
‘I had a chat with Chloe. She thinks things are moving too fast and she’s worried about me.’
‘But that’s what sisters do, especially big sisters,’ Jess reassured her.
Ellie shook her head. ‘No, it’s more than that. She was definitely giving off a seriously concerned vibe, and even though I know she’s in my corner, it’s really making me reassess everything– again.’
‘That’s not necessarily a bad thing, Ellie,’ Anouska said. ‘Sometimes, we can get caught up in the heat of the moment and act or react without fully allowing ourselves to absorb what’s going on.’
Ellie grimaced. ‘That’s sort of what Chloe said.’
‘She’s a wise woman.’ Anouska grinned. ‘But that doesn’t mean you can’t be excited about the things you’ve planned, nor that you have to rule anything in or out just yet. How’s about this, tell us what progress you’ve made, and we’ll listen, without interrupting, so you can lay it all out. Then, if you want, we’ll tell you what we think. Agreed, Jess?’
‘Absolutely. Ellie, we don’t always have to have everything figured out all at once, you know. It’s fine to arrive at decisions in stages. So, in your own time…’
Ellie laughed. ‘No pressure then.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Well, me being me, I went hammer and tongs at everything, and I’ve made a shortlist of properties I want us to view.’
‘Well done.’ Anouska smiled. ‘You’re in the zone.’
‘A-ha, but not only that, I’ve nailed the proposal location!’
Jess’ eyes widened.
‘All in good time.’ Ellie grinned. ‘I took on board your thoughts on anything related to extreme sports, and I’ve decided that perhaps you were right.’
‘We were?’ said Jess.
Ellie nodded. ‘Yes. So I’m going to propose at…drum roll, please…Eilean Donan Castle!’
‘Oh, that’s gorgeous,’ breathed Jess. ‘So romantic.’
‘That’s definitely far safer than skydiving,’ Anouska put in.
‘Yep, and I’d like to arrive by speedboat.’
‘In February? It’ll be freezing,’ said Jess.
‘I know, but I think it lends a touch of drama and occasion to the, well, occasion! A bit James Bond. Scott will love that.’
‘He might not love his privates shrinking to the size of walnuts, though, very small walnuts,’ Anouska said pointedly.
‘Ha ha, you’re so funny.’
‘No, but seriously, what if it snows?’ Jess said.
‘If it snows, it will be even more picturesque.’
‘But what if the loch is frozen? Isn’t that a bit dangerous? Maybe you should have a contingency plan,’ Jess persisted.
‘Hmm.’ Ellie wasn’t convinced.
‘I’ve got it. Scott likes fast cars, doesn’t he?’ Jess clearly didn’t want to be beaten.
‘Ye-e-es.’
‘Why don’t you hire a Lamborghini for the day and arrive in that? That would make it a memorable experience.’
‘So would vomit all down his shoes. No, I know where you’re coming from, Jess, but if Scott’s in a fast car, I don’t want to be in it with him. I hate his driving at the best of times. Plus, I’d prefer to be the one driving at speed!’
‘Good point. I’m still not convinced the speedboat’s a good idea, though.’
‘Well, that’s a shame because I booked and paid for it this morning.’
‘Arriving by speedboat does rather add to the romance of it all,’ Anouska said, taking the sting out of Jess’ inadvertent faux pas. ‘Sorry, Ellie, we weren’t trying to stomp all over your idea. Just make sure you take warm clothing.’
‘We will.’ She smiled. ‘I can’t wait to see his face.’
She proceeded to tell them about the viewings she’d arranged, one in the city, one in Dalkeith and one in North Berwick, because of its seaside location.
Ellie ordered another round of tea for them and as she sat back down, Anouska steepled her fingers on the table and said, ‘Confession time.’
‘Oh?’ Ellie raised an eyebrow and glanced quickly at Jess to see if she knew what was coming.
A half-smile played on Anouska’s lips. ‘I promise I’m not simply jumping on the bandwagon, but I did a lot of thinking in Brazil, and–’ she paused ‘–I’ve decided to propose too. And if you guys can do it on the twenty-ninth of February, I don’t see why I can’t.’
I wasn’t expecting that. Ellie patted Anouska on the arm in a gesture of solidarity.
‘This is amazing!’ Jess jumped up and hugged her.
Ellie smiled. ‘Wow, look at us, the leap-year proposalers.’
Jess said, ‘I don’t think proposaler is a word, Ellie.’
Ellie made a face. ‘Who cares?’
Anouska laughed then added, ‘I’m now absolutely terrified, have no idea how to propose, and am already doubting my decision, but at least I’ve come to it.’
Ellie wagged a finger. ‘You’ve obviously thought long and hard about it, so don’t talk yourself out of it now. Welcome to the club!’