The Leap Year Proposal

Chapter Seventeen

Ellie

Thursday 6 February

Next morning, Ellie woke to the sound of voices in the kitchen. Rosie was babbling away excitedly and a rush of love for her niece swept over her. She didn’t see enough of her. That would have to change. Rosie was growing up so fast. Fleetingly, she thought of her promotion and what might change if she was successful at interview. Right now, though, she didn’t have the headspace to deal with that. She’d have to park that for a while. First she needed to sort out this mess.

The doorbell rang. Someone went to answer it. What time was it? The clock on the bedside cabinet showed twenty past eight. Maybe it was the postman. She ought to go down. Rosie would be leaving for nursery soon, and she wanted to kiss her goodbye.

She met her brother-in-law on the landing as he came out of the main bathroom.

‘Do you want me to go beat him up?’ Mitchell drew himself up to his full height. ‘I could take him, you know.’

Ellie bit back a smirk. Mitchell was one of the gentlest people she knew. He probably would beat Scott in a fight, but he would never initiate a confrontation.

Mitchell, like Chloe, had been there for her through every crisis she’d had in the past decade. She was so glad she’d introduced them. He was a good person to have in your corner.

Downstairs, Rosie, who had been eating toast with jam, ran to Ellie and buried her face deep in her stomach. ‘Auntie Ell, I’m going to nursery. Why did you not come sleep in my bed last night?’ She pouted, her eyebrows scrunching up.

Ellie ruffled her niece’s curls. ‘It was late, sweetie, and I didn’t want to disturb you. Anyway, I’m here now. Tell me, did you dream about unicorns last night?’

Rosie clambered up on Ellie’s lap and regaled her with more tales of her dreams, which was exactly what Ellie needed right now– to be removed from reality. Chloe mouthed ‘You OK?’ and Ellie gave a brief nod.

Once Rosie had left for nursery, Chloe asked, ‘How are you really doing, sis? You’ve had quite the thirty-six hours.’

Ellie sighed at this. She had that right. ‘Actually, I’m feeling really positive, apart from being totally pissed off that he took me in so completely.’ She shook her head. ‘He was just attentive enough for me not to suspect anything. He cooked me nice meals, we had great sex…’

‘TMI, little sis,’ Chloe said, screwing up her face in distaste.

Ellie smiled. ‘Well, you know what I mean. The only warning sign should have perhaps been his inability to commit, but then he did, by asking me to move in.’ She sighed. ‘Anyway, that’s all water under the bridge now, and I’m feeling more positive than I have in ages. A few more pieces are falling into place though.’

‘Oh?’ Chloe tilted her head.

‘Yeah, he went into work for a bit the day the estate agent came. We’d put in for holidays off work that day, yet he had to go in to work, at a university. I should have sussed something was up.’

‘Hmm.’ Chloe’s response was noncommittal.

‘So even the day he asked me to move in with him, I reckon he was actually seeing someone else that morning. Her probably.’

Chloe continued to remain silent. She must just be letting her vent. It was cathartic, after all.

‘The one thing I didn’t understand in all of this was why ask me to move in with him? That really made me mad. But the answer was staring me in the face.’

Chloe frowned. ‘It was?’

Ellie nodded. ‘Yes. He was so interested when I was talking to the estate agent, so enthusiastic and then gobsmacked when he found out how much the flat was worth. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that his impromptu offer to move in with me was more calculating than romantic.’

‘I’m not following,’ Chloe said.

‘C’mon, Chloe. You’re usually more switched-on than this.’ Ellie threw her hands out. ‘Scott, not known for his altruism, clearly thought he could profit somehow from the capital I’d be injecting into the house we’d buy together.’

When Chloe’s eyes bulged, Ellie continued, ‘You know me, I wouldn’t have thought to have an agreement drawn up, stipulating that if we parted ways, I’d get back what I put in. He probably planned to move in with me, then when it no longer suited, break up with me and take half of the profit from the house. My deposit would have been much greater than his. That much I do know.’

Chloe shook her head. ‘He’s even more of a scumbag than I thought, and even more deserving of the Scumbag nickname.’

Ellie zoned out for a moment, lost in her own thoughts.

‘I know that look.’ Chloe’s eyes narrowed.

‘What?’ asked Ellie, feigning innocence.

‘You’ve done something, and you know I’m not going to be happy about it. Spill.’

A tad sheepishly, Ellie said, ‘Well, you know how you urged caution with regards to the proposal?’

‘Yes, I must have felt something in my waters.’

‘I don’t know about that, but, whatever, you were right about the fact I should be careful.’

‘Uh-huh. I’m still waiting, Ellie.’

‘Oh, all right. This is the problem with having a sibling who knows you too well.’ She blew out a breath. ‘Well, I kinda booked a speedboat to take us to Eilean Donan Castle for the proposal.’

Chloe rolled her eyes.

‘I know, I know.’ Ellie held her hands up as if to ward off criticism. ‘I should have waited. You warned me.’

‘I did, but anyway, no biggie, you can cancel it.’

Ellie’s eyes darted around. Chloe was going to kill her. She knew she was too impulsive, but Chloe had warned her and she hadn’t taken any notice. Now she was for it.

Chloe’s face fell. ‘You haven’t paid for it, have you?’

‘It was a good deal!’

Chloe raised her clenched fists in the air then spread her fingers, waving her hands at Ellie. ‘Ellie! That is not exercising caution!’

‘Well, lesson learned.’

‘How much are you out?’

‘About three hundred and fifty pounds, plus a dent to my pride the size of Ireland.’

Chloe blew out a breath. ‘Oh, Ellie, what am I going to do with you?’

‘Put up with me?’

‘Do I have a choice?’

‘No.’ Ellie shot her a grin.

‘Did you tell Jess and Anouska?’

Ellie sighed again. ‘I had a heart-to-heart with Anouska yesterday, but I couldn’t cope with also having to explain it to Jess, so I asked Anouska if she’d let her know and tell her that I wouldn’t be able to meet them at Cirque tonight.’

Chloe nodded. ‘And have you heard from Jess since?’

‘Oh, yeah. She texted saying she didn’t want to bother me, but wanted me to know she was thinking about me and that I should get in touch, no matter what time of the day or night, if I needed her.’

Chloe nodded again. ‘Sounds like a good friend.’

‘Yeah, she is. And Anouska,’ said Ellie. ‘I’m lucky to have them.’

Her sister nudged her arm with her elbow. ‘They’re lucky to have you too.’

Ellie laughed. ‘Ha! Here we all were, thinking we’d be supporting each other in our proposal strategies, and they’ve ended up supporting me in a break-up instead. The irony.’

‘True, but you’d do the same for them,’ Chloe said, her eyes fixed on Ellie’s. ‘Wouldn’t you?’

‘In a heartbeat. Right, I need to go home and get some clothes for tonight. I’ll come back afterwards and give you the post-mortem.’

‘Giving me his post-mortem results would make me happier. The actual post-mortem, not the metaphorical one.’ Chloe grinned. ‘Anyway, you’re not going anywhere just yet.’

‘Oh?’ Ellie asked, her brows knitting.

‘Nope. Grab a cuppa and I’ll tell you what I’ve booked for you today.’

‘Now I’m intrigued.’ Ellie picked up a Denby cup from the countertop.

The spa experience Chloe had treated her to at Le Meridien had been wonderful, and Ellie once again was grateful for how fantastic her family were. Chloe had insisted she stay with them again overnight, in case she needed moral support, a shoulder to cry on, or a group of people to celebrate with.

Chloe had also called Trish, Ellie’s boss, the day before, and explained what had happened with Scott, and Trish had been both appalled and sympathetic. She’d even offered to go round and show him why he shouldn’t mess with the friend of the scrum half on the women’s rugby team.

Ellie’s face was all plumped and dewy. As she put on her makeup and slipped into her red dress ready for the ‘fun’ evening ahead, she could only be pleased with her appearance. Hopefully, Scott would appreciate it one last time. After that she never wanted to see him again.

Ellie arrived at Caprese to find Scott already seated. Perhaps he was feeling duly chastised by her reaction to Tuesday’s no-show and was trying to act contrite. Pity then it wouldn’t have any effect on her. Ellie’s heart had turned to granite. In less than forty-eight hours she had gone from wanting to marry this man to wondering why she had put up with him for so long. Not usual bedfellows those ideas.

Scott rose from his seat and kissed her on the cheek. Not for her the smooch he had afforded Tuesday night’s conquest, although it was just as well, as she might have brained him. He was as handsome as ever but somehow the attraction she’d felt for him had already dissipated. He had opted for a royal blue Paul Smith shirt she’d bought him for his birthday and a pair of black jeans. She’d probably bought those too.

‘Hi.’ He gave her a bashful smile.

She smiled tightly at him and sat down. She hadn’t quite decided when to tell him, but she’d at least let them order so he could be stuck with the bill. Then he could debate whether to sit like a plonker and eat the meal with all the other restaurant-goers glaring daggers at him, or have it boxed to take home.

Even when face to face, he didn’t bother apologising. The nerve of him. He tried to make small talk with her and she trotted out stock responses. Then she said, ‘Perhaps we should order then chat. I’m starving.’ She wasn’t. She wasn’t remotely hungry, but she wanted to be able to think and she couldn’t do that whilst he was wittering on.

Once they’d ordered, she would let the small talk dry up, Scott would have to mention the ‘misunderstanding’ again and she could launch into her spiel. It wasn’t long and she could adapt it for whatever situation presented itself, whatever ‘in’ he gave her. If there was one thing Ellie hated, it was someone making a fool of her, and Scott had done that with bells on.

Luca came to take their order then retreated to the kitchen to pass it to the chef.

‘So how’s work?’ Scott asked.

‘I don’t know.’

Scott raised an eyebrow. ‘What do you mean you don’t know? You’re always on top of everything. Is anything wrong?’

‘Not with work.’

‘With what then? You’re not ill, are you?’ He frowned and Ellie figured that was something in his favour– he did seem to care about her wellbeing.

‘I haven’t been feeling great the past few days.’

‘Oh? You don’t mean…’ His face turned pale.

‘No, I’m not pregnant before you put two and two together and get five.’

He exhaled heavily, his relief apparent. ‘So what’s wrong then?’

‘You really want to know what’s wrong?’ It was hard not to shout, but she managed only to let her voice creep up a couple of decibels.

‘Yes.’ Scott was beginning to look a little hacked-off. Too bad. She had first dibs on that sentiment.

‘OK then. Let’s see. One– on Tuesday you stood me up and left me sitting here on my own.’ She paused for effect and to gauge the other restaurant-goers’ reaction. She was still seated and her voice had only risen a little in pitch, but there was enough of a difference to make the other diners turn in their direction.

‘I explained about that–’ began Scott, but Ellie interrupted him.

‘That’s right. You explained you were busy at work and forgot to check the messages on your phone, which was dead anyway and you didn’t have a fast charger. How am I doing so far?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Except when I couldn’t get you, I was worried, and I couldn’t drive because I’d had a Bellini whilst I was here waiting for you. But Chloe could drive, and I was so worried about you, that rather than start calling all the hospitals, and after I phoned your house and got no reply, Chloe drove me to yours.’ Ellie paused again to allow time for that information to sink in.

The horror-stricken look on Scott’s face told her she’d hit the target. ‘Imagine my surprise when we arrived outside your house to find your car in the drive, another car next to it, the lights on…oh, but you were working late, weren’t you? So, as you were working late, it must have been your identical twin, whom you conveniently forgot to mention up until now, who was snogging some blonde woman on your doorstep.’

‘Els…’

‘Don’t talk. You have nothing to say I want to hear.’

‘Els, it wasn’t like that. It was only a peck. She’s a colleague.’

‘Scott, don’t lie to me! You make me sick!’ She screeched back her chair. ‘Caught in the act and you still can’t tell the truth, or do the decent thing.’ Her lip curled in disgust. ‘It wasn’t a peck. Chloe and I both saw you. You’re a cheat. A miser. A liar. I’m not going to waste another ounce of time or energy on you. This conversation is over, and so is this relationship. Don’t contact me ever again.’ Ellie stood up, slung her bag over her shoulder and strode out of the restaurant, not even bothering to look behind her. She did, however, hear the round of applause that broke out before the door shut behind her. Now she had closure and it felt bloody marvellous.

‘I can tell from your face that it went well.’ Chloe hugged Ellie to her. ‘Mitchell, fetch the champagne, please.’

‘We have champagne?’ Mitchell gawped. ‘Since when did we become a champagne-quaffing household? I thought the best we had was a light beer.’

‘Since my sister dumped that lying piece of shit, that’s when.’ Chloe turned her attention back to Ellie. ‘So, go on. Dish the goss.’

Ellie was relaying to Chloe the evening’s events when her mobile rang. Anouska. ‘How did it go?’

‘Well, since I’m in the middle of telling Chloe, and soon Mitchell, when he comes back with the champagne, let’s message Jess so she can join the group chat, too, and I can tell you all at the same time.’

‘Good plan.’ Anouska smiled.

By the time Jess had joined the call, Mitchell had returned from the kitchen with three champagne flutes and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.

‘Wow, bringing out the big guns,’ remarked Ellie.

‘This was worth going all out for,’ said Chloe.

‘Right, everyone, prepare yourselves to learn of Scott’s undignified exit from my life.’

When she’d finished relating the scene in the restaurant, she raised her glass. ‘Thank you, all of you. You’re the best support network a girl could ever have. Who needs men? Sorry, Mitchell, you don’t count, you’re an honorary girl!’

Her brother-in-law’s eyes creased at the corners. ‘Thanks, I think.’

‘Cheers!’ Ellie said, her eyes scanning those of her family and friends as her words echoed around her.

Now she definitely had closure.