Chapter Nineteen
The soles of my feet barely touch the pavement as I skip across town, unable to contain my elation. Today couldn’t have gone better if Cassandra had stepped down from her position of CEO and handed it to me instead.
The feedback I received has given me an enormous confidence boost and the moment I step through Mia’s door, I suggest the three of us go out for that celebratory dinner.
‘Where do you fancy going?’ Mia asks as she fusses Hettie between the ears. ‘Neptune’s Bounty?Or maybe that new place in the square with the beer garden out the back?’
I weigh up the options, flicking through imaginary menus in my mind. Over the years, Jerry and I have frequented them all, none more so than Petals. That place holds a lot of memories, but I can’t avoid it forever. Well, I can, but I don’t want to. At some point, I’ve got to climb out of the shell Jerry sealed me in and get my groove back. And … perhaps tonight is the night?
‘Let’s go to Petals,’ I say, decisive and determined.
Finally, a chance to wear my designer togs! I pick out one of my favourites, a red satin slip dress that swishes demurely around my shins. It’s funny, I thought all these outfits would remind me of my failed marriage, but they don’t. Somehow, they’ve taken on new meaning, a reminder of my newfound freedom.
Penny chooses her special birthday frock and Mia looks gorgeous in green velvet. To save us from hobbling across town in heels, we get a taxi to the restaurant. It’s aptly named, with its stunning arch of pink peonies, roses and carnations cresting the entrance. The theme doesn’t stop there, as once you’ve entered, you’re met with a statement floral wall overlooking the dining area. It’s a pretty impressive sight, and as we’re led to our table, a sense of pride bubbles up inside me. I never thought I’d sit on one of these Chiavari chairs again without Jerry by my side, but here I am. I’m dining at the nicest restaurant in town, and I’m paying for it all by myself.
Since neither of us are driving, Mia and I order fruity cocktails while Penny opts for a pink lemonade, garnished with its own little yellow umbrella. It feels so special that I’m able to treat her, she’s been such a brave little soldier through all of this, she deserves the world, and I’m determined to give it to her.
‘To Claire,’ Mia starts the toast by lifting her glass high into the air. ‘And the first step onto an amazing new career path.’
Blushing, I raise my drink to say cheers. ‘To me!’
‘To Mummy!’ Penny giggles as she clinks her glass against ours, sloshing a splash of lemonade onto the table.
‘So, how does it feel to be an independent woman?’ Mia asks, her eyes bright in the candlelight.
‘Well, I’m not quite there yet, I’m still staying in your spare bedroom,’ I correct her.
‘For now.’ She gently nudges Penny. ‘You and Mummy might have a place of your own soon, wouldn’t that be wonderful?’
Penny sips slowly on her lemonade, mulling it over before answering. ‘Yes, I’d like that. But could we still come and visit you and Hettie?’
‘Of course! You’re always welcome at our humble abode, you guys know that.’
‘You might not be saying that after a few more weeks of having to deal with us,’ I warn her.
Mia shrugs and cheekily sips her apple Martini. ‘If I get sick of you, I’ll just change the locks!’
With a tut, I nudge her in the shoulder and the three of us share a big belly laugh. I pause mid-chortle and gawp at something - or should I say someone - across the restaurant. It’s Noah, drinking champagne at a table for two. Opposite him sits a woman in her late thirties - glamorous, with luscious lengths of shiny blonde hair and an elfin face graced with dainty, pretty features.
A waiter drops a glass, and it’s as though it’s shattered inside my chest, sending thousands of shards jabbing straight into my heart.
‘Are you alright, Claire?’
Mia’s voice seems as though it’s miles away, my vision blurs, I feel as though I’m swimming against the tide, going down, swallowed up by the cold, salty water …
And in an instant, I snap back to reality.
‘I’ll …’ Flustered, I scramble from my chair, bumping the table with my knee and nearly sending Penny’s lemonade flying. ‘I’ll just be a moment.’
My heartbeat pounding beneath the red satin, I rush to the bathroom, and thank goodness it’s empty. Frantic to calm my quickening breaths, I plant my hands on either side of the sink and eyeball myself in the mirror.
Get a grip on yourself, Knight,I scold my reflection. You’re not getting involved with this guy, remember? Who cares if he’s on a date with some stunning stranger, he’s not yours!
Finally composed - or as much as I’m going to be - I apply a quick slick of lipstick for confidence and exit the bathroom … and step on Noah’s foot as he heads to the men’s.
Of course he’d be off to the loo just as I’m leaving, I curse my bad luck. Why do these things only seem to happen to me?
‘Ouch!’ He hops on one foot for a few comical seconds before looking up at me, and his eyes widen in surprise. ‘Oh, Claire! What - what are you doing here?’
‘S-sorry. Erm, I’m celebrating with my friend Mia and my daughter.’ I murmur. ‘I - I got that job.’
‘Oh! That’s wonderful.’ That smile of his, the one that crinkles his nose and lights up his eyes, makes an devastating reappearance. ‘I knew you would.’
‘Thanks.’ Clearing my throat, I glance down at the glossy tiled floor. ‘Well, I’ll let you get back to your date.’
‘Date?’Once the astonishment on his face subsides, Noah begins to laugh. ‘Claire, that’s not my date. That’s Helen McGuire, she’s a local philanthropist and long-time contributer to the historical society. I’m in talks with her about maybe setting aside a budget to restore the lighthouse.’
Relief floods my body in a great wave, though I wrestle to hide it. ‘Oh, I see.’
‘I’m not dating anyone, Claire.’ Eyes sparkling in the gentle candlelight, he sets them on me. ‘In fact, there was something I’ve been wanting to ask you.’
I know what he’s going to ask me, it’s not difficult to guess. My breath catches in my throat, my pulse pounds beneath my skin, and all I want to do is hear him speak that question aloud …
… but my big mouth has different plans for me.
‘I think I hear my daughter calling!’ I blurt the words out with such force, I’m almost certain I accidentally spat in his face.
I don’t give him a moment to respond. After almost colliding with a waitress, I book it across the room to my table and I sit down so fast, I’m surprised my bum doesn’t burst through the seat. Mia and Penny jump in unison, and they both ask me what’s wrong.
‘Nothing, I - I’m just really hungry!’
Clumsily, I grab my cutlery with a clatter and tuck into my sirloin steak, hoping to dispel suspicion. Penny and Mia exchange dubious glances, but they leave the matter alone, mostly because their meals have arrived too, and it all smells delicious.
I don’t dare to look up from my plate until we’ve paid the bill and I’m sure Noah and his dinner guest have left. I sigh, deep and heavy, wishing I’d had the courage to at least say goodbye to him. Ugh, I’m so conflicted.
How did I go from being on top of the world to feeling like I’m trying to outrun a storm?