Chapter 28
As Clive approached Daisyfield Cottage he thought he couldn’t be feeling more different than he had the last time he’d visited the Callaghans’ home. He remembered his anxiety on walking up the path to the front door and felt a sudden embarrassment. He’d been so sure he was in love with Jennifer. So convinced that his future lay with her. Yet, how easily she’d changed his mind. It had taken only minutes for her to set him on a completely different path and, given how set he’d been on his previous course for so many years, that was quite an achievement.
He should thank her. If she hadn’t pointed out the way Bethany had been looking at him at Monk’s Folly he might never have recognised his own feelings for her. Thank God he’d finally plucked up the courage to talk to Jennifer. He fleetingly thought it was a shame he hadn’t done so many years ago but dismissed that immediately. It hadn’t been the right time, and he hadn’t been ready to hear it. Maybe if Joseph hadn’t died, if Bethany hadn’t arrived in Tuppenny Bridge, he still wouldn’t be ready. He just hoped she’d forgotten how pathetic he’d been the last time she saw him.
To be honest, he was surprised he’d been invited over. It was all a bit of a mystery, and he still didn’t know what this get-together was about. The telephone call had come out of the blue and there’d been little in the way of an explanation, as he’d told Bethany yesterday morning.
They’d been having breakfast in bed at Stepping Stones. Bethany had spent the night there, not for the first time, and he’d impressed her by making them both bacon sandwiches and mugs of tea before she’d even woken up.
‘You shouldn’t have bothered,’ she’d protested, struggling to sit up in bed as he walked into the room, tray in his hands, already showered and dressed. ‘I know you’ve got work this morning. I could have eaten some cereal when I got home.’
‘It’s no bother,’ he’d assured her, carefully settling himself on the bed beside her and handing her a plate and mug, which she put on the bedside cabinet. He put his own breakfast on the cabinet at his side of the bed and reached down to place the empty tray on the floor. ‘I’ve fed Viva and let her out, too. She’s happy enough.’
‘Shall I take her back with me?’ Bethany offered. ‘I can take her for a walk later while you’re working.’
‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’
‘Of course not. I like being around her. She’s adorable. I can see why Joseph loved her so much.’
He’d smiled inwardly, aware that she’d mentioned her brother a few times lately, with no prompting, no hesitation, and no signs of sadness or anger. That, he thought optimistically, had to be a good sign that she was coming to terms with the past. He hoped so, anyway.
‘You never told me what the builder and the roofer said,’ he reminded her, reaching for his bacon sandwich. ‘You said you’d fill me in later, but you never got round to it.’
‘Oh.’ Bethany shook her head. ‘Nothing much. Mostly what I’d expected. Some plastering needs doing in the house, and a few roof tiles need replacing. Nothing too drastic.’
He chewed some bacon, nodding in relief. ‘That’s good,’ he said at last. ‘And what about the stables?’
She swallowed some tea and he waited for her to continue. ‘Pretty much as we thought. Needs a new roof.’
‘Ach, that’s a shame. Are you going for it then?’ he asked.
Bethany shrugged. ‘I said I’d think about it,’ she said lightly. ‘Might be best to get a few different quotes, don’t you think?’
‘Definitely. Good business sense.’
‘That’s what I thought.’ She smiled at him. ‘I’ve got another builder coming in a couple of days so he can give me his opinion and I’ll go from there.’
He eyed her thoughtfully. ‘You seem different.’
‘Do I?’ She tilted her head. ‘In what way?’
‘I don’t know.’ He really didn’t either. There was just something about her. ‘You look lighter. Happier. Like a weight’s lifted.’
‘Why wouldn’t I be happy? The man in my life has just made me a bacon sandwich and I didn’t even have to ask. What more could any woman want?’
He laughed. ‘Put like that. Oh, you hadn’t got anything in mind for tomorrow night, had you?’
‘As a matter of fact, I had. I’m going to Daisy’s for a fish and chip supper. We’re going to put the world to rights.’
‘Are you indeed? Look out, world! Well, that’s all right then.’
She broke off a piece of her bacon sandwich. ‘Why? Do you have plans of your own?’
‘I do actually. Jennifer’s invited me round for dinner. You know, Ben’s mum?’
Bethany stilled. ‘I know who Jennifer is,’ she told him. ‘That’s, er, nice for you. I didn’t know you two were on such intimate terms.’
‘Intimate terms?’ He’d frowned at the expression, surprised to see she was no longer smiling. ‘Hardly that. We’re old friends, and it’s just a bit of dinner, that’s all.’
‘You never mentioned,’ she said.
‘She only called me last night, just before you came round. I was going to tell you but…’ He grinned. ‘I got a bit distracted with other matters.’
Hadn’t he just! They hadn’t even remembered to eat their evening meal until almost nine o’clock.
‘Oh, okay.’
He was puzzled. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’
She gave him a bright smile. ‘Why on earth would I mind? As you said, you’re old friends. If you want to have dinner together, so what? I’m having a meal with Daisy after all.’
She was saying all the right words, but he couldn’t help feeling something was bothering her.
‘It’s a bit weird really,’ he admitted.
‘What is?’
‘Well, it’s all very last minute, and Jennifer asked me not to mention it to Ben or Summer, so don’t say anything to her today, will you?’
‘I’m hardly likely to,’ she said drily. ‘We barely exchange two words these days, do we? So, Ben and Summer don’t know you’re going round there?’
‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m wondering if she needs some advice about something. I hope everything’s okay.’ He took another bite of his bacon sandwich and chewed, mulling over the situation. He had, after all, told Jennifer she could always call on him if she needed anything. Maybe something had arisen that had made her take him up on his offer.
‘I’m sure everything’s fine,’ she said, putting her plate back on the bedside cabinet.
He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Are you not going to finish that?’
‘I ought to be getting ready,’ she said, climbing out of bed and reaching for her robe. ‘Do you mind if I get a shower before I head home?’
‘Of course not. There’s no hurry, though. You don’t have to rush off just because I’ve got work.’
‘No point in hanging around here,’ she said over her shoulder as she headed towards the en suite. ‘You get yourself off to work and I’ll let myself out.’
As he eyed her with some concern her face changed. She broke into a smile and walked back to the bed.
‘Stop looking so worried,’ she said, dropping a kiss on his lips and ruffling his hair.
‘So we’re okay?’ he asked.
‘Of course we are! Now eat that sandwich and get off to work or I’ll drag you into the shower with me, and we both know where that will lead.’
He grinned, relieved. ‘Well, it beats work.’
‘Go on with you!’ She’d laughed and headed into the bathroom, closing the door behind her, and he’d settled back on the bed to finish his sandwich, thoroughly reassured.
Now, as he approached the front door of Daisyfield Cottage, his thoughts returned to the purpose of his visit. Was Jennifer in need of help? He hoped it wasn’t anything to worry about.
It was Sally who opened the door and Clive stared at her in surprise.
‘What are you?—?’
The question was cut off as she grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.
‘You’re late!’ she said as she closed the door behind them. ‘They could be here any minute.’
‘Who could?’ he asked, bewildered.
‘Ben and Summer!’ she said, exasperated. ‘Who else?’
‘Oh, Clive, you made it. I’m so glad.’ Jennifer hurried into the hallway, a smile on her face. ‘They’re not here yet, thank goodness. Let’s go into the living room before they arrive.’
‘What’s going on?’ he asked, feeling everyone had gone mad. He was more or less pushed into the living room where he found Jamie, Eloise, and Rafferty waiting, along with Sally’s mother, Mona, of all people.
‘Didn’t you tell him?’ Sally asked Jennifer who admitted, rather shamefaced, that she hadn’t.
‘I meant to, but then I heard Ben coming down the stairs, so I ended the call. I was going to ring him back, but I forgot all about it. Sorry, Clive,’ she said. ‘You must be wondering what on earth’s going on.’
‘You could say that,’ he agreed. ‘So what is going on?’
Mona rolled her eyes. ‘Is he blind or tuppence short of a ha’penny?’ she asked, with her usual charm.
Clive gazed around and realised there were banners strung around the edges of the room, along with bunches of white balloons.
‘Congratulations on your engagement,’ he read, and his eyes widened. ‘They’re engaged? Ben and Summer?’
‘Give the fella a coconut,’ Mona said.
‘Oh shut up, Mam.’ Sally shook her head, clearly despairing of her mother’s sarcasm. She turned to Clive. ‘They are! And do you know they actually thought they’d get away with not having a celebration of any kind. I mean, is it likely?’
‘Well,’ Mona said, ‘if this is all there is they pretty much have got away with it, haven’t they? I’m not sure I’d have come all the way from Bemborough if I’d known this was it.’
‘Don’t worry, Mona,’ Rafferty said, ‘there’s plenty of food and drink in the kitchen, and a smashing cake from Daisy at the café.’
‘When did this happen?’ Clive asked, amazed. He couldn’t deny he felt a bit hurt that Ben hadn’t confided in him. He’d thought he told him everything.
‘They only told us the day before yesterday,’ Jennifer said softly, as if she understood how he was feeling. ‘And even then they only told me, Sally and Rafferty, and Summer’s dad. Even Jamie isn’t supposed to know yet.’
‘I know,’ Jamie said indignantly. ‘I think that’s well harsh.’
‘You know what they’re like,’ Sally said kindly. ‘They don’t want any fuss. Just want to quietly get engaged and people can find out organically. No big announcement.’
‘Yet here we are,’ her mother pointed out. ‘You couldn’t wait to ring me up and drag me here for this so-called party. Our Summer’s going to love you. Not.’
‘It wouldn’t have been the same without you, Mona,’ Rafferty said.
‘Aye well, that’s true enough,’ she agreed, nodding. ‘And at least there’s cake.’
They all stood stock-still and stared at each other in horror as the front door opened.
‘They’re here,’ Eloise whispered.
‘Isn’t that what we want?’ Mona asked drily. ‘Wouldn’t be much point to this if they weren’t. Are we allowed to smoke in here?’
The living room door was pushed open, and everyone yelled, ‘Surprise!’
Well, everyone except Clive, who hadn’t known he was supposed to, and Mona who was too busy fumbling in her bag for her cigarettes and lighter.
Ben and Summer looked aghast.
‘Wh—what’s going on?’ Ben asked.
‘It’s your engagement party,’ Jennifer told him, rushing over to hug the happy couple. ‘Now,’ she added, stepping back, ‘I know you said you didn’t want any fuss?—’
‘Yeah,’ Ben remarked, ‘that’s exactly what we said.’
‘But we couldn’t let the occasion pass without throwing you a little party,’ she finished. ‘It’s not every day my son gets engaged, and I’m so excited. And so are your parents, Summer.’
Summer raised an eyebrow. ‘Both of them? Gran! What on earth are you doing here?’
‘Charming,’ Mona said. ‘You could at least pretend to be pleased to see me.’
‘I am, honestly!’ Summer hurried forward and hugged her gran. ‘Where’s Dad? Is he coming?’
‘He wanted to, love, but it was a bit short notice for him, what with work and everything,’ Sally said. ‘He’s dead chuffed for you both, though, and he said he’d love you to go over to his place one day when you can spare the time and he’ll treat you both to a meal out.’
‘Aw, that’s lovely of him,’ Summer said.
‘Er, I’m right here,’ Mona informed her. ‘I made the effort, even if he didn’t. And,’ she added, ‘I’ve got you a card and a present, despite the fact I was only given a few hours’ warning. What do you think you’re playing at getting engaged and not telling anyone? Anyone would think you were ashamed or something.’
‘I’m not ashamed,’ Summer assured her. She linked arms with Ben. ‘We’re very happy, aren’t we?’
‘We are,’ he said, smiling. ‘In fact, show them where we’ve been today.’
Summer held out her left hand and they all crowded round to admire the ruby and diamond engagement ring on her finger.
‘Isn’t it gorgeous?’ she asked proudly.
Everyone agreed it was and Mona asked if it would be okay for her to smoke, to which Jennifer promptly directed her into the back garden before telling everyone else to help themselves to the buffet.
Summer put her arms around Clive, who was rather taken aback at her unexpected display of affection.
‘I’m glad you’re here,’ she told him. ‘I’m sorry things have been a bit off between us. It’s not your fault, and I know I’ve been a moody mare.’
‘You’re worried,’ he said. ‘I understand that.’
‘I still shouldn’t have taken it out on you. You’re not to blame. I’m sorry, Clive.’
‘It’s okay, don’t worry about it,’ he reassured her.
She nodded and smiled, then followed her family into the kitchen.
‘I can’t believe you’re engaged,’ Clive admitted, clapping Ben on the back.
‘I’m sorry you had to find out this way,’ Ben told him. ‘Honestly, I wanted to tell you myself and I was going to do that on Monday. We wanted to get the ring before we announced it to anyone other than our parents. I can’t believe Mum’s done this. You must think I’m horrible.’
Clive laughed. ‘Don’t be daft. I’m happy for you, truly. So when’s the wedding?’
‘Oh, probably not until next year,’ Ben said. ‘So that will give you plenty of time.’
‘Plenty of time for what?’ Clive asked, puzzled.
‘To prepare a best man’s speech,’ Ben said quietly. ‘That’s if you’ll agree to being my best man of course. Will you?’
‘Ben.’ Clive was speechless for a moment. ‘Are you sure?’
‘You’ve been there for me for most of my life,’ Ben told him warmly. ‘I don’t know where I’d be without you, I really don’t. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have at my side when I get married.’
Clive beamed at him. ‘You’ve just made my day, you know that? I’d be honoured, Ben. I truly would.’
He hugged the young man who’d become like a son to him, his eyes blurry with tears, and reflected that, on balance, he couldn’t remember a time in his life when he’d been happier. He’d been through a lot, and it had been a particularly painful few months, but now everything seemed to be working out for him at last. He was, indeed, a lucky man.