37
Anniversary
Scott put his car in gear and set off, keeping a significant distance behind Liz.
He hadn’t expected her to be out and about this early on Boxing Day.
He huffed to himself. Over the last few weeks he’d gotten to know a lot about Liz, her tastes, her routine.
So much so he often could predict where she was going just by the clothes she was wearing or what time it was.
Today though, she’d caught him off guard.
He’d had to swiftly put his coffee back in the cup holder and leave his half-eaten croissant on the passenger seat, while she reversed her car out of the garage.
It was early for her to be out at just past nine on a public holiday, thought Scott.
Well, he knew the nanny was away so maybe she had no choice this morning.
The roads were quiet, making it hard for him not to be detected, so he hung back until they reached the main road leading in to Leeds.
Scott had the tracker on, so he wasn’t worried about losing her but he still preferred to have her car in his sight.
Liz pulled into a petrol station and started to fill her car, so Scott parked on the opposite side of the street and waited.
He glanced discreetly at her car and spotted the children strapped into the back seats.
So, she was obviously not going to meet up with the trainer then, he thought.
Liz placed the petrol nozzle back on the pump and headed into the shop to pay.
Scott waited patiently wondering what was taking her so long, then shifted around and squinted.
She was on the phone, no doubt calling the trainer.
After a few more minutes she emerged with a bag full of, what looked like sweets, drinks and crisps.
She handed them over to the children, then set off again.
Scott quickly tapped in Gary’s number.
“Morning.” Gary’s deep voice came over the hands free system.
“Morning. What’s Jonathan up to?”
“He’s just put a holdall into the boot of his car.”
“His training bag?”
“No, the same bag he took to Spain. Why what’s up?” Gary asked, knowing Scott must be on to something.
“She’s in the car with the kids and she’s just filled up with petrol. She also bought enough snacks for what I think is going to be long journey.”
“What about Jerome?”
“He was still at home when she left.”
“And the phone logs?”
“A twenty-minute call late last night to the trainer, once Jerome left for Sky. I think she’s going somewhere and I’m pretty sure the trainer’s going too.”
“Did she pack bags?”
“I didn’t see because the car was parked up in the garage,” explained Scott. “I’ll call Seni. He may know.”
Scott hung up and then dialled Arsenio’s number.
“Scott. Is everything alright?”
“Not sure. Is Liz supposed to be going away today?”
“Away? Not that I know of. Nothing was mentioned yesterday.” Arsenio thought back to the Christmas lunch and couldn’t remember any mention of another trip.
Granted he’d been more preoccupied with Cosimo and James, nevertheless something as important as that he was certain he’d have picked up on. “Why, what’s happened?”
Scott quickly gave Arsenio a rundown of what Gary and he had witnessed over the last fifteen minutes and the conclusions they were drawing.
“But she has the kids with her, surely she’s not that stupid.” Even Liz wasn’t that brazen, thought Arsenio.
“Could she be visiting someone? Family, friends?” suggested Scott. He had now followed Liz’s Mercedes through the inner ring road and was heading towards the motorway. “She’s heading towards the M1.”
“Her mother, possibly.” Arsenio was clearly surprised.
Liz usually avoided visiting her mother, preferring that she came to stay with her instead.
The idea of ‘slumming’ it in a small four bedroomed detached house on an estate on the outskirts of Birmingham was not something Liz relished. “She lives near Birmingham.”
“Well, I’m guessing that’s where’s she’s going.”
GIA GASPED AS SHE walked into the private function room.
“Oh Dani, bellisimo! It’s so beautiful!”
Dani was securing the last of the hanging arrangements that hung over each of the round tables. She’d left the main restaurant at two thirty and started to prepare the room for the party, which was due to start at six.
Each table had a dark red slip cloth over the white linen tablecloth.
Dani had placed the flower arrangements she’d prepared, in the centre of each table, then surrounded them with six small tea light glass holders with candles.
The most dramatic features to the whole decoration of the room were the circular wreaths that hung from the ceiling over each table.
They were light frames which had been covered in greenery and small, delicate, white silk flowers.
At different lengths clear and red crystals hung down from the wreaths causing the lighting to sparkle across and around the room.
The wreaths themselves were very simple but the overall effect was magical.
“Grazie. I’ve nearly finished. I just need to put the last of the flower arrangements on the table where the cake will be and then sweep up the floor.
“ She stepped down from the ladder and then brushed some debris that had fallen from the wreaths off her skirt. She was going to have to change her uniform, it was covered in specks. “I’ve taken a few photos too, of the tables and I’ll take a few of the whole room now it’s finished.
You’ll be able to post them on the website and Facebook page. ”
“Oh Dani, you’ve thought of everything. What a great idea. Joseph is going to be so pleased.” Gia looked at her watch. It was almost five. “Shall I ask Jamie to make you something to eat? It’ll be late by the time you finish tonight.”
“A sandwich will be fine Gia, really anything.” Gia nodded and headed out of the room leaving Dani to finish up.
Dani started to reapply her makeup, having managed a quick shower in the changing rooms and restyled her hair from a simple ponytail to a soft French plait.
She added a small red jewelled hair slide, to tie in with the decor.
Boxing Day lunch had been busier than Christmas Day and Dani needed to freshen up, especially after she’d set up the function room.
It would be easier once she moves upstairs, she thought to herself.
At least there’d be less planning involved.
Dani always made sure she had spares of most things in her locker, from shoes to clothes, as well as hair styling products and toiletries.
She furrowed her brow thinking back to that fateful day in October when she’d broken her heel.
What if she’d had a spare pair of shoes that night?
She shook her head, ridding herself of the question that still preyed on her mind.
She’d thought about the events of that night so many times, played out different scenarios in her head, all with different endings.
Thankfully, over the last few weeks she’d come to realise that it was probably for the best. It was like Gia had said, it was her destiny and there was very little she could do to change that now.
Dani sighed thinking back to her recent Christmas Day text she’d received from Jez.
He still wasn’t letting up, saying he couldn’t believe he’d be alone at Christmas and that he missed her desperately.
Too little too late, she thought as she closed up her locker.
Dani checked herself once more in the mirror, then headed upstairs.
Jerome put down the phone in his office.
He’d spent a few minutes talking to Kara and Alessandro who seemed happy to be spending time with their grandmother, Carol.
Liz sounded in a good mood too. At least while she was away he didn’t feel guilty about all the hours he was putting in at La Casa and Sky.
He looked at his watch, it had turned half past five, just enough time for him to freshen up and be down in the function room.
By the time Dani entered the function room, Richard, Pino and Augustino were already upstairs.
She’d be working alongside them tonight, which would be fun, they always worked well together.
Jamie and Carmen were in charge of the buffet for the evening, giving Matteo the night off.
Gia looked sensational in a purple jersey dress, her thick, wavy hair softly styled around her face.
She’d changed from this morning, Dani noted.
“Gia you look gorgeous!”
“Grazie, Daniella.“ Gia shifted restlessly. “I’m… er, I’ve a… date with Raymoundo,“ she muttered. Dani’s eyes widened. She remembered Ray saying he was busy on Boxing Day night when he’d been at Chloe and Adam’s last night for Christmas Dinner.
They’d invited him around for today too, but he’d said he was entertaining.
Ray was turning into a real dark horse, Dani thought.
“Oh, I see. So you’re not staying this evening?” Dani asked.
“Well, I’ll stay just to welcome everyone but I need to go by seven, seven thirty at the latest. You’ll be able to manage without me, won’t you?” Gia’s eyes twinkled, she was clearly excited. Dani grinned and nodded.
Dani busied herself behind the bar, making sure she had all her supplies.
She would be stationed there for the evening.
Dani opened the pink Prosecco and started pouring it into the champagne flutes which were set up on a table, ready for the guests to take when they entered.
Jerome strode in through the door and faltered as his gaze swept around the room.
Dani allowed herself to take a quick glance at him.
He’d changed from this morning into one of Dani’s favourite suits; the dark, blue three piece, matching it with an open necked shirt.
In his breast pocket was the pocket square Silvanna had bought him.
Dani smiled to herself. It matched perfectly.