Chapter 32
The shop couldn’t have been open for more than five minutes the following day when the bell tinkled.
A short woman, probably a similar age to me, headed straight for the counter.
She smiled at me and removed a deep pink woollen cap, revealing a mop of shoulder-length dark hair.
‘You must be Sarah,’ she said brightly. ‘I’m Carolyn.
But you can call me Callie. Everyone does. ’
‘Nick’s sister?’ Eek!
‘The very same.’
‘You look just like him.’
‘I know. I get it all the time and I try not to take offence that people think I look like a man.’
‘Oh, I didn’t—’
‘It’s okay. I’m kidding. I’ve been dying to meet you. Nick never stops talking about you.’
‘Really?’ That was probably before his evening of passion with Blonde.
‘Really,’ Callie said. ‘I’ve never heard him so enthusiastic about anyone before.’
‘Oh. You do know—’
‘That you’re not together?’ Callie wrinkled her nose. ‘He told me you have a few things to work out with your ex. So how’s that going?’
‘With Andy?’
‘Yes.’ Callie clapped her hand over her mouth. ‘Oh. I’m so sorry. Don’t answer that. What an awkward question to ask you. You’re hardly going to feel comfortable telling me that things are great when I’m Nick’s sister, are you? I have this terrible habit of engaging mouth before brain.’
I smiled. I already liked her. What a shame Nick had moved on. I could have imagined becoming good friends with Callie. ‘How’s Nick?’ I asked. ‘Have you seen him recently?’
‘Christmas Day. He was a bit tied up yesterday so I didn’t get to see him then.’
I bet he was. And then my mind filled with this horrible image of him quite literally being tied up while Blonde walked round him brandishing a whip. Ew! Stop thinking that.
‘And he was okay?’ I asked.
‘He put on a brave face with it being Christmas but I could tell he’s really upset.
I know you’d only just got together but it was love at first sight for him.
He told me that on my wedding day. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy.
Mum and I were beginning to despair that he’d be single forever then along you came and it was like he’d found his soulmate at last.’
I was saved from responding by the arrival of a young couple who smiled and headed towards the gift section.
‘I can see you’re busy,’ Callie said. ‘And I promise I didn’t come in here to have a go at you for breaking my brother’s heart.
Ooh. I didn’t mean to say that either because it sounds like you’ve deliberately treated him badly and I know that’s not the case.
’ She stopped and grimaced. ‘I’ve just implied you treated him badly too which I know you haven’t.
I think I’m just going to stop gibbering and focus on why I came in.
Can I order some flowers for Dad’s, Grandma’s, and Granddad’s graves?
We have our annual family pilgrimage to the cemetery on New Year’s Day. ’
‘Nick mentioned it. Three bouquets of white roses, is it?’
‘Yes please. Half a dozen roses in each for the graves plus three single roses for Nick. Did you know he throws them into the sea?’
I nodded.
‘It’s really sweet of him,’ she continued.
‘He goes down to Lighthouse Point and throws in the roses at two minutes past eleven promptly as that’s the exact time and day that Grandma died.
She was the last to leave us. He stays there for about ten minutes then he picks Mum and me up, takes us to the cemetery, then the three of us have lunch. It’s been the same routine for years.’
‘Do you ever go to the lighthouse with him?’
‘No. Never. It’s his thing. He started doing it the year after Grandma died so he’d have been about seventeen or so but we didn’t know about it until years later. Mum and I have always respected his need for a private moment.’
I could picture him standing at the end of Lighthouse Point, lost in thought as he tossed the stems into the water.
Suddenly I imagined me in the picture, a few paces away from him to give him space.
He’d throw the roses, murmur a few words then turn to me for comfort.
I had to stop torturing myself like that.
We weren’t together. If anyone was going to be there to comfort him, it was going to be Blonde and I had to accept that he’d moved on.
I turned my attention back to Callie. ‘When do you want them? New Year’s Eve?’
‘Yes please. Sometime in the afternoon.’
‘Will Nick come in to collect them?’ I tried to sound disinterested but I don’t think I pulled it off.
‘No. Just me, I’m afraid. He’s actually in town with me this morning and he wanted to come in but he was worried it would make things awkward for you. He’s so lovely like that, always thinking of others. I have a message from him, though.’
‘Oh. What did he say?’ That he still loved me? That he desperately wanted me to be with him and I should send Andy packing and run away with him instead?
‘He hopes that you’ll start going to Bay Trade in the New Year. Apparently you made a really good impression and they’d love you to join.’
Was that all? He wanted me to go to Bay Trade? Oh well, I guess I couldn’t really expect any declarations of love given that he’d so clearly moved on. Not that I had any right to judge him for that after spending so much time with Andy.
‘I’d like to,’ I admitted. Aside from the fact that I liked them, it had already proved lucrative for business with Skye’s exhibition confirmed and the potential contract at The Ramparts. ‘But I don’t want Nick to feel uncomfortable. He set it up and they’re his friends.’
‘Don’t be so daft. He’d love you to go.’
‘Tell him maybe February or March. Give things time to settle.’
‘I’ll tell him. I’d better go. I think you’re needed.’ Callie indicated the couple who were approaching the counter with a photo frame and a soft giraffe. ‘It was lovely to meet you. I’ll see you next week for the roses. And sorry about all that stuff about you and Nick. None of my business.’
‘It’s fine. Honestly.’ I waved her off.
After the couple paid for their gifts and left, I sat down heavily on the stool by the counter.
Why hadn’t I asked her about Blonde? But I knew the answer; I didn’t want to hear that he’d moved on.
To have her confirm it would have taken away the tiniest possibility that it was innocent and I still stood a chance with him.
?? From Andy
Hi gorgeous. Can I pick you up at the cottage at 6.30 instead of the shop? Wrap up warm again. Can’t wait to see you tonight xx
?? To Andy
OK. See you there
I couldn’t bring myself to put kisses or even a smiley face on my text.
I didn’t feel very smiley. What I felt was very guilty as I watched the little envelope sending my text.
Should I be honest with Andy and tell him how I felt about Nick?
Or should I keep trying with him and forget about Nick like he’d forgotten about me?
But what if it was innocent with Blonde and Nick really was still waiting for me?
The door opened, signalling a welcome interruption to my confused thoughts. ‘Crikey, sweetheart, you look like Santa forgot you’d moved. I don’t know if I dare ask if you had a good Christmas.’
I smiled at Cathy and Jade. ‘Sorry. Miles away. Christmas was great, thanks. What about you two?’
‘It was lovely, thank you,’ Cathy said. ‘But the best bit was Jade’s news.’
‘Oh yes?’ I looked expectantly at Jade, anticipating some news about an exam result or something like that. I certainly didn’t expect her to bounce up and down excitedly, thrust out her left hand and squeal, ‘I got engaged.’
Engaged? I didn’t even know she had a boyfriend. On autopilot, my hand reached for hers and I looked down at the shiny platinum band and sparkling solitaire diamond. It was stunning. Simple. But absolutely stunning.
‘When?’ I eventually managed to whisper.
‘Midnight on Christmas Eve.’
‘She’s been with Aaron since she was twelve,’ Cathy gushed. ‘He’s a lovely young man.’
‘How did he propose?’ I asked. The ring was just like the one I dreamed about. I hoped the proposal wasn’t though. I knew I was torturing myself by asking but I felt compelled to know.
‘He said he had a special present he wanted me to have without my family around. He stood me in front of the Christmas tree and told me to close my eyes. I thought it was going to be something embarrassing like underwear, but when he told me to open my eyes, he was on bended knee. He cried when I said yes.’
‘When’s the big day?’ A huge lump choked the words. Jade looked radiant with happiness. I’d seen that look so many times and it made me feel further and further away from my own hopes and dreams.
‘Summer the year after next when I’ve finished college.’
‘I’m so happy for you, Jade.’ I said. ‘I know a great florist you must use. She’ll do you a cracking deal.’
They laughed and Cathy hugged her daughter. ‘I’m so proud,’ she said. ‘I know some people will think they’re too young but they’re such sensible kids and, as I’ve already said, Aaron is lovely. Perfect son-in-law material.’
I smiled. ‘He sounds great. Congratulations! Look, I know you’ve just arrived and you haven’t even got your coats off, but Mum’s running late and I’m dying for the loo. You couldn’t hold the fort for a moment while I go, could you?’
‘Of course,’ Cathy said. ‘We don’t want any puddles on your nice new floor.’