Chapter Fifteen
Connor stood in the road, watching Rosie drive away until her car turned the corner and disappeared from view. Only then did he head back indoors. He hadn’t meant to upset her, but he knew as soon as he’d seen the scribble on the envelope, that his plan had backfired.
Sure, he wanted to keep up his social media profile, otherwise the chances of getting back into his old job were non-existent, but not at the expense of someone else.
That’s precisely what some of Bonnie’s friends had done to him, and the reason he wanted to put a stop to all the Where is Connor Forbes? gossip.
He sat in his usual armchair by the window and studied the leaflet.
A school concert wasn’t his idea of a fun evening out, but if that was what Rosie wanted to do, he’d make the effort and go along.
It occurred to him that she probably assumed he wouldn’t want to go; well, if this was some sort of test, he’d show her he still had some redeeming qualities.
His thoughts meandered back to the other night at DeLaneys.
It was the first time he’d seen Rosie wear a dress, and she had a nice figure to show off.
She’d also made an effort with her hair and makeup; he noticed that sort of detail.
However, she’d seemed a bit quiet, nervous even, as though she wasn’t accustomed to fine dining experiences.
When she was gardening, she usually wore jeans and a shapeless jumper, and somehow that was the version of Rosie he liked best. In the garden she was relaxed, fun, even sparky on occasions.
She hadn’t cared about who he was, or had been, and he’d enjoyed her company.
If going to a school concert was what it took to get him back in her good books, then so be it.
The following day, Connor called round to see his neighbour and introduce himself.
If he was going to do something, Connor Forbes believed in doing it properly – one of the few lessons from his grandad that he’d actually followed – so he also took along a box of Maltesers.
He had briefly considered flowers but decided that was inappropriate.
Now, as he fidgeted on the doorstep, he wondered whether Martina would even want to speak to him.
The door opened on the chain, and Connor proffered his most charming smile.
‘Hi, I’m Connor, I live next door and I thought I ought to pop over and say hello.
I believe you already know Rosie? She’s renting my garden.
’ He hoped that the mention of Rosie would smooth the way a bit.
He held out the box. ‘I’ve brought an offering. I hope you like Maltesers.’
‘We do!’ shouted a boy’s voice in the background, which reminded him of his nephew who also loved anything in the chocolate line.
‘The thing is,’ he hurried on, eager to get to the point and not create the wrong impression, ‘Rosie kind of invited me to the children’s Christmas Spectacular, but I wanted to check first that you didn’t mind.
She’s happy to drive, but I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable with me tagging along. ’
It was helpful that Martina clearly recognised him and consequently didn’t object to him buying a ticket.
The doorstep conversation was brief but amicable, and Connor returned to his flat, feeling as though he had achieved something positive that Rosie would approve of.
Once the tickets were purchased, he texted Rosie to confirm the arrangements.
He then settled down with his computer for some Christmas shopping research.
*
Connor had no idea what to expect from a school concert.
He didn’t even remember his school having one.
The closest he’d got to being in a concert was on The Challenge, where they were divided into teams and had to put on a ten-minute play on the theme of Strength in Diversity.
He remembered he was dressed as a noble, while Ryan played peasant number three, but the details of the plot were rather vague.
If he was being honest, so was the acting in the Bridge Park Academy Christmas Spectacular, but after a while he realised that wasn’t really the point.
Sitting next to Rosie and Martina, he saw them beam with pride as they watched Sophia sprinkle her fairy magic around the stage in the nativity scene, while her brother Jacob played Second Shepherd, wearing a striped tea towel tied around his head in time-honoured fashion.
They smiled sympathetically at the nervous narrator who kept forgetting his lines, they stifled giggles as one of the shepherds threw a toy sheep at one of the wise men, and after a less than discreet tussle over who was meant to carry the gold bar, it slipped from its paper wrapping so the baby in the manger was presented with a shoe box instead, leaving most of the audience wiping away tears of laughter.
There was plenty of singing to liven up proceedings – both traditional carols and modern songs – and the audience were invited to join in too.
As the players took their curtain calls for the last time, Connor was forced to admit that despite all his preconceived ideas and erroneous assumptions, he had enjoyed himself.
It had been a long time since he’d had an afternoon of singing and laughing where people weren’t trying to read something into what you said or how you behaved.
He had noticed the occasional look or double-take, but thankfully everyone else just ignored him and he’d deliberately worn jeans and a non-designer hoodie that didn’t draw attention to the wearer.
Unfortunately, as the hall emptied, a couple of the mums rushed over to where they were standing, and he steeled himself for more selfie requests, desperately hoping Rosie would note he wasn’t encouraging them.
However, without even a sideways glance at him, they hurried over to Martina.
‘I just wanted to say that Sophia’s dress is beyond gorgeous! My Bethany is now desperate to have one – where did you get it?’
Martina pointed at Rosie. ‘A clever friend of mine made it for her. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’
The other mum nodded enthusiastically. ‘Do you do commissions? I have a little niece that adores unicorns too.’
Rosie looked rather like a startled deer. ‘Well, I suppose I could. I’ve never thought about it before.’
‘We’d pay the going rate obviously. I’ll give you my contact details just in case.’
They filed out of the hall and as they stood outside with all the other parents waiting for the children to appear, Connor leaned closer to Rosie and murmured, ‘You’re wasted at Pennewicks. You could set up your own business.’ His warm breath tickled her ear.
Before Rosie had a chance to reply, Jacob and Sophia came running over.
‘Mum! Mum! Did you like it?’
‘Could you hear me singing? Our teacher said we did ever so well.’
‘Bethany says my fairy dress was the best!’ This last comment was accompanied by some on-the-spot skipping.
‘You were both brilliant,’ said Martina, hugging them proudly.
‘Outstanding acting,’ declared Connor with a short round of applause.
‘Hear, hear,’ added Rosie.
‘Hear what?’ asked Sophia with a puzzled expression, and everyone laughed in a kindly way.
The journey home was filled with non-stop chatter about what each person liked best, while Martina handed round sweets as a treat.
As Rosie pulled up outside Mickleborough Gardens, everyone got out.
The children were tired and there was a chill in the air, so Martina made them say quick goodbyes, then whisked them indoors.
Connor had thoroughly enjoyed his evening out and had been relieved and delighted that Rosie seemed back to her normal, happy self, but now they were alone he didn’t want to spoil the atmosphere by saying or doing something wrong.
Memories of their last conversation, standing outside the flats with Rosie shouting at him, were still fresh, and he was desperate to know if he was forgiven. They both spoke together.
‘Rosie, I—’
‘I just—’
They both stopped. Connor gave a nervous laugh, gestured and said, ‘Go on, you first.’
‘I just wanted to say thanks for coming this afternoon. To be honest, I didn’t think you would.’
Connor smiled. ‘And yet, here I am.’
‘Indeed.’ A hint of a smile drifted across her face.
‘Fancy a cuppa?’
Rosie hesitated. ‘Thanks, but I’d better get back.’
‘In that case, can you hang on one second? I’ve got something for you.’