Chapter 51
There was only one more full day left on the trip before their flight home to the UK, and though the fact loomed in the background of her mind, Naomi’s focus was on today and all that it had in store.
Her birthday, the milestone she’d been waiting for.
‘Welcome to forty,’ she muttered darkly, as she brushed her teeth that morning.
Greg had since acquiesced to her demand that he vacate the room at least, and when Naomi returned the following morning after their argument, she saw that he’d taken all his belongings with him.
Where he’d gone to, be it another room or maybe even another hotel, she didn’t know, nor did she care to find out.
He was gone, and their relationship was at an end.
So now Naomi needed to start over. In more ways than more.
She knew that the birthday wishes would today flow from family, friends and staff of the resort, who’d already made a huge fuss of her that morning over breakfast. A prelude to what she was determined should still be a wonderful day of celebration, culminating in the big resort party tonight.
Now, as she stood in front of the mirror trying on her specially chosen birthday dress, Naomi tried to feel proud of herself.
Her hair was pulled up, and the maxi dress swirled around her like a drink in a glass; splashes of pink, yellow, orange and hints of green supplied enough colour to distract from her wan complexion, plus add a bit of flamboyant panache well suited to the tropical surroundings.
A knock on the door drew her away from her daydreaming and she checked the time.
At breakfast, she’d agreed to meet the others for a few pre-lunch birthday cocktails by the pool, but it was still a bit early for that yet.
She padded barefoot to the door and pulled it open to see Sam greeting her with a huge grin.
‘Wow, for an old woman, that dress looks stunning on you,’ she teased.
‘Laugh all you want, you’re next,’ Naomi reminded her.
‘Not me. I’ve decided I’m gonna to stay in my thirties for ever. You ready? Your car is waiting.’
‘Car? What are you talking about? We’re heading down to the pool.’
‘Not quite.’ Once Naomi had put some shoes on and grabbed a bag, Sam ushered her downstairs and then out front to where she spotted a very sleek limo waiting nearby.
‘Is this … for me?’ she asked, as they continued in the direction of the pristine silver vehicle.
‘Yep, we wanted you to travel in style today,’ her friend announced, smiling.
‘But where are we going?’
Sam tapped her nose, and as they drove to their secret destination the two friends sipped champagne, which was already chilled and waiting in the backseat. Naomi immediately began to relax and was determined to forget all about Greg and set aside any thoughts about her future. Today was her day.
The car dropped them off in Castries at an upscale restaurant, which looked to be located right on the water’s edge. Naomi could hear the rolling of the waves as the car pulled away and she and Sam walked to the beachside entrance.
The traditional white wooden colonial structure was draped with billowing white curtains illuminated in the sunlight that gave it a deeply evocative and romantic feel. The cool ocean breeze danced across the sand in welcome as they climbed the short wooden steps and were greeted by the hostess.
The woman’s assistance wasn’t necessary, however; Naomi could already see her mother and father seated at a table out front under the gazebo-covered deck expansion, which overlooked the aquamarine water. The quintessential Caribbean view of dreams.
She waved and the large table of occupants turned to look, all smiling as she and Sam approached.
Her parents, sisters and much to Naomi’s surprise … was that Holly and Will?
‘She’s here!’ she heard the little girl call out from her seat. Will promptly urged his daughter to lower her voice, which Holly did, though she continued to grin happily at Naomi until she’d joined them.
‘What are they doing here?’ she muttered to Sam as they made their way to the table.
‘I told you we were surprising you. And I thought it would be nice to include your new holiday buddies,’ her friend said with a smirk.
‘Happy birthday, Naomi!’ Holly sang as Will stood and gallantly pulled out her chair while the rest of the table chorused birthday greetings all round.
‘Thank you so much,’ she replied, suddenly overcome as she looked around at them all.
She smiled so brightly, trying to bite back tears, that her cheeks hurt a little.
Despite everything that had happened with Greg, she was …
OK. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so happy, appreciated, and loved even.
After they’d enjoyed a round of cocktails, including a virgin pina colada for Holly, lunch was a heavenly feast that lived up to the premises’ magnificent location.
But the true pièce de résistance was when the entire staff of the restaurant, including the owner and several guests nearby, broke into song as a waitress brought out a beautiful birthday cake with sparklers on it.
Holly watched in wonder as Naomi attempted to blow them out, and asked if she could too, but her father refused.
‘It’s fine. And thank you all,’ Naomi repeated for the umpteenth time that day as she tried to resist tears. ‘This is the nicest birthday I’ve ever had.’
Presumably Sam had filled everyone in about what was going on, since nobody mentioned her boyfriend’s absence, or indeed Greg at all, and Naomi was grateful for that, though still somewhat embarrassed by it all, in Will and Holly’s presence especially. Yet it seemed fitting to have them there too.
She failed miserably in any further attempts at a speech, becoming far too emotional, and Sam and her sisters quickly came around to hug her while her parents patted her hand.
Will caught Naomi’s eye and smiled encouragingly, before turning to Holly to explain why the birthday girl would be crying if she was happy, since the child was clearly momentarily confused.
Later, as they waited for their transportation to return, Naomi took Holly for a ramble along the short jetty outside the restaurant. As they walked, the little girl asked question after question, while Will watched the two from where he stood chatting with Sam.
‘What happened to your boyfriend? How come he wasn’t at the party? Where is he?’ the little girl asked matter-of-factly.
‘He’s not my boyfriend anymore, actually,’ Naomi explained. And the truth was she wasn’t sure what had happened to Greg or where he was today.
‘Why not? Did you break up with him? Did he do something bad?’
Naomi considered her response carefully before answering. ‘Let’s just say that I realised he wasn’t the right person for me.’
‘But how can you know who the right person is?’ Holly asked curiously, her brow furrowing in speculation.
‘Well, usually you and that person care about each other and want the same things …’ she tried to explain.
‘That’s what Daddy said.’
Naomi looked over at Will, wondering what exactly had spurred this particular conversation between father and daughter.
‘Your dad is a smart man.’
‘I think so too,’ Holly replied as she peeked over the edge of the jetty and into the dark water. ‘You’re nice, you know.’
‘I think you’re nice also,’ she replied and stooped down beside the young girl to look into the water and watch the fish darting around in the shallows.
Once on her level, Holly looked her in the eye. ‘I told my daddy that it was okay for him to like you,’ she divulged, much to Naomi’s surprise.
‘Oh.’ She didn’t know what else to say to that.
‘But he said he already liked you anyway. A lot.’
Now Naomi’s cheeks flushed and her eyes quickly moved back towards Will, still side by side with Sam.
He turned in their direction for a moment, and as their eyes met, he flashed her a brief smile and then resumed his conversation.
Naomi was confused though. What did it mean that he liked her?
Just as a person or was it alluding to something more?
Holly was a little girl; she couldn’t really have understood what her father had actually meant, or the difference between platonic and romantic feelings.
There was no way to know either, unless Naomi asked.
You just ended a troublesome relationship. You’re not about to go rushing after some other guy because his daughter says he likes you, even if you like him too.
Her thoughts froze then. She liked him too …
‘Guys, the cars are here,’ Sam called over at them.
‘Coming!’ Naomi took hold of Holly’s hand and ushered her back.
‘Everything OK?’ Will asked as they approached, catching her confused expression.
‘Fine,’ she blurted as she handed Holly to him and then quickly headed back to her friend and their car.
But on the entire return trip back to The Palms, Naomi’s inner voice kept repeating the same thing over and over.
You like him too.