Chapter 32
Saturday morning arrived welcoming the return of summer. Stella threw open the balcony doors of her bedroom, sunshine and sounds of the seaside rushing in, including a vocal herring gull that was perched on the balcony above Alex’s flat. She heard the rattle of a door handle over at his apartment and quickly ducked back inside. There was no way she wanted to come face to face with him for several reasons, one of which was that she didn’t want him to see her in such a dishevelled state. Her hair had escaped its plait and she had the feeling her face bore the creases from her pillow. It was so not a good look.
It had taken her a while to fall asleep the previous evening, adrenalin pumping around her veins after her unpleasant experience on her way home. She made a mental note to contact DC Stephens; this attempted intimidation needed to stop, she had enough going on in her life right now.
As she set her coffee machine away, a ripple of excitement rushed through her; she was looking forward to having her friends round tonight, welcoming them into her new home. Much as she loved her apartment, it was a big space to fill. Stella had been taken off guard a couple of times when she’d detected an air of… not loneliness, but something hovering on the periphery of it. She wondered if her mum had ever felt that way at Magnolia Gardens after she’d left for university. That was a big house too, with generously proportioned rooms and high ceilings, the sound almost echoing around the place. The thought that it might have had something to do with why her mum had finally welcomed some romance – and Rhys – into her life crossed her mind. Her following thought was if she’d find herself in a similar position one day, but dismissed the notion before it had a chance to take root, moving swiftly on to Bill and Pim; she’d thought about inviting them this evening but Saturday night was always crazy busy at The Cellar and it was too short notice to get anyone to cover for them. Maybe they could get together over Sunday dinner at the Jolly some time? she mused.
Her father slipped into her mind, how he’d acted as if he didn’t know her the previous evening. He could at least have said hello, rather than averting his gaze before either of them had a chance to speak. ‘His loss!’ she said resolutely, adding a dash of frothy milk to her cup of coffee. She’d got this far without his presence in her life and she’d continue without it just fine. She didn’t need him; she’d satisfied her curiosity and that had been enough. What she’d witnessed hadn’t made her want to get to know anything more about him. Perching on a bar stool, cradling her cup in her hands, she ignored the little pinch of hurt that had resurrected itself in her chest, turning her attention to her to-do list for that evening, she’d attend to its contents on her return from her Saturday morning run.
Stella’s eyes swept the living room, taking in the kitchen area, pleased with what she saw; her apartment looked sleek and inviting. She’d selected an upbeat, poppy playlist at a volume that wouldn’t hamper conversation. The scented candles had been lit for the last hour, their clean fragrance filling the air, the bouquet looked stunning on the sideboard, and the island was positively groaning with delicious looking nibbles from the deli. She’d flicked the fairy lights on in readiness for when the light had dimmed, adding to the ambience.
She’d already planned her outfit for the evening, selecting a grey silk slip dress with fine straps that crossed over at the back, and had swept her hair up into a chic chignon. On her feet were a pair of designer heels that fastened delicately around her ankles. She’d kept her make-up understated, adding a slick of deep pink lip gloss for impact.
She was taking a last check in the mirror when the buzzer of the intercom sounded, sending a frisson of excitement running through her. She strode over to it to see Florrie and Ed grinning back at her, with who she guessed were Florrie’s parents standing in the background. ‘Hiya, Stells,’ they said in unison.
‘Hiya, guys. Come on up.’ Smiling, she pressed the entry button.
Moments later, she was greeting them cheerily at the door.
‘By the way, flower, I thought I should mention there was a shifty-looking fella hanging around the door downstairs. Said he’d forgotten his key and asked if we could keep the door open for him, but we were having none of it, especially when we asked who he was and he was reluctant to give his name,’ Paula, Florrie’s mum, said once she’d released Stella from a warm hug.
‘Aye, too right, we told him to sling his hook,’ said Florrie’s dad, Charlie.
‘That’s very good of you.’ Stella smiled, hoping to conceal the alarm she felt; she was sure it must be the creepy man who’d been following her. But she wasn’t going to let him spoil her evening with her friends. He’d proved he was cowardly by speeding off when she’d gone to confront him the previous evening. She didn’t want to dwell on his motive for trying to gain entry into Fitzgilbert’s Landing for a second time. He must be oblivious to the fact he’d be captured on CCTV again. She really must contact DC Stephens and get this sorted once and for all.
Not long after, Maggie and Bear arrived with Lark and Nate, as well as Jean Davenport and Jack Playforth. They’d scooped them up en route in their Land Rover. With Maggie being pregnant she was steering clear of alcohol so had volunteered to drive, allowing the others the option to enjoy a glass of wine.
‘I think it’s probably best if we wait for the others to arrive before we give you your pressies,’ said Jasmine, who had a large cake carrier in her hands; she’d arrived with her parents just after Maggie and her carful.
‘Who are we waiting for?’ asked Maggie, looking around just as the buzzer went again.
‘My mum and Rhys, and the couple from upstairs,’ said Stella, handing Nate a bottle of beer before heading over to the intercom. She smiled to see her mum’s face on the screen. ‘Mum, you could just use your key, you know!’ she said, chuckling.
‘I know, lovey, but I don’t like to be pushy and presumptuous.’ Her mum’s words sent a prickle of guilt rushing over Stella, reminding her of how only days ago she’d been creeping around her mum’s bedroom and sifting through her jewellery box and pilfering a letter. Not her finest hour by any stretch of the imagination. Best not dwell on that tonight! She was saved from thinking any further of it by the arrival of Brooke and Marcus and the introductions that followed.
‘Right then, Stells, now we’re all here, I think it’s time to hand over your apartment warming presents.’ Jasmine beamed.
‘You really didn’t need to get me anything,’ Stella said. ‘I just thought it’d be fun to have a get-together now I’ve got unpacked, welcome you all to my new apartment.’
‘Is Alex not coming?’ Stella’s mum asked, looking puzzled.
‘No, he won’t be here tonight, Mum,’ Stella said firmly. ‘I’ll explain later.’ She could feel her mum scrutinising her face but she didn’t want to discuss Alex tonight, he was strictly off limits.
‘Anyroad, here’s my offering; it’s chocolate cake, by the way.’ Evidently picking up on the non-verbals flying between Stella and her mum, Jasmine jumped in, shooting Stella a knowing look.
‘Thanks, Jazz, that’s so kind.’ Stella gave her a grateful smile as she lifted the lid off the cake carrier, a gasp escaping her lips as she looked down at the intricate creation. ‘Oh, Jazz! It’s stunning!’ A series of wows ran around the room as everyone gazed in awe at Jasmine’s handiwork. Before them was the Fitzgilbert’s Landing building skilfully recreated in sugar paste and fondant icing, right down to the wrought-iron balconies and metal window frames. Standing beside the building was a sugar paste version of Stella in her barrister’s wig and robes, a brief tied with pink ribbon tucked under her arm, vertiginous heels adorning her feet. Curling sugar paste waves trimmed the side of the cake, with biscuit crumb sand spread over the base. There was even a seagull on the roof. Though the mix of features could, on paper, be considered somewhat incongruous, in cake form, it worked brilliantly, with Jasmine’s skill and personality shining through. ‘Jazz, this is amazing! It must’ve taken you hours. Thank you so much.’ Stella felt a rush of love for her friend, appreciating the busy – at times frantically so – life she had, yet she’d set time aside to make this for her. Stella swept her into a hug and squeezed her tight, Jasmine joking that she was getting dangerously short of breath.
‘You really need to give up your other jobs and focus on this, Jazz. You’re so talented,’ said Florrie.
‘Hear, hear,’ said Maggie.
‘That’s what we keep telling her, isn’t it, Steve?’ Heather, Jasmine’s mum, said, pride shining in her eyes.
‘Aye, it is.’ Her dad nodded, smiling fondly.
‘It’s just a bit of chocolate cake and fondant icing.’ Blushing, Jasmine batted the compliment away as she always did. ‘Mind, if I’d heard the story of your disappearing undies sooner, I might’ve been tempted to make one with a load of skimpy sugar paste knickers strewn all over it instead, but I’d already made a start on this so it was too late.’ She gave a dirty giggle.
‘Sounds like you had a lucky escape there, Stells.’ Lark chuckled.
‘What’s this about your disappearing undies?’ asked Brooke, her copper brows drawing together.
Stella quickly relayed the story of how her lingerie had gone missing but decided against mentioning Alex’s involvement. Much as she was still furious with him – not to mention crushingly disappointed – she was reluctant to bad mouth him to their neighbours.
‘I think I might know what’s happened to it,’ Brooke said, all eyes turning to her.
‘You do?’ Stella said.
Brooke nodded, her auburn ponytail swinging. ‘I was out there this morning, just having a cup of coffee in the sun, when I spotted a black Labrador charging around; looked full of mischief. Anyway, next thing I know, it jumps up at the washing line in the garden next to mine, grabs a tea towel and starts running about with it in its mouth. It was having a whale of a time, tearing about.’ She giggled, pressing her hand to her mouth. ‘A couple of minutes later, I heard a man’s voice shouting the name Fred or Ted – something like that. Fred or Ted dropped the towel and shot back inside and that was the last I saw of him. I reckon that’s what probably happened to your silk undies.’
‘You’re kidding me?’ Stella clamped her hand to her mouth. No way! She cringed inside, her stomach twisting in a tight knot as she realised how wrong she’d been. ‘Fred’s the knicker-nicker?’
‘Ey up, what’s this?’ said Florrie’s dad Charlie tuning in. Up to that point, he and his wife Paula had been deep in conversation with Stella’s mum and Rhys.
‘Did I hear right? There’s a knicker-nicking Labrador about?’ asked Paula.
Brooke laughed. ‘Yep. I reckon Stella’s relieved to know her undies haven’t been pinched by some undesirable scrote with dubious intentions. It’s just a mischievous black Lab.’
Stella swallowed, aware of the weight of everyone’s gaze on her.
‘Oops,’ said Jasmine.
Oops indeed.Stella felt dreadful, the accusations she’d hurled at Alex replaying in her mind making her face burn with shame. She rubbed her brow with her fingertips. He’d tried to explain but she’d shot him down, refused to listen. From this vantage point she could see she’d switched into lawyer mode way too easily, and she wasn’t proud of herself for it. She desperately needed to speak to him, but tonight wasn’t the right time. She’d head over to his apartment first thing in the morning before she went for her run, apologise and hope he’d forgive her. But right now, she had an apartment full of guests and she needed to play hostess and put her horrendous mistake out of her mind until the morning. It was going to be easier said than done.
‘Right, time for more pressies,’ said Maggie. She’d clearly picked up on Stella’s concerns and was keen to stop her friend from heading down that particular rabbit hole tonight. ‘There you go, happy apartment warming from Bear and me.’ She smiled kindly, handing over a gift bag.
‘Thank you, guys.’ Stella reached into the bag and carefully lifted out a wooden box bearing The Micklewick Bear Company logo, her spirits lifting instantly. She slid the lid off, revealing one of Maggie’s exquisite keepsake cashmere bears. Her face lit up. ‘Oh, Mags, you shouldn’t have.’ She knew just how much care and attention her friend gave to the construction of her bears, and looking at the detail in this one – whom Maggie had named Sibyl – Stella could see it was no exception, with its studious expression, complete with a pair of half-moon glasses perched on its nose. Smiling, Stella’s eyes ran over the bear, taking in the detail of the courtroom attire which included a carefully constructed knitted replica of a barrister’s wig. Maggie had even included a red brief bag. There was no doubting it would have taken days of Maggie’s busy schedule to make it.
‘Oh, Mags, she’s gorgeous! Thank you so much, you too, Bear. I’ll sit her on my desk so I can see her while I’m working.’
Maggie and Bear beamed back at her. ‘Glad you like her, flower,’ said Maggie.
Lark was next up, smiling broadly as she handed Stella a large, flat parcel. ‘This is from Nate and me.’
Everyone looked on as Stella carefully removed the gift wrap to reveal the photo she’d been enquiring about at Lark’s shop just days earlier. ‘Lark! I thought this had been sold?’
‘When I told you it had gone, it’s because I’d tucked it away for you; I’d noticed how taken you were with it.’ Lark smiled at her.
‘I was! I love it! Thank you.’
With the picture propped against the wall, Florrie handed over the gift from her and Ed. It was an old book detailing the history of some of the oldest buildings in Micklewick Bay, including the warehouse that was now Stella’s home, and the nearby terrace of houses. ‘Wow! Thank you. This is going to look super cool on my coffee table.’
‘Here you go, lass.’ Jack Playforth handed her a gift bag. ‘It’s from my mother and me.’
‘Goodness, I feel so spoilt.’ Stella laughed, taking the bag. ‘Thank you.’ Inside was a large box of chocolates from The Chocolate Cherub Chocolate Shop over in Middleton-le-Moors. ‘Ooh! These are my favourites! Thank you both so much.’
‘Glad you like them, lovey,’ said Jean Davenport, smiling. ‘We didn’t really know what to get you, but Maggie said these were your favourite chocolates so we thought we couldn’t go far wrong with them.’
‘And it’s good to see you like these,’ said Brooke, holding an elegantly wrapped box out to her. She and Marcus had brought a scented candle they sold on their website which was the very same brand as the ones Stella had bought earlier in the week and were currently perfuming the air of the apartment, while Florrie’s parents had brought a pot plant for her balcony, as had Jasmine’s parents.
‘Our Florrie mentioned you were thinking about getting some plants for out there but weren’t certain which ones would be hardy enough to withstand the sea air; these should be ideal,’ Paula said.
‘Thank you all, I really didn’t expect any gifts but you’ve all been so thoughtful,’ Stella said, touched by their kindness.
After a quick tour of her apartment, with everyone suitably impressed, it wasn’t long before her new home was thrumming with chatter and laughter. Talk of the proposed new marina and the identity of the mystery man who’d renovated the warehouse and was apparently ruffling local disreputable businessman Dodgy Dick’s feathers by snapping up property he’d shown an interest in were the most popular topics of discussion. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as they tucked into the nibbles and sipped their drinks. But Stella found herself struggling to switch off completely, thanks to the little voice that kept telling her Alex should have been here. The thought that she’d hurt him, accused him, made her stomach clench.
She cast her gaze around at her guests, her eyes alighting on Maggie and Bear. He had a protective arm around his wife’s shoulders, absently bending to kiss her cheek as they chatted away. Maggie glanced up at him, indisputable love in their eyes. Stella felt a squeeze of something that felt uncomfortably like jealousy. It hit her like a bolt out of the blue, she wanted what they had. In the next second, her heart sank like a stone when she realised the only one she wanted that with was Alex.
But she very much doubted he’d want anything to do with her now.