CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
I’d taken Anika’s advice and I’d bought a new dress and booked a table for two at a very expensive restaurant for the following night.
Anika’s words had echoed in my head as I was deciding where we should go.
Rory’s worth the effort, isn’t he?
We needed to talk about our relationship and whether Lois had managed to beguile him all over again. And whether or not we had a future together. This was important. So in the end, I’d decided to just go for it and to hell with the expense...
When I called Rory to tell him I was taking him out to eat at The Buttery so we could talk, he sounded a bit nervous, as if he thought I might be gearing up to end things between us.
So I was quick to reassure him that I just meant we hadn’t had time to talk much recently, because we’d both been so busy.
He’d seemed relieved. ‘Right. Great! Looking forward to it.’
There was still that slight polite awkwardness between us, but I was hopeful that a night out together with some delicious food and wine, just Rory and me, would smooth out the wrinkles in our relationship and get us back on track.
But then later that day, my friend Roz called me, sounding really upset.
Things hadn’t been going well for her and Tommy ever since she’d moved up to Lancashire to live with him.
And now he’d packed a bag and left the flat they were sharing to move in with an old flame, leaving Roz up there knowing no one and feeling completely alone.
Not being able to drive, she was now stranded there with no way of getting back to her mum’s in Surrey with all her stuff.
Hearing the pain in her voice, I didn’t think twice.
‘I’ll come and get you,’ I said at once.
‘Will you? Oh, Clara, that would be great.’
‘Of course. You poor love!’
‘Can you... can you come tomorrow? It’s just I don’t think I can bear to spend much more time in this horrible flat, feeling the way I do.’
‘Tomorrow?’ I’d been thinking I’d go up to Lancashire in a few days. But of course I said yes, I could. ‘I’ll set off early and I should be with you by noon at the latest.’
Roz sounded so grateful, although when we ended the call, I realised I’d have to cancel the restaurant reservation.
Later, when I was telling Irene about Roz and having to cancel, Lois whisked into the kitchen and said cheerily, ‘Did I hear you say you’re cancelling that table at The Buttery?’
‘Yes. Why?’
‘Well, how about I go with Rory instead?’ She shrugged. ‘It makes sense. You’ll lose your deposit otherwise.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Lois,’ snapped Irene. ‘Rory doesn’t want to go out for a romantic meal with you!’
Lois made a petulant face. ‘For heaven’s sake keep your wig on! It was just a suggestion.’ And she grabbed a bottle of juice from the fridge and flounced out of the kitchen.
*****
I woke with my alarm the next morning over at the stables, to find Rory already showered and ready to leave for a meeting.
‘Early start today?’
‘Yes. I’ll have to get going. I’ve got a meeting with a potential client. Better not be late.’ He leaned down to kiss me. ‘Drive safely and phone me when you get to Roz’s house, okay?’
‘I will.’ I gave him a tight little smile.
I’d been really hoping to get to the bottom of what he and Lois were up to over dinner that night. But it would have to wait now, which was so frustrating. But Roz needed me...
I’d been tempted to talk to him about it last night but I’d arrived at the stables late and we were both tired.
And I was worried that if we started to talk about things at going on for midnight, I might end up in no fit state to drive all the way up to Lancashire the following morning.
Because what if Rory had been remembering what being with Lois had been like, compared to being with me?
Lois was exciting and unpredictable in her relationships, while I was more of a ‘steady Eddie’ and probably boring by comparison.
No, the chat would have to wait until I was back and we could sit down and I’d brace myself for the truth...
An hour later, I set off, my heart heavy with uncertainty about my future.
This should have been such a fabulous time in my life.
The dance centre seemed to have been an instant success if the numbers attending the classes were anything to go by.
There was always the worry that the early interest would die off, of course, but we were working hard on social media and through local advertising to keep up the momentum, so hopefully Magic of Dance would be here for a long time.
But while business was booming, for now at least, my love life was in danger of doing quite the opposite.
The thought of losing Rory was too much to bear, and tears welled up, blurring my vision.
I brushed them away, trying not to think about what life would be like without him.
Yes, I’d survive. But after knowing what it felt like to love and be loved by such a wonderful man like Rory, my life would be truly colourless. ..
Stop it!
I took a deep breath and gave myself a silent talking-to.
If I let myself think the worst, I’d end up in a soggy mess when I arrived and I’d be no use at all to Roz then. So I wouldn’t think about Rory and Lois at that B&B. (Of course, that was like someone telling me not to picture a white elephant...)
I arrived in Lytham St Anne’s nearly five hours later, feeling completely exhausted but determined to put on a smile for Roz’s sake.
*****
I’d thought Roz would be a weepy mess herself when she opened the door. But she looked a lot brighter than I was expecting.
Her blue eyes sparkled and her smile was wide as she welcomed me with a big hug. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you, Clara. I can’t believe you’ve driven all this way to help me. Did I sound dreadful on the phone?’
‘You did.’ I hugged her tightly back. ‘You sounded so desperately sad that I had to come up and be your shoulder to cry on.’
‘Well, thank you. It’s wonderful that you’re here.’ She ushered me into the kitchen.
‘So Tommy’s really left?’ I asked, sensing that the house was empty.
‘Sorry?’
‘Tommy?’
‘Oh, yes. That scumbag. Yes, he moved in with his ex almost a month ago now.’
A month ago?
The way she’d told me about it on the phone, I’d assumed Tommy had only just gone.
Roz grinned. ‘Good riddance to bad rubbish! I’m far better off without him. Although I’m looking forward to getting back to Surrey.’
‘So how are you?’ I asked anxiously, wondering if her appearance of cheeriness was just a front.
‘Oh, I’m fine!’ She glanced at her watch and frowned. ‘Actually, do you mind if we just nip out to the shops? We could have a walk along the promenade as well if you feel like stretching your legs?’
‘Right.’ I looked at her in amazement. ‘Yes, that would be lovely.’
I suppose I’d been picturing having to scrape Roz off the floor and provide an endless supply of paper hankies. But this was feeling more like popping to Lytham for a little holiday and a reunion with a good friend into the bargain...
We drove through Lytham St Anne’s and stopped at a supermarket to pick up a few groceries. Back in the car, Roz beamed at me and said, ‘Do you know what? I quite fancy going into Blackpool. It’s just a few miles up the coast. What do you think?’
‘Erm, yes. Okay. Great.’ I’d been to Blackpool a couple of times with Mum and Dad when I was really little. But I could barely remember it.
‘We could go and see the Blackpool Tower Ballroom if you like? You always wanted to see inside.’
‘Wow, I’d love to.’ I felt instant excitement at the idea.
Roz was right. I’d long wanted to see it but I’d somehow never got round to it.
It was ridiculous, really, considering dance was my life – but I’d only ever seen the glorious Blackpool Tower Ballroom on TV during ‘Blackpool week’ on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing .
‘But you have to book, don’t you? You can’t just walk in off the street. ’
‘Erm... not sure. Let’s find out!’ She smiled cheerily and we set off.
Arriving in Blackpool, I drove along the main street, my head turning from side to side to take in the sights of this unique town, with the beach on one side and all the shops and amusement arcades and cafés on the other.
I parked close to the famous Blackpool Tower and as we got out and walked along, I was wishing Rory could be here to enjoy it with me.
Despite the excitement of seeing the ballroom, I felt my heart sink.
Rory wasn’t here. And maybe I’d have to get used to the idea that he wouldn’t always be with me. But I needed to put a smile on my face and enjoy this experience nonetheless...
We were almost there, Blackpool Tower reaching into the sky above us. It was an amazing sight, I thought, as my eyes swept over the building.
Suddenly, I did a double take.
Was that . . .?
No, it couldn’t be. Rory had a meeting this morning. That’s why he left really early, even before me...
‘You okay?’ asked Roz, smiling broadly.
And then all of a sudden, I knew.
My heart was beating fast. ‘Why is Rory here? You knew, didn’t you?’ I stared at her in amazement. ‘Don’t tell me this was all a set-up?’
She burst out laughing. ‘You’ve got it!’
‘But how? Why? I mean ... What’s going on? ’
‘Oh, you’ll find out, don’t worry.’
We greeted Rory.
‘Surprised?’ he asked, smiling at me.
‘Well, yes. Of course I am. You said you were going to a meeting?’
‘Just a ruse,’ he confessed. ‘I almost slept through my alarm which would have totally derailed my plan to get here before you.’
‘I thought you were rushing about mighty early!’
‘I was worried you might delay your trip to see Roz. You’ve been looking so pale and exhausted recently. But thankfully you made it.’
I nodded, still in a state of bewilderment.
He reached out and pulled me close. And I snuggled next to him, feeling instantly more relaxed at being back in my favourite place, nestled in the warmth of Rory’s arms.
Roz clapped her hands together. ‘Right, I’m off to the cinema.’