Chapter 23 Rosie – Day 6
The smell of fresh lemon hits Rosie as she passes the door of the nursery. Julietta is running a dust cloth over the windowsills.
‘Buongiorno.’ She smiles.
‘Morning.’ Rosie takes a few steps into the room.
Julietta squirts cleaning spray across the glass and quickly buffs away sticky fingerprints. Sunglasses that hang from a chain around her neck dance as she moves.
‘Congratulations, cara.’ Julietta nods to the engagement ring.
Rosie self-consciously clasps her hand. ‘Thanks.’
‘So exciting. I know when Carla comes back she will be so happy for you, too.’
‘Have you heard from her yet?’
‘No. Not yet.’ Julietta’s smile falters. ‘Can I help you with anything?’
Rosie chews her thumbnail. ‘I wanted to ask you something actually—’
‘Me? Of course. I’m happy to help.’
She takes a deep breath, unsure how to phrase the questions on her mind. Be careful. ‘Do you know if—’
The doorbell rings and cuts her off. Julietta quickly grabs her cleaning products and loads them back into a plastic caddy.
‘Sorry, tesoro, I have to go. I’m waiting for a delivery. Come and find me in the kitchen later if I can help with something?’
Rosie sinks to the padded rocking chair when Julietta has gone. The arms and back panel are upholstered in a neutral oatmeal-coloured fabric with tiny white birds. She closes her eyes and gently rocks back and forwards. What a whirlwind twenty-four hours. She can’t catch her breath.
Theo’s called her ‘wifey’ all morning. Was he planning to propose to her this whole time? The Frasers will be her official in-laws! It’s all happened so fast.
Too fast?
Everyone is excited about the wedding. Not that they’ve thought about a date yet, despite Marianne pushing for them to ‘not waste a second’. Clearly she wants more grandchildren.
Rosie twirls the ring around her finger, getting used to the weight of the gold against her skin.
Fenna could barely hide her irritation that she wasn’t offered this beautiful piece of antique jewellery as she pretended to extend her congratulations.
Rosie could tell that she didn’t mean the kind words she was saying.
She doesn’t blame her. If the shoe was on the other foot, she’d also feel upset that a new girl has come in and threatened the status quo.
She wanted to take her to one side and tell her that she didn’t ask for this ring, and in all honesty, she’s not sure it’s her taste, even if the sentiment is breathtaking.
She suspects it to be worth an absolute packet.
But she wouldn’t know how to say all this without rubbing it in Fenna’s face.
In all honesty, she’s in complete shock. The proposal came from nowhere.
Theo said he couldn’t imagine his life without her, and she feels the same, but a niggling voice at the back of her mind reminds her how quick this is.
There’s still so much they don’t know about one another.
Are they ready to vow to stay together till death do they part?
She thinks of her precious notebook and the secrets it contains.
Will he still want to marry her once he knows the truth?
There is the sound of laughter from outside.
Rosie peers out of the window. Fenna is barefoot and chasing Alba on the lawn.
The little girl giggles and squirms when her mum catches her.
Rosie sinks back in the rocking chair. The familiar smell of the window spray reminds her of home; it’s the same scent that her mum used.
A sudden rush of emotion squeezes her chest. She wishes she could hear her voice.
As she takes out her phone, she notices how the stones in her engagement ring sparkle in the sunlight, creating a glitter ball that bounces against the nursery walls. She taps open her messages. Her finger hovers over the microphone icon, ready to record a voice note.
It’s been so long since she’s spoken to her mum. She’s not sure where to start. She wants to tell her that she’s engaged, but there’s so much more that she needs to say. Things she needs to explain.
She remembers Theo’s face, his bent knee, and the tremble in his hands as he held out the most expensive ring she’d ever seen.
Was she blinded by the gem that’s worth more than what she’s ever had in her bank account?
Maybe. The word ‘yes’ flew out and she couldn’t take it back.
She’s not sure if she wants to take it back.
The headache last night was an excuse for her to have some time alone to process everything.
After a brief chat with Marianne and Evelyn, who were tipsy and getting carried away with plans for the engagement party, she went for a walk around the gardens, thinking with every step.
She was out there for ages, unsure if she’s made the right decision.
She loves Theo, that much is true. She didn’t expect this so soon.
‘Alba, come and put more suncream on, please,’ Fenna’s voice from outside breaks her confused thoughts.
Rosie sits up and winces as pins and needles tingle in her right foot. There’s still so much they don’t know about each other. The taxi driver’s cryptic comment rushes to her mind.
Be careful.
The rocking chair lets out a long, slow creak across the wooden floorboard. The sound travels through her. She clears her throat and lifts her phone to her lips, pressing the microphone icon.
She takes a deep breath and starts to talk.