BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY

by Mullen, Carol

  “Hi Dad

  Sounds like it’s all coming along without me. Hope my staying here a bit longer doesn’t throw a spanner in the works.

  Don’t worry; I’ve not changed my mind.

  Maybe me staying a bit longer will give Claire and Ryan time to settle in the house without watching my every reaction. I want them to feel comfortable and not worry about upsetting me.

  Love

  Carrie x”

  Carrie signed out of her account and turned off the ipad. She placed the ipad next to ‘Rob’ on the drawers. Was she doing the right thing?

  Amy was still soulfully singing and Carrie attempted to sing along a little as she removed the tags from her top and jacket. Trying to avoid any fashion faux pas. She added a credit card and some dollars to the inside pocket in her little clutch bag. It was always safe to leave with some money you never knew what would happen, even if you were dining with a billionaire!

  A plain black thong and bra for her underwear, no indecent scraps of silk or satin this time for her. The satin vest top she had bought along with the red belt a perfect match for her trousers. Before a final spritz of the perfume she added a pendant necklace a sparkly swarovski sphere perfect against the black background. Sparkly drop earrings that glimmered when she tucked her hair behind her ear. She slipped on the black louboutins and the new blazer rolling up the sleeves to her elbow. Okay time for some lipstick and she would be ready to go. Drawing the new mac lip crayon that she had bought today against her lips she shaded in a deep pink. A blot to remove any excess and she was ready. The lip crayon added to her little clutch bag along with her mobile and it was time. 7.55pm.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Why was she nervous? She shouldn’t be nervous? It’s not like it was a date but Carries stomach was flipping as she walked down the stairs. Glad that she had packed the louboutins that she had worn many times in the past that they gave her a confidence boost. Where the stairs led to the reception area and front door Carrie began to gingerly walk down the stairs careful not to miss her footing and slip. Now that would be embarrassing. She looked up and there he was. Waiting for her.

  She sounded like something from the 1950’s but the first thought that went through her mind was.

  “Oh my!” he was gorgeous.

  He stood near the door at the entrance dressed in a charcoal grey suit with a crisp white shirt. She knew he had racked up thousands of miles that day travelling from LA but he looked refreshed with not an inch of jet lag. It was the first time that she had seen him clean shaven and her hand itched to touch his face. Was it as smooth as it looked? He smiled as she reached the last step.

  “Hello”

  He walked towards her and kissed her cheek. Wowzers his cheek was smooth against her,

  “Hello you”

  She walked towards the reception and handed in her room key.

  “Good Evening Charlie”

  “Evening Carrie, you have a good night.”

  “I will Charlie, see you later”

  Nico held the door open for her.

  “You look amazing,” he said as she stood in the open doorway.

  “Thank you, you look well too”

  Outside a black Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 was parked, they walked towards it.

  “I thought we could eat down at the waterfront in Portland’s Old Port district. I’ve made reservations for great restaurant there. It will take us about 20 minutes to get there, I hope that’s okay.”

  Before they reached the bottom step of the Inn the driver was out of the car and had opened the passenger door for Carrie. He was stocky built, short shaved hair and aged mid-forties.

  “Great but you have to save your one question until dinner.”

  “That’s a deal. I’d like to introduce you to my friend Jay who is going to be our driver this evening. Jay this is Carrie.”

  “Hi Jay, nice to meet you.”

  “Hello Carrie,” he said once they were seated in the car.

  Nico sat in the white leather seat next to her in the back. Yikes, again!

  “Jay is my right hand man and he is also a firm favourite of Beaus!”

  “Oh well kindred spirits then. I think Beau is adorable, so friendly.”

  “I took him for his walk this morning Carrie, Did you go to the beach today?” Jay asked.

  “Yes, I did but I didn’t see him”

  “I swear I think he was looking for you. He was on patrol this morning back and forth. Didn’t want as much play time as usual.”

  “Ahh that’s so sweet, I will be sure to look for him tomorrow morning.”

  She felt like she was rambling.

  “The usual time?” Nico asked.

  “Yes, if you like.”

  She could smell his aftershave, sharp and citrusy and wanted to lean in towards him but she restrained herself.

  “How was LA?”

  “Very informative, Belle had lots to say and I have been warned to treat you right!”

  “Oh no, how embarrassing. What did she say to you?”

  “Hmm that’s a question Carrie” he teased.

  “Tell me put me out of my misery”

  “Well, I guess I could tell you one thing,”

  “Okay, stop teasing me,”

  “Alright then, she told me that you have eleven brothers who would beat me to a pulp if I messed with you”

  Carries laughter filled the car.

  “I don’t have any brothers!” she confessed. “She’s incorrigible but I love her dearly”

  “Today she told the project manager that the 1980’s called and wanted their designs back!”

  She laughed. “That’s so like Belle, I’m not surprised, where the designs that bad?”

  “I’ve worked with the same team on a few other projects and never had any issues but they were certainly taken aback with that. So I have asked for a review as Belles feedback was constructive apart from that the 1980’s calling!”

  They drove through the warehouse district, passed cafes and restaurants. It was obviously a popular area to eat at.

  “Jay will drop us here, it’s just a short walk to the restaurant.”

  Again glad that she was wearing trusted shoes, Carrie walked with confidence along the cobbled path passed the red brick buildings. Nico took her hand.

  “To help you keep your balance” he explained and she gave him a smile.

  A few minutes later they stopped in front of a large three storey converted warehouse. Double doors those were open with discreet signage for the restaurant, perfect miniature trees framing the doors. Nico moved his hand from hers to the small of her back and guided her through the doorway.

  “Hi Nico, good to have you back with us,” The maître de greeted him and they shook hands.

  “Good Evening and welcome, let’s get you both seated.”

  The restaurant was open plan; the seating arranged around the open kitchen area and split over two levels. There was a buzz in the air from the chatter and calls from the kitchen, the grills smoking and sending out wonderful aromas.

  They were lead to a booth away from the main hustle and bustle but still within reach of the other diners.

  As Carrie was seated the waiter flicked open her napkin and placed it over her lap. He exchanged more words with Nico and left them their menus.

  “Would you like some wine or something else?”

  “White please but I will leave the choice to you.”

  Within minutes a cool glass of crisp white wine was poured in front of her, she took a sip and nodded her agreement.

  “It’s lovely, good choice”

  They clinked glasses.

  “Let’s toast to good company, great food and answering questions!”

  Carrie laughed in agreement and said “Now back to the business in hand, what to eat! I don’t know where to start, everything looks so tempting. What do you recommend?”

  “I am biased Carrie, I like everything on the menu. The owners are very good friend
s of mine. The oysters are a speciality here.”

  Carrie perused the menu a little longer but made her selection when the waiter returned. She couldn’t come all the way to Maine and not have seafood. She decided on fresh oysters served with the mignonette sauce. Following with the pan fried scallops.

  The tray arrived with the half a dozen oysters lying on a bed of ice. Lemon wedges tucked into the ice beside the dish of mignonette. The sharpness of the sauce of cracked pepper, shallot and lemon perfect to accompany the fresh oysters. Through the years Carrie had eaten oysters several times and they were an acquired taste. She had developed her own style of eating them. Using the little fork she moved the muscle around in the shell, just to make sure it was loose. The first one she always had ‘pure’ without any seasoning to experience all the flavours. Then she would add a squeeze of the lemon or a sprinkle of the mignonette. When the tray arrived she did this process moving the little fork around on the first and subsequent oysters.

  “Nothing worse than trying to eat an oyster that doesn’t want to go anywhere!” she told Nico.

  She savoured the taste of the sea and chewed softly.

  “Delicious,” turning over the shell of the eaten oyster back into the iced tray. Another sip of the wine to savour with the flavours of the sea.

  “I don’t think I have ever seen someone eat oysters with such enthusiasm!”

  “I’m full of surprises”

  “I bet you are Carrie”

  When the scallops arrived Carrie again tucked in with vigour. Nico had ordered steak. They spoke of the surrounding area, Carries trip to the lighthouse, all nice and safe subjects.

  “The Cape is beautiful to live in but I am very fortunate to travel the world with my job. I get to meet a variety of people and work with great talents. People like Belle.”

  “My Auntie Belle is one of a kind. I wanted to be her when I was little. She was always so glamorous and fun.” She confessed.

  “She has some great ideas for the Esperanza and I’m glad she’s on board. It doesn’t always happen like that. I met her on the Forest project and she fought tooth and nail for them.”

  “I remember, I was visiting her at the time and she had a few late nights but it’s the life that she loves. She wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “You were in Devon then?”

  “Yes, I took a little holiday staying with Belle but your takeover of Forest kind of interrupted that.”

  “How strange we were there at the same time but never met. I wonder what would have happened. I would like to ask you my question? You did promise after all.”

  “Mmm Okay, I guess, what would you like to know?”

  “It’s corny I guess, but why are you traveling alone?”

  “Oh okay,” she took a sip of the wine. The dinner plates had been cleared away.

  “I couldn’t eat another thing Nico that was a lovely meal.” Carrie declined a desert “But I would love a coffee.”

  Coffees were ordered and brought to the table.

  “In answer to your question, I guess I have to give you a little of the condensed version.” She twirled round the diamond rings on her wedding finger.

  “This is difficult for me but I’m a widow. My husband died in a car accident about sixteen months ago. If we had met last year I was still a mess and I don’t think we would be having dinner.” Another sip of the espresso. “We watched a TV program about the lighthouses of this area and I found a book he bought shortly before he died. I felt I had to come here and visit some of them on his behalf.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss Carrie. And I’m sorry if this is painful for you.”

  “No I’m okay, it does get easier to talk about it, and I’ve felt reinvigorated being here at the Cape where no one knows me for my past, they know me for who I am now. So now you know too. I guess that’s why I agreed to dinner tonight. It was nice to be asked. I didn’t have to avoid any pitiful looks. I’m sorry if I’ve put a dampener on this evening.”

  “You haven’t Carrie; I’m glad that you could confide in me. I don’t pity you; I think you are very brave.”

  “So let’s even things a little then, tell me something else about Nico”

  “I live at home with my parents. My brother and sister too!”

  “You forget I am a gossip junkie and I know that already. Only joking. So you’ve never lived alone?”

  “Never, we’ve always lived in the Cape. I travel so much that I use here as a base. There isn’t much point setting up a separate home. Well not until I meet the right person,”

  “I’ve been living alone since Rob died. But when I go back home it won’t be like that for long. My sister – who is six months pregnant – brother in law and two year old nephew, will be staying with me in the short term. I’m going home to a full house. But I don’t mind, we get on very well and my sister has been my rock.”

  “Wow, you will have your hands full there, it can get quite busy back home for me too. At the moment it’s just Mom, Dad, my brother Paolo and sister Chiara and Beau of course. We all ramble around in the house when our schedules permit. My Dad retired a few years ago, likes to play golf when he can. Mom has her charity work. Paolo is at college in his third year of law. Chiara, well what can I say about my little sister? I think she has aspirations to be the next Kardashian. She has some hair brained scheme of wanting to do a reality show. As if anyone would watch that!”

  “As if! I think you would be surprised who would watch it” she laughed and finished off the remainder of her espresso.

  “Would you?”

  Carrie laughed, “I’m a self-confessed gossip junkie, of course I would”

  The ringing of his mobile phone interrupted their conversation.

  “Go ahead and answer, I will go to the rest room”

  Carrie was glad of the interruption and chance to recover her wits. Through a maze of tables she found the restrooms and took a few minutes to compose herself. She didn’t recognise the girl in the mirror. Looking alive and flushed from the wine and conversation. It was a little of the old Carrie. She re-applied her lip stick, a light spritz of her perfume and she was ready to return to the table.

  “Woa,” she cried out as her foot slipped, looking down to see what had caused her to stop and there on the floor in the restroom, a shiny penny.

  She picked it up. Again, it wasn’t a USA penny but one from home.

  Was she going crazy? Where these signs from Rob? Did he approve or not of her dinner with Nico?

  As she returned to the table a little subdued at finding another penny, she could see Nico in the distance, animated in conversation.

  “No Lea, I’ve told you already, the answer is no. I’ve made my decision.”

  This was awkward. He finished the call and stood up as she returned to her chair.

  “Hi, sorry about that.”

  “No its okay, do you want to go?”

  “If you don’t mind,”

  “That’s fine with me. Dinner was lovely, I enjoyed it.”

  He paid the bill and called Jay to collect them.

  The journey back to the Inn was quiet as they both seemed to be in a reflective mood. Carrie at finding another coin and Nico, well she guessed he was from his call. She opened her bag and took out a mint offering one to Nico. He accepted with a nod. She stared out of the window and out to the night. A short while later the car pulled up outside the inn but before Carrie could even open the door Jay was there taking her hand helping her out.

  “Thank you Jay.”

  Nico was by her side as she walked up the steps. She collected her key from Charlie and stood at the bottom stair. Making her position clear that the evening was now over.

  “Dinner was delicious and I had a great time. Thank you Nico.”

  “Thank you Carrie”

  Nico leaned forward, his hand at the side of her face. She looked into his eyes, OMG he’s going to kiss me. She didn’t pull back, wanted to feel the touch of his lips. It star
ted as just a peck, a simple good night peck on the lips. Well that’s what she told herself but then it deepened and she forgot that she was in the middle of the hallway of a public place. In the arms of a man she had just met. All she could feel was the heat of his mouth on hers as it deepened. She had both hands in his hair as she pulled his head closer to her.

  “Fuck” he whispered against her mouth. “You have me losing control” he pulled her bottom lip into his mouth and bit, hard. Her eyes shot open, heat flooding her body.

  “I didn’t mean to” her hands sliding down to his shoulders.

  “We need to continue this somewhere private”

  Alarms were ringing through her mind. Whoa steady there. She shook her head at him.

  “Not tonight, I’m not ready for anything like that; sorry I guess we move in different circles.”

  “I don’t mean to rush you Carrie I’m the one who is sorry,” he smoothed a strand of her hair behind her ear and briefly brushed his lips against hers.

  “Tomorrow, the beach at the same time?”

  “Yes,”

  Trying not to show that her legs were shaking, she was sure they were, and walked up the stairs. Quickly before she changed her mind and returned for another kiss or more. She could feel his eyes on her; he waited until she was at the top of the stairs before he walked away.

  Locking the door she kicked off her shoes. What the fuck was she doing? She must be caught up in the glamour she chastised herself. The first time since Rob had died that she had gone out for dinner and she locked lips, practically throwing herself at him. She prepared for bed, trying to distract herself from thinking about Nico and their kiss. Her mobile had two new texts.

  Auntie Belle – “Well tell all? X” She replied. “Nothing to tell. Off to bed … ALONE x”

  Claire – “I want all the details x” To this she replied. “Dinner was lovely, Nico very charming and nothing to tell. I’m going to bed ALONE. Speak to you tomorrow x”

  She took the penny out of her bag and added it to the other one she found, placed it next to ‘Rob’. Preparing for bed she removed her make-up, applied tonnes of moisturiser and brushed her teeth all in auto pilot. Pulled on her nightshirt and slipped under the duvet. Her mobile beeped. Belle or Claire it had to be.