“Carrie, when did you get here? So do you like my home? It’s fabulous, isn’t it?” Before Carrie could answer she was pulled into the arms of Monique for a bear hug of epic proportions.
“And there is my favourite man, Nico!”
“Are you two friends? Was this your mystery date?”
“Monique you ask too much! Give me a chance to answer your questions” Carrie dodged. “I think your home is lovely and yes Nico is my friend”
Nico checked his watch discreetly and Carrie knew he was leaving.
“Nico has a meeting to go to Monique, why don’t you excuse us for a moment and you can show me around the house and tell me your plans”
Carrie walked through the front door with Nico.
“Are you okay Carrie? Don’t go all distant on me”
“I’m fine Nico, honest.”
“I will be back tomorrow but not until later, it’s the commerce dance tomorrow, why don’t you join me as my guest?”
“I eh, I don’t know Nico, let me think about it, anyway I don’t have anything to wear, I didn’t exactly pack a ball gown!”
“Okay Carrie, we can talk about this later, what are your plans now?”
“I’m going to stay here with Monique for a little while then back to the inn I suppose, I’m not too sure,”
They kissed goodbye with Nico promising to call her later.
“Hey Monique,” she returned to the house.
They walked round each room in more detail that Carrie previously had seen. Monique discussing her plans, her hopes and dreams for this new start.
“I am blessed with my children, the fire made me realise that even more. Family, friends and strangers have all been so kind. Do you know I got a cheque for five dollars from a little girl whose parents had told her our story? She wrote a letter saying she wanted Tameka to get a new dolly with the money. Now that’s kindness. Tameka wrote her a thank you letter.”
“That was a lovely gesture Monique. People can be kind hearted. I wanted to do something too after reading the article and I guess here I am! This will be a wonderful fresh start for you all Monique.”
“Now let’s get cleaning!”
It must be the sea air but hours later Carrie found herself helping Monique scrub skirting boards from the dust that had accumulated. They washed down the kitchen cabinets in preparation for the flooring that would be fitted later that day. During their marathon cleaning session Carrie and Monique left to do a coffee run for everyone. A caffeine pick me up and some pastries too. The children were staying at their Aunts whilst the adults continued with the last minute paint touch ups and cleaning. They were on track for moving in this weekend. Tansie had joined them after her shift at the Inn.
“Stay for dinner Carrie, we are just going to order some Chinese takeout”
“Thanks, I think I will”
They sat on the porch, the evening air warm and tucked into the boxes of noodles.
“What brings you here Carrie? Who are you running from?”
“Ha, I’m running from myself Monique, it’s as simple as that, I’m a widow and have too many memories at home just now.”
“Well that’s as good a reason as any I suppose. I did wonder. You are a contradiction. Staying at the Inn and you are friends with Nico. I really didn’t expect you to roll up your sleeves as you have today. Thank you for your help.”
The house was ready for the furniture to be delivered tomorrow and the finishing touches. The construction workers had left for the day and the permits passed without issue.
There were three bedrooms, Trey and Tyreese would share, Tameka would have her own room too. This she was very excited about.
“I am so grateful for all the help and generosity I’ve been given. But there’s one thing I would change if I could. Tami has wanted a princess bed for her new room and I can’t get her it just now. Not with everything else. She understands but at four years old, oh she’s stubborn. Wants a princess bed for her and Betsie.”
Monique cleared away the cartons from their leftovers.
“Okay ladies, I’m the newbie here but let’s go shopping. We can take my car back to the Inn so we will need to go in yours Tansie if that’s okay.”
“What?” They both echoed.
“Time for some fairy godmother treatment.”
After much persuasion they went to the Mall. One princess bed ordered and given the local interest in their story, the store promised to deliver it the next day free of charge. Carrie and Monique promised they would include this donation in the follow up story in the newspaper. They also had a toy version which Carrie insisted on ordering for Betsie.
“Are you crazy Carrie?” Monique repeated.
“No, I just want to make a little girl happy”
Finally, the stopped off at an electrical store.
Carrie purchased a mac computer for Trey and a games station for Tyreese.
“No Carrie, that’s too much”
“Monique, maybe I am a crazy lady, but indulge me. Your community have helped you so much but I would like to do this. Please.”
During their trip through the mall Carrie also managed to get herself another suitcase. Much needed for all the gifts and clothes she had been buying. When she returned to the Inn it was early evening and Carrie was beginning to feel the effects of her day. Time for a soak in the bath and then an attempt to put things right in her mind. She had blocked out the time that she had spent with Nico in the bedroom. Needed to compartmentalise it to get through the day. The bath running the scents of the hatian vetiver and Turkish rose once again filled the air. Her ipod on shuffle until she picked a playlist that matched her mood. Whilst the hot water filled the bath she sent a text to her sister.
“Hi sis, had a busy and eventful day. Not as much as yours. How did the final move go to Bluebell Gardens? Sorry I wasn’t there to help you get settled. Helped out with the family I was telling you about whose house burned down. Been cleaning for their move tomorrow and making some friends. Speak soon Cx”
She opened the chest of drawers next to where she had ‘Rob’. Took out some fresh nightwear and closed the drawer. It jammed a little causing the cylinder to wobble and she caught it before it toppled.
Taking it in her hands she sat down on the edge of the bed. She crossed her arms holding it close.
“What am I doing?” she spoke out loud. “This is crazy.”
“Have I betrayed you today Rob? I really like Nico and I hope you are okay with me seeing him”
She placed him back on the drawers, glad that she had spoken aloud the words that were whirring through her head all day. Ever since Nico had kissed and touched her. The bath water ready she turned off the tap and heard the familiar beep of her phone. Her sister had replied.
“Hi Sis, all okay here. A bit chaotic but think we have one more load to un-load and that’s us done. I have been taking it easy before you ask! Harry is loving it but keeps asking where Auntie Carrie is. Awww. Mum is already re-organising. Don’t worry you will still recognise the place when you get back! Have you seen Nico again after your ‘dinner’ last night? Cx”
She hoped Claire wasn’t overdoing it but it would be impossible to hold her back. Hmm re-organising she wondered what her Mum was up to but that could wait until she got back. So what did she say to Claire about Nico? Hmm well I saw him today and he gave me the most amazing orgasm of my life and that she was hours later still completely, utterly embarrassed about it. Nope that was hardly the topic of conversation for a text.
“Oh re-organising, I know what Mum is like when she is in that mode! Guess I will have to wait and see next week what the changes are. Give Harry a big kiss from me. Missing him so much. I saw Nico today at the house as his charity has been organising the re-fit. He’s asked me out tomorrow to some dinner dance thing but I’ve said no. I haven’t got a thing to wear! I’m just about to go for a bath, will catch up with you later. X”
Soaking in the bath water was just what she ne
eded. Time enough to think about last night’s dinner and today with Nico at Moniques. Soon it would be time to go back home and make some decisions about what she was going to do with her life. Her time here at the Cape had made her realise that her she didn’t want to go back to working at AGM. When she returned home she would resign from her position. It was the best thing to do. Life had moved on around her and she didn’t feel any regret at coming to that decision. There were too many reminders of Rob at her place of work. Being away she could see that returning to work after he had died had not helped her frame of mind. So many times she expected to see him in the corridor or in his office that looked strange without him sitting behind the desk. She had avoided that room like the plague but very little had changed. Phil, Rob’s replacement was a family man and every inch of the desk was covered with pictures of his children and their achievements. The wall was marked where they had removed Rob’s awards but they had not replaced this blank space with a picture or redecorated.
Wrapped in one of the fluffy bathrobes, Carrie read through some emails and was browsing for flowers. She wanted to send some flowers to Claire to ‘welcome’ her to the house. She found a local florist that she had used before and ordered some for delivery the next day. A few clicks later and the flowers were ordered. She texted her Mum.
“Hi Mum, hope today went okay with the move. Everything fine with me. I’ve been helping out with a house move too here keeping busy. Tell you all about it when I speak to you. Cx”
The phone rang but it wasn’t her Mum replying but Nico.
“Hi Nico, How’s New York?”
“Hi Carrie, it’s been boring but necessary. Did you have an interesting day after I left?”
“I had a really good day, helped Monique get the house ready. Then we did some shopping with Tansie who works here at the Inn. I am just relaxing back at in my room”
“Have you had dinner yet? I’ve got another meeting scheduled later”
“Yeah I ate with Monique, we had some Chinese take-out”
“That’s good. I’ve been thinking about tomorrow. I know you said no to coming to the dance with me but I’d like you to reconsider. Now before you say anything I have an idea”
“Nico, I really don’t have anything suitable to wear. I’ve packed for a vacation.” She tried to interrupt.
“Carrie, let me take care of that. I’ve already set some things up. Tomorrow morning my assistant Robin Wells is going to come to the Inn. I hope you don’t mind but before I set anything in motion I took the liberty of running this past Terri. There’s a team coming over and they will be ‘taking-over’ the front parlour.”
“What?”
“I’ve arranged for hair and makeup to come around, along with some dresses for you to pick from.”
“Nico, I can’t believe you have gone to this much effort for me.”
“You don’t have much time left of your vacation and I want to spend it with you. I would ask you to stay longer but from what you’ve told me you have commitments to get back home to. Let’s make the most of the time we do have and let me do this for you, please Carrie”
“Nico, thank you for this. How can I refuse?”
“Great, the team will be available early morning. I don’t get back until late afternoon and have to be there for the commerce dance starting as we are one of the sponsors. Jay can pick you up at eight pm if that will be okay for you? If you need any more time let me know and we can work something out”
“Nico, I don’t know what kind of people you are used to but I think that will be plenty of time for me to get ready”
“I’m looking forward to it Carrie”
They spoke a little more before finally hanging up.
This was crazy. What had she agreed to tomorrow?
After her call with Nico she phoned home and spoke with her Mum.
“How did everything go? Is Claire okay?”
“Claire is so happy with the move. Harry has been playing in the garden with his new toys. Your neighbour at number ten has already been over to set up a play date with their kids and Harry. This is just what Claire has needed. Some neighbourly spirit. She was never going to quite experience it like this living in a flat.”
“I’m glad Mum, really I am”
“The new room for the babies is lovely Carrie, you decorated it so well. We’ve swapped the beds around in the guest room. Your old one is now stored in the garage and Claire will be using her own bed. Especially with her pregnancy. Makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, Mum it makes sense to do that, better for them to sleep in their own bed. I hope she hasn’t been overdoing things”
“I have left her with her feet up and a promise not to do anything else until tomorrow. Having a well-deserved break but you know before long she will be up and about, not happy until every box has been unpacked or stored away! I’ve warned Ryan to keep an eye on her not that it will do much good”
“I think when I am back home I will have a battle on my hands trying to stop her over doing things”
“Your sister has a stubborn streak”
“Yes, she does Mum, I wonder where she gets that from?”
“Oh it will be from your father’s side of the family, she is as stubborn as your Nana Reynolds!”
Carrie laughed for Claire was very like their mother in temperament but also like their Nana.
“How is Nana?”
“She is fine. I thought we could all go and visit when you are home, it must be a while since you saw her.”
“I saw her last month; I’ve had time to visit during the week whilst I’ve been off work but it will be nice to see her when I get home.”
“Oh that’s good; you know she loves a visit from the family”
“Well there are certainly enough of us!”
“Yes there are 8 children not to mention wives, husbands, grand-children and even great-grandchildren. The Reynolds family have left their mark on the planet!”
“Has Dad signed the retirement papers yet?”
It had been on hold for so long now that Carrie wondered if her Dad could let go of the practice he had built up.
“I know he has a meeting at the lawyers next week and they will be going over the offer again. But I think it’s the right time for your Dad now Carrie. I even picked up a few brochures from the travel agent for a cruise. I left some in his study too so he can’t escape looking at them!”
“Oh Mum, you know Dad will be happy with wherever you book. A cruise will be lovely.”
“Well I’ve circled some suggestions and left a brochure open at one I like. I can’t book anything until I know when he is definitely retiring. I would like to get the holiday booked soon if not for the retirement at least as part of your father’s birthday. So let’s wait and see what he decides to do.”
They finished their call with Carrie promising to phone again in a few days. Cowardly she had not mentioned a word about Nico. She didn’t think her Mum would understand might even think it too soon or a betrayal of Rob. Carrie didn’t want a confrontation with her Mum at that precise moment. There would be plenty of time to tell her when she got home. It wasn’t like she was going to see Nico after she left the Cape. They moved in very different circles as she had already told him.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
When Carrie woke it was slightly after six. She dressed and went for her usual normal pre-breakfast walk along the beach. It was a nice way to start the day and one that Carrie would miss on her return. No sign of Beau or Jay in the absence of Nico.
Back at the Inn the doors to the parlour were closed over. White sheeting added to the glass panels behind the double doors shielding the room from anyone passing by. A notice had been added that the room would be closed but that guests could use the garden room for refreshments as usual. Walking back from the beach she noticed that a white van had been parked outside the inn and large steel boxes were being rolled into the parlour. What had Nico planned? She retreated to the breakfast
room for some much needed coffee.
It was a day for sustenance and she ordered cinnamon French toast and bacon. The staff brought her a large pot of coffee and some toast to begin with, already knowing her morning preference. She browsed the paper and her attention was drawn to the article on the upcoming chamber of commerce dance.
“Tonight the best of the Cape will be out in force to lend their support for the chamber of commerce dance. This year the event will be hosted by the Devanti family so expect the good and the gorgeous to be out in force. Remember it’s all for a good cause and we will be returning in the next edition with an update from Monique Tremont on her new home. We will also have a full fashion review of what was hot and what was not!”
Yikes. How was that for a warning? Hot or Not?
Her appetite had now gone.
She closed the newspaper and returned to finishing the pot of coffee.
Time to retreat back to her bedroom and to try to think of an excuse to back out of this evening’s festivities. She didn’t think she was ready to be in the spotlight; who was she trying to kid.
Walking through the hallway, the parlour doors where still blacked out but there was a hub of activity as various people began to assemble. Panicking she headed back to her room. She was having flashbacks when she was in Newquay and had to leave the beauty salon when she panicked. Back in her room, she lay on the bed and tried to even her breathing. Breathing slowly in and out she began to calm down. Her body relaxed and she fell asleep.
A knock on the door awoke her from her slumber. There again a rap on the door. She looked at her wrist watch it was 11.15am. She had slept for two hours!
“Just a minute,” she called out. It must be housekeeping.
She opened the door, knowing her hair was in a tumble around her face and she probably had crease marks from the pillow.
“Oh Hello,” it wasn’t housekeeping. A young woman, mid 20’s in age Carrie guessed. Not the familiar sight of the Captains Rest Inn staff uniform. Petite in build with short brown hair that framed her face and she could see subtle highlights of red that caught the light. She wore thick black oversized glasses that were assessing Carrie she was sure from head to toe.
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