Before Faye could say another word, he called the waiter over and dropped a pile of notes on the table in payment for their drinks. Completely unprepared for the abrupt change in him that her question had brought about, she stood up reluctantly, digging her fingernails into her hand to stop the threatening tears.
As she followed him back to the car, Auntie Akosua’s description of her son sounded clearly in her head. He is so obsessed with his career, he won’t give any woman a chance.
18
Arts and Culture
‘Faye, are you ready?’ Amma’s breathless tones floated through the closed bedroom door, rousing Faye from her brooding. Sitting up on her bed where she had flopped after a tiring afternoon of sightseeing, she called back loudly.
‘Almost. Just give me five minutes,’ she added optimistically. She hastened into the shower and ten minutes later, having hastily donned her favourite black trousers and a cool sleeveless linen shirt, she ran a comb through her hair and rushed downstairs to where an impatient Amma was quite literally pacing the floor.
‘Oh good, you’re ready,’ she said with relief. ‘Edwin’s flight is at nine o’clock and he’s got to check in by six-thirty.’
She scrabbled in her handbag and retrieved her car keys before hastening across to the living room where her parents were watching TV.
‘Mama, we’re off to the airport now,’ she said, her long braids swinging as she put her head around the door. Blowing a kiss at her parents, she scooted out of the hallway and into the car, Faye following close behind.
Taking another anxious look at her watch, Amma gunned the car into action and almost knocked down Togo, giving him barely enough time to open the gate before she shot through.
‘Erm, Amma, you need to calm down.’ Faye said hesitantly, casting a nervous glance at her friend. Amma was hunched over the wheel; her eyes stared intently forward in fierce concentration and she drove as though she was in competition with the crazy taxi drivers. She glanced across at Faye and burst into laughter at the look of apprehension on her face.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. She slowed the car down and sat back trying to relax. ‘It’s just that I want to make sure we don’t miss Edwin at the airport.’
Her smile faded and her face clouded over. ‘I can’t believe I’m not going to see him again for a whole year,’ she said, sounding so disconsolate that Faye’s heart ached for her. She tooted half-heartedly at a bus driver who looked set to leap into the road in front of her.
Faye nodded in sympathy. ‘I know, but it will give you a chance to sort out a job for yourself and take the project management course you’ve been talking about without Edwin to distract you. Besides, you’re going to need the time to plan your engagement ceremony – hopefully, even Mrs Ofori can manage to get your outfit ready in a year!’
Amma smiled as she took the turning towards the airport. ‘You’re right, as usual. When you put it like that, it’s not so very long until next December to plan the engagement. I’ll have to choose the fabrics I’d like his family to present to mine, find a ring I like, and everything.’ Despite herself, a note of excitement crept into her voice.
Still smiling, she drove into the airport car park and slid neatly into a parking space. It was now almost quarter past six and they rushed round to the check-in area, pushing their way through groups of people congregating around departing travellers, and craning their necks in search of Edwin. The line of people waiting to check in for the flight to New York was now quite short and a quick scan of the queue confirmed that he was not among them.
Just then, Amma squealed and Faye turned to see Edwin with one arm wrapped around his fiancée and a small holdall in the other. He greeted Faye with a smile.
‘I’ve finished checking in,’ he said, his eyes back on Amma. ‘You just missed my parents – they dropped me off earlier.’
Amma nodded and brushed the lapel of his dark jacket, then linked her arm through his.
‘Are you sure you’ve packed everything?’ She looked up at him, her expression solicitous, and Faye bit her lip, trying not to smile at her wifely tone.
Edwin smiled affectionately down at her. ‘Everything, except for you,’ he said quietly.
‘Okay, you two, break it up and give me a chance to say goodbye,’ said a deep voice from behind Faye.
‘Hey, Rocky!’ Edwin looked up and a broad smile crossed his face. Her heart thumping, Faye turned slowly to see Rocky standing directly behind her, his hand outstretched towards Edwin.
The two men shook hands vigorously and hugged briefly before Rocky stepped back to stand beside Faye. ‘Have a good trip.’ He said. He paused while a muffled announcement reverberated around the terminal. ‘You’d better make a move to the departure lounge,’ he added.
Amma’s hold tightened on Edwin’s arm and her determined smile wobbled. Rocky put an arm lightly around Faye’s shoulders. ‘We’ll leave you two alone to say your goodbyes,’ he said.
Faye moved forward to hug Edwin. ‘Have a safe journey,’ she said softly, and kissed him on the cheek in the Ghanaian fashion that now came to her so naturally.
‘Make sure you come back to Ghana for our engagement ceremony next Christmas,’ Edwin warned.
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ Faye said. With a final wave, she turned and followed Rocky.
Once outside, they stood to one side of the entrance where they would be able to see Amma when she came out. Neither of them spoke and Faye kept her attention firmly focused on the people streaming in and out of the airport.
‘Are you still upset with me?’ Rocky asked softly, looking straight ahead. For a moment Faye was tempted to pretend otherwise. But three days of fretting over his abrupt change in attitude could not be so easily glossed over and she nodded slowly.
‘Yes, I am,’ she said, her voice hesitant. ‘I don’t understand why you reacted the way you did. It really hurt my feelings.’
Rocky sighed and rubbed his head wearily. After a long pause, he turned to face her.
‘Look, Faye, I’m sorry I was so abrupt,’ he said, his voice level. She noticed tiny lines of tiredness around his eyes. ‘I’m just not very rational when it comes to the subject of Celine.’
She started to speak and he held up his hand. ‘No, I still don’t want to discuss her, but I do want to apologise for hurting you,’ he said. ‘I hope you know that I would never do that on purpose.’ There was no doubting the sincerity in his voice and she gave a tiny nod.
‘Okay. I can’t pretend I don’t want an answer to my original question but if you don’t want to talk about it, we’ll stay off the subject.’
‘Thank you for being so understanding,’ he said, and an impish smile suddenly lit up his tired features. Before she could react, he bent down and swiftly kissed her before straightening up again.
She looked up at him wordlessly, her hand automatically rising to touch her lips. Grinning even more broadly, he asked suddenly. ‘What have you got planned for tomorrow?’
She shrugged helplessly, trying to remember what she had in mind for the day.
‘Well, as I’m leaving on Tuesday, I thought I’d get some souvenirs for my family and friends. Amma mentioned a couple of places I could try.’
‘Okay, let me suggest something,’ Rocky said. ‘To make up for wasting the last few days when we could have spent some time together, I’ll take you to the Arts Centre tomorrow. It’s a huge market and you can get all kinds of souvenirs from carvings to jewellery. Deal?’
Faye smiled back at him and nodded her head in agreement. ‘Okay, deal.’
She looked past him to Amma who was slowly making her way over to them, her eyes suspiciously wet. Faye walked over to meet her and put a comforting arm around her friend’s shoulders.
‘Don’t worry,’ she said, trying to sound reassuring. ‘He’ll be back soon. Come on, let’s get out of here.’
Rocky hugged his tearful sister and took his leave, explaining that he and Stuart had dinner plans
with some clients. Despite Faye’s best efforts to cheer her up, Amma remained quiet throughout the journey home and went straight up to her room when they arrived.
Faye wandered into the living room to find Auntie Amelia curled up on the sofa watching a Ghanaian play on TV. She looked up and smiled as Faye walked in, patting the space next to her on the couch. Sitting down next to her, Faye looked over with affection at the woman she had come to love in the short time she had known her.
‘How are you, my dear?’ Auntie Akosua said, touching Faye’s hand gently. ‘You look a little lost. Where’s Amma?’
‘She’s gone up to bed,’ Faye sighed. ‘It’s going to take her some time to get used to the fact that Edwin’s gone – but at least she’s got the engagement to look forward to.’
Auntie Amelia chuckled. ‘Don’t worry. If I know my daughter, she’ll start planning the whole ceremony as soon as she wakes up tomorrow morning!’
She glanced quickly at Faye. ‘You look a little sad yourself – is everything all right?’
Faye shook her head. ‘Oh no, I’m fine. I was just thinking about having to leave for London and how I’m going to miss all of you so much.’
Auntie Amelia smiled and took her hand between hers. ‘We will miss you too, Faye. To tell you the truth, I’ve become so used to you being with us, I have been trying not to think about you going back. I do hope you will come back and see us again very, very soon.’
‘I’ll be back before you know it. I’ve already promised Amma that I’ll be here for her engagement.’ She paused thoughtfully. ‘Maybe I can get William to come for a visit too,’ she said. ‘He would love it, I’m sure.’
Auntie Amelia smiled. ‘I can’t imagine what William looks like today. He was such a sweet little thing when I last saw him – he was always following Rocky around, not that either of them will remember that!’
Faye laughed and her face lit up at the mention of Rocky’s name. ‘Isn’t that amazing? I’ve always thought that they would probably get along really well.’
In her excitement she missed the speculative look that appeared on Auntie Amelia’s face.
‘Did you see Rocky at the airport?’ her aunt asked casually. ‘He phoned earlier to find out what time Edwin’s flight was leaving.’
‘Yes, he arrived just in time to say goodbye to him.’ She fell quiet, reliving the kiss at the airport, and failed to see the satisfied smile that crept over her aunt’s face. Uncle Fred’s arrival changed the topic of conversation and Faye watched the rest of the drama with the older couple before pleading tiredness and heading up to bed.
The next morning, after a long shower, she dressed quickly and walked down the corridor to Amma’s room. Knocking on the door, she entered to find Amma still in bed, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy. She smiled as Faye walked over to sit on the edge of her dishevelled bed.
‘Good morning, Faye.’ Amma sounded tired and her voice was hoarse. ‘I’m sorry I disappeared last night but I knew I was going to cry and I just wanted to be alone.’
Faye crossed her long legs, rumpling the bedclothes even further. ‘Hey, it’s okay, I understand. I had a chat with your mother and then we watched a really bad play on TV. You’d have died laughing – the camera kept showing the microphones dangling from the ceiling and, at one point, you could see the other camera in the shot.’
Amma chuckled softly. ‘It can be quite painful sometimes watching those low budget dramas. Well, I suppose I had better get up and stop moping.’
Faye smiled at her in encouragement. ‘You’ll be fine. What are you up to today?’
Amma grimaced before replying. ‘I told Baaba I’d help her with the fashion show she’s taking part in.’
She laughed as Faye raised an incredulous eyebrow. ‘No, she’s not modelling – although I think Clarissa is. Some of Baaba’s clothes are being featured and as it’s a pretty big annual event and the first time she’s been invited to take part, she’s quite excited about it.’
Amma slid off the bed and tied her braids back with a large band before slipping into her dressing gown.
‘I have to be there to keep an eye on Baaba,’ she said with a resigned sigh. ‘If she gets within three feet of Clarissa, there will definitely be trouble!’ She looked at Faye hopefully. ‘The show starts at three o’clock. You will come, won’t you?’
Faye stood up and shuddered in mock horror. ‘I think I’ll leave that particular pleasure to you,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I could cope with another Baaba and Clarissa showdown. Besides, Rocky’s taking me to the Arts Centre to buy some souvenirs later today.’
Amma had been heading towards her bathroom and she stopped and turned back. ‘Well, I’m glad you two are getting on again,’ she said bluntly. ‘I don’t think I’ve seen you exchange more than five words since we got back from Cape Coast.’
Faye beamed at her happily. ‘Well, we’ve made up now and we’re friends again,’ she declared.
‘Just friends?’ Amma queried, a sly smile curving her lips. She laughed aloud as Faye came as close to blushing as her chocolate skin would allow.
‘Amma, I’m leaving here in three days!’ she protested defensively. ‘Besides which, it’s not as if Rocky is interested in a relationship with anyone – he’s made that perfectly clear.’
Amma sniffed and turned back towards the bathroom. ‘Three days can be long enough,’ she said enigmatically and shut the door firmly behind her.
Faye headed down the stairs to the kitchen for her morning coffee ritual. She made a cup of the brew and moved out to her favourite spot on the veranda, from where she could see Togo watering the flower bushes, his baggy shorts flapping loosely around his thin legs.
He smiled and waved in greeting when he saw her, and she waved back. Suddenly conscious of how dear to her the Asante family had become, a wave of desolation swept over her as she thought of her return to London and the short, dark October nights she had to look forward to. Pushing the depressing thought aside, she settled herself on the wicker lounger and sipped her coffee slowly.
‘So, is this where the supermodels relax?’ Faye looked up to see Uncle Fred, dressed in white shorts and a white polo shirt, standing just inside the French doors leading to the veranda.
‘Why, yes,’ she replied, throwing her arm in the air disdainfully and adopting an affected drawl. ‘We get so tired of walking up and down catwalks.’
He chuckled appreciatively and she sat up and smiled at him. ‘You’re looking very sporty, Uncle Fred!’ She took in the spotless white trainers on his feet. ‘Where are you off to?’
He pretended to shadow box for a few seconds, his generous stomach wobbling slightly as he lurched from foot to foot, then stopped, panting slightly as he answered.
‘Just keeping fit, my dear,’ he said breathlessly. ‘I’m off to play tennis with an old friend of mine – we get together once in a while.’ He winked at her broadly and dropped his voice into a conspiratorial whisper. ‘Actually, it’s more of an excuse to have a few beers together and catch up, but it makes your Aunt feel better if she thinks I’m exercising!’
Faye giggled at the mischievous expression on his face. With a brief wave, he disappeared back inside, leaving her to finish the dregs of her now cool coffee. She took the empty cup back to the kitchen and had just deposited it by the sink when Rocky sauntered in. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a faded denim shirt, he looked ridiculously handsome. The tiny lines of tiredness she had noted before seemed to have vanished, and he radiated energy as he walked towards her, hugging her briefly before stepping back.
‘Hey.’ His wide smile displayed his even white teeth. ‘You look good enough to eat,’ he added, taking in her slender figure shown off to advantage in the fitted midi dress she was wearing. The tiny buttons down the front were unbuttoned from just above her slim knees down to her shapely calves.
For the second time that morning, she felt the heat of a blush along her cheekbones and ducked her head self-consciously at his open scrut
iny.
‘Good morning to you too,’ she muttered, pushing away from him hastily before Martha walked in. ‘Do you want some coffee – I think there’s still some left in the pot?’ she asked.
‘I’d rather have you,’ he answered slowly, then laughed at the confusion that flooded her features. Taking pity on her, he moved over to the table and poured himself a huge mug of coffee before turning back to her.
‘What time do you want to leave for the Arts Centre?’ she asked, desperate to change the subject and bring her emotions under control. He sipped thoughtfully for a moment and then shrugged lightly.
‘Whenever you like,’ he said equably. ‘I’m all yours, so just say the word.’
If only, she sighed inwardly, staring hungrily at his lean handsome features. Conscious of his eyes upon her, she turned back to the sink and slowly washed her used coffee cup.
‘Well, I’m ready, so we can go when you’ve finished your coffee,’ she said, her back still turned to him. His only reply was to walk up to where she stood and to slide his arms around her waist. For a moment, she leaned back against his broad chest, breathing in the faint lemon scent of his aftershave.
‘Are you sure you have to go on Tuesday?’ he murmured, resting his chin on the top of her head. ‘Why can’t you stay longer?’
With a sigh, she placed the coffee cup in the draining tray and turned around slowly to face him. His arms continued to hold her possessively and his smile disappeared as he looked down at her, his eyes serious for once as they took in her troubled features.
‘You haven’t answered me,’ he said softly, bending to gently kiss her full lips. She kissed him back, leaning further into him as his arms tightened around her. After a few mindless moments, she pulled back. Shaking her head slightly, she reached up her hand and outlined his firm lips with her forefinger.
‘I have to go back,’ she said, her smile tremulous. ‘I’ve used up all my holidays and my boss has probably driven the temp mad by now,’ she added with a shaky laugh. Hearing Martha’s voice in the corridor, she pushed Rocky away, smoothing down her hair self-consciously.
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