Fly with Me

by Angela Verdenius

  “Oh.” Enlightenment dawned on Ash’s face. “Oh!”

  “Yeah, oh. Now come on, girl, let me in on these plans of which I know sweet bugger all.”

  Ash paused, looked down at Tilly.

  Seeing the change in her friend, Elissa crossed to her, dropping to one knee in front of her. “Is everything all right? Are you and Scott, you know, okay?”

  “Okay?” Ash laughed. “Scott and I are fine. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

  “Well, that’s a relief. So what’s with the face?”

  Ash immediately raised a hand to her cheek. “What’s wrong with my face?”

  “Nothing. I meant you were all happy until I mentioned the plans, then you went all weird.”

  “Oh.” Ash rubbed Tilly’s ears, making the cat’s eyes almost cross in pleasure, her purring sounding through the room.

  “Come on, Ash, what’s wrong? Is it the dress? Is it crappy? Won’t Scott wear a suit? Is there some custom that says you have to shag half the men in the town? What?”

  “Cripes, Elissa! Half the men in the town?”

  “You have to do all the men?”

  Ash gave her an affectionate shove on the shoulder. “No, you nong.”

  “So what’s up?” Elissa’s breath caught, a sudden thought occurring. “Is it me? Do you want someone else to be your matron of honour?” Ow, that hurt, because Ash was her best friend. “It’s fine, it’s okay, I understand. I do.” Lie lie lie. “You’ve made some great friends here and-” Ash’s hand coming across her mouth stopped further words.

  Her friend did not look happy. In fact, there was a scowl on that normally sweet face. “If you don’t want me to kick your arse, Elissa Baylon, you will stop right there.”

  Okay, so she’d got that wrong. “Mmph.”

  “Now, I’m going to remove my hand, I expect you to stop sprouting crap. All right?”

  “Mmph.”

  “Nod.”

  Elissa nodded. Ash removed her hand.

  “I think I have cat hair in my mouth.”

  “Serves you right.”

  “Geez, Ash, maybe you’ve been around these Gully’s Fall girls too long.”

  “And maybe you’ve forgotten that you’re my best friend.” Ash shoved her finger within an inch of Elissa’s nose. “Always have been, always will be.”

  “Okay.” Elissa eyed the finger. But she couldn’t stop the rush of relief from filling her.

  “Now listen.” Ash shook that finger. “You are my matron of honour. Only you. No one else. Got it?”

  “Yeah.” Elissa couldn’t help grinning, happiness sweeping through her. “I mean, Yes Ma’am.”

  Ash leaned forward, concern filling her eyes. “Seriously, did you really think I’d replaced you?”

  “Well, I…kind of…I didn’t know. You were so solemn all of a sudden, like you didn’t know how to tell me something.”

  Ash glanced away, bit her lip, then looked back down at her. “I guess I’m wondering how you’ll take it.”

  “Take it?” Now curiosity filled Elissa. “Take what? Do I have to play twenty questions or something? Spill it, Ash.”

  “Fine.” Ash sat upright. “Look, this wedding, it’s not really traditional.”

  “Oh? You’re getting married naked or something?”

  “Not that untraditional.”

  “You’ve decided to elope like Kirk and Molly did?”

  “That’s kind of traditional somewhere in history. Gretna Green, wasn’t it?”

  Elissa didn’t know whether to be horrified or delighted. “You are! You’re eloping!”

  “Keep your knickers on, I’m not eloping.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “Not the big church wedding, huge reception, mountains of tulle and lace, and big, fancy honeymoon that you’re used to.”

  Elissa looked blankly at her. “I’ve never been married. How can I be used to that?”

  “You really are a clueless nong,” Ash said affectionately.

  “Thanks. I think.” Elissa sat back on her heels. “Now are you going to tell me or keep me in suspense?”

  “Maybe I’ve spun it out too far if you think this is suspenseful.”

  “Ash!”

  Laughing, her friend relaxed.

  Relieved to see the tension fade from her, Elissa waited, wondering just what the heck was so important that Ash was worried about telling her.

  Tilly flopped onto her side, then rolled onto her back, tilted her head and eyed Ash hopefully. Without hesitation Ash started rubbing her belly, Tilly closing her eyes and paddling the air in ecstasy.

  “Look, it’s probably no big deal, really,” Ash said. “It’s a small church wedding, nothing fancy. No bridesmaids, no groomsmen. Just you for my matron of honour, Ryder’s Scott’s best man. We’re just having a small reception at the hall, Mrs Preston and some of the other ladies are providing the food, so it’s all home cooked. We’re just having a good time, relaxed, casual. Then Scott and I are leaving the next morning for two weeks to Tasmania. That’s it.”

  “That’s it,” Elissa echoed.

  Ash watched her a touch anxiously.

  Elissa digested what she’d said in silence. Personally, she thought it sounded great. “And?”

  “And?” Ash echoed.

  “And what’s the problem?”

  “I didn’t know what you’d think.”

  “Think?” Elissa flung out her hands. “I think it sounds great. Cripes, Ash, no crowds of people, half of whom don’t even like each other, no false fronts, no awkwardness. No family fights. Simple, sweet and full of friendship. I think it’s bloody awesome.”

  “You do?” Ash was openly relieved. “Oh, great.”

  “I can’t believe you’d think I’d mind. I ought to kick your arse.”

  “Scott wouldn’t like that.”

  “Scott can kiss my - yeah, maybe not.”

  “Definitely not,” Ash agreed. “However, Simon might.”

  Whoa, there it was, that wicked glint in her friend’s eyes.

  “And we are so not going there.” Before Ash could protest, Elissa held up a hand, palm outwards. “One more word, sister, and I won’t show you the dress I bought for the happy occasion.”

  “Aw,” Ash whined. “And aw! Let’s see it!”

  “Promise not to mention a certain firie?”

  “Do I have to?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, okay. Now show me!”

  Elissa climbed to her feet and crossed to the wardrobe, opening the door and reaching inside, only to stop and look at Ash over her shoulder. “Do I get to see your dress?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay then.” Elissa pulled the coat hanger from the wardrobe, turning and pulling the dust cover off the dress. “Ta-dah! What do you think?”

  Ash looked at the dress in growing delight. “It’s beautiful! Put it on.”

  “As you’re the bride-to-be, your wish is my command.”

  “So we can talk about Si-”

  “Not that much command.”

  “Come on.” Ash clapped her hands. “Let’s see it. Oh wait, what shoes are going with it?”

  “I’m so cliché, I even have them in the matching colour.”

  “Love it. Let’s go. Strip.”

  Within minutes Elissa stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the satin while watching Ash’s face in the mirror. “Still okay?”

  Ash’s face was soft. “You look beautiful. Every man there will be drooling.”

  “You do know I’m not supposed to be more beautiful than the bride, right?”

  “Technicality.”

  “Well, on that note, go to your room and I’ll follow in a minute. I want to be stunned when I walk in.” When Ash hesitated, Elissa scowled. “Now.”

  Throwing up her hands, Ash left the room.

  About to slip the dress off, Elissa paused and looked at her reflection. The dress really was pretty, and she’d been careful not to overdo thi
ngs. Whereas before she’d worried that she’d not done enough, or had been too simple, now she was glad she’d been reserved.

  Her generously curved figure looked like it had been poured into the capped sleeved, pale lilac dress that cupped her buxom upper half while falling free from her waist to drape down to just above the floor, revealing peeks of pale lilac satin pumps. All she had to do was pull her hair up, add a plain gold chain, a touch of makeup and it would do the trick nicely.

  With a last nod, she carefully removed the dress, returning it to the wardrobe and the pumps to the little box beneath the dress. Now to see the bridal dress.

  Walking into Ash’s bedroom, she stopped, her mouth falling open in delight. “Oh, Ash, you look stunning.”

  Hands behind her back, a tremulous smile on her sweet face, Ash looked back at her. “Think I’ll do?”

  “Do?” Crossing the floor, Elissa took her hands and held them away from her body. “You’ll make Scott’s tongue fall out of his head.” She paused, frowned. “He hasn’t seen it yet, has he?”

  “Nope. I keep it in the little cupboard in the spare room and he’s sworn not to peek.”

  “Can he be trusted?”

  “On this? Yep.”

  Her friend looked stunning, all right. The sweetheart neckline, the white satin that clung to her breasts and waist, the white skirt that fell so elegantly to just above the floor. Three quarter sleeves in lace. When Ash moved, Elissa saw that there was a lot of extra material in the skirt so that it swirled out.

  “Veil?” Elissa queried.

  Ash shook her head. “I went with a garland of flowers.”

  “Where is it?’

  “Fresh flowers. Mrs Preston is getting them for me.”

  “Ash, Scott will have eyes only for you.” Elissa shook her head admiringly.

  “And Simon will have eyes only for-”

  “Don’t make me hurt the bride.” Laughing, Elissa stepped back. “What do the other girls think of it?”

  “They haven’t seen it.” Ash gave a half smile. “Only you.”

  That warmed her. “I’d hug you but I don’t want to crush the dress.”

  “Wait right there.” Ash carefully took the gown off, Elissa helping. As soon as it was packed back in the wardrobe and Ash dressed, she held her arms out to Elissa. “Come on, give us a hug then.”

  Laughing, they embraced before pulling apart.

  “End of next week,” Elissa mused. “How are you feeling?”

  Leading the way out of the room, Ash replied over her shoulder, “Good. A little nervous that I’ll stuff up, or trip and fall in the church or something like that, but okay otherwise.”

  “You won’t fall. I won’t let you embarrass me.”

  “Huh. Anyway, we have a quick rehearsal in a couple of days.”

  “Okay.”

  “Scott’s in a sweat about that already.”

  “Is Ryder helping him, being the best man and all?”

  “Are you for real?”

  “I’m guessing not.”

  “He keeps telling Scott that he better not forget his lines, swear or crack a dirty joke. I keep telling Scott that he should be telling Ryder that.”

  “Maybe you should be getting Dee to sort Ryder out.”

  “Maybe you’re right. Anyway, having this weekend coming up away from Gully’s Fall, a little time to ourselves amidst all this, will be good for him. Are you sure you’re still okay with staying here on your own for the weekend?”

  “I think I can handle Tilly. I’ll have to while you’re on your honeymoon anyway, right? This can be my dry run.”

  “You have no idea how glad we are that you came early.”

  “I’ll send you my bill.”

  Ash laughed. “You nut.” She glanced at the clock. “Is that the time? I have to get cracking to work.”

  “I thought this was the start of your holidays?”

  “It kind of is. I just want to finish a few things at the auto shop to make it easier for Ben. I’ll be home by lunchtime or just after. Do you want to come?”

  “Nah, its fine. I’ll crash here with a book.” Elissa filled up the kettle. “By the way, what’s happening here tonight?”

  “Ash picked up her small shoulder bag from the corner of the kitchen bench. “Oh, it’s movie night. Whenever we all manage to get the same night off, which isn’t often, we get a DVD and some takeaway.”

  “Okay.”

  “It’s something that Scott, Simon, Ryder, Kirk, Dee and Del have done for years, and it’s continued with Molly and me as well.” Ash grinned. “And now you.”

  “Cool. Want me to get anything?”

  “Hmmm, maybe a few extra nibblies if you don’t mind going to the supermarket. Simon’s a walking stomach.”

  “Nibblies. Gotcha.” Elissa leaned her forearms on the bench.

  “Wait.” Ash paused. “You don’t have a car.”

  “How many boxes do I need to bring back?”

  “Maybe I’ll pick the stuff up on my way back. That’d be a better idea.”

  “Pfft. I’ll enjoy the walk, check out the local shops.”

  “I don’t want you to feel you have to do things.”

  “I want to do things.” Elissa looked gravely at her friend. “I’m not here to be waited on. I’m here to pull my weight as well as have a break.”

  Eyes keen and assessing, Ash looked at her in silence.

  Uh oh. Elissa smiled brightly. “Work hard now, hear?”

  Ash slid the car keys from the hook. “When I get back, we need to have a little chat about how you’re going.”

  “I’m going fine.”

  “I mean a true heart to heart.”

  “Sure.”

  “Like we always did,” Ash insisted.

  “Ash-”

  “Don’t think I don’t feel things, Elissa. I know you. It’s time we had a little chat.”

  Elissa looked at her for several long seconds, then nodded. “Okay. Yeah, okay.”

  “Okay.” Ash walked out the door.

  Listening to her friend walk down the hall, Elissa sighed. They’d always shared confidences, always known what the other was doing or thinking, what was happening in each other’s life. It was no different now.

  And besides, talking to Ash would help her. Speaking to someone who would listen objectively, help her see where she was going, what she was doing. Hell, just to bounce ideas off.

  Yeah, it was time she talked to her best friend. Time to have a good heart to heart.

  The phone rang as she was pouring hot water into the mug and she picked it up. “Hello?”

  “By God, Elissa, you haven’t left!” Calum swore. “When your mobile didn’t work, your mother suggested I try here and she was right. Goddamn it!”

  Hot water slopped over the side of the mug as she jerked the kettle away. Putting it down, she said tightly, “Calum, I told you weeks ago that I wasn’t going to be around.”

  “And I told you that you had obligations! You’re booked for tonight at the Bardot Club, Elissa. Tonight. What the hell am I supposed to tell the owner, huh? What?”

  “I’m sorry-”

  “Sorry? Sorry? Sorry doesn’t cut it, you selfish little bitch! Do you know how much is invested in this? Do you have any idea what it’ll cost me?”

  Irritation and anger rose inside her. “I told you. I emailed you several times, you had plenty of notice. It’s not my fault that you ignored what I said and went ahead and-”

  “This was for your benefit, Elissa, can I remind you of that? Your career. This was your big chance, our big chance. Do you have any idea what this will do to your reputation?”

  “Somehow I think it’s your reputation you’re more worried about.”

  “Don’t take that bloody attitude with me, Elissa. Don’t you dare. I put myself out on a limb for you time and again, and this is how you repay me?”

  “I did my job,” she said tightly. “Emphasises on the past tense in case you didn’t get i
t the first time.”

  “Not bloody well enough. Your loyalty leaves a lot to be desired, you hear me? Now get your-”

  “I quit.”

  There was silence for several seconds, then, “What the hell did you just say?”

  “I quit before I left, remember?” She hung up the phone then waited.

  Sure enough it started peeling again. Pick it up? Ignore it? She was half tempted to ignore it, but she didn’t want Calum ringing when Ash and Scott were home.

  Taking a deep breath, she answered, “Hello?”

  “Don’t you bloody hang up on me,” Calum snarled. “Now listen good. We have a contract. You can’t just walk out. I’ll sue your arse off, Elissa.”

  “I never re-signed that contract, remember?” Thank God. “It’s still sitting in your desk drawer for me to sign when I get back.” Not happening now.

  “What?”

  “When I first mentioned needing a break, you put the contract in the drawer.”

  “You haven’t signed it yet?”

  “You didn’t even check it, did you?” Her lips twisted with bitter sarcasm. “You were so sure I’d do it that you didn’t bother to even check.”

  There came a muffled sound, the rustle of paper, then Calum broke into vile cursing. “You effing bitch, Elissa!”

  Well, look at that, he’d actually looked for the contract in his desk drawer and found it.

  She waited silently as Calum breathed heavily into the phone, imagining him sitting there. No charming man now but a seething one, feeling the money sliding through his fingers.

  “I’m not signing the contract,” she stated quietly.

  “You can’t-”

  “I can. I just did. No more, Calum, I’ve had enough. It’s time I do my own thing.”

  “Your own thing?” The rage in his voice practically throbbed over the phone. “Do your own thing? You owe a lot of people, Elissa, and you have dues to pay. Big dues. Get those fancy ideas out of your head and get back here.”

  The tick of the clock in the room was suddenly loud, and she watched the second hand move around the face as she steadied her slightly shaking hands, forced deep, even breaths. The anger was a welcome, steadying influence.

  “No, Calum, you listen. I paid my dues, I don’t owe anyone. I made money for you, I made money for my family, I worked my contract. That contract is over and done with and so am I. Don’t ring me again, don’t see me. I’m not coming back. Ever.” Calmly, she hung up the phone.