‘No, don’t worry. You just concentrate on opening up. I’ll see to it.’
I hang up, feeling slightly sick at the thought of having to walk round there and demand my cake back. What if Lucy refuses to give it to me out of spite? But I can’t just leave poor Doreen’s lovely creation there – not after she’s gone to so much trouble baking it.
Sighing, I get ready to go round there.
I’m just leaving the house when the phone rings again. It’s Paloma this time, sounding much more like her old self. Tentatively, I ask her if she’s okay. There’s a slight pause then she says she’ll tell me all about it, but not over the phone. We both know she’s talking about her birth mum.
‘I totally understand.’
‘Are you still doing Lucy’s 10k run on Sunday?’ she asks.
‘I wasn’t going to. But if you are, I suppose I could.’
‘Can you manage 10k?’ She sounds doubtful.
‘Er, I’ll have you know I’ve been going out for a little run most mornings before opening up the café! I’m fitter than I’ve ever been.’
‘Wow, that’s great. Let’s do it, then. So what else has been happening?’
I tell her that The Treehouse Café is going to become a reality and she’s over the moon for me. She doesn’t even slag off Jake. Then I tell her about the cake emergency, wanting to make her laugh.
‘Christ, it’s not a great start for poor Doreen, is it? Cake goes walkabout!’
‘I know. Bless her. She’s in a bit of a stew about it.’
‘Why don’t I drive you round there? I’ll even go in and collect the cake if you don’t want to face Lucy yourself.’
‘You will?’ Relief spreads through me. I’ve been dreading the thought of having to talk to Lucy. I hate myself for not being braver. It’s just I never know what horrors she’s going to spring on me next. Her illogical hatred of me seems to know no bounds, which is quite a scary thought when you really think about it.
‘Of course I will,’ says Paloma. ‘Pick you up in five?’
We get there just before ten o’clock and the café isn’t open yet. No one comes when Paloma knocks on the door, and in the end, I get out of the car, deciding I have to be brave. It’s my café and my cake. I can’t leave it up to Paloma.
‘Let’s go round the back.’ I glance at my watch. ‘Doreen said Tom left the box at the back door, so it might still be there.’
We walk down a side street and find the back of the building. Both of their cars are parked there and there’s a light on in the window. There’s no sign of the cake box and my heart sinks. We’ll have to see Lucy after all …
Suddenly, I realise Paloma is trying to get my attention, waving madly and putting her finger to her lips. She’s crouched down, peering through the window, which I can see is open a crack. Curious, I sidle along next to her and look in, feeling like a regular peeping Tom.
The sight that greets me makes my eyes open wide in stunned amazement.
Lucy and Olivia are sitting at a table right next to the open window with their backs to us. Dressed in their smart black trousers, white shirts and long cream-coloured café aprons, they’re in the process of devouring Doreen’s black forest gateau as if it might be snatched away from them at any moment.
‘Oh my God, bloody heaven,’ drools Lucy, digging a huge serving spoon into the creamy cake and trying to cram it all into her mouth at once.
Olivia makes a grab for the spoon, but Lucy snatches it away, out of reach, and yells, ‘Oi! Get your own spoon.’
‘Fuck that,’ says Olivia, plunging her hand straight into the cake. She grabs a creamy wedge and starts guzzling it down, throwing back her head and making noises that frankly wouldn’t be out of place in a soft porn movie.
Eyes out on stalks, Paloma and I exchange a look. She mimes a belly laugh while I clap my hand over my mouth. It’s pretty revolting but hilarious at the same time.
Paloma reaches into her pocket and pulls out her mobile phone. Then she grins wickedly.
‘What are you doing?’ I mouth.
‘Ssh! Wait and see.’
Slowly, she reaches in, lifts the catch and pushes the window further open. It gives a tiny squeak.
‘What was that?’ mumbles Olivia through a mouthful of cake, and we freeze, holding our breath.
‘Oh God, stop me. I think I’m going to be sick,’ groans Lucy.
‘Me, too, but I don’t fucking care,’ mutters Olivia, diving in for more, sending a splodge of black cherries and purple-tinged cream down her pristine apron.
Paloma positions the camera and calls out cheerily, ‘Good morning, ladies!’
They both turn at exactly the same time, each with a mess of cake in their hand. And the horror on their guilty, chocolate-smeared faces is a sight to warm the cockles of my heart.
‘Click’ goes Paloma’s camera.
She holds up her thumb. ‘Great shot, girls. Enjoy your breakfast!’
And we both scuttle back to the car, almost peeing ourselves laughing.
‘So much for clean eating!’ snorts Paloma, starting the engine.
In between breathless guffaws, I do an imitation of Lucy’s slightly grating, high-pitched voice. ‘Oh, I never eat cake unless it’s made from parsnips!’
*****
After driving to a nearby supermarket to top up on cake supplies, we’re heading back to the café to break the news that Doreen’s black forest gateau has sadly been demolished, when I see them.
Theo and Olivia.
They’re walking along the high street, laughing about something, and my stomach lurches. Theo nudges her and squealing, she stumbles away then punches him playfully in retaliation. He pretends to be hurt, rubbing his upper arm and scowling at her.
There’s an ease and an intimacy between them that’s impossible to ignore.
I feel sick.
So it’s true. Olivia has won him over. They’re a couple.
‘Is that Theo with Olivia?’ Paloma is peering over. ‘I would have thought he’d have much better taste.’
‘Where? Oh, yes.’ I swallow hard and make a show of finding my keys.
Just as we turn down into my cul-de-sac, I take a quick glance back. Just in time to see Olivia stretch up on tiptoes and kiss Theo on the lips …
Chapter 30
The day of Lucy’s charity 10k run dawns clear but with a cool breeze. It’s a relief, quite frankly, after all the hot, sultry weather we’ve been having.
Not that the weather is uppermost in my mind.
If I had my way, I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than have to face Theo and Olivia after that display of affection I witnessed the day before on the high street. I know they’ll both be doing the run.
But I owe it to Harry and his mum to do my bit for the fund-raising appeal.
‘You look smart,’ I tell Paloma when she arrives to collect me.
She does a quick pose in her new turquoise and black Lycra running gear. ‘Thank you.’ She grins. ‘You don’t.’
‘Hey, thanks.’ I grimace down at my running gear. The only runner’s top I could find seems to have shrunk in the wash, which means I’m having to hoist it up at the front every five minutes so I won’t be done for indecent exposure.
‘When have I had the time and money lately to go shopping for new clothes? And new haircuts.’ I glance pointedly at Paloma’s chic new shoulder-length style.
She gives her head a little shake. ‘Needed a fresh start.’
I nod approvingly. ‘Well, it really suits you.’ I’m so glad she seems to be moving on from the crushing news about her birth mum.
Walking along to the village green, where the run is starting, Paloma suddenly remembers she promised Olivia she’d collect in the remaining sponsorship forms. ‘I’d better do it before the run starts or she’ll tell tales to Lucy,’ she grins, breaking into a jog. ‘See you along there?’
There’s quite a crowd assembled on the green when I arrive, even though it’s still half a
n hour until the run kicks off at 11.30. The first person I recognise is Theo. He’s so tall, his dark head is easy to spot in a crowd. He’s standing chatting to Olivia, who’s looking sleek and slender in little black Lycra shorts and a purple top that shows off her tanned midriff. I lurk on the perimeter, feeling like the ugly stepsister by comparison, preferring to remain anonymous in my grunge gear.
As I watch them furtively, Paloma goes up to Theo and is obviously asking him for his sponsorship form. Olivia smiles and leans towards him, then slides her hand into the small, zipped pocket of his running shorts and draws out what must be the folded-up form, holding it out to Paloma. It’s such an intimate gesture, I feel my stomach lurch uncomfortably.
They’re all laughing now, Theo more than anyone.
Olivia obviously meant it as a joke. I wish I could see the funny side …
‘Hey, you.’
Someone taps me on the shoulder and I turn to find Jason standing there.
‘Changed days,’ he says. ‘You’re the girl who used to say the trouble with jogging is that by the time you realise you’re not in shape for it …’
‘… it’s too far to walk back.’ I laugh. ‘Yeah, yeah. I know. But what about you? You weren’t at Lucy’s boot camp training session, so I just assumed you’d probably give today a body swerve as well.’
He shrugs. ‘I started training on my own. It’s a good thing that she’s doing, helping send that little boy to America. I want to take part. I’m not a natural runner, though. As you know.’
‘Me, neither. But I’ve actually started to enjoy it. I feel better when I’m exercising.’
He feels my forehead, jokingly.
‘I know. Bit of a shocker, right? I hope you haven’t forgotten we’re going out for dinner,’ I add, smiling to hide my slight awkwardness.
He looks at me with an expression I can’t quite decipher.
‘I need to tell you something,’ he says, taking my hand and drawing me away from the crowd. Bemused, I go where he leads me, beneath the branches of a big oak tree nearby. And before I know what’s happening, I’m in his arms and he’s kissing me.
Taken by surprise, my brain instantly starts popping with questions. (Mainly, how can he possibly find me attractive wearing this lot?)
But very quickly, the lovely familiarity of kissing Jason takes over and after a moment, I start kissing him back. All the memories of when we were together start rushing back. Theo and Olivia are quite forgotten. Kissing Jason seems like the most natural thing in the world …
‘The run is beginning shortly.’ A sharp voice at my back calls an abrupt halt to our amorous interlude. ‘If you can bear to come up for air, of course.’
I break away and turn to find Lucy standing there, eyes flashing with fury. Shock paralyses me, and for a horrible moment, I’m back at school in the toilets where Lucy has just dragged me – to warn me that if I dare go out with Jason, she will make sure I regret it.
I shake the memory, reminding myself we’re all grown up now. It’s a free country. I can kiss whomever I like and Lucy can’t hurt me any more.
Calmly, I return her look. I’m expecting Jason to react by letting go of me, but to my surprise, his grip on my waist only tightens.
Lucy stalks off and Jason blows out a long breath. ‘Good riddance.’
He pulls me against him again, murmuring urgently, ‘Oh God, Twi, you do realise I’m falling for you all over again? I keep thinking how great it was between us. Do you remember? You must.’
I nod. ‘I do. But—’
‘It can be like that again. It can, Twi. I know it can.’ He smiles and cradles my face. And I look into his kind brown eyes that are so lovely and familiar to me, and I can’t help wondering … It would be so easy to fall back into Jason’s arms. Ours was such an easy relationship, full of warmth and fun. We were so close, we used to finish each other’s sentences all the time.
Maybe we’re right for each other, after all.
Perhaps we’ve wasted too much time already …
A memory of my hot encounter with Theo in the treehouse flashes into my mind – the way his body and lips felt pressed against mine – but I force it away, leaning forward and kissing Jason firmly on the lips. ‘Let’s have dinner,’ I murmur, ‘and then we’ll see.’
‘There’s Theo,’ Jason says stiffly, looking over my shoulder.
I shoot Jason a sharp glance. ‘There’s nothing going on between me and Theo, you know. And there never will be.’ I say it determinedly, to crush the pang of sadness.
‘Really?’
‘Really.’ I turn slightly so I can see where he’s looking. Paloma has joined Theo and Olivia in conversation. Theo is talking and the two girls are looking up at him, listening intently with serious expressions. Then, as I watch, I see Paloma’s expression change to one of pure horror. At least, that’s what it looks like to me, although obviously I have no idea what they’re talking about.
She looks away after a moment, as if she’s thinking about something, while Theo and Olivia continue to chat in their flirty way. I can’t see Theo’s face because he’s facing away from me.
Next moment, Paloma looks around and spots me. She says something to the other two, then walks over and I smile expectantly, thinking she might tell me what’s on her mind.
But all she says is, ‘Theo’s lovely, isn’t he?’ She says it in a weird, distracted sort of way, almost as if she’s talking to herself.
I shrug. ‘He’s okay. A bit of a lone wolf, apparently. No point trying to get close to people like him.’
She gives me a slightly bemused look, and I feel my face redden. I don’t know why on earth I said that. I suppose it still needles that while on his own admission, he considers me ‘gorgeous’, he has no intention of touching me with a bargepole!
Paloma glances from me to Jason and her expression changes. ‘Oh, sorry. Was I interrupting something?’
‘No, of course not.’ I laugh a little too heartily. ‘Jason and I were just talking about – er, old times. Weren’t we?’ I swing round and beam at Jason.
He smiles, his eyes fixed on me. ‘Old times. And new.’
‘Are we running together?’ asks Paloma.
I nod. ‘Feel free to speed off at your own pace if I hold you up, though. Coming, Jason?’
‘No, I’m going to linger at the back.’ He grins. ‘Then if I decide to stop off at the pub, no one will notice.’
Paloma and I set off, running with the pack, Lucy and Olivia right up at the front, leading the way. Theo isn’t far behind them. I spot someone else I recognise running just behind him, but I can’t put a name to the face.
‘I’m sure I’ve seen that woman before.’ I point her out to Paloma. ‘But I can’t for the life of me think where, can you?’
‘Sorry?’ Paloma seems miles away.
‘That woman. Do you know her?’
She frowns and looks where I’m pointing. ‘It’s little Harry’s mum. The one we saw on TV, who we’re all raising money for today.’
‘Of course. How much do they need to get to America? Do you know?’
When she doesn’t reply, I glance at her worriedly. ‘Are you okay? Has something happened?’
She looks at me vacantly. Then she shakes her head. ‘No, everything’s fine.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yes. Absolutely. So I hear Jason and Lucy have broken up for good?’ She grins. ‘I couldn’t help noticing the two of you getting very close back there. Something I should know about?’
‘Maybe.’ I give a mischievous smile. ‘Rest assured, you’ll be the first to know if there’s anything to report. We’re going out for dinner, though.’
‘Nice.’ She nods vaguely, back in her own little world.
After a while, I slow right down. ‘Look, if you don’t mind, I’m going to pace myself. Don’t want to run out of steam and not be able to finish the course!’ She slows down with me, but I shoo her on. ‘I don’t want to hold you up.’
‘Okay. See you at the finishing line.’
I set off behind, watching her speed away.
There’s something she’s not telling me, but what? An image of her brand-new gear and chic hairstyle flashes into my mind. Her more upbeat manner. Is it all in an effort to move on after discovering the horrible truth about her birth mother? Or is it something more than that? She’s been so secretive about this ‘important client’ of hers …
I’m so deep in thought, I almost don’t notice the figure leaning against a tree up ahead. But as I approach, the person – a woman – slides to the ground and buries her face in her arms. It’s the woman from the TV. Harry’s mum.
She glances up, startled, as I jog by – almost as if she’s forgotten she’s taking part in the run – and I see that she’s dabbing at her eyes. Maybe she’s not feeling well?
‘Are you all right?’ I ask, stopping. ‘Do you need anything?’
She sniffs and gives me a sad little smile. ‘Three thousand pounds should do it.’
‘Sorry?’
She shakes her head. ‘No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Just ignore me; I’m having one of those days.’ She gets to her feet. ‘Actually, I’m not feeling so great. I think I’ll just head back. I’ve lost my enthusiasm for the run all of a sudden.’
I stare at her, puzzled. This run is all for her and little Harry’s benefit. What’s happened that would make her feel like this on such an important day?
‘Is it to do with Lucy?’ I ask. ‘Has she upset you?’
She nods, her smile freezing. A single tear slides down her face and drips off her chin onto the grass.
‘I’m Twilight, by the way.’
Her eyes widen. ‘Twilight? Lovely name. I’m Jane.’
‘So what happened, Jane?’
Her face falls. ‘Lucy’s changed her mind about helping us financially. I sold our house to pay for the treatment, and friends and family managed to raise the money for the flights to America. But we’re going to be living there for six months while Harry undergoes his treatment, so we need living expenses. Lucy said …’ She trails off, her voice choking with misery.
I nod. ‘I saw you on TV. Lucy was going to donate the proceeds of this run and a percentage of her takings from the café. So what happened? Why has she gone back on her word?’
Love Among the Treetops Page 21