Richard frowned. 'But what about us?'
'What about us, Richard? Is there an "us"?'
'Of course there is! I love you, Celine. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.'
She stared at him, not quite trusting her own ears. He'd said he loved her, hadn't he? 'Are you sure?'
'I've never been more sure of anything in my life, Celine. Stay in Hopefield, move in with me. I'll even share my studio with you.'
Celine laughed. 'I don't know what to say.'
'Just tell me one thing. Do you love me?'
Celine threw her arms around him. 'Of course I love you, you silly man, you must know that.'
He grinned. 'I had my suspicions. But when I heard Gilligan was back on the scene—'
'Kevin was never back on the scene,' Celine told him. 'Do you believe that?'
'I do.' He kissed her long and hard.
Celine pulled away, flushed and happy. 'We're starting to get some funny looks,' she murmured.
'Then let's go back to my place and continue our, er, discussion there.'
They strolled back to his apartment arm-in-arm, talking about the future.
'So when do you think you'll have your exhibition?' Celine asked as they stepped into the lift.
'You don't give up, do you?' He opened the apartment door and stood back.
Celine arched an eyebrow. 'I thought we had a deal.'
'Do you mean it?'
She smiled, nodding. 'It's been on my mind lately. Working with all those lovely clothes — some of them designed by people I was in college with — really got me thinking.'
He hugged her. 'You know, getting all of those nasty anonymous letters can't have been nice but I'm beginning to think that the day you left Killmont was a red letter day for both of us!'
She smiled. 'I suppose that's true.'
'So what next? Will you set up your own label, your own shop?'
'I think I could do with some work experience first. It would be nice to work for a while in established design houses, maybe even spend some time in London, Milan or Paris.'
His face fell. 'I didn't think you'd want to go away, but I suppose it makes sense.'
She smiled. 'I wouldn't mind some company. I would have thought an artist would have jumped at the chance of spending time in such places.'
'Now there's an idea.'
'Could you get away from work?' she asked.
'I'm the boss, aren't I?'
'So, come on, show me.'
'What?'
'These wonderful paintings, I want to see them.'
He led the way down the corridor to the studio and swung open the door. One large canvas stood on the easel in the centre of the room but it was facing the other way.
Celine walked around, putting her hand to her mouth as she realised what she was looking at.
'I had to work from memory but I think I got it about right.'
Celine stared at the nude portrait of herself. 'I think you were very kind.'
He looked at her face, his eyes anxious. 'Do you like it?'
'I love it,' Celine said, not taking her eyes off the painting. 'You make me look so, so, remote. It's like I'm not aware of being nude, that I don't care about the artist, I'm in another world.'
'You've got it exactly!' Richard said, delighted. 'That's what I wanted to capture about you.'
Celine looked surprised. 'Are you saying that I'm remote?'
He bent to kiss her lips. 'Not now, but that's the way you were when I first met you: beautiful, very nice but just that little bit distant.'
'I think since Dermot died I've felt as if I'm on the sidelines watching life pass by.'
'And now?' he asked.
She smiled. 'Now I feel happy, alive, in love.' She looked back at the portrait. 'Thank you for this.'
'Do you still want me to exhibit it?'
She closed her eyes and groaned. 'I will die of embarrassment if anyone recognises me but you have to exhibit it. It's truly beautiful.'
'I won't sell it,' Richard told her, pulling her into his arms. 'Although I plan to paint you many, many times.'
'I thought you usually did landscapes.'
'I didn't have the right model before. Now' — he started to open the buttons of her shirt — 'I'd like to check some details.'
She smiled as he peeled her clothes away. 'I'd no idea you were such a perfectionist.'
'You wouldn't believe,' he murmured, pushing her down on to the wooden floor.
'Ooh, it's a bit cold,' she giggled.
'I'll soon warm you up.'
Chapter 46
Marina sat in Dominic's kitchen reading while Josh played at her feet with his cars. She smiled down at her son's blond head, delighted to see him so happy. He'd been to stay with Kay once already and he thought it was a great adventure altogether. Marina was thrilled, as she'd been terrified that he'd throw a tantrum when he realised he was moving here for good but he hadn't been too bad at all. His playhouse had probably helped, and the fact that he now had someone to play football with. Marina had told Dominic that he didn't have to entertain her son all the time but it soon became obvious that he enjoyed it as much as Josh did. Marina often felt herself close to tears when she saw the two of them together. To find a new love at thirty-five was wonderful. To find someone willing to take your child on too was amazing. Even Ray was happy with the arrangement and had wished her and Dominic well. Probably because once Marina remarried he wouldn't have to cough up maintenance any more — not that he'd ever done so on a regular basis.
Marina washed her cup and started to prepare lunch. It was Celine's day off and Dominic was going to collect her after a meeting with the builders. The conversion was going very well so far and was due to be finished while they were on their honeymoon. As she washed the salad leaves, Marina smiled at the thought of two weeks touring around Nevada. She hadn't been out of Ireland in years and it would be Josh's first time on a plane — she'd no doubt that he'd love it. Kay had offered to take him home to Ireland after the wedding but Dominic had insisted he come with them.
'You'll never be able to truly enjoy yourself if you leave him behind,' he'd told Marina.
No wonder she loved him. He was so considerate. She and Celine had landed on their feet when they'd met Dominic and Richard. They were both good men. Dominic seemed thrilled too that Celine and Richard had finally settled their differences. She chuckled as she remembered how emotional he'd got the night Celine and Richard had dropped by to give them the good news.
Marina sliced the chicken portions she'd cooked earlier and arranged them on the salad. The short time under Kay's roof had broadened her range of recipes but she was still careful not to get too ambitious. She was setting the table when she heard the car doors slam on the car in the driveway.
'Joshie, Aunty Celine's here.'
Josh jumped up and ran to open the door. 'Hello, Aunty C'line, hi, Dominic!'
Celine looked taken aback when Josh hugged her knees before running to Dominic, who swung him up into the air.
Marina kissed her on both cheeks and led her inside. 'It's a pity Richard couldn't join us.'
'He's in town visiting an art gallery who are interested in exhibiting his work.'
Dominic shook his head as he opened the wine. 'I still can't believe he's an artist.'
'And a great one,' Marina chipped in. After much persuasion and several glasses of wine, Richard had agreed to show them around his studio. They had been as impressed as Celine and implored him to go public. Richard had laughed and told them about the deal he and Celine had struck. Marina had whooped with delight. 'It's about time the women of Ireland got to wear an original Celine Moore. They've been deprived for far too long.'
Now she raised her glass in a toast and smiled at her friend. 'To the success of our two artistic friends.'
'To Celine and Richard.' Dominic lifted his glass and drank.
'Thank you, thank you,' Celine said, laughing. Once she'd agreed to the deal it see
med her brain had been in overdrive and she was sketching every chance she got. Working at the shop helped enormously as she watched women of all shapes and sizes try on the different clothes. Her pencil moved across the page at an alarming rate when she was there. Sometimes she even got irritated when she had to put down her pad to go and serve a customer!
Marina went to the counter to make the dressing, leaving Dominic and Celine talking about the show.
'I can't believe it starts tomorrow night,' Celine was saying. 'Are you nervous?'
Dominic shrugged. 'A little but once I get on stage I'm usually fine. I actually enjoy it if I'm honest.'
'I'm not surprised, you're so good at it. I'm sure you could take it up professionally.'
Dominic threw back his head and laughed. 'No thank you, it's strictly a hobby.'
'So how's the deli coming along? I had a peek in this morning and it looks like a bombsite.'
'Yes, it is a bit of a mess but they seem to be on schedule. The kitchen is nearly finished. The ovens, fridges and freezers will be delivered next week but we won't get them hooked up until we get back from Nevada.'
'Did someone mention Nevada?' Marina said carrying their salads to the table. 'I can hardly wait.'
'The most gorgeous cocktail dress came into the shop yesterday, it would be perfect for your holiday.'
Marina beamed at her. 'I hope you didn't put it on a rail.' She fetched sandwiches and a cup of milk for Josh.
'No, it's stuffed under the counter,' Celine admitted. 'As long as Sadie doesn't find it, it's yours.'
Marina sat down beside Celine and shook out her napkin. 'I have a favour to ask.'
'Oh, yes?' Celine grinned as she popped some chicken into her mouth.
'Would you design my wedding dress?'
Celine almost choked on her food and reached for her wine glass.
'Oh, sorry.' Marina patted her on the back. 'Are you okay?'
Josh looked up at her, his eyes full of concern. 'Are you okay, Aunty C'line?'
Celine smiled at him. 'Thanks, Josh, I'm fine now.'
He nodded. 'Good. Mummy, can I have some ice cream?'
'After you've eaten your sandwiches,' Marina said firmly.
Celine waited for the screams but Josh just went back to his sandwich without a word of protest. 'He's so good,' she marvelled.
'All thanks to Mum,' Marina admitted. 'Anyway, you haven't answered me. My wedding dress?'
'I don't know what to say, Marina. Are you sure you want me to do it?'
'I would be thrilled if you would.'
'Then I'll do it,' Celine said and was almost suffocated in a hug.
Dominic smiled. 'That's wonderful, thank you, Celine.'
'It's my pleasure but there's one condition.'
'Anything.'
'It's my present to you.'
'Oh, no, Celine, that wouldn't be right—'
'I won't do it otherwise.'
Marina sighed. 'I don't know what to say.'
'Thank you?' Dominic suggested.
'Thank you, thank you, thank you,' Marina said, hugging her friend once more.
'Now will you put the girl down and let her eat her lunch?' Dominic said.
Celine laughed. 'And it's a nice lunch too! Is Kay hiding in the garden?'
'Cheek!' Marina nudged her. 'No, this is all my own work. Some of my mother's talents rubbed off while we were living together. Although if we invite you to dinner I promise I'll leave the cooking to Dominic.'
'Or we could order from our new deli,' he pointed out.
'Oh, yes, won't that be handy? I'll be able to call you each evening and place my order. We need never cook again!'
'That brings a whole new meaning to the words "eating the profits"!' Dominic excused himself as his mobile started to ring.
'Are you missing work?' Celine asked Marina as he went into the garden to take the call.
'Not at all. I'm sure I'll probably get bored after a while but for now I'm quite happy to stay at home.'
'Are you really at home much? I'd have thought you'd be shopping morning, noon and night.'.
Marina laughed. 'Guilty as charged! And between that and organising our trip there's plenty to keep me busy. You know, I think it's awfully decent of you and Richard to get it together. If you had other partners we'd have had to pay for four flights instead of two!'
'You're not paying for us,' Celine protested.
'Now it's my turn to insist. You and Richard are our witnesses and you are our guests.'
Celine bowed her head. 'Okay then, if that's what you want but who's going to give you away?'
'Josh, of course,' Marina murmured, sneaking a look at her son, who was trying to hide the remainder of his ham sandwich under his napkin. 'But he doesn't know it yet.'
Celine clapped her hands together. 'What a marvellous idea. I thought it might be Kay.'
'That was my original plan but she suggested Josh. She thought it was important to give him a definite role in the ceremony.'
'Your mother is a very wise woman.'
'I'm beginning to realise that,' Marina agreed.
'I wonder if she—' Celine broke off as Dominic came back into the room, his face grim. 'What's wrong, Dominic?'
'What is it, darling?' Marina looked at him, her eyes anxious. 'It's not Mum—'
'No, no, nothing like that but there's been a fire down at the community centre.'
'Was anyone hurt?' Celine asked.
Dominic shook his head. 'But I'm afraid some of the costumes were destroyed.'
'Oh, no, that's terrible,' Marina clutched Celine's hand. 'After all your hard work.'
'Maybe I could repair them,' Celine offered, although she wasn't sure how she could do it with the show opening tomorrow night.
'There's nothing to repair.' Dominic sat down and took a drink. 'I think we're going to have to cancel the show.'
Marina sighed. 'Oh, that would be such a shame, all the tickets are sold.'
Dominic shrugged. 'I don't see what else we can do.'
'Why don't we go over there and examine the damage?' Celine suggested.
'Good idea.' Dominic stood up again and reached for his car keys.
'Does Cathy know?'
'She's down there already.'
'Then let's go. Sorry for eating and running, Marina.' Celine gave her a quick hug.
'Don't worry about it.'
Dominic kissed her. 'I'll phone you and let you know what's happening.'
Chapter 47
Cathy was standing in the car park with a few other people when Dominic and Celine arrived. She threw up her hands in a gesture of resignation when she saw them.
Celine climbed out of the car and hurried over, Dominic hot on her heels.
'Is there much damage?' she asked.
'Not much at all,' Cathy told them. 'A chip pan went on fire when they were preparing the old folks' dinner.'
Celine frowned. 'But I don't understand, the costumes—'
'Were in the storeroom that backs onto the kitchen. Only a stud wall separates them and that went up in smoke straight away.'
'We could hire some costumes,' Dominic suggested.
Cathy shook her head. 'Not at such short notice and anyway, it would cost a small fortune.'
'Let me see the costumes, I might be able to do something.'
Cathy led the way inside. 'Be my guest, Celine, but I don't see how you could sort this lot out in twenty-four hours.'
Inside, rails of clothes now stood in the middle of the hall. They were soaked, stank of smoke but were undamaged. Cathy fingered one suit. 'The fire brigade were here in minutes but unfortunately the water does nearly as much damage as the fire.'
'Rubbish,' Celine retorted as she moved from rail to rail. 'We can easily get these cleaned in time.'
'Maybe,' Dominic agreed, "but what about that lot?' He nodded towards the rail that stood just outside the burnt-out store room.
Celine groaned as on closer examination she discovered that she
was looking at the scarred remains of the Ascot dresses. 'Of all the lousy luck. If it were the ballgowns we'd have had some chance of replacing them but where are we going to find fourteen cheap gowns in black and white?'
Dominic turned back to Cathy. 'We could explain the situation to the audience at the beginning of the show and let the women wear ordinary dresses.'
Cathy nodded. 'I suppose that would be better than cancelling.'
'Or we could postpone,' he continued.
Cathy shook her head. 'No, the centre is booked up for months ahead and, anyway, we still couldn't afford new gear.'
Celine had been looking speculatively at the tables laid for lunch, the white cloths now blackened with soot. 'Could the budget stretch to a few tablecloths?'
'I suppose,' Cathy replied, following her gaze. 'But you don't have to worry about the damage to the centre. That's covered under the insurance.'
Celine smiled. 'Good. Will we definitely be able to use the hall tomorrow night?'
'Yeah, I got the all clear on that. The kitchen will be boarded off and obviously we won't be able to serve tea and coffee at the interval but apart from that, once we clean the hall and it has had a good airing, it should be fine.'
'Thank goodness we're having a summer this year.' Dominic murmured, looking up at the cloudless sky. 'Even if it is still smelly we can leave the doors and windows open.'
'And I think I can sort out the Ascot gowns,' Celine told them.
'How on earth can you do that?' Cathy stared at her.
'Leave it with me. Can you organise that the rest of the costumes are laundered?'
'Of course.'
'Right. Dominic, can you take me to the shopping centre?'
'Sure.'
'And I'm going to need some help. Can I use your house as a base?'
'Of course.'
'Great. Now, if you could call Marina and ask her to get Kay and Rose to meet us there around eight.'
'Rose? Is she back?'
'Just for the show, she wouldn't miss that for the world.'
'Right, well, I'd better arrange to pick her up.' Dominic went back to the car to make his calls.
Celine turned to the producer. 'Cathy, can you phone around the cast and get them to arrive an hour earlier tomorrow night? That way we can have a try-on and I can do a quick fix if there are any problems.'
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