Tell That to My Heart

by Eliza J Scott

  ‘More like you’re too scared to take time off work in case Honey does something when you’re not there.’

  ‘Pretty much, yeah.’

  Anna-Lisa shook her head. ‘It shouldn’t be like this, Mim. I can’t bear it at Yorkshire Portions but I honestly don’t know how you can stand everything that’s going on, what with Honey and Caspar, and the way Catherine treats you. It’s because you’re a people-pleaser, but you’re no better thought of for letting them make a mug of you, you know that, don’t you?’

  Mim hung her head, scratching the itchy patch on her arm. ‘You’re right, I know, but I don’t know how to stop.’

  ‘Then it’s time we taught you. Actually, you’ve already taken a step in the right direction by turning Rick down and not giving Caspar the response he wanted straight away, so that’s a good start.’

  Mim felt suddenly brighter. ‘You’re right; it’s about time I got seriously bad ass’.

  ‘I think it is,’ Anna-Lisa said, laughing.

  Once they’d had breakfast and showered, the two friends enjoyed a leisurely walk across the fields with Herbert charging about, darting into hedgerows and chasing sticks. The crisp sunshine picked out the warm shades of autumn that decorated the landscape, emphasising their rich, jewel-like glow.

  ‘I love the way Herbs is always so upbeat,’ said Anna-Lisa.

  ‘Me too, I’d be lost without him. I’m dreading Josie telling me they’re coming back to live over here.’

  ‘Has she given any hints that’s likely to happen?’

  ‘No, quite the opposite in fact. But if they did, it wouldn’t be so bad having to move out of the cottage, but it would break my heart not to have Herbert anymore; he’s totally stolen my heart.’

  ‘If it’s any consolation, I think he’d feel the same. You can tell just by the way he looks at you he absolutely adores you.’

  ‘Really?’ Anna-Lisa’s words gave Mim a warm glow. ‘Well, the feeling’s mutual.’

  Though Mim had felt herself relax she hadn’t managed to chase away the growing worry about Caspar and his family, especially after what Gemma had said. It went head-to-head with her feelings for him, making her feel all the more confused. Honey might have a reputation for messing with people’s mind, but it would seem Caspar was giving her a run for her money.

  Herbert, as usual, was always there to lighten her mood exactly when needed. He trotted up to her and Anna-Lisa and dropped a half-decomposed tennis ball at their feet. He sat down in anticipation, swishing his tail through the remnants of a muddy puddle sending droplets flying.

  ‘And what do you expect us to do with that manky object, Herbs?’ asked Mim.

  He glanced down at the ball and back up at her, his tail wagging increasing in speed.

  ‘Much as I love him to bits, he’s got another thing coming if he thinks I’m going to touch that thing, it could be crawling with all sorts,’ said Anna-Lisa.

  ‘I think in Herbert’s mind that adds to the appeal.’ Mim giggled and picked up a stick. ‘How about this, Herbs, this looks much more fun.’ With that she threw the stick as hard as she could and he raced off after it, the tennis ball all but forgotten.

  ‘Well, that was easy.’ Anna-Lisa watched him, laughing.

  ‘Yep, the only other thing that could distract him like that is food.’ Mim glanced at her watch. ‘Speaking of which, it’s probably time we headed back. Aidey’ll be here soon and I need to call in at the butchers for a bone for Herbs, then I need to get some more sweets from the village shop. Oh, and I need some bread and milk, too.’

  ‘I love how you add bread and milk as an afterthought.’

  The friends looked at one another and giggled before Mim whistled for Herbert who came tearing back to them, the stick clamped between his teeth.

  29

  By one-thirty there was still no sign of Aidey and Mim had started to worry. ‘Where do you think he is?’ She glanced up at the kitchen clock. ‘It’s not like him to be late, or at least not to let us know.’

  Anna-Lisa frowned. ‘Hmm. You’re right, but I’m sure he’ll be okay. How about another coffee?’

  ‘I’m sure you’re right, and a coffee sounds good. I’ll give it another fifteen minutes and I’ll call his mobile again.’

  Five minutes later, relief flooded through Mim when Aidey’s familiar knock at the front door made her jump. Herbert leapt up from his bone in the utility room and charged down the hall, barking as he went.

  ‘Aidey! Where’ve you been? We’ve been worried sick.’ He’d barely stepped over the threshold before Mim had thrown her arms around his neck, while Herbert danced around him, his nose nudging at Aidey’s legs.

  ‘Give the lad chance to get over the doorstep, you two.’ Anna-Lisa laughed and went to relieve him of some of the bags he was carrying. ‘Here, I’ll take these, you look like a packhorse.’

  ‘Thanks, Anna. And, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I ended up having a slight detour and the traffic was really bad. I meant to call but I think I must’ve thrown my phone in my overnight bag when I was packing this morning. I thought if I just carried on driving, it’d be quicker than me stopping to try and find it.’

  ‘You’re here now, that’s all that matters, and there’s still time to go to the pub for a roast.’ Mim released Aidey from her embrace, the familiar comforting smell of his woody cologne dancing around her nostrils. It triggered a feeling of warmth inside her.

  ‘Well, that is good news.’ Aidey followed the two friends down to the kitchen. He deposited a large paper carrier bag onto the table next to the two bags Anna-Lisa had put there before sliding his overnight bag off his shoulder and setting it on the floor. Herbert dived on it instantly, giving every inch a thorough sniffing. ‘I’m afraid there’s nothing exciting in there for you, fella, but I think we might find something in one of those bags Anna took.’ He checked the carrier bags, reaching in and pulling out a huge chewy stick. Aidey looked across at Mim. ‘Am I okay to give him this?’

  She nodded. ‘I think it would torture him if you didn’t. He’s already on with a bone from the butchers, but he loves those.’

  Aidey bent to Herbert, offering the chewy bone which the Labrador took gently. ‘That’s a good lad, you go and enjoy that.’ He patted Herbert’s head, watching as he trotted off to his bed.

  ‘Fancy a coffee before you get settled in? Anna and I have just made one.’

  ‘Sounds good.’

  While Mim filled the kettle, Aidey turned his attention to the paper carrier bag. ‘So, I mentioned I had a detour and, to cut a long story short, Hamish was meant to book Mum’s spa treat over at Kirkbythwaite Hall Hotel but he hadn’t got round to it what with the house move and everything. Anyway, I said I’d do it but, as you ladies suggested, I wanted to get some of their products to wrap with the voucher, so I thought the best thing to do would be to head that way and get it sorted today. Mum’s birthday’s on a Saturday in January and I didn’t know how far in advance they’d get booked up. Hamish and I thought it’d be nice for her to spend her actual birthday there.’

  ‘That’s really thoughtful of you, Aidey,’ said Mim.

  ‘Ooh, what was the place like?’ asked Anna-Lisa.

  ‘Absolutely amazing. I’ve never been anywhere like it. I’m so pleased we chose to get Mum a voucher from there. They showed me round the spa, which was out of this world and I know she’ll absolutely love it. And the products, well they all smelt fantastic so it was hard to choose, but I managed in the end – not an easy task for a bloke, I have to say. And, of course, I couldn’t come away from there without getting either of you two something, so, Anna, this is for you.’ He handed her a bottle of lemon verbena bubble bath. ‘And, Mimbo, this is for you.’ He handed Mim a bottle of purple coloured bubble bath that was fragranced with lavender and patchouli. ‘It’s just a little something, but it’s a way of saying thank you for coming up with the idea of getting Mum some products to go with the voucher; Mish and me would never ha
ve thought of that.’

  ‘Thanks, Aidey, but you shouldn’t have,’ Anna-Lisa clicked open the lid and inhaled the fragrance. ‘Mmm. This smells heavenly.’

  ‘Oh, Aidey, you really didn’t need to, but thank you, it smells absolutely gorgeous. I can’t wait to use it.’ Mim reached up and kissed his cheek, his day old stubble tickling her lips. She didn’t spot the blushes that swamped his freckles.

  ‘Right, here we have two roast dinners.’ Julie set the plates down in front of Mim and Anna-Lisa. ‘Bethany’s on her way with yours, Aidey. I’ll just go and get you some more gravy and a bowl of horseradish.’

  Mim’s eyes widened. ‘Thanks, Julie. Wow! This looks fantastic; look at the size of the Yorkshire puddings; they’re enormous!’

  ‘Here’s your roast, Aidey.’ Bethany, blushing profusely, set his plate of food down on his mat before scurrying off.

  ‘Ahh, bless her, I think someone’s got the hots for you, Aidey,’ said Anna-Lisa.

  ‘Me?’

  ‘Yes, you. And don’t sound so surprised, you’re a babe, isn’t he, Mim?’

  ‘Yep, you’re a total babe, Aidey, and it’s time you recognised that fact.’ Mim glanced across at him; there was no denying he was attractive, and the blue checked shirt he was wearing seemed to make his moss-green eyes take on a deeper hue. That, combined with his easy-going, pleasant personality, made it easy to see why young Bethany thought he was cute.

  ‘Here you go.’ Julie placed a jug of gravy and bowl of horseradish sauce on the mat in the middle of the table. ‘Just shout up if you want any more.’

  ‘Thanks, Julie,’ said Mim.

  Julie leaned in. ‘I won’t keep you, but thought you’d like to know Pat Motson’s practically having a melt-down over last night. Apparently she heard Carly ask Gemma about the crotchless knickers.’

  Aidey’s eyebrows shot up. ‘I won’t ask.’

  ‘Gemma’s the vicar’s wife, she’s a good laugh,’ said Mim.

  ‘Old dragon Motson told Cath Jones she’s going to speak to Rev Ferrers about it and about the suitability of his wife being friends with us.’

  Mim burst out laughing. ‘Oh, my God, can you imagine how she’s going to start that conversation?’

  ‘I’ll tell you what, it would be fun to be a fly on the wall,’ said Julie. ‘And can you imagine poor Rev Ferrers’ face when she does?’

  ‘The woman needs to get a life instead of sticking her nose into everybody else’s business and stirring up trouble,’ said Anna-Lisa.

  ‘Well, let’s hope when she finds out we’ve been winding her up, she’ll stop and think,’ said Mim.

  ‘Here’s hoping. Right, I’ll leave you folk to your food.’

  ‘I know we were going to talk about Honey and the missing stuff at work, and what we thought we should do about it, but today’s been so lovely, do we have to spoil it?’ asked Mim. The three friends were sipping coffee in the garden at Pear Tree Cottage, watching Herbert chase leaves. In truth, her anxiety about it had been building by the day, and she didn’t want to have to go over the details when she’d rather switch off with her friends. It was only putting off the inevitable, but that suited her just now.

  ‘I agree, let’s save it until tomorrow, Sunday’s a much better day for it,’ said Anna-Lisa.

  ‘I’m happy with that. Anything to put off thinking about that place,’ said Aidey.

  ‘So why don’t we find a decent series on Netflix and do a bit of binge-watching? I’ve got a huge bag of popcorn, heaps of crisps and loads of sweets, we can have the perfect movie night.’ Mim beamed at them. The thought of having an easy-going evening with her two best friends was suddenly very appealing.

  ‘Sounds like a top plan to me, though I can’t really think about any more food at the moment,’ said Anna-Lisa.

  ‘Yep, I like the sound of that, but – and it’s not a deal-breaker or anything – do you mind if we steer clear of chick-flicks?’

  Mim and Anna-Lisa looked at one another and giggled. ‘Ooh, I’m not so sure we can make such promises, what you do you think, Anna?’

  ‘Hmm. It’s a tricky one, but seeing as though it’s you, Aidey, we’ll give chick-flicks a miss, just for tonight.’

  The heavy curtains were drawn against the dark of the October night, and the light from the table lamps cast a warm, cosy glow over the living room. Herbert was curled up in front of the stove, snoring in gentle contentment – something Mim couldn’t imagine him doing if Caspar was here. Anna-Lisa was sitting in the large armchair, her feet tucked underneath her, while Mim and Aidey had opted for the squishy sofa. Mim plumped a cushion behind her back and aimed the remote control at the television. ‘Right, here goes.’

  ‘Can I just say, it’s easy to get spoilt for choice when you’re trying to choose something to watch and before you know it, the evening’s half gone and you haven’t settled on anything, so why don’t we make a mental note of any series we like the look of and set ourselves a time-limit?’ said Anna-Lisa.

  ‘That sounds sensible,’ said Aidey.

  ‘I agree,’ said Mim. ‘Ten minutes okay?’

  The friends were pleased when it didn’t take them long to find a suitable series they all liked the sound of, and they settled back and launched into the first episode.

  After a two hour session of watching episodes back-to-back, they declared it a good time to take a break for a leg stretch or a nip to the loo. Aidey offered to take Herbert for a toilet break in the back garden and top drinks up on the way back.

  ‘While I have a minute, I’m just going to upload this photo I took of my roast dinner onto my Instagram feed before I forget,’ said Anna-Lisa.

  ‘Ooh, let’s see it,’ said Mim.

  Anna-Lisa dropped onto the sofa beside Mim and showed her the photos she’d taken. ‘There, that’s the one I’m going to use, shows the Yorkshire puds off to their best advantage.’

  ‘Mmm. And you can just tell that beneath the crisp exterior of the roasties, they’re going to be all fluffy and buttery.’

  After Anna-Lisa had added an array of hashtags she went on to have a quick scroll through her feed with Mim watching over her shoulder. She was flicking through, pausing to like the occasional one that caught her eye, when a photograph of a smiling couple made her stop. ‘Oh!’

  Mim stared in disbelief. Surely that couldn’t be right, her eyes must be deceiving her. But the closer she looked, the more she realised they weren’t. ‘That’s Caspar and Clarissa.’ Her voice came out in a whisper.

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Why do you think they’re together like that?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  30

  Mim’s heart was pounding as her eyes scanned the image of the couple, Caspar’s arm around Clarissa’s tiny waist, her leaning into him, each holding a flute of sparkling champagne. They looked very comfortable being in such close proximity, their radiant smiles anything but the polite ones of work colleagues. Mim’s eyes drifted to the caption, “Publishing’s Golden Couple”. ‘What? What does that mean?’ Panic tore through her. Why would anyone say that? They weren’t a couple!

  ‘Looks like they’re at some kind of party. I could see if there are any other posts from the same event, it might help clarify things, if you want me to, that is?’

  ‘What’s up? You two look like you’ve had some bad news or something.’ Aidey came back into the room with Herbert. Anna-Lisa held her phone up to him. ‘Oh, right.’

  ‘So, do you want me to check for any more, or do you just want to leave it?’ asked Anna-Lisa.

  Mim hesitated; what if more photos of Caspar and Clarissa together only served to confirm her fears? ‘I don’t know. When was this one posted?’

  ‘Tonight; it looks like they’re at a charity auction over at Kirkbythwaite Hall Hotel.’

  ‘That explains why there was a massive marquee there. I thought it must’ve been for a wedding or something, but it was obviously for this.’ Aidey made his way round the sofa and sat bes
ide Mim, giving her shoulder a squeeze. ‘It might not be what it seems, Mimbo.’

  ‘That’ll be why he couldn’t come here tonight, though he told me he was doing something with his parents.’

  Anna-Lisa’s search turned up more and more photos of the couple in various happy poses, some with an older couple Mim assumed were Caspar’s parents, and some with Catherine and Kenneth. She looked at each one with morbid fascination, the horrible, familiar feeling of being played for a fool slowly creeping over her, extinguishing the carefree, happy feeling she’d had just ten minutes earlier.

  ‘I think we’ve seen enough, Anna,’ said Aidey.

  ‘Sorry, Mim, maybe I shouldn’t have gone searching.’

  ‘It’s not your fault.’ Mim sat back, her mind all over the place. Why hadn’t he told her the truth about where he’d be? And why were he and Clarissa being labelled a “golden couple”? She felt tears burning at the back of her eyes and before she knew it, they were tumbling down her cheeks.

  ‘Oh, Mim, don’t cry.’ Aidey pulled her into his arms. ‘Like I said, it might not be what it seems, the captions might just be referring to them as a couple in the professional sense.’

  ‘Mim, I’m so sorry, I wish I hadn’t picked my phone up, I was in two minds about it.’ Ann rubbed her friend’s arm.

  Herbert whimpered and nuzzled closer to Mim.

  ‘It’s alright, lad,’ said Aidey.

  ‘It’s really not your fault, Anna. And we all know those photos are exactly what they seem. I’ve just been a bloody idiot again. When am I ever going to learn?’ Mim sat up and wiped her eyes, smearing mascara across her cheeks. ‘And who was I kidding thinking someone like Caspar would seriously consider someone like me? He and Clarissa are so much better suited, that’s why he wanted to keep things with me quiet, I’m just not in his league.’