by Katie Ginger
‘But why would Miles do that for me?’ asked Stella. Now Raina really did look at her like she was stupid.
‘He felt responsible so he made them a generous offer and they’ve taken the money.’
‘How generous?’ asked Lexi, reading the shock in Stella’s face.
Raina shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Enough.’ Stella stood stock still despite her name being called again. ‘Come on now, girl, you should be pleased.’
‘I am,’ Stella replied but her head was buzzing. ‘I just— How do I—How am I ever going to repay him?’ she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. ‘I was being sued for five thousand pounds and if he’s made them a generous offer it must be more than that, plus what? Paying their costs? If he’s shelled out all this money, how am I going to pay all that back? How do I even talk to him about it? Why would he do that for me?’
Raina’s voice was back to being stern, making Stella and Lexi jump. ‘Because he likes you, Stella. He wants to help. Is that so hard to imagine?’ Stella looked up, her head filled with worry. Her name was called again and she knew that if she didn’t put a professional smile back on her face she’d lose the sale. Her body didn’t want to move but she forced herself to mumble a goodbye to Lexi and Raina before stumbling off to her customer. She served them on autopilot, her arms and legs working but her brain silent.
It wasn’t until later that afternoon, when someone tried to purchase hers and Miles’s favourite painting, that she had an idea of what she could do to say thank you. But would such a small token of gratitude ever be enough?
***
Finally, it was party night and Stella couldn’t wait for Lexi to see the place. In the large flat, patched up and tidied after the burglary, she’d hung bunting in the shape of 1950s dresses around every room. Balloons were strung up in the corners and the kitchen was full of booze and food. She’d plugged in her iPod and put it on shuffle, smiling as Eighties hair-metal filled the silence. She’d promised Lexi music, but she hadn’t promised good music. As excited as she was for Lexi’s arrival, she was also nervous. It had been months since she’d seen her sister, Abby, and they’d be here soon too. On top of all of this, she was going to see Miles for the first time after learning what he’d done for her and her mind had been in a whirlwind ever since.
There weren’t enough words to express how thankful she was to have the whole mess off her back but she couldn’t let him pay out all that money. She just couldn’t. When she’d added up the takings only an hour ago, she’d had to double, and then triple count just to make sure there hadn’t been a mistake. She’d made so much money she was actually going to be able to pay some of it back to him. She’d been working on the assumption that, if they were suing for five thousand pounds and Miles had made a generous offer, he must have at least matched it, or gone over. And though she couldn’t pay him it all in one go, she could pay him some now and the rest over the months to come. Stella was sure she would be in Swallowtail Bay forever now that she wouldn’t have to leave. She didn’t want to be anywhere else. Glancing at the corner of the kitchen and the large parcel wrapped in brown paper, she hoped that combined with some of the money, it would be enough to start with.
Stella heard a knock at the door and opened it, leaving it that way for the other guests to arrive. Lexi laughed as she walked in. ‘Wow, it looks so pretty!’
‘Do you like it?’
‘I love it,’ she said, taking Stella in a huge hug.
‘Happy birthday, sweetie,’ Stella said, and kissed Lexi’s cheek. She looked incredible in another vintage dress. It wasn’t one of Vivien’s as she’d been a different size to Lexi, clearly petite from the get-go, but Lexi was wearing one of her pillbox hats in a deep red that matched the halter-neck wiggle dress encasing her. She looked sensational, like Marilyn Monroe. Stella smoothed down the little black dress Lexi had convinced her to wear. It was shorter than anything she would have chosen herself, but all that climbing up and down ladders and squatting down for things in the shop had done wonders for her thighs.
‘Aunty Stella,’ shouted Taylor, wrapping her bottom half in a hug. ‘Do you like my dress?’ She did a spin, holding out the bottom of the skirt and Stella laughed.
‘Yes, I do. You look amazing. So pretty.’
Ralph hugged Stella too. ‘Hi, Aunty Stella. Look I’m wearing a coatwaist.’
‘Waistcoat, darling,’ said Lexi, looking adoringly at her son.
Stella’s heart filled with love; they’d called her aunty! ‘You look very smart, Ralph. Have you guys been good today? Good enough to get your chocolate cake?’ They nodded and Stella and Lexi smiled at one and other.
‘They’ve actually been okay, but God knows what their dentist is going to say on their next visit. They’ve had enough sugar to kill an elephant. Anyway, go on you two. Go to the kitchen and get a drink.’ They skipped off, the excitement radiating off them.
Stella and Lexi went to the living room. The music blared from the speakers. After getting a drink the kids joined them, dancing like lunatics. Lexi kept looking out of the window and Stella couldn’t figure out why she was so nervous. ‘Do you always get like this?’ she asked.
Lexi nodded. ‘I don’t have parties. The last time I had a party I didn’t have kids. I’m terrified people won’t turn up.’
‘Me too,’ Stella said in a serious tone and Lexi spun around in panic. ‘I’m kidding! Of course people will turn up. But before they do, I have something for you.’ She went to the kitchen and came back with another brown paper parcel. This time it was a long tube shape and she’d tied a bright red ribbon around it in a fancy bow.
‘What’s this?’ asked Lexi, her eyes widening in surprise. ‘Gosh, it’s very heavy.’
‘Open it and see.’
‘Can we open it?’ asked Ralph bounding over with Taylor following.
‘Please, Mummy?’
Lexi rolled her eyes and kneeled down so the kids could help. ‘I suppose so. I haven’t got to open any of my other birthday presents on my own yet, have I? Even the ones Daddy brought me.’
Stella raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh?’ But Lexi didn’t get chance to answer as the kids tore away at the paper.
Lexi gasped when she finally realised what it was. ‘Oh my gosh.’ Stella smiled at her friend’s reaction – her best friend’s reaction. ‘It’s the fabric. The teapot design. I was going to buy this when Vivien’s money came through.’
‘Well, I wanted to get you something special. Something meaningful. And I know how much you’ve always liked it. I hid it away so no one else would buy it. Now you can start your business with a whole load of dresses made by you, in lots of different sizes, as well as the ones Vivien gave you.’
‘I can’t believe it. That’s so thoughtful. Thank you.’ She stood and took Stella in a huge hug, both of them tearful and grateful for each other.
Female voices rang out from the hall. ‘Hello?’ A bunch of women, followed by a throng of excited, screeching children rushed in. It was some of the mums from school and Stella smiled as Lexi went to greet them. Next to arrive was Will with some of his friends and the gentle kiss he gave Lexi, along with a besotted, admiring glance filled Stella with hope for them both. She’d definitely been right at the funeral; there was still love there and if they both realised their past mistakes, she could definitely see them making it this time.
Before long the place didn’t seem half as empty and while everyone else was laughing, joking, dancing and having fun, she found herself checking her watch, disappointed that Miles hadn’t yet arrived. The kiss had done things to her heart and body she hadn’t experienced in such a long time; it was like being in love for the first time all over again. Yet, with the benefit of age it felt deeper, stronger and more real than fleeting first loves usually were.
Stella had spent a long time trying to figure out why he’d helped her. His guilt was an admirable reason though she hoped he felt the same things she was feeling. Since the kiss, Stella had come to r
ealise that a deep affection had been growing so steadily and slowly she almost hadn’t known it was happening. At the wedding she’d seen a different, caring side to Miles. Days were spent hoping he’d pop by, wondering if and when she’d see him again.
The music had been turned up and the bass pounded in the floorboards, but taking refuge in the hall she heard footsteps on the stairs and turned to see her sister, niece and nephew making their way up. They’d grown so much she hardly recognised them. ‘Abby! Robert, Lucy! You’ve got so big!’ Though they’d never been the closest of siblings, absence had made the heart grow fonder.
‘This place is amazing,’ Abby said with genuine enthusiasm. ‘And we peeked into the shop – it’s big, isn’t it? Are you only doing paintings?’
‘No. Not exactly,’ Stella replied with a laugh. ‘I turned it into an art gallery for the day. I’ll tell you about it later.’
When they got to the top of the stairs, her niece and nephew gave her a hug but, as they hadn’t seen her for a few months, were shy and timid around her. Stella vowed to change that. She’d block off the large flat for a few weeks every year and invite her sister down so they could spend some quality time together. Her mum and dad too, if Abby agreed, though living closer to them, Abby might want some peace from them too. Stella turned to her sister. ‘Let’s put your bags in the bedroom for now and I’ll introduce you to everyone. You’re going to love my friend Lexi and she has two kids about the same age as Robert and Lucy.’
Once her family were settled, and after a few more trips to the door, Lexi confirmed that almost everyone they’d invited was here and told Stella to go and enjoy the party. Seeing the smile of pure happiness on Lexi’s face had made it all worthwhile. So many people had come to wish her happy birthday, and seeing her dancing with Will and her children filled Stella’s heart with love. As she poured herself a large white wine in the kitchen, she could never have imagined she’d make such friends in just the few months she’d been here.
‘Can I get one of those?’ asked a deep voice from the doorway and Stella looked up to see Miles. She felt her knees go wobbly and nonchalantly rested her hand on the counter for support.
‘Of course,’ she replied and poured him one. As she handed him the glass their fingers touched, igniting her feelings once again. She wanted his fingers in her hair, pulling her towards him for a kiss. The thought of it made her lips tingle and Miles’s deep blue eyes, as still as the sea on a summer’s day, looked at her as if he could feel it too. ‘I was worried you’d changed your mind,’ said Stella, her voice quiet and wavering. She cleared her throat and tried to control it.
‘I wouldn’t miss Lexi’s party,’ he said. ‘We’ve been friends for too long.’
‘That’s nice of you.’
Miles, looking disarmingly sexy leaning against the doorframe, fixed his eyes on her. Stella wasn’t sure what was happening or how he felt. She still didn’t know how to read him and, concerned he might assume she was wasting money on the party after all he’d shelled out, she said, ‘Listen, Miles, I really want to talk to you about paying you back the money you spent. I’m so grateful but I just don’t feel comfortable with it. The art exhibition went really well and I can pay you back a lump sum now and then a little a month maybe—’
Miles’s face suddenly darkened and his eyebrows knitted together. His voice was harsh, like the old Miles, and it sent a chill through her. ‘So, Raina told you, did she?’
‘Please don’t be angry with her. It wasn’t her fault.’ It completely was but Stella wasn’t going to land her in it.
He raked a hand through his hair but smiled. ‘She never could keep a bloody secret. I should have known better than to tell her. The trouble is you can’t get much past her.’
Stella felt the colour rising to her cheeks as the heat built within. ‘She said you thought it was your fault?’
‘It was my fault. Josie was so busy trying to chat me up and I was so busy trying to escape that I didn’t realise the door hadn’t closed. If I had, you wouldn’t have been robbed.’
Stella wanted to reach out and take his hand and tell him it was okay, but she still didn’t know how he truly felt. He might think the kiss at the wedding was a mistake he wanted to forget all about. Instead she said, ‘You shouldn’t blame yourself, Miles. It was just bad luck. These things happen.’
Miles looked up at her from under his thick black eyelashes. His curls had grown even longer and were falling into his face. Stella felt her body tense.
‘You’re too nice,’ he replied. ‘Far too nice.’
‘I’m not.’ She felt the intensity of his gaze. ‘We have to decide how I’m going to pay you back. I can’t pay it back in one go. It’ll have to be instalments but—’
Miles shook his head. ‘No. I won’t hear of it.’
‘But, Miles—’
‘No, definitely not. It was my fault and my job to put it right. Which I’ve done. The matter is closed.’
‘Miles, you can’t really expect me to—’
‘Closed,’ he said again sternly, but his expression was one of teasing.
‘Miles?’
‘Still closed.’ He sipped his wine.
Stella felt a laugh rise up and explode from her mouth at how silly he was being. The mischievous twinkle in his eye softened his face. Feeling her heart stirring in a way it hadn’t done in a long, long, time, Stella drew her eyes down to her watch, worried that if she kept staring at Miles he might think she’d gone mad. ‘Well, I wanted to give you this as a thank you.’ She hopped off the stool and handed him the painting.
Confusion drew fine lines over his forehead. He placed his wine glass down and unwrapped it carefully, then a smile pulled the corners of his mouth upwards. ‘The painting. You shouldn’t have. You should have sold it.’
Stella stood beside him admiring the colours once again. ‘You said you liked it and I thought it might be a small way to show my appreciation.’
‘You liked it too, I thought.’
‘I do. But I’d rather it went to someone who truly deserves it.’ Standing so close to him, Stella felt her skin prickle. His arm reached out and he rested his hand on the frame. She wondered how they’d feel wrapped around her waist and when he turned to her, Stella felt her heart thumping against her ribs.
‘I didn’t just do it because of guilt,’ Miles replied, coolly.
‘No?’ Her voice sounded tiny in her ears. He was so close she could smell his aftershave, see the rise and fall of his chest, and the flecks of lighter blue in his navy eyes.
‘I did it for you.’
‘For me?’ A giant lump formed in her throat.
‘Yes.’ She saw the flash of the shy teenager he’d described to her once before and spotted a tiny scar on his cheek. ‘You must know how I feel about you …’
Stella felt a strange tingling like pins and needles all over her back. ‘I—’
‘I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.’ His hand reached up, his fingertips about to brush her cheek. ‘There’s something special about you, Stella. You’re brave, kind, funny, patient.’ Stella shook her head, unable to speak, and his hand dropped as he turned away. ‘You don’t feel the same way?’
‘I do,’ Stella said quickly, grabbing his arm and pulling him back to face her. She hadn’t realised herself until lately the depth of her feelings for him. It had been so long since she’d felt anything so meaningful.
Miles pulled her into a tight embrace and focused his gaze. ‘I was such an arse when we first met. I was rude and judgemental and—’
‘Sssh,’ she said, pressing a finger to his lips. They were soft and then she replaced her fingers with her lips and kissed him quiet.
When they separated, he said, ‘I’m sorry it took me so long to realise how special you are.’
Maybe one day she’d tell him that the same thing applied to her too.
Epilogue
A few months later, Stella and Miles walked hand in hand along the be
ach at Swallowtail Bay enjoying the bright mid-morning sun. They were on their way for their usual Sunday lunch at the pub and enjoying some special time together.
It was now the height of summer and with Old Herbert’s Shop being so wonderfully busy and the holiday lets fully booked, Stella was happily exhausted. Now the investigation was over and the police had checked the CCTV footage, the insurance company had paid out some money, conceding that the outer door to the apartments was open but the inner one had been locked. Between the money she got back from that and the art exhibition, she’d been able to pay Miles everything he’d shelled out. Not that he would have minded if she hadn’t been able to pay him back for months, even years. He was kindness itself. Generous, funny, smart and caring. Everything she’d thought he wasn’t.
Miles’s holiday lets had just opened for bookings and he too spent most of his week manically charging around Swallowtail Bay. Gone were the days when he would have to drive off here and there for meetings. He’d made the decision with Stella, to quit his day job and focus on the holiday lets. There was even talk of her leaving the flat and moving in with him, giving her another property to add to her portfolio, but there was still a way to go before they were ready for that. The Seventies kitchen remained intact but at least it wasn’t leaking. As much as Stella liked the idea, that was definitely in their future, not their present.
Up ahead, Lexi and Will walked together, her arm linked through his. In her dress she looked like something from an old black and white movie. Lexi and the kids had moved into Vivien’s house and within a week of doing so, it was like they’d lived there all their lives. The children loved it and in the hallway now hung pictures of them next to those of Vivien at her most young and beautiful. Lexi and Will were taking it slowly but their relationship was going from strength to strength. Lexi spent most of her time worried about the kids, feeling guilty she was messing them up by going back to their dad. She’d even contemplated staying single and repressing her feelings, but Stella had convinced her to be brave and open her heart once more. Both she and Will had clearly learned from their mistakes and no matter what, they were raising their children to be wonderful human beings full of kindness and compassion.