by S J Crabb
Violet looks around her in amazement and shrivels under the hostile looks directed her way.
Ken says incredulously, “Is this true, Violet? Tell me she’s lying.”
My father steps forward and says firmly, “She’s not lying, Ken. I recognised Soraya as soon as I saw her. She was excluded from school years ago when she accused a colleague of mine of sexual indiscretions. She blackmailed him saying she was going to ruin his career unless he paid her a vast sum of money. He was married at the time with a family and the scandal ruined him. Soraya was expelled and moved to another part of the country. I can see she never learned from the experience, if anything, she only learned how to succeed the next time.”
Violet yells, “So what. I do nothing wrong. I give gullible fools a reason to enjoy life. As if I would ever be attracted to an old man like this.”
She throws Ken a disgusted look and says angrily, “I give them something to look forward to in life and they give me their money. As if I would be interested if it wasn’t for that. No, I haven’t done anything wrong, so call the police if you want to but you will all look as stupid as you are.”
She turns to Ken and sneers. “Look at you. You’re a joke. As if a woman like me, would ever really love a man like you.”
Suddenly, her head flies back and we hear a loud crack as a hand connects with her cheek. We stare in shock as Patty stands in front of Violet, fuming with rage.
She says angrily, “How dare you. Ken is worth a million of you. You’re scum of the worst kind and deserve to rot in prison for crimes against humanity. How dare you treat a good, honest, man this way and wreck other people’s lives for your own gain. Shame on you, you despicable woman and if I ever see you again, you had better start running because I think nothing of shooting vermin on my farm and I class you as the worst kind.”
Violet holds her hand to her cheek and stares at Patty in disbelief. Then she looks around at the hostile faces that surround her and sneers, “I’m going because why would I want to spend another minute with losers like you?”
She turns and then sneers at Ken. “Stupid old fool. Men like you will never learn.”
She heads off through the crowd, leaving everyone staring after her in shock. I look at Ken and make to move towards him to comfort him but Patty gets there first.
Taking his hand, she says softly, “I think you need a new partner, Ken.”
He looks at her with a soft look which brings tears to my eyes and says with emotion. “No, Patty. I should never have let go of the old one.”
Suddenly, we hear, “Places, places, everyone. The competition is about to begin.”
Cilla races over and looks around with surprise. “Where’s Violet, is she taking a natural break?”
Ken laughs bitterly, “Something like that. No, she was just standing in for my real partner, Cilla. This is Patty, and she is a million times better than Violet.”
Cilla looks surprised but then shrugs and says loudly, “Ok, places everyone, places.”
As the room begins to thin out, I see Jack hug Amanda and Ariadne and James joins in. They all look so happy and I hope with all my heart things work out for them all.
As I stand back, Godfrey says softly, “You know, I could quite see myself as an actor. That was fun, maybe I should pursue it as a career.”
I look at him with interest. “What do you do for a living, Godfrey?”
He shrugs. “I’m training to be a surgeon.”
As he heads off to find Ariadne, I pick my jaw up from the floor. God help us all.
34
Six months later
“Hurry up Jack, we’ll miss our flight.”
“It’s ok, we’ve got ages, stop worrying.”
I stare around in disbelief at all the bags we’re taking and shake my head. “Hardly the backpacking dream, is it?”
He laughs. “Blame Ariadne for that. She wouldn’t know the meaning of the term - travelling light.”
He slips his arm around my waist and pulls me close, whispering, “I love you, Nelly.”
Smiling, I say softly, “I love you right back.”
“Put her down, Jack, there’s plenty of time for all that when we’re there.”
Reluctantly, Jack pulls away and Ariadne casts a critical eye over the bags. “Have we all got luggage labels? I will freak out if any one of my bags goes missing. I need absolutely everything in them because I intend on taking lots of great Instagram photos and need every last outfit.”
Trying to lift one of her cases, Jack groans. “There is such a thing as a weight restriction you know. I’ll be amazed if this one passes the test.”
Rolling her eyes, Ariadne replies, “Godfrey never takes much so I’ve used his allowance as well. We’ve also been upgraded so you get more allowance. It’s the best economical solution all round and just think of the shots I’ll get reclining in first class.”
Jack shakes his head as Amanda rushes in. “Who hasn’t given daddy their passports? You know how he likes to be in charge of the paperwork.”
Ariadne shouts, “Oh for goodness’ sake, for the last time, I gave it to him yesterday along with Godfrey’s.”
Amanda nods. “I told him that, but he’s panicking as usual. It’s probably best if you get Jack and Godfrey to sneak a few bags in the taxi before he sees them. You know he’ll blow a fuse when he sees the stuff you’re taking.”
Jack laughs. “He can talk. His case is the biggest one of all.”
Amanda laughs. “Although it is half full. I know, distract him Jack and Ariadne and I will fill it with the toiletries. That should even out the weight issue and he’ll never know if I get to it first at the other end.”
I shake my head as they set about their task and Jack rolls his eyes. “They’re all mad.”
I look at him anxiously. “What about Angela? Do you think she’ll be ok?”
“More than ok and it’s not as if she hasn’t got help.”
Smiling, I congratulate myself on the fact that Angela agreed to look after the shop for me. She was pleased to leave her job and along with Gary, they promised to keep Chocolatti running while we’re away. Once again, I feel the nerves surfacing and say, “Are we doing the right thing, Jack? What if it all goes badly wrong?”
He pulls me close and says softly, “We aren’t. We’re doing what we always dreamed of and have planned everything down to the last detail.”
I smile and try to relax. “You’re right, I’m just being silly.”
James yells from downstairs. “The taxis here. Bring those cases down before I lose the will to live.”
Grumbling, Jack picks the nearest one up and struggles to transport it downstairs. I laugh as I hear James swearing as he takes it from him, yelling, “What the hell is in here, the bricks from the house? There is a bloody weight restriction you know. Whose is this?”
I laugh as I hear Jack say with amusement. “I think it’s yours, actually.”
The air turns blue as James lets rip and Godfrey rolls his eyes. “They’re all mad.”
I nod and watch him pluck one of the smaller bags from the pile and move towards the door. I say with interest, “When do you start your placement, Godfrey?”
He pulls a face. “One month from today. Then the work really starts.”
“I think what you’re doing is amazing. You will save lives and make things count. I really admire you.”
He shrugs. “Possibly. I hope I don’t mess up though. It’s quite a responsibility.”
I smile reassuringly. “You’ll be great. You know, I misjudged you when I first met you. I suppose I never took the time to get to know you before making up my mind.”
He shrugs. “We all do it, Nelly. Isn’t that human nature? We see a stereotype and believe in that. Take Ariadne for instance. She gets misjudged every day of her life yet never lets it bother her. It’s why I love her so much. She doesn’t care what people think and does what she wants to, anyway. I’m not sure why we are all expected to look or act
a certain way if you do a particular job or live a particular lifestyle. I suppose the most interesting people I have met have been the ones that surprised me the most.”
He heads off to join the others and I think about what he said. I think we’re all guilty of being judgemental. It starts early and never really leaves us. I was judged by who my parents were and the way I dressed and I judged everyone around me in the same way. It’s only when you take time to look around the facade that you see the true person inside.
I think about Ken and Patty and smile. Ken’s head was turned by someone he thought was better but he soon found out what he had was better all the time. Luckily for them, after a lot of discussion, it all worked out and now they’ve moved in together and made a commitment to share their lives and everything that involves. I suppose Violet did them a favour in the long run although it didn’t seem that way at the time. I’m not sure what happened to her and I don’t want to. No doubt she set up some other gullible man and is currently plotting and scheming her way through life. I feel sorry for her because she will never know how amazing life can be when you find that special someone to share it with.
“Nelly, are you ready?”
“Coming.”
Quickly, I grab my bags and head outside. As usual the family is arguing which makes me smile.
“Honestly, dad, I told you I needed the extra baggage allowance. You know, I can’t wait until we’re on that plane and I can put on my noise reduction headphones.”
“Amanda, have you set the timer on the boiler? I don’t want to be heating fresh air for the next fortnight, just think about the bill.”
“For goodness’ sake, James, do I have to think of everything? Of course, I set the timer but did you remember to renew the travel insurance like I told you?”
“Of course, I did, what do you take me for?”
“Just checking. Now does anyone need the toilet before we go? Godfrey?”
“Oh, maybe that would be a good idea.”
Amanda rolls her eyes as Godfrey flies back into the house and Ariadne shouts, “I’ll just check I unplugged my portable charger. I think I left it in the kitchen.”
James starts pacing angrily and Jack rolls his eyes. Amanda snaps, “Jack if I have to tell you one more time about that irritable eye roll, I’ll leave you behind.”
He says incredulously, “Irritable eye roll now. Can’t I do anything right?”
“Just get in the car, Jack.”
Amanda looks at me and shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Nelly, you must be tearing your hair out. I’m guessing your family is much more organised when they go on trips.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Not really. I think they’re much the same as yours.”
Just for a minute, we share a look. Yes, this isn’t so unusual, really. It’s what being part of a family is all about and I wouldn’t change a thing.
As Godfrey and Ariadne come rushing out, James sighs heavily and Amanda frowns. “James, stop...”
“Ok, ok, I get it. No sighing, no swearing, no shouting, no breathing, no laughing, no moaning and no bloody conversation because whatever I do or say is always bloody wrong.”
The taxi driver quickly gets into the car and Amanda looks at James and laughs softly. “I’m sorry, darling. Come on, let's lock up and get on our way. At least you’ll be spared the usual driving lecture.”
James laughs and reaches for his wife, pulling her close and kisses her so sweetly I think we all breathe a collective sigh. Then he says, “I love you, Amanda. Never forget that.”
She strokes the side of his face and says sweetly, “I never did.”
35
“Welcome to Miami!”
Aunt Alice beams at us from the doorway of what promises to be the most luxurious place I have ever stayed in.
She doesn’t seem to register the fact that her visitors look tired, dishevelled and on their last nerve, as we all stumble over the threshold of the villa she arranged to be our holiday home for the next two weeks.
Amanda smiles wearily and hugs her aunt. “It’s lovely to see you, Auntie. That was quite some flight.”
Aunt Alice nods. “Yes, it is rather tiresome but you’re here now and can relax knowing you have nothing to do but rest for the next two weeks.”
One by one we greet her and she smiles as she gives me a warm hug when it’s my turn. “Nelly, I’m so happy you could make it. How is that lovely little business of yours?”
“It’s ticking along thank you.”
She shakes her head. “Terrible business with your landlord. I can’t wait to hear all the juicy details.”
She looks around and smiles warmly. “But not now. You all need to settle in and sleep off that jet lag. I’ll be back first thing tomorrow and fill you in on things here.”
As we all settle in, I pinch myself that this really happening. This villa is impressive in every way. Marble floors lead off to rooms that would fit my entire apartment in them. Each one of them has its own bathroom and double doors leading out onto a huge patio where an impressive pool takes pride of place.
Jack jumps on the bed with excitement and stretches out, saying happily, “This beats working.”
Jumping next to him, I say with contentment, “It sure does. I can’t believe we are here, can you?”
Turning to face me, he says softly, “I’m happy though. I mean, we’ve got it all now, haven’t we? Our businesses are doing well and we are able to leave them in capable hands while we go off travelling. I have the most amazing girlfriend who I never thought I’d find and my parents seem happier than they have in years. It’s funny how things work out.”
Smiling, I reach up and push a lock of hair from his eyes. “I agree. I never thought I’d ever be this happy and that my girl crush would become a reality.”
He raises his eyes, “Girl crush?”
Giggling, I sit up cross-legged and confess. “You were always my secret crush at school. I imagined us like this many times and lived every fantastic moment of it in my dreams. I had your name written in my notebook surrounded by hearts and I used to practice signing my name as Nelly Mason.”
He looks shocked and I smile reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’m not expecting you to propose or anything but it’s funny how things work out, isn’t it? I’m guessing you wouldn’t have been happy if someone told you I’d be here now all those years ago. I’m guessing I was the last girl you would ever choose.”
Jack sits beside me and pulls my head onto his shoulder, rubbing my back as he says, “I was always fascinated by you, Nelly. You sat with your head down and would never look anyone in the eye. You had this habit of chewing on your pencil when you were concentrating and you used to doodle all through maths. You were always the second person to answer a question in class, never the first. When people were asked to choose their teams, you would hide in the background because you were always chosen last. You tried not to let anyone see it bothered you but I saw the light die in your eyes every time. You carried a green backpack with a blue zip that your mother probably sewed in for you and those brown shoes you wore had black laces which always struck me as odd. Your favourite class was English because that was when you seemed most animated and the only time I ever saw you really smile.”
Tilting my face to his, Jack says with a catch in his voice, “You always fascinated me, Nelly and I never knew why. Now I do because you were always my girl, even back then. I just never knew it at the time. That day I asked you to be my girlfriend, I meant every word because I should have asked you years ago. Ken wasn’t the only one who nearly passed happiness by. But I don’t want to think about that because if one good thing came out of Aunt Alice’s will, it is you, Nelly. Aunt Alice willed me you and no amount of money in the world can top that.”
Suddenly, words are no longer necessary because actions are all the sweeter. Jack and Nelly, Nelly and Jack, it was written in that childhood notebook and was always meant to be.
Epilogue
Ou
r last night. As we all sit around the fire pit by this amazing pool, I feel the tears burning through my eyelashes. I can’t believe such a magical holiday is over already.
James hands everyone a glass of champagne and then takes his seat beside Amanda and drapes his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She smiles up at him and the firelight casts a warm glow across her face as she says, “Thank you, James.”
Aunt Alice catches my eye and smiles. It appears that nobody is happier than her to see how well things worked out for them in the end.
She looks around the circle and says happily, “Thanks for coming and visiting me. It’s been the best two weeks I can remember spending with you and I think we should all take a minute to reflect on how far we’ve come since I set my challenges.
Amanda nods. “Well, I must admit I thought you were mad. I couldn’t understand why you thought James and I could use some dancing lessons but I can see it was just an excuse to get us to spend some time together.”
James nods. “You saw what we hadn’t seen in a long time. We grew apart and never made time for each other. The mundane became normality and there was always something, or someone, more important than each other.”
He smiles with sincerity at Aunt Alice and says softly, “Thank you. It was never about the money with us. We have enough of that to live a good life. The money was nothing compared to the happiness we have reclaimed and I for one, have fallen in love with my wife all over again. Now the children are settled we are looking forward to spending more quality time together and putting ourselves first for once.”
Aunt Alice looks thoughtful. “Talking about money, did you mind missing out on the £20,000 prize fund from the competition? That would have been a nice bonus.”