New beginnings by the su.., p.16
New Beginnings by the Sunflower Cliffs, page 16
‘Rubbish,’ laughed Shani. ‘I think it’s just the style of the dress.’
‘I adore my dress.’ Mel twisted and turned, looking at her reflection from every angle in the one-shouldered creation she’d tried on. ‘I’ll have to make sure Grant hires a tuxedo soon, otherwise he’ll forget.’
Bea picked out a sleeveless chiffon–covered beaded dress and carried it into the changing room. The weight of the dress gave the feel of luxury. Pulling back the velvet curtain from her changing room, she crossed to the mirror. ‘I feel really glamorous in this,’ Bea said, wishing Luke was to be her partner for the night rather than Tom. She held her hair up at the back of her head. ‘I think I’ll have something a little Hollywood done to my hair, too.’
‘I know we’ve all got to watch our cash flow, but I think it’ll be fun to treat ourselves. We may as well make the most of this.’
‘It’s perfect practice for my wedding day.’
Shani groaned. ‘Why does everything always have to come back to your wedding, Mel?’
‘This is going to be fun,’ Bea said, determined to ignore the pain she was experiencing thanks to her exquisite, black four-inch stilettos. She hoped they’d loosen up as the evening wore on.
‘Tom, you look très James Bond,’ Paul said, eyeing his dinner jacket. ‘Grant, you’ve scrubbed up well, too. I’m impressed. I can see Mel’s influence here, so don’t even try to deny it.’
Bea laughed as Paul, immaculately groomed, bowed theatrically. ‘As you see, I’ve splashed out on a new black silk cummerbund and bow tie.’
They stared in silence when Guy strode into the room. ‘Wow,’ said Mel, eyes wide.
‘Thank you,’ Paul said, smiling with self-satisfaction.
‘Not you. Him,’ she said, pointing at Guy. ‘You’re wasted as a chef, Guy.’ Mel shook her head as she stared at the six-foot, dark-haired vision in front of her. ‘You should be gracing billboards, not holed up in a stuffy kitchen.’
‘I said something similar, didn’t I?’ Paul linked arms with Guy and smiled up at him.
‘Taxi’s here!’ Tom shouted, taking Bea’s hand in his. ‘You look very beautiful tonight.’
Bea sat in the taxi and smiled at him, trying not to think about Luke, wondering if he’d be at the ball too as the car took them to the manor in St Ouen. Arriving outside the huge white marquee, especially erected in the walled garden, Tom helped each of the women out.
‘This is amazing,’ Bea gasped, trying to take in every detail as light dripped from the grand crystal chandeliers overhead. Circular tables covered in crisp white linen tablecloths showed off rose and lily of the valley displays.
‘Stunning,’ Shani agreed, taking a glass of apple juice from the waitress. Bea caught her eye and when Shani smiled, she pushed away the nagging doubt and picked up a glass of chilled champagne.
‘Not drinking tonight?’ Mel asked, as a pipe band welcomed the guests to the event. Shani ignored her. ‘It is pretty incredible,’ Mel said, barely able to contain her excitement. She pulled her chiffon wrap over her shoulders and took a glass of Buck’s Fizz.
Paul threaded one arm through Shani’s and the other through Guy’s and led them further into the room.
Tom took Bea’s hand and squeezed it gently, leaning down towards her. ‘Did I tell you how beautiful you look this evening?’ he whispered.
She kissed him on the cheek. ‘Only about twenty times. But hey, carry on if you feel you must.’
He studied the table plan and pointed to the middle of the room, near the dance floor. ‘This is perfect,’ he said. ‘We won’t miss anything sitting here.’
The Master of Ceremonies welcomed the guests, announced the arrival of the seigneur. Bea wondered what it must be like to own this beautiful place. Once he and his wife were seated, everyone took their places.
‘Did you know that Charles II gave this seigneur’s ancestor the land where New Jersey now stands as a thank you for letting him come and stay here?’
Bea did recall her father telling her the story. ‘Yes, it’s why they named it New Jersey. I told some Japanese clients that a couple of years ago and I’m sure they didn’t believe me.’
‘It does sound a little far-fetched,’ Paul said. ‘I can see why they’d find it a bit unlikely.’
Bea couldn’t help noticing Shani’s quiet mood, but didn’t want to draw attention to it, especially with Mel there.
‘These savoury tartlets are to die for,’ Mel declared, rather louder than Bea suspected Grant would have liked. She lifted her napkin to hide her giggling. ‘How can anyone make stinky goat’s cheese and red onions taste so heavenly?’
A grey-haired couple on a nearby table turned to glare at Mel reproachfully. Grant pulled a face, but Mel simply winked at them. ‘Try it,’ she said to the woman. ‘You won’t regret it.’
‘Mel, that’s enough.’ Bea gave her sister her fiercest glare, which was difficult when she couldn’t stop smiling.
‘I hope Paul’s happy,’ Shani whispered to Bea as they watched Guy and Paul walk across the dance floor. ‘He deserves to be.’
‘I agree. He’s been a good friend,’ Bea said, her words tailing off as she spotted Luke talking to two older men at the far end of the room.
‘Blimey,’ Shani sighed. ‘Luke scrubs up well.’
‘He does, doesn’t he,’ Bea agreed, barely able to think straight at the transformation. She was about to force her eyes away from him when he seemed to sense her and gazed directly back at her. She smiled before looking away, but couldn’t help glancing back at him to find him still watching her. He raised his glass to her and before turning back to continue his conversation.
‘He could make a fortune on the telly,’ Shani said, having another look at Luke. ‘And I’d love to know why you insist you’re not interested in him, Bea, because I can’t think of one reason, especially since he insisted there’s nothing between him and Leilani.’
Bea wished she could share why with her friend. She took a gulp of her drink to steady her pounding heart.
‘Everything all right?’ Tom asked, returning from the gents and looking around to see what had diverted her attention. ‘Everyone seems very quiet at this table. It’s time to get the party started, you lot.’
She struggled to retain her composure and cleared her throat. ‘Yes, it is,’ Bea replied, her voice high and shrill. ‘I can’t get over what an incredible place this is,’ she added, to cover her loss of composure.
‘I’m taking this as a practice for my wedding,’ Mel announced, glancing around the room. ‘It’s given me a few ideas about décor and seating arrangements.’
Bea desperately wanted to sneak another look at Luke but forced herself not to. What was wrong with her, she wondered, annoyed at being so flustered.
The small band upped the tempo and volume of their background music as the Master of Ceremonies announced the first dance. Tom took Bea by the hand. ‘Come on, let’s show them how it’s done.’
She shrieked when he pulled her to her feet. ‘As long as you’re not expecting me to be any good at this waltzy sort of dancing.’.
He placed one hand lightly on her waist. ‘It’s nothing to worry about. Just follow me and try to relax and enjoy yourself.’
She did as he suggested. ‘Hello,’ said a baritone voice that haunted Bea’s dreams. Tom tensed and looked over Bea’s shoulder at Luke.
‘Good evening, Luke, Leilani.’ Tom smiled stiffly, continuing to dance without faltering, unlike Bea who accidentally stood on one of Tom’s feet. As they passed, Leilani narrowed her heavily made-up eyes at Bea, but Bea forced a smile at each of them still trying to count steps in her head.
‘I didn’t know they were here,’ Tom murmured.
‘Me neither,’ she fibbed, wondering if she’d misread Tom’s accusatory tone. And why she was lying to him? They danced to several more songs but didn’t pass Luke and Leilani again. Bea supposed they must have returned to their table.
As soon as she and Tom were seated again, and seeing Tom busily texting on his phone, she subtly motioned to Shani that she was going to the ladies’. Shani followed. ‘That man is so hot,’ Shani grinned, spotting Luke. ‘You could burn your fingers on him.’
‘I know,’ Bea agreed quietly, trying to get used to Luke’s new, scrubbed-up appearance.
‘Leilani seems very possessive for someone who’s supposed to only be his friend, don’t you think? Like a lioness protecting her… well, not her young exactly, but you know what I mean.’
Bea laughed. ‘I do. I wish he hadn’t asked me to dinner on his boat the other day. I don’t want to think of him as being two-faced, like Simon.’
‘Now that is depressing.’ Shani reapplied her matt-red lipstick. ‘Then again, after what happened between you both that night, maybe you could be right. Don’t worry about it now. You’re here to enjoy yourself. Make the most of this brilliant party.’
Bea nodded, wiping away an eyeliner smudge. ‘I’d better actually go to the loo, I suppose.’ She washed her hands and decided she needed to get a grip.
Bea returned to her seat and watched Paul, who was looking happier than she had seen him in years. Someone coughed quietly next to her ear and she turned and came face to face with Luke, crouching down next to her in between her and Tom’s chair.
‘Hi. I was wondering if you’d dance with me,’ he asked, his arm resting on the back of her chair. He looked at Tom. ‘You wouldn’t mind your beautiful partner having just one dance with an old friend, would you?’
‘Not at all,’ Bea said without waiting for Tom’s reply. Luke took hold of Bea’s hand and led her onto the dance floor.
She could sense Tom’s eyes boring into the back of her.
‘Thank you,’ Luke said. ‘You’re looking incredibly beautiful tonight, although I have to admit I miss seeing those bunny slippers.’
‘Stop it,’ she said, trying not to laugh. ‘What are you playing at?’ His aftershave sparked an array of delicious feelings coursing through her.
‘Can’t a friend ask his pal to dance?’ he whispered in her ear, holding her closer.
Bea swallowed. She could feel the hardness of his chest against her breasts. Her mouth was almost completely dry. ‘Of course you can,’ she replied breathlessly.
‘I didn’t think you were seeing each other any more,’ he said, the heat of his hand firm against her back.
‘We work together and neither of us had a partner for the evening.’ She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to explain herself to him.
‘I could have been your partner, if I’d known you were free.’
Bea dismissed the idea. ‘But you’re here with Leilani, aren’t you?’ she said, feeling him tense slightly.
‘We’re friends, Bea – that’s all.’
‘Just like Tom and me.’
He watched her silently for a few moments, his expression dark, and Bea had to concentrate on not looking away from the intensity of his gaze.
‘If I can believe you when you tell me nothing happened in New York, why don’t you listen when I tell you that whatever happened between Leilani and me is all in the past?’
Bea breathed in his citrusy aftershave and glanced up at his perfect lips. Damn Tom for telling her about the investigation. An icy breeze seemed to grip her insides at the reminder.
‘Bea?’
She couldn’t allow herself to be with him. She couldn’t lose her house. But at least she had her appointment with Mr Peters in the next few days. She took a deep breath. ‘There’s too much going on in my life right now for me to get involved with someone, Luke.’
‘I could help you sort out whatever it is you’re dealing with. You only have to ask.’
She wished it were that easy. She relished being in his arms. This was the most she could allow herself for now. It would have to be enough. ‘Thank you.’
‘I wish you’d tell me what’s holding you back,’ he said, lowering his head to whisper in her ear. I wish I could, too, she thought, her entire body tingling when he kissed her lightly on the neck. The music ended. Bea went to move away, but he held on to her. ‘One more dance?’
She let him take her back in his arms. ‘Luke, we talked about this.’
‘No, we didn’t. You decided that I wasn’t right for you but I’ve got no idea why, and I don’t believe it’s because of Leilani.’ His breath was hot against her neck. She wanted to kiss him, feeling almost light-headed. ‘I can’t begin to imagine why you think Tom’s better suited to you than me.’
‘I told you, we’re just friends.’ Bea took a deep breath to control her emotions. She daren’t give him false hope. She gazed up at the desolate expression in his deep blue eyes and wanted him more than she had ever wanted anyone in her entire life. She swallowed, aware that she had to come up with some excuse for her behaviour. ‘Anyway, you’re not ready for the kind of relationship that I want.’
‘You don’t know that.’
‘I do. And about that night…’
‘What happened that night was amazing.’ He stopped dancing for a moment and stared at her.
She made a step to force him to dance again, not wishing to draw any more attention to them than was necessary. ‘Please keep dancing,’ she pleaded. Luke moved once again.
‘Is it because Tom makes you feel safe, is that it? Is that what you want?’
16
FENCED OFF
‘Right now, yes it is but only because I see him as a friend and work colleague.’ She turned her head away from him but not quick enough to avoid his lips grazing hers so lightly she wasn’t certain whether she’d imagined it. She had never wanted to kiss anyone so desperately, but she owed it to herself to be sensible.
He sighed and let her go. ‘I’m sorry you don’t trust me, Bea. I wish you did.’
‘It’s time you went back to your friends.’
He fell silent. ‘If that’s your final word on the matter, then I’d better escort you back to your table.’
Bea forced a smile onto her face, not wanting anyone to see how upset she was. ‘Really, there’s no need,’ she said, turning her back on Luke and returning to her table as he followed. Tom watched in silence as Luke held out her chair for her. He gazed down at her briefly before returning to Leilani and his friends. Leilani put a lean, tanned hand on his shoulder and nodded over to Bea. Bea smiled and looked away.
‘She resembles a rather elongated great Dane, don’t you think?’ Paul whispered in her ear.
Bea giggled. ‘That’s a little mean, Paul. I wouldn’t mind having legs as long as hers.’
‘Nah, you’re little and cute, like me,’ he said, winking. ‘Who wants to be a beanpole like her?’
‘Thank you.’ Shani glared at him. ‘There’s nothing wrong with being tall and skinny.’
‘Yeah, whatever.’ Paul pulled a face and Bea laughed.
Tom’s phone bleeped. ‘I’d better deal with this,’ he said, making towards the direction of the gents.
She heard the band strike up a tune, and as Tom returned she went with him onto the dance floor when he took her hand. ‘I wonder what we would have been like if we’d married?’
Startled by his observation, Bea hesitated. ‘I’d hate to think,’ she said, making a joke of it.
‘We never argued much and got along pretty well.’
Bea agreed, hoping he wasn’t going to try and ask her out on a date again. ‘I suppose we did.’
She glanced at her watch, pleased to note it was nearly the end of the evening.
‘You and Tom were getting a little cosy tonight.’ Shani said, pulling up the duvet in Bea’s spare room. ‘Is there something you want to tell me?’
Bea looked out of the window through the darkness towards the coast of France. ‘Er, no. Don’t expect any gossip from me. He’s off to Manchester to meet with a client tomorrow, so won’t be at the office for a few days. Sorry to disappoint you.’
‘A relief?’
‘Yup.’ Bea sat on the end of Shani’s bed and rubbed her sore feet. ‘I don’t know why I let you persuade me to wear those shoes. They nearly killed me.’
Shani puffed up her pillow and leant back. ‘They didn’t seem to bother you when you were dancing with Luke.’ She held up her hand to stop Bea from interrupting. ‘I know you insist there isn’t anything going on between you, but I caught the two of you exchanging looks tonight. Several times.’
Bea sighed. ‘Let’s not talk about him, Shan,’ she said, wriggling her toes and groaning. ‘I’m glad you’re staying here tonight, it’s lovely knowing there’s someone else in the house for a change.’
‘Why not?’ she said, obviously ignoring Bea’s request. ‘I don’t care what you say, I know you well enough to see you fancy him like mad, which means there’s some other reason you’re keeping your distance, and I’ve no idea what it can be.’
Bea stared at her tired reflection in the dressing-table mirror. God, she looked awful. ‘It doesn’t matter what I think or feel about him though, does it?’
‘Why would you say that?’
‘Because he’s with someone else,’ she said, hating her voice for cracking like it did and giving away the depths of her feelings. ‘I know he keeps insisting he isn’t, but they go everywhere together. And she stays with him most of the time.’
‘Maybe she’s the one who’s after him and he doesn’t realise it?’ Shani tilted her head, her face sad. ‘Or have you thought that maybe he believes you and Tom have more going on than you actually do?’
‘Why would he even think about me when he’s with someone as beautiful as her?’ Bea walked out to the hall. ‘Who knows? Anyway, I’m shattered. I’ll see you in the morning.’
She went to her bedroom, closed the door behind her and sat down heavily on the end of the bed. Shani opened the door and stood in her doorway having followed her. ‘You’re gorgeous too,’ she said. When Bea laughed, Shani added, ‘And you’re far more fun than she could ever be. I’m sure Luke isn’t really interested in anyone as shallow as her, model or not.’ She turned to leave the room, then looking back tapped the side of her nose. ‘There’s something going on between the two of you that I don’t understand, but one of these days I’m going to work it out, or force you to tell me what it is.’
