‘I can’t believe it!’ Hope says on speakerphone as I am getting dressed for my Friday night dinner with the Wickfords just returned from France – oh, pardon, my new amis Trixie and Bopper – and Henry.
‘Believe it. Henry is going to be here to pick me up in a few minutes.’
‘Henry, huh?’ she sing-songs.
‘Please don’t,’ I beg, huffing as I climb into my new dress. It’s not green, luckily, but it should leave a lasting impression on them as I’ve chosen well – a proper turquoise cocktail dress. No slits, no plunging cleavages that will embarrass me in any way. ‘It’s hard enough as it is, seeing Henry and – well.’
‘But why do you have to go with him, then? And he was happy to, after what you did to him?’
‘What about what he did to me? In any case, he couldn’t refuse, after all that, could he?’
‘No, I suppose not. Rich people are so complicated.’
‘Yes, but they do seem nice.’
‘So what are you and Henry going to talk about on the way there?’ Hope wants to know.
‘Terrific question. I don’t know. It’ll be pretty quiet in that car, I suspect. I’ve apologised, so what else is there to say?’
‘Well, good luck, keep me posted.’
‘I will,’ I promise as the buzzer goes. ‘That’s him! Got to go.’
‘Good luck!’ she calls. ‘Love you!’
‘Me, too!’ I call just before I hang up and answer the door.
*
If on one hand I’m shaking myself to pieces about discussing the Wickfords’ response to my pitch, on the other hand, sitting next to Henry in his 4x4, desiring him so much and knowing that I can’t have him isn’t much of a picnic either.
There are a million things roiling around in my mind, but at the top of the list is how I’ve lost him. I truly wanted him in my life, and Orson. But I screwed up and he’s gone back to his wife and now it’s much too late. Whatever he felt for me in that brief spell, is definitely, permanently over.
I turn to the impassive face next to me, wishing I could just reach up and kiss his lips, and that his indifference would melt into an astonished face and then, finally, a searing kiss, hopefully without swerving into the wrong lane or crashing, which would serve our sinner arses just right.
But we are past that. I’d had a sliver of an opportunity to tell him my feelings for him, and find out if he, too, felt the same way. But, seeing as he and Linda have patched things up, it is probably better this way.
I wonder if he’s told her he has a business meeting tonight, and if she believes him?
‘Right, here we are,’ he says finally, parking on a narrow lane. I have not paid any attention whatsoever to my surroundings, and now turn to baulk at him.
‘What are we doing here at your place? I thought it was at the Wickfords’ house.’
He slides me a sexy grin. I wish he’d stop doing that. I’m already unsettled and frazzled enough as it is. I truly hope that this dinner goes well because I am going to have to throw myself into work from now on just to get Henry off my mind. How I’m going to manage that, I don’t quite know yet.
‘This is the Wickfords’ house.’
I gasp as it dawns on me. ‘You and the Wickfords are neighbours?’
‘That we are.’
‘Aren’t you just full of surprises. Why didn’t you tell me?’
He dips his head. ‘I promised to respect their privacy.’
‘Oh. Of course. Sorry.’ I turn and look at the manor. ‘Such an old family must have a million stories to tell.’
‘Oh, there are plenty of those in this house,’ he promises me as he gets out and opens my door for me, textbook English gentleman. ‘Come on. I bet they’ve got quite a few to share tonight.’
‘Wait,’ I beg, holding on to his arm as he rings the bell.
He turns back to me. ‘What’s up?’
Suddenly I’m not so sure I’m ready for this.
‘Relax, Faith. You’ll be fine. They already love you,’ he assures me. ‘Come, now.’
If the first time I’d seen this house by day, by night I am dazzled by the number of lights of every kind – LED, candles, silk shades, paper shades visible through the windows.
My eyes swing to his again, and that delicious, naughty mouth curves into a smile as he leads the way and the door is thrown open by… Orson? My heart gives a sharp tug as he calls my name and throws himself at me with utter joy. Henry and the Wickfords are much closer than I’d actually thought.
‘I’ve missed you, Faith!’ he cries, digging his face into my waist.
‘I’ve missed you, too, Orson!’ I assure him, holding him close until Trixie appears.
‘Hello, Faith! So happy to see you! Orson, love, will you take Faith’s clutch please?’
‘Okay,’ he replies and I wink at him.
‘You look stunning, Faith!’ she says as she embraces me. ‘Doesn’t she, Henry?’
Henry turns to me and something familiar flashes in his eyes. Desire. Desire I can’t help but reciprocate as our time alone replays itself in my mind like in a dream I can’t seem to wake up from.
‘Yes, truly stunning,’ he agrees, his eyes lingering. This is all so wrong. And I realise that being in the same room with him is going to kill me. It can’t possibly get any worse.
‘Hello, love! You’re looking very beautiful and much less green, if I may say so!’ Bopper says as I turn to greet him.
‘Hello,’ I say like an automaton. ‘Your house is beautiful, and very festive.’
Lord Wickford grins. ‘Yes, we have a lot to celebrate tonight.’
‘Yes.’
‘Has Henry told you about the feature yet?’
‘Feature?’ I ask, looking up at him, but he avoids my gaze as his lean cheeks begin to turn a dark shade of red.
Lady Wickford – I still can’t bring myself to think of her as Trixie – laughs. ‘I know, he’s always just too modest! It’s taken me years, but he finally conceded to let us do a feature on him – and you!’
I blink. ‘I’m sorry?’
She laughs. ‘My darling, he’s not told you! Henry is the only architect in the entire world that Bopper would actually get off his arse for. You more than deserve that feature in our magazine.’
‘Me?’
Just like that? I’ve been chasing these people for years and now, with a single word from Henry, everything magically falls into place? I scratch my head. ‘I’m sorry, I’m not quite sure I’ve underst—’
‘Come on, Faith,’ Lady Wickford says. ‘Don’t you think it’s time you got your break?’
‘Oh, I certainly do,’ I vow.
‘We saw your work. We love your style and we’ve listened to your pitch. You’re in.’
‘I – thank you. Thank you kindly. And Henry. Thank you.’
I’m so happy I may even blubber. But all that elation doesn’t last long. Because, when I turn to the sound of a new voice, there she is. Linda Turner, Henry’s wife on Lord Wickford’s arm.
‘Faith, come! You’ve met our daughter Linda, is that not right?’
Their daughter? Linda is their daughter?
‘Oh, yes, of course, nice to see you again, Linda,’ I murmur, looking for a gaping hole in the old oak floorboards that will swallow me forever.
Linda reaches out to hug me as if we were the best of friends. ‘I hope you don’t mind me crashing your dinner, but I wanted to see you again. Orson thinks the world of you. Huge congratulations, by the way. I hear you’re very talented.’
‘Oh, th-thank you,’ I whisper. What else can I possibly say? As much as I have dreamt of being here – dinner at the Wickfords’ home – I just can’t do it. I can’t sit through a dinner knowing that the man I am in love with (yes, I’m absolutely up crap’s creek, I know) is married. This is just not my idea of happiness and honesty. And the fact that she has completely forgotten she’d told me to piss off and leave Henry be is very worrying.
‘Now, Faith,’ Trixie says, ‘come and sit down. Why on earth have you never reached out to us?’
I’ve never reached out to them? Are they taking the mick?
‘And you, Henry, why have you waited so long to introduce us?’
‘Yes, well—’
‘We’re so grateful to our son-in-law for bringing your work to our attention’, she continues, waving him away. ‘I’ve so many questions to ask the woman who captured our Henry’s heart!’
My eyes swing to Henry who is becoming visibly crimson.
There is something very wrong here. Captured Henry’s heart? What are they even talking about? And even if that were true, his in-laws are actually happy about it? What kind of madhouse have I been invited to? I knew the rich were peculiar, but really? Oh, shitty, shit shit.
As it is, the rest of the evening goes by in a blur during which Trixie regales us with some horror stories of jobs they’d royally screwed up in their youth, including Vanessa’s grandparents’ home.
‘They turned a million colours,’ Trixie recalls as Robert (I just can’t address him as Bopper) guffaws, slapping his knee in delight.
A few moments later, Henry turns to me and whispers, ‘Can I have a private word with you?’
I blink. Henry wants a private word with me? ‘Of course…’
He turns to Trixie and Bopper. ‘I almost forgot I have a little dessert for you, Trixie,’ he says. ‘But I left it at home. Do you mind if Faith and I pop back and get it?’
‘Henry, is it by any chance your almond parfait dessert? You know I can’t afford to gain an ounce at my age!’
‘Just the ticket. But you are beautiful just the way you are, Trixie!’
She laughs. ‘Oh, you devil, you! Go on, then!’
Henry chuckles and turns to Orson. ‘I’ll be exactly five minutes, okay mate?’
‘Okay, Daddy!’ Orson chimes.
I follow him out of the house and down the path to his own home that is in such stark contrast. Once inside, he closes the door. ‘Have a seat.’
‘Thank you,’ I say. ‘But I prefer to stand.’
‘That bad, eh?’ He sighs as he reaches into the fridge to retrieve a cake dish. ‘Let’s have it.’
I swallow. ‘Well, first of all, I wanted to thank you, Henry. I truly appreciate you thinking of me, and I’m honoured to think that someone like you would even consider me.’
At that, he lowers his eyes and I wonder if maybe he hasn’t done it all just to soften the blow Gabe dealt me.
‘I won’t disappoint you, Henry. I can’t thank you enough.’
‘Don’t thank me, Faith. You deserve it.’
When I think back to all the difficult years of slogging over my course books while everyone else was out partying, I have to agree. I think I actually do deserve it. I’d always, always gone the extra mile, gone into work an hour early, stayed an hour late, worked on weekends to pay my way, never knowing whether I’d eventually make it or not, but it wasn’t going to be for the want of trying.
And all this time, despite the naysayers – and Vanessa who was in most of my classes basking in everyone’s attention – despite them all, I charged on, and not without momentary doubts in my darkest moments. But I did believe in myself, knowing it was just a matter of time, and not giving up.
Has my definitive moment finally, truly arrived, then? I can only hope so. This job, working for the Wickfords, is the dream of a lifetime.
‘I can’t believe I have a chance with them, so thank you. Henry?’
‘Yes, Faith?’
‘Why didn’t you tell me you’d designed and built the beach house?’ I ask him.
He shrugs. ‘Would it have made a difference?’
‘I would have told you how much I admire your work…’
‘You can tell me now. And I can tell you how much I admire yours. And you, by the way.’
‘You…? Admire me? What for?’
‘Of course. I admire your strength, your talent, your resilience, your intelligence. Shall I go on to tell you how I feel about you?’
‘But… you’re working things out with Linda. Are you not?’
‘Yes. We are. But as Orson’s parents – not as a couple, Faith…’ His eyebrows shoot up. ‘Jesus, is that what you’ve been thinking all this time?’
‘Well, why wouldn’t I? Orson said that you and Linda are spending more and more time together, and that you hold her, and… and—’
‘Faith – it’s part of her therapy.’
‘And – her what?’
‘After the divorce, Linda was having emotional issues. She was in total denial. Her psychiatrist suggested making the break more gentle, less traumatic for us all. So that’s what I’ve been doing the past few years.’
‘Years?’
‘Well, she’s the mother of my child. I wouldn’t want Orson to grow up traumatised or feeling abandoned. I want him to know that I’ll always be there for him, no matter what happens between his mum and me. And now, she finally seems to have accepted it all.’
Oh, if only my own father had been as caring! Orson is so blessed!
‘And as far as you and I are concerned, we simply didn’t get off on the right foot, that’s all. But believe me, I’m far from hating you. As a matter of fact, I’ve grown quite fond of you.’
‘I’m glad, Henry. I’m sorry if I’ve not been at my best with you. It’s just been a rollercoaster ride with Gabe and—’
‘It’s all right,’ he says softly, taking my hands.
‘Thank you, then. For putting up with me.’
He smiles, and it’s like a light at the end of a long, twisting, dark tunnel. ‘You’re very welcome, Faith. When you came to see us, the day you gave me your memory stick, you were very hostile. Why?’
My face catches fire. ‘Well, while you were in the shower – the m-morning after, Orson asked me for help because he didn’t want you to get back with Linda. He was upset about you and her. He said that you were in the bedroom with her for quite a while.’
‘Yeah, we were – there’s not much privacy there with Orson in the living room.’
Exactly as I’d thought. Linda is the mother of his son. She’s stunningly beautiful, rich, high-placed in society. And I’m not any of those things. Why would Henry prefer me, when he can have her instead?
He shakes his head and takes my arms. ‘Linda kissed me – not the other way around. And the only reason I dragged her into the bedroom was because I wanted to give her a piece of my mind without my little boy hearing any of it. Faith,’ he breathes, his eyes wide. ‘Honey, are you serious? Did you really think I could do that to you? I told you I wanted you.’
Oh my God. Does this mean that all my efforts to stay away from a married man – a man I’m wildly attracted to – were for nothing?
And I suddenly realise I’ve a lot to make up for. This lovely man has been nothing but damaged by his acquaintance with me. ‘Oh, Henry,’ I moan.
‘Now listen up,’ he says gruffly. ‘You’ve cost me my serenity ever since I met you. Knowing you were in love with my former best mate, and that you were hoping to rebuild your relationship with him. Start a family that I knew was destined to fall apart. Watching you work so hard in order to build that family, all the while he was planning his life with someone else. Someone much wealthier than you. But only financially. Because you, Faith, have every quality that a man dreams of in a woman. You’re smart, generous, fun, and you care about others. You have vision and imagination.’
Would you interrupt him at this point? I didn’t think so either. So I listen in silence as he continues.
‘I didn’t have the heart to tell you that what you thought was the last place your mum was happy was a completely different house. I wanted you to have that link with her. It was a home for me too, once upon a time. But now, I really, really hate that house, Faith. I had to watch you from afar while you stripped your life of its bare bones, trying to eke out a life while you deserved so much more.’
‘What are you saying, Henry?’
His eyes flash with renewed vitality. ‘I’m saying that you’re dangerous. So I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again. If you’ll still have me.’
In response, I throw my arms around him. ‘I’ll still have you,’ I assure him. ‘And you forgive me, too?’
He kisses me. ‘Sweetheart, there’s nothing to forgive. You did what you thought was best. Everything else is water under the bridge. But I feel I need to explain, so you don’t doubt me in any way.’
I can feel my eyebrows shooting up into my hairline. ‘What do you mean?’
‘When you first told me about pursuing the Wickfords, I wanted to help you. Truly, I did. But Linda and I were still dealing with all sorts of ugly things, and even if Trixie and Bopper were on my side regarding practically everything, I didn’t want them to think that I was recommending you because I fancied you or anything.’
‘Why would they think that?’ I ask.
He blushes. ‘Because you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my entire life, Faith.’
I giggle. Oh, the things a bloke will say.
‘I’m serious, Faith,’ he says, slightly hurt. ‘Just look at you. What bloke wouldn’t be wildly attracted to you, for Christ’s sake? And it’s not because the world thinks you have an amazing arse.’
‘Oh. So you don’t like my arse, then?’
‘Oh, I do,’ he assures me.
‘So you’re attracted to me now?’ I tease. This flirting and sense of playful power is something completely new to me and I’m liking it.
‘Now? You must be joking. I was attracted from the first time I saw you. I thought to myself, Henry, whoever this girl is, do not let her out of your sight.’
‘I seem to remember I was buck naked at the time.’ I chuckle.
‘Oh, that had nothing to do with it,’ he says, waving the thought away.
‘You lying hound.’
He grins. ‘Well, I must admit that ever since, all that time, the thought of you, in my arms, completely naked, kept me going.’
I swallow. ‘It has kept me going, too.’
‘Really?’ he asks hopefully.
‘Really.’
‘You don’t know what that means to me, Faith. I was so terrified that you would capitulate when Gabe came back. I thought to myself that there was no use in competing with a return of flame.’
‘You thought wrong, Henry. Gabe is part of my past, and I’m so, so grateful that I met you. And not because you’re related to the Wickfords, or because, as Travis said, you’re friggin’… bloomin’… Tarquin Turner. I hadn’t even made the connection. How dumb am I? I just thought you were my joiner.’
He throws back his head and laughs that joyous, hearty laugh. ‘To be fair, Henry is my middle name, which I took on quite early. You would not believe the hard time I had in school with Tarquin. So I thought I’d keep them separate.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘And no one ever recognises me because I never appear in public or have my picture taken. First, because I want to protect Orson from the limelight, and second, because I wouldn’t want people to think that my success was due to being the son-in-law of the Wickfords.’
‘I can understand that,’ I assure him. ‘And I can’t believe that I’m finally getting my break! I’ve dreamed this forever, and now…’
He winks at me. ‘Play your cards right and they’ll recommend you to plenty of their clients. You’ll be so busy you won’t have time for anything or anyone else.’
At that, I take a step closer to him. ‘Oh, I’ll always have time for you, Henry! I don’t know where I’d be without you!’
His jaw muscles move under his lean face. ‘Nonsense. You’re here on your own steam. The Wickfords love what you did to the beach house.’
‘But it was you who showed them my work.’
He dips his head. ‘Well, you gave me your memory stick. I didn’t want your trip to my home to be a total loss.’
‘Hmm…’ I murmur, snuggling up to him.
‘Remember when you made a pass at me?’
‘How noble of you to remind me of a drunk moment,’ I quip.
He chuckles, caressing my cheek with his thumb. ‘I wanted you so badly, but I could tell that it wasn’t the same for you. At least, not really. You were still in love with Gabe.’
‘I’m not, of course. I just want to forget everything that had anything to do with him now.’
‘But the beach house? You won’t miss it? I know how much you love it…’
I shrug. ‘When Gabe and I went to view it, I recognised the angle and the view of the breakwater and assumed it was the same house. I didn’t know someone had built where the holiday house had stood.’
He chuckles. ‘Silly. So… you’re okay with losing it?’
‘Part of the reason I loved it so much was because it was one of my last connections to my mum – she wrote about that week in her diary. But now that I know that’s not the case, the beach house is only where Gabe dumped me. And I don’t need that memory. I will always love the beach house, in a way. But not at the cost of my heart, and above all, my dignity. It’s not my home anymore. It never really was. I understand that now. And I have resolved to pack up all my sadder memories in a box – and leave that box at the beach house.’
‘I’m so glad to hear that, Faith. Truly I am. In that case, can I run something by you?’ he asks.
‘Of course.’
‘With you now in my life, I want a new start for us all and to not be living right next to Linda.’
‘I think that’s a very healthy idea.’
‘Good. Because I want you to come and live with Orson and me… Faith? Did you hear what I said?’
My eyes have never left his face since. ‘You want me to come and live with you?’
‘Yes, Faith. I love you. With all my heart. I can’t even think of not seeing you and kissing you and holding you.’
And then, he takes my hand and pulls me to sit on his lap. I am so lost in his eyes, in the face that I have come to know and love completely.
‘I love you, too, Henry. I think I fell in love with you long before I can admit. Yes, I’ll come and live with you and Orson. Have you asked him?’
‘Actually…’ he whispers as Orson suddenly runs in, tittering and bearing a small box, which he puts in my lap. Another present. I wonder if it’s another one of his artefacts? They are so beautiful. He has inherited his father’s talent.
‘Thank you, sweetie,’ I say, but he covers his mouth, giggling, and darts out of the room again.
‘Open it,’ Henry urges me softly.
I delicately lift the cover, and inside is a small pale green box. Only this is not the same green as my New York costume. This is Tiffany green.
I look up at him in shock.
‘Go on,’ he whispers, his beautiful dark eyes moist.
With trembling hands, I lift the jewellery box out of its case and slowly open it.
‘Faith Hudson, will you marry me and make me the happiest man on the planet?’ he asks, caressing my face.
I can’t speak a single word, but I throw my arms around him and hold him close to me, nodding.
He laughs, kissing my shoulder. ‘Right. We’d better go house-hunting, then!’