Breeze’s naming ceremony couldn’t come around quick enough for Kerry. He had made a point of not going over to the café. He felt Erin needed some space and he wasn’t quite sure what the situation was with Ed. As Joe had pointed out to him, he would find out soon enough. He didn’t want to add to the pressure she was already under, what with her dad and having to work at the café. He wanted to be there for her when it got too much, as he was sure it would sooner or later. He wanted her to run to him, not from him.
Now everyone was standing in Joe and Bex’s back garden next to the olive tree they had planted for Storm’s naming ceremony three years earlier. The proud parents had just pledged themselves to bringing up Breeze in a safe and happy family, where the natural beauties and all living forms of the world would be respected. Where love would always be in their hearts, warmth in their souls and protection in their arms.
Joe stepped forward and, with the help of Kerry, they manoeuvred a new olive tree into place and shovelled in the earth around the roots. Once they had trampled the soil back down, Bex tied a pink ribbon around the trunk and hung a wooden heart with the name ‘Breeze’ painted on it. This matched the blue ribbon and now rather weather-beaten heart with the name ‘Storm’ tied around the other tree.
‘For my beautiful Breeze,’ smiled Bex, stroking the bark before kissing her daughter on the head.
‘Beautiful Breeze,’ echoed the Wright family, which was then repeated somewhat randomly by the other guests.
Kerry glanced around and caught Ed rolling his eyes towards another couple standing with Erin who Kerry didn’t recognise. Erin looked lovely as the sun bounced off her red hair. She had it tied up in some sort of bun at the nape of her neck. A few strands of curls hung loosely around the side of her face. She was wearing a pale-pink floating dress, which reached just below her knees, with a cream-coloured wrap across her shoulders. Her casual look was at odds with the rather starchy look of Ed and his companions. They looked like they were attending a sailing regatta with their navy blazers and cream chinos, while the woman was done up like a dog’s dinner. Skip whimpered beside him, as if agreeing with his master’s thoughts. Kerry bent down and ruffled the dog’s head.
‘Yes, you look dashing too, so you do,’ he said, adjusting the blue bandanna tied around Skip’s neck.
He looked back at Erin and she met his gaze. He wondered if she would look away. Did she regret going out with him last week? She smiled at him. It warmed his heart. That was definitely a no-regrets smile.
Then, as casually as the naming ceremony had begun, it was over. The guests began milling about, chatting, while Joe went off to crack open some beers and tend the barbecue. Kerry wandered over to Erin and her group.
‘Hi, Kerry,’ smiled Erin, as he approached. ‘That was a lovely ceremony.’
‘If you like that sort of thing,’ Ed muttered to the couple standing with them. Kerry ignored the snigger the other man tried to suppress, while the woman pressed her lips together to try to hide her smirk.
‘Good job we’re not all the same,’ Kerry couldn’t help responding.
He noticed the uncomfortable look on Erin’s face. Jesus, for the life of him, Kerry didn’t know what she saw in Ed. She was talking now, introducing the other couple. ‘This is Ralph, he’s an old friend of Ed’s, and his girlfriend, Melissa.’
Kerry nodded briefly. ‘Can I get anyone a drink?’
‘We’ve got some Champagne in the car, actually,’ said Ed. He patted his trouser pocket and then pulled out the car keys.
‘Champagne?’ replied Kerry, irritated by Ed’s aloof manner. ‘We’re quite happy with the beer and homemade wine.’
‘I’ll have a white wine, please, Kerry.’ Erin smiled at him, although it was somewhat strained.
‘No, Erin. Have some Champagne. Ralph and I brought some especially.’ Ed jangled the keys. ‘I’ll go and get it.’
‘Really, Ed. I’m fine.’ Erin turned to Kerry. ‘I’ll still have that glass of wine, if that’s okay?’
‘Sure.’ Kerry looked at Ralph and Melissa. ‘What about you two? Are you waiting for the Champagne or can I get you something?’
Ralph spoke first. ‘I’ll wait, thanks. Shame for it to go to waste. In fact, I’ll give Ed a hand.’
‘I’ll wait too,’ replied Melissa. ‘I’ll nip to the loo. Back in a minute.’
Kerry watched Melissa tiptoe across the lawn to avoid her heels digging into the soft ground. He looked down at Erin’s flat shoes. ‘You’re learning.’
She gave a small, wry smile. ‘Just for the record, I didn’t know Ralph and Melissa were coming.’
Kerry shrugged. ‘Are they the cavalry? Back-up?’ He rested his hand between her shoulder blades and guided her towards the gazebo, which was a permanent fixture in Joe’s garden, whatever the weather. The drinks were stashed on a trestle table, which had been painted random colours and patterns by Bex and Storm. Kerry poured Erin a glass of homemade elderflower wine. ‘Here, tell me what you think of Joe’s home brew?’
He watched as she took a sip and then blinked a couple of times, probably surprised by the strength of it, before she took another taste.
‘It’s strong but very nice,’ she said.
‘A bit like us Wrights,’ he teased, moving to stand closer to her than was necessary.
‘Something like that.’
The bottle in his hand was the only thing keeping their bodies apart. ‘Do you want a proper taste now?’
Erin looked down at the bottle and then up at Kerry. She smiled. ‘I think that might be dangerous.’
Kerry, not to be outdone, replied without hesitation, ‘But it might also be fun.’
She let out a small sigh of resignation. ‘I guess I’ll have to take your word for that.’
It was Kerry’s turn to sigh now. He glanced down at the bottle, his hand wrapped around the base, so close to her waist. He uncurled a finger and with the lightest of touches, traced the waistline of her dress. He thought he heard her take in a small breath as he ran his finger back again. ‘Seems to me there’s something coming between us.’
Erin looked over his shoulder towards the house. ‘In more ways than one,’ she said. ‘Here comes Ed.’
The party drifted through the afternoon. A very relaxed affair, although Kerry found himself becoming increasingly distracted from conversations as his eyes, time and time again, sought out Erin.
Ed seemed to be keeping a tight rein on her today. A proprietorial arm over her shoulder or round her waist. Kerry was aware of the little feeling of irritation that crept through him at this sight.
‘So, Erin, when are you coming back to civilisation?’ Ralph asks as he gulps the last of the Champagne from his glass. ‘Or have you defected?’
I feel myself bristle slightly at the scornful tone in Ralph’s voice. Before I can answer though, Ed speaks.
‘Oh God, don’t start on that for fuck’s sake,’ he groans. ‘Bit of a moot point.’
If I was bristling before, I feel positively spiky now. ‘It’s not that.’ I look to Ralph. ‘My dad is still in a serious condition.’
‘Yes, well, time is running out.’ Ed’s clipped voice has a note of danger in it. ‘We need to have that discussion.’
‘It’s not as simple as that, but can we save the discussion until later?’
‘Frightened your country-bumpkin friends will ostracise you if they think you’re leaving them? Maybe they’ll cast some ancient pagan spell over you.’ Ed laughs at his own pathetic joke. Encouraged by Ralph and Melissa laughing along, he continues, ‘They might even put you on a ducking stool in the local village pond.’
‘Don’t worry, Erin, we’ll come and rescue you.’ Ralph sniggers. ‘Headline news. Beautician rescued in a daring night raid from sleepy Irish village cult.’
‘You’re not actually funny,’ I snap. ‘In fact, you’re bloody insulting.’
‘Oh, lighten up,’ says Melissa. ‘The boys are only joking. You’ve got to admit, this is like something from one of those Hollywood movies, you know, where they live in some backwater town and all marry their cousins.’
‘Er…excuse me, I wasn’t joking,’ chips in Ed, the smile now nowhere to be seen. ‘Bloody new-age pagan hippies. They’ve certainly got Erin brainwashed.’
‘Just stop it now.’ I try to keep my voice to a hiss. I look round the garden, conscious we can probably be heard. Shit. Kerry’s watching, although hopefully he can’t hear what we’re saying.
‘I don’t know what’s happened to you since you got here,’ huffs Ed. ‘I mean, a few weeks ago you hated this place. After all, you did leave it as soon as you could. What exactly drove you away? You know, you’ve never told me?’
The pain of the memory sticks like a thorn in my throat. I can’t answer. I can feel the tears stinging the back of my eyes. I need to escape.
Blindly, I head towards the cottage, trying to keep a dignified and composed walk, but the need to escape Ed drives my feet faster than I want. As I approach the cottage, I realise it will be full of people and I will only have the bathroom in which to hide. I detour round the sandpit and pass the other side of the gazebo. Lifting the latch on the gate to the vegetable garden, I hurry through.
The laurel bush that shields this part from the main garden is high enough to hide behind if I sit on the ground. Finally, I let the tears fall, but only a few before the anger rises to the surface, quelling them. How dare they laugh at Kerry and my friends? Ed and Ralph know nothing about the Wrights. Melissa is just as bad. Then for Ed to bring up why I left Rossway is the final straw.
The click of the latch on the gate as it closes makes me look up. It’s Kerry. Furtively I wipe my face clear of any tears. Without saying anything, he comes and sits down beside me, a bottle of homemade wine in one hand and two plastic beakers in the other. He pulls out the cork with his teeth and puffs it onto the grass before pouring the pale-gold liquid into the cups.
The silence remains as he hands me a cup, which I accept and take a large gulp. The first mouthful catches in the back of my throat but the second slides down a lot easier.
‘So, what’s up? Ed living up to his name?’
I give Kerry a sideways look. ‘Which is?’
‘Dick-Ed. I can’t claim the credit for coming up with that one, but it kind of fits.’
‘I don’t suppose I need to ask whose idea it was.’ I take another gulp of wine. No doubt it was Joe’s idea. I ought to feel offended by the nickname, but somehow I can’t quite summon up that emotion.
Kerry tops up my glass. ‘What are you doing with Ed? You know you’d be much happier with me.’ He grins and gives my shoulder a squeeze. I like the feel of his arm around me and am in no hurry to shrug it off.
I give a wry smile back. ‘You are funny.’
‘Hmm, that wasn’t quite the impression I was going for.’
An easy silence falls between us as I close my eyes and lean my head on Kerry’s shoulder, soaking up the warm summer rays. The music and chattering coming from the other side of the hedge, together with the effects of the alcohol and sunshine, make me feel decidedly relaxed again. I push thoughts of Ed, Ralph and Melissa from my mind.
For a moment I wonder if I’m dreaming and haven’t managed to clear my mind after all. The low voices of Ralph and Melissa drift over the hedge.
‘You’re looking very sexy today.’ It’s Ralph.
I sit up and exchange a look with Kerry, who puts his finger to his mouth, giving a wink as he does so.
Melissa’s giggle is followed by some murmurs, which I can only guess is the two of them kissing. I pull a face at Kerry.
‘Stop it, Ralph,’ comes Melissa’s giggling voice.
‘Can’t wait to get you back to the hotel room,’ replies Ralph. ‘Thank God we’re not staying at the flat with Erin. We’d end up sharing a room with old Ed.’
‘Sharing a room with Ed?’
‘Yes, didn’t you know? Erin won’t let him share a bed with her at her parents’ place.’ The sneer in Ralph’s voice is obvious. ‘How bloody old-fashioned is that?’
‘Ooh, I bet Ed’s not happy.’
‘No-fucking-way is he.’
I can feel the anger bubbling inside me. Ralph taking the mickey. It’s none of his business. Kerry’s hand holds firm on my shoulder, preventing me from moving. He slowly shakes his head.
‘I don’t know what he sees in her, if I’m honest.’ Melissa is talking again. ‘I mean, she’s nice enough on the surface, but there’s something about her I can’t quite put my finger on.’
‘Yeah, I know what you mean. We’ve all known her for about two or three years and, yet, we don’t know her at all.’ Ralph’s voice is clearer now, as if he’s forgotten they’re supposed to be whispering.
‘They say the quiet ones are the ones to watch. There’s definitely something she’s keeping a secret. I wonder if Ed knows what it is.’
‘If he does, he hasn’t said anything to me,’ says Ralph. ‘If I’m honest, I don’t think the two of them will last much longer. She was his little project.’
‘Project?’
‘You know the film My Fair Lady? Eliza Doolittle. That’s what Erin’s like.’ Ralph sniggers. ‘Ed’s project was to see if he could re-educate her. Turn her into a more sophisticated, classy sort of woman.’
Melissa lets out a laugh. ‘Oh, that sounds awful, but I can quite see what you mean. Trouble is, it’s all obviously an act for Erin. She can’t keep the sophisticated thing up. As soon as she’s back home, she’s gone all Mother Earth. Well, as far as you can without doing the mother bit.’
‘Speaking of which, wonder where she went?’
‘Come on, let’s see if Ed wants to leave yet. This is sooo fucking boring. My heels keep sinking into the grass and if I have to hear another word about motorbikes or babies with ridiculous names, I swear I’ll scream. Take me back to civilisation, Ralph, please, I’m begging you.’
Melissa’s voice trails off, indicating she’s already walking away.
‘You don’t need to ask me twice,’ Ralph calls back.
Then there’s silence.
I don’t want to look at Kerry. Humiliated doesn’t even begin to cover it.
‘Why do you stay with him?’ asks Kerry again.
‘That’s a bit of a direct question.’
‘I like direct. Everyone knows where they stand.’
‘Direct can be confrontational,’ I say, trying to steer the conversation away from his original question.
‘It depends if the other person doesn’t like what they’re hearing or are in denial,’ he says. There’s no challenge to his tone, just matter of fact. Still it prickles me.
‘Is that a jibe at me?’
‘No jibe, merely an observation.’
‘I’d like you to keep your observations to yourself.’ I try my best to keep my tone even. ‘Pour more wine instead.’
Kerry obliges, without taking his arm from me. He puts the bottle back down before speaking again.
‘I wish I knew what was going on in that head of yours.’
‘Trust me, you don’t.’ I take a large sip of the wine.
‘You really think I’ll be shocked by something you’ve done? Any secrets are safe with me.’
‘Really? Is that because you have secrets of your own?’
‘Fighting talk, eh? Don’t usually get to keep anything secret around here. Most locals know about me. I’m not news any more. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed.’
I sit up and study him for a moment. His grey eyes have a blue tint to them, reflecting the cloudless sky above.
‘But you do have secrets. I can tell. You have that look about you,’ I say with a soft voice. There are things about Kerry Wright I don’t know, things nobody else in the village knows. Things he’s most definitely keeping a secret – and they hurt. They are buried deep, but they are still painful. It’s his understanding that convinces me. He seems to know what I’m feeling. He empathises with me because he’s felt the pain too.
His gaze continues for what seems like ages. I don’t look away. I can hear the distant chatter of the guests, the sound of Guns N’ Roses playing out ‘Sweet Child of Mine’. Despite the rock music, the backdrop of bird song and leaves rustling in the gentle summer breeze, everything seems to be at one with each other. That includes me and Kerry. I sense some sort of invisible bond pulling our souls together.
His fingertips rest on the side of my face. ‘You know what, Erin, me and you, we’ve got a lot in common.’ He dips in for a brief kiss, before standing up and taking my hands in his, hauling me to my feet. ‘Go out there with your head held high. You’re better than them.’