Thirty-eight
Beth waited. She knew her sister was dying to tell her. ‘So, what is it?’
‘You sure you want to know?’
‘What is it, Lisa?’
‘It’s a man, and he’s your fiancé. He was coming to meet you at your house for dinner about … um …’ Lisa tried to get a look at Beth’s useless watch. ‘Three hours ago!’
Beth questioned herself, aloud. ‘Oh, God. How could I have forgotten about James?’
‘What about him?’ Michelle asked.
Beth was ashamed that she’d spent so much time in the pub with Charlie, and hadn’t even thought to tell him she had a fiancé. ‘Oh, just that he was coming to mine for dinner. Mum will have told him I’ve gone out.’ She chewed her lip. ‘I hope he’s not mad at me.’
Michelle asked Charlie, ‘I suppose she’s told you all about her wedding. I can’t believe we forgot to mention it in the pub. Too busy remembering how nutty you were.’
Just for a second, Charlie flinched. Turning to Beth he asked, ‘Wedding? But … you didn’t say.’ He glanced at her left hand, but there was no ring. James wanted to save up for a really good one.
‘No, sorry. Like Michelle says, we got caught up talking about the past and …’
‘But … you’re too young.’
Beth bristled. ‘Not really. Michelle’s mum was married at twenty-one.’
Lisa didn’t let the opportunity pass. ‘Yeah, and divorced a few years later. And your point is?’
‘Who’s the guy?’ Charlie quizzed.
‘James. I met him in Australia.’
She noted the recognition on his face. ‘I see. The holiday romance in Sydney?’
‘Yes. Listen, you must come to the wedding. Michelle and Ricky are coming. It’s only going to be small, but I’d love it if ‒’
‘I can’t be at your wedding, sorry.’
‘Are you going back to Singapore?’ Michelle asked.
‘I don’t know.’ Charlie shook his head. ‘Maybe.’
‘But I haven’t told you the date of the wedding yet. How do you know you can’t make it?’ Beth was confused.
‘I didn’t say I couldn’t make it, I said I couldn’t be there. There’s a difference.’ Charlie looked deep into her eyes.
‘Oh, right.’
By now Michelle had begun rummaging around in her handbag for her front door key. ‘Who’s coming in for vodka?’
‘Just me, I think.’ Charlie gave Beth a sad look. ‘Have a great wedding, OK?’
‘I will.’ She grabbed his arm. ‘Will I not see you again before the wedding? It’s not for a month. Can’t we meet up?’
‘If you were my fiancée, I’d not want you meeting other men.’
‘He’ll be OK. I’ll tell him we’re just old friends.’
‘Come on, Charlie.’ Michelle had the front door open and called to her boyfriend. ‘Ricky, we’ve got a guest, clear the lounge floor.’
‘Please, let me see you. I’d really like to.’ Beth still had hold of Charlie’s arm.
‘Beth, you must know what I came back for. Don’t make this any harder for me, please?’
‘I’m sorry. That I didn’t tell you sooner. I know it sounds daft, but I forgot to mention him. I was having so much fun and …’
Charlie’s brow creased. ‘When you get home, think about those words you’ve just said to me. Think about why you didn’t tell me sooner, and if you decide anything … anything important, call me.’ Grabbing a receipt for a bar of chocolate from one pocket and a half-broken pencil from another, he jotted down his parents’ phone number and handed the receipt to Beth.
She took it, silently.
A second later, he’d disappeared into the flat, along with Michelle, leaving Beth to walk the short distance home.
‘I’ve always liked him.’
‘Lisa, you call him an idiot practically every time we see him.’
‘I know. But I still like him. What are you going to do?’
‘About what?’
‘About marrying James?’
‘What do you think I’m going to do? I’m going to marry him, of course.’
‘Really?’
‘YES. REALLY!’
Beth arrived home to the news that James had been round. When he’d been told she was out with Michelle and Charlie he’d decided not to stay.
‘He went to see a mate or something,’ Pat informed her. ‘He said he’d see you tomorrow.’
I thought he didn’t have any mates?
Lisa agreed with Beth. ‘Sneaky, or what? I wonder what this “mate” is called.’
‘Is it all right if I stay here, Mum?’
‘Of course, it is. This is still your home. Your room’s always here.’
‘I know, it’s just … well … I usually stay at his and …’
‘I can’t think why. It can’t be anywhere near as nice as your own bedroom.’ Pat winked.
‘It’ll be nice to sleep here tonight. I couldn’t go to James’s anyway, I’ve had a couple of drinks and left the car outside Michelle’s.’
‘Okey dokey. Did you all have a nice catch up?’
‘Yes.’
‘You don’t seem too sure. You look a bit down in the dumps.’
‘It’s just that … Charlie can’t come to the wedding, that’s all. I’d have liked him there.’
‘Ah well, he’s a busy lad. Off travelling again, I expect. Was I shocked to see him tonight? He’s shot up … and out!’
‘Yes. Like he said, he’s all grown up.’ Beth gave a weak smile.
‘All of you are grown up. It’s scary. First, Michelle moved in with Ricky. Now, you’re going to be married.’
‘Do you think I’m too young, Mum?’
‘Where did this come from?’
‘I don’t know, I just … Do you?’
‘Like I said when you first got engaged, you are a bit young, but you seem sure of each other. Has anything changed?’
‘No. Absolutely not.’ Beth shook her head. ‘It’s just … Charlie was surprised about the wedding. He probably thinks I’m dull getting married this young.’
‘If it’s what you want, don’t let anyone else put a dampener on it. From what you’ve said about him, Charlie’s a bit of a wanderer. I doubt he’ll ever settle down.’
‘Yeah. You’re right.’
‘You’re sure that’s all it is? Just a wobble caused by something your friend said?’
‘Yes. Of course. Besides, he doesn’t even know James. He’s got no way of knowing if I should marry him.’ Beth indicated she was done talking about it.
‘Right then, Dad’s gone to bed. Fancy a film?’ Pat gestured towards the Campbell’s small collection of DVDs.
‘Oh, I don’t know. I ought to get to sleep. I’ve got a client to practise on at eight, and I’ll have to walk back and collect the car first.’
Pat looked disappointed. ‘Go on, watch a film with me? Once you’re married, and you’ve moved out, we’ll never get the chance.’
Beth gave in. ‘Go on then, you pick.’
As always, the film Pat chose was sloppy. She was a sucker for a bit of heartbreak.
On the screen, a woman was dying. She was at last declaring her feelings for her one true love. She’d lived her whole life as a nun and had never had the strength to break free and go after her man. Following years of searching, he’d finally found her, but alas it was too late for them. He whispered the words, ‘It was always you, my dearest. I promise … it was always you.’
Beth looked at her mum. A pile of wet tissues was building up in the wastepaper basket next to her.
‘Stupid woman.’ Pat sobbed. ‘You should’ve told him when you saw him, before the war.’ She always instructed the actors, she alone knew what was best for them.
‘There would be no story if she’d told him then,’ Beth reminded her mum.
‘Shush … don’t spoil it.’ Pat blew her nose.
Usually, Beth would’ve laughed at her mum. She had no idea why Pat got so involved. But not this time. Tonight, the love story Pat had chosen was ideal. As the woman closed her eyes for the last time, the hero’s face was filled with utter despair, and Beth was reminded of the expression on Charlie’s face when she’d told him about her upcoming marriage. The film was the perfect excuse for her to sit on the sofa and join her mum in blubbing her heart out.
Fortunately, Pat was not in the least bit suspicious. Only Lisa knew that Beth’s tears had far more to do with the hurt she’d caused Charlie than the mushy death scene playing out on the Campbell’s small TV screen.