‘In so many words. But he was very drunk and I’m not even sure he’ll remember telling me.’ She smiled wickedly. ‘I left him passed out in the bistro. Rachel wasn’t too happy to find him there this morning, I can tell you.’
Ethan shook his head in disbelief. ‘I still can’t believe she would agree to marry this guy.’
‘You and me both. I was never his number-one fan, but I must admit the engagement threw me a little. I don’t know what Gary has done to pull the wool over her eyes, but believe me, the rest of us see right through him. She’s usually a great judge of character. Maybe, though, she’s beginning to see the error of her decision,’ she added meaningfully.
Ethan shrugged. ‘Well, I must admit I really don’t know what to do. I’m in a tough spot. I’ve never been in this position before. I mean, there’s Vanessa at home, who I love and want to marry, but –’ again he dropped his gaze ‘– you’re right: there is something about Rachel and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I just feel that if I tell her about the ring I’ll crush her, particularly when she’s been so wonderful.’ He shook his head. ‘Then there’s this whole fiasco about the book . . .’
‘Ah, yes, the book that is sure to be a
Sunday Times
bestseller.’ Terri laughed. ‘I take it all back. Maybe Rachel really is that gullible if she truly believes anyone is interested in the history of bread.’
He smiled bashfully and Terri realised that if Rachel
was
having second thoughts about Gary after last night’s dinner, she could completely understand why. There was something incredibly appealing about Ethan Greene; he had the perfect combination of sensitivity and masculinity. ‘I was on the spot and it was all I could think of.’
‘Well, then I think we need to work on your storytelling abilities.’
‘Believe me, Terri, I don’t normally have to lie about anything.’
‘That’s not a bad thing,’ she said softly.
‘Thanks.’
‘So, Ethan, I think this is where you might need my help because, unlike you, I’m actually quite good at coming up with plausible stories.’
‘I don’t know what you mean. Obviously, now that Knowles is aware of the problem, it’s up to him to tell Rachel the truth and—’
‘But you don’t know Gary. If anything, he’s even more likely to put his head in the sand about all of this.’
‘But that’s stealing, surely?’
‘Yes it is. Again, perhaps something that isn’t entirely beyond our Gary?’ With what she knew about Gary at this stage, Terri wouldn’t put it past him.
‘Well, I’m not sure how it involves me – beyond the ring, that is.’
Terri eyed him. ‘Are you absolutely sure about that?’ Once more, he couldn’t meet her gaze. ‘You’re happy just to stand by and watch Rachel get hurt?’
‘Terri, it’s absolutely none of my business.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Look, thank you for telling me this; it’s good to know I’m not alone in thinking badly of Gary Knowles but, really, that’s as far as it goes. And now that he knows the extent of the problem I’m sure I’ll have the ring back in no time. What happens after that is nothing to do with me.’
‘But—’
‘As I said, I’m very sorry that Rachel had to get stuck in the middle of this, but I’m sure it will all work out.’
But even as he said the words, Terri guessed that Ethan Greene didn’t mean any of them. She knew he cared about Rachel’s feelings almost as much as she did.
Chapter 28
On his way back from collecting his bike in Wicklow, Gary felt his mobile phone vibrate in his riding jacket. He smiled to himself, pleased that he was such a connoisseur of bikes that he could distinguish between the vibrations coming off the riding machine and those of the mobile phone in his pocket. Actually, he was pleased that his brain could distinguish anything at all this afternoon, given that he was nursing such an almighty hangover.
This was probably Sean ringing him about where to meet up for a cure. Gary reckoned a pint was the only way he’d be able to relieve the ache in his bones and the persistent twinges in his ribs. Sleeping slumped over the table in the bistro last night hadn’t helped, and while he’d tried his best to sleep off the worst of the after-effects at home earlier, he reckoned the only thing for it now was a good spin on the bike, followed by an afternoon in the pub.
Rachel was annoyed with him anyway so he might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. And after he’d gone out of his way to come back from Wicklow last night to see her! Sometimes you just couldn’t win, especially with women.
Although Terri had been sound enough to him last night, what with the free gargle and good company. She blew hot and cold sometimes, Terri, but was all right at the back of it all. Gary smiled, figuring she must have always had a bit of a thing for him, but because he was with Rachel he’d never really noticed.
He brought his bike to a halt, spraying gravel as he stopped. Still sitting on the saddle, he reached into his pocket and brought out the phone. Then he paused, suddenly worried it might be her again . . . but no, this looked like an international number. The calls had been coming thick and fast since the new year and while he’d managed to avoid most of them, he knew he wouldn’t be able to do that forever. He didn’t recognise this number but his curiosity got the better of him and he decided to answer it anyway. He could always claim it was a wrong number if needs be.
‘Hello.’
‘Is that Gary Knowles?’ The voice was male, with an English accent and sounded posh. Shite, Gary thought, realising immediately that it had to be that Ethan Greene guy.
‘Speaking,’ he replied.
‘Well, it’s nice to talk to you finally. It’s Ethan Greene here.’
‘Right. Er, hello.’ Gary tried to sound nonchalant but the truth was his nerves were in bits. Was there a chance that, as Terri tried to point out last night, the piece of luck that had landed in his lap (or at least in that Tiffany’s bag) wasn’t that at all? He didn’t want to think too much about it.
If something had gone amiss then it was an innocent mistake and had nothing to do with Gary; him being unconscious and all.
‘I’m not sure if you remember, but our paths crossed in New York,’ Greene went on, not sounding particularly friendly. ‘I’ve tried to get in touch with you a number of times since but it seems you’re a very hard man to pin down.’
‘Right, yes. I think Rachel might have mentioned something.’
‘Mr Knowles, let’s not beat around the bush. I’d like my property back.’ Gary’s eyes narrowed defensively. He didn’t like this guy’s tone. Who did he think he was, ringing up out of the blue like this and making demands? ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Oh I think you know very well what I’m talking about. The diamond ring that is currently in the possession of your girlfriend, Rachel? You and I both know that you didn’t buy that yourself.’
‘As I said, I don’t know what you’re—’
‘Mr Knowles, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The ring is mine and I want it back. I’m also more than happy to return your own Tiffany’s purchase – a silver charm bracelet, I believe?’
‘I really don’t know what you’re on about.’ Gary knew better than to admit anything upfront. ‘Thanks for looking after me following the accident and everything, but as far as this stuff goes it’s all news to me. I bought that ring myself.’
‘Really? So why did you admit to your friend Terri that you had no idea where it came from?’
Shite! Gary couldn’t believe he’d been so stupid as to let his guard down like that. There was no way he could ask Rachel for the ring back now, not when she thought the sun shone out of his backside for giving it to her. No, what was done was done, and how was he supposed to know that the stupid ring belonged to someone else? Surely it was your man’s fault for not looking after his own stuff? Gary was annoyed. It was bad enough that he’d been put in the awkward position of having to propose – unprepared! – because of this bloody ring, so for this guy to just turn around and expect him to hand it back after all that was a bit rich!
For all Gary knew any stranger could ring up and claim the ring was his, but where was the proof?
‘Look, I don’t have time for this,’ he said in an attempt to get the guy off his back. ‘I don’t know what you’re spouting off about, to be honest.’
‘Fine, then you leave me little choice but to go to the police.’
‘Grand. Do what you like.’ Gary didn’t know what else to say. Anyway, what could the cops do? He’d committed no crime, and in all honesty, he’d also been the victim here, considering that the appearance of this ring had led to him being engaged without having the chance to think properly about it. So the last thing he wanted to do was have to fork out a fortune for another diamond just because some stranger had taken the notion to blame him for losing one. Never mind the fact that he hadn’t a hope of being able to afford even a small one, let alone something to match the size of that rock.
It was important that Rachel continued to think well of him. Gary didn’t know how she’d react if she knew that his property business was in serious trouble and the debts were piling up. Especially when her own business was going so well. Women like Rachel wouldn’t look twice at men who didn’t pull their weight; Gary knew that much.
‘You’re seriously refusing to give it back?’ Greene said, and Gary knew that he’d been calling his bluff about the cops. Clearly he had no proof and so hadn’t a leg to stand on.
‘Look, mate, I’m sorry for your troubles, but I really haven’t a clue what you want from me. I don’t know you from Adam, and here you are ringing me up and accusing me of all sorts and—’
‘You stole my engagement ring, for crying out loud!’
‘Now hold on a moment,’ Gary said, his hackles rising. He’d had just about enough of this. ‘I didn’t steal anything. If you’ve lost something then I’m sorry but, as I said, it’s nothing to do with me.’
‘I saw the ring on your girlfriend’s finger just now. There’s no question that it’s mine!’
Gary frowned. What the hell? How could Greene have seen it on Rachel’s finger?
‘And quite frankly I cannot understand what such a lovely woman is doing with someone like yourself. We had dinner last night and she told me all about your so-called proposal and how you had it all planned. Planned, my foot.’
Gary was incredulous. Right. That was enough. First, the guy accuses of him of stealing some ring, and then he has the audacity to sneak around with his fiancée? Rachel hadn’t said a word about going out to dinner with anyone last night, especially not this guy.
Was this his true game at the back of it all? Was all this talk about a ring a mere front for him to get into Rachel’s knickers? Gary wouldn’t put it past him.
‘OK, Greene,’ he said, his tone steely. ‘I’ll tell you one thing. I don’t take kindly to strange men sniffing around my girlfriend. So if you know what’s good for you, you stay away from her.’
‘For goodness’ sake, all I want is to have my ring,’ Ethan said, backing down immediately, much to Gary’s satisfaction.
‘Well, good luck with that,’ he said, hanging up on him.
Stupid prat obviously didn’t know who the hell he was dealing with, and if he thought he could just roll up in Dublin and use some cock and bull story to try to swipe Gary’s woman from him, he had another think coming.
Gary put the phone back in his inside pocket and revved up the bike again.
He needed to talk to Sean about this, get his take on it. This all seemed a bit too convenient for his liking. Granted, the ring had appeared out of the blue, but that didn’t mean anything. He was only sorry that he’d admitted as much to Terri, and hoped she wouldn’t go blabbing to Rachel. After all, the ring did belong to him; well, once it landed in his bags anyway. And although the proposal hadn’t been as planned as everyone thought, he had asked Rachel to marry him – and in front of half the country on New Year’s Eve! And he’d got used to the idea now, and was happy enough about settling down with her.
So surely she couldn’t get too upset about a technicality?
With any luck Terri wouldn’t say a word, and he was worrying for nothing. She’d been pretty drunk herself last night so maybe she wouldn’t even remember. But in the meantime, just in case she did blab, he supposed he’d better start thinking about his own version of events.
Gary zoomed down the road in the direction of Sean’s place.
And he shouldn’t waste time worrying about that idiot Ethan Greene either. Rachel would believe him over some crackpot toff from London; he knew she would.
Chapter 29
‘What the hell am I supposed to do now?’ Terri said to Justin. She’d quickly filled him in on all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, how she had got Gary drunk to get the truth out of him, and about the mix-up with the ring. Then she proceeded to bring him up to speed on her discussion with Ethan. Justin’s eyes grew as big as saucers, and when she’d finished he let out a long, low whistle.
‘Well, I have to say that it all completely beggars belief, even for Gary. But of course we knew all along that there was something fishy about this whole engagement.’
‘Yes, but besides the fishiness, you really should have seen the look on Ethan’s face. He thinks Rachel is the best thing since . . . erm, sliced bread,’ she added.