Tripping on Love (21 page)

Humiliated, I apologised profusely, my face hot with embarrassment as a waiter approached to clean the remainder of the spillage.
 

'Don’t worry
, sweetie' Germaine cooed at me. 'Accidents happen'. Ignoring her smug reaction, I looked upwards to hold back the tears threatening to spill onto my face.

My eyes lingered on the lighting fixture above us, mentally envisioning the cord breaking and the monstrous creation falling down onto Germaine's head. How satisfying it would be to coo her own words back at her. 'Don’t worry sweetie, accidents happen.'

Our food arrived shortly after, giving Edward and Conrad the chance to discuss business and leaving Germaine and I to make small talk. I nodded politely, mainly for Edward's sake, as Germaine took pleasure in describing her successful healthcare enterprise, using words I barely understood. I didn’t care whether yoghurt was pro-biotic, macrobiotic or even antibiotic. However, remembering my mother’s phrase 'Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer', I suddenly started to take more interest in the health properties of granola.

By dessert the atmosphere was more relaxed, helped along by my fourth glass of wine. I didn’t even give rise when Germaine sarcastically suggested to all, that my grape intake had been met for the next year. Edward laughed, taking my hand under the table and reassuringly stroking my thumb. Germaine could dig at me as much as she wanted but I would be the one going home with new shoes and a handsome partner. Even her attempt at ruining my dress with wine had failed. Edward looked at his watch and then at me.

'We should be heading off soon' he said tiredly. He looked from Conrad to Germaine apologetically. 'We have an early flight back to the UK.' 

Relief swept through me as Edward called the bill and we finished the last of our drinks. Germaine had been given countless opportunity to 'out' me and it was highly unlikely she was going to bring up the shoe matter now that we were preparing to leave.

The four of us stood up, heading towards the exit. Walking beside me, Germaine's eyes were fixed downwards on my shoes. Edward and Conrad followed behind us chatting, as my stomach twisted with each step. Germaine remaining unusually quiet was making me more nervous. I pushed open the door and the damp night air greeted us with its cool breeze.

'Thank you for a wonderful evening' Conrad said graciously shaking Edward’s hand before stepping forward to me.
Edward reached out to hug Germaine.

'Thank you for your lovely company' he said as she lapped up the attention.

I followed Edward's lead saying my goodbyes, eager to get back to the car as quickly as possible before Germaine could utter another word. Conrad and Germaine turned to leave as the valet parking approached with their car. I waved happily in relief, pleased to be released from the torture of my shoe sin. Germaine stopped suddenly and turned towards me.

'Oh Lizzie, before I forget' she said steadily, her face hardening 'about those shoes...'
 

My stomach jumped into my throat as I stood rooted to the spot, panic sweeping through me in waves. My perfect weekend with Edward would be shattered once he discovered my deceit, especially if the outcome was detrimental towards his business relationship with Conrad. He would never trust me again. Germaine spoke.
 

'I have the
same pair on hold, I'm going back to collect them on Monday' she said smugly, before climbing into the passenger seat and waving goodbye.

Edward shook his head beside me in amusement, as I stared in disbelief, watching Conrad and Germaine's car fade into the distance.
 

'I think she was a little jealous of your shoes' Edward chuckled, as I allowed my blood pressure level to recover.
 

Fate had brought Germaine and I together and I had learned a valuable lesson from the experience. Never again would I take shoe shopping so lightly.

We leisurely made our way back to the hotel. It was our last evening in Dublin and all I wanted to do was remove my clothing, nestle myself in Edward's arms and forget all about Germaine and my shoe fiasco.

Edward was upbeat at the outcome of the conversation with Conrad, and after a lengthy run down on how things could proceed for him, we eventually got to bed.
 

My wish of undressing and being nestled in his arms was quickly fulfilled.
The shoes however, stayed on, at Edward's request.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

It felt strange as the Taxi approached my road and drew up outside my familiar red street door. It seemed as if I’d been away for months, not weeks. Dragging my suitcase up the two concrete entrance steps, I moved forward to ring the doorbell.
 

The door flew open before I had a chance to press it. Mel stood in the doorway, deeply tanned and looking sensational. How had she managed to achieve a darker skin shade than my own, in the
UK spring weather?

'Oh my word, you're finally home' she said dramatically, taking hold of my suitcase and heaving it inside the doorway. 'We have so much to catch up on' she clapped her hands in excitement as I laughed and hugged her.
 

Following her towards the kitchen, I noticed a large abstract ornament of many different colours dominating one corner of the hallway.

'What on earth is that?' I asked pointing to the monstrosity and making no effort to hide my distaste. Mel laughed at my expression.

'It's a light, it changes colour. Very funky. Adds a bit of zing' she said walking across to the kettle and flicking the switch.
 

I had been gone a little over two weeks and Mel had already set loose on the electricals. I scanned the kitchen making sure no other crazy fixtures had been introduced.
 

'Come' Mel said patting the empty dining chair 'come sit and fill me in.'
I did as I was told, sinking into the comfortable seat and feeling thankful that it was a Sunday morning; Mel set down a steaming cup of tea in front of me, accompanied by a slice of cheesecake.

'Did you buy that?' I asked pointing down towards the plate. Mel grinned, shaking her head.

'I made that from scratch' she said proudly, watching as I tucked in and nodded my head in approval. It was divine. 

'Since when did you become a domestic goddess?' I joked
, taking another mouthful.

'Enough questions' she said sharply. 'I want to hear about
Spain, about Edward, about everything!' she tucked her legs up underneath her getting settled into the chair.  I took a deep breath. Where to start....

Nearly two hours had passed by the time I finished bringing Mel up to date on my situation.
  It had taken a further two cups of tea and three quarters of a packet of hobnobs.

'So when are you seeing him next?' she asked referring to Edward.
 

I hesitated to answer, unsure of what to say. After we'd landed in
London, Edward had needed to leave immediately for the train to Manchester to see Maddie. I relayed this to Mel.

'Well if he really likes you, he'll be in touch sooner than you expect' she said knowingly. I agreed, hoping in my heart that he'd be in touch this evening.
 

I'd only been home a few hours and I was missing him already, a dull ache in my heart. Chastising myself, I quickly changed my thought pattern. I was an independent career woman, not a love sick puppy.
 

Mel rushed to answer her ringing mobile as I heaved my suitcase towards my bedroom, dreading the thought of unpacking and washing the mountain of clothes encased.
  I wondered whether living with Edward would mean I would be expected to do his washing. He'd mentioned that he had a cleaner but if I was ever to become his wife, would I be required to take on that role?

'Stop it' I muttered aloud, frustrated at my thoughts.
  It wasn't healthy to affirm myself as an independent career woman in one moment and in the next moment envision myself as Edward's dutiful wife. I was losing my grip on reality. Edward was dominating my thoughts again. And where did Maddie fit into all of this?

----------

Mel hovered in the doorway, watching me staring into space.

'Uh oh' she laughed 'someone's got a man on the brain'. I laughed and walked towards her, noticing she was holding something in her hand.
 

'I’m love sick and helpless' I groaned
, pulling a sorrowful face. 'I’m bored already with unpacking; come fill me in on all your gossip.' I took hold of her arm and walked us into the living room. Sitting down on the sofa, I waited for Mel to sit in her usual place opposite me. Instead she lingered in the door frame, looking worried. Her hands tightly clasping something.

'Mel are you OK?' I asked, watching her staring at me strangely.
 

She opened her hand as I jumped up from the sofa, walking across to look more closely at the small strip of paper cupped in the palm of her hand. The light cream coloured strip, showed a faint line across it.

'Is that litmus paper?' I asked confused. Why was she offering me a piece of litmus paper? The last time I had seen a piece had been in my school chemistry class. Mel looked wide eyed and pale.

 
'I'm not sure' she said in a small voice, walking across to the recliner. Her bottom lip started to quiver, 'I'm pregnant, Lizzie.'

Although I heard her words they didn’t register for a few moments. Pregnant? The Mel who had alway
s said she didn’t want children, couldn’t relate to children, was pregnant?

'Oh Mel' I said sympathetically bending down to hug her. 'When did you find out?' Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me with devastation.

'Yesterday. My period was a week late so I stopped by the pound-shop and bought testing strips' she said breaking into a sob. 

Pound-shop? Surely I hadn’t heard right. Mel had gone to a store that sold everything for one pound to purchase a pregnancy test? I shook my head in disbelief.

'Hang on' I said unclasping her palm to look at the paper strip again. 'You aren't basing your knowledge on this one strip are you?' I asked questioningly, trying to keep the frustration I was feeling from my tone. Mel looked at me teary eyed and annoyed.

'Of course not; there were three other strips in the box and they all said the same thing.'

Picking up the strip again, I studied the very faint line that ran across it.

'Mel' I said careful not to sound condescending.
'Let's get you a proper test?' 

I was sorely tempted to add that buying a box of strips from a budget shop, which was also known to sell out of date food, meant the accuracy could be highly questionable.

'Hugo doesn’t know yet' Mel said in a small voice, ignoring my question. 'How will he feel when he knows I’ve ruined our travel plans?' she continued dramatically.

I took a deep breath. Mel was very right to be concerned; her being pregnant would cause all sorts of implications. However, part of me couldn’t digest the news until she had taken a proper test.
  Our local pharmacy was less than a ten minute walk and would resolve the issue.

'I’m going to the chemist to get you another test' I said standing up and straightening my skirt.

My head span as I allowed recent events to float into my consciousness. My best friend was potentially pregnant. I still hadn't spoken with my sister, who had unknown issues with her life, and furthermore, I was falling in love with a man who appeared too good to be true.

Leaving Mel to sit fraught with nerves on the sofa, I put on my jacket and headed towards the street door with a heavy heart. Had it been too much to expect a normal, relaxing Sunday after a hectic two weeks away?
 

Approaching the chemist I quickly located the pregnancy testing kits and picked up two of the most expensive, with 99.9% accuracy. The Indian owner with whom I'd had many dealings, owing to constant ins
omnia after the split with Will, made no gesture of recollection as I paid him.

My mobile rang as I walked out of the store. The clouds above loomed gloomily and the first droplets of rain began to fall. I started to run the short distance home, ignoring the ringing from inside my bag. It would be Stella, wondering where I was.
 

Mel was still slumped in the same armchair when I arrived home, her eyes red from crying. Ignoring her protest, I grabbed her arm and marched her into the bathroom, peeling both of the pregnancy testing kits from their packaging and handing them to her.

'I want you to do both tests and then give them to me to check results' I said authoritatively, walking towards the door and closing it behind me. Tiredness was consuming me, my head heavy with stress and worry for both Mel and Stella. Mel appeared a couple of minutes later holding the tests despondently.

'I can’t bear to look at the results, it's only going to confirm what I already know' she said sorrowfully handing them to me.

I peeked at the first stick, ignoring the butterflies of nerves in my stomach. If Mel was pregnant it would affect my life too. What if she wanted to convert my room into a baby nursery? Where would that leave me? Sleeping next to the cot? Pushing my selfish thoughts aside, I studied the results displayed on the small window.

The packaging had indicated that if two blue lines appeared it was a positive result. One blue line appeared on each stick. The important second blue line failed to materialise.
 

Unable to contain my relief, I grinned widely at Mel.

'Both negative.' Feeling the nervous energy within me calming, I watched as Mel looked up in shock, eyes wide and mouth pursed. 

'Negative? Are you sure?' she asked, grabbing the sticks from me and referring to the box of instructions. I watched as she furrowed in concentration, eventually breaking into a bright smile of excitement and hugging me closely.

'Thank you, thank you, thank you' she repeated as she danced up and down relieved. Mel had always been my closest friend, but her lack of responsibility exasperated me. I stood back and employed my serious tone.

'I suggest that in future if you have any pregnancy scares, you buy a proper test kit.'
 

However
, Mel wasn't listening; she was already picking up her mobile and making a call, mouthing 'Hugo' to me, and pointing at her phone as the dialling tone began to sound.

I reached for my bag and took out my mobile, walking towards my bedroom. Stella's name appeared on screen beside the missed call sign. I pressed the call back key. She answered on the second ring.
 

'Hey, I was just wondering where you've got to?' she asked. I was relieved at her light tone, thankful that the remainder of my day wouldn’t necessarily be as dramatic as the morning had.

'There's been a bit of an issue here I’ve had to deal with; I’ll tell you when I see you' I answered cryptically.

'OK; dinner's going to be ready for four o’clock, so just come over when you're ready.' Her voice rose as the children's chatter in the background grew to deafening levels.

Saying goodbye, I hung up, retreating to my room to try to begin dealing with the unpacking for a second time. Mel appeared again a few minutes later, looking a lot happier.

'Hugo's coming over for dinner and we're going to finalise the trip plans.'

'I can’t believe you'll be going in less than three weeks' I said sorting a pile of washing into a basket.  

I was going to miss Mel; four months without my best friend and living alone in the house was going to be no fun at all.
Thank goodness for Edward. 

'I know. I'm so excited' Mel said with a wistful look in her eyes.
 

I knew how much this trip meant to her. She had always wanted to travel. Unfortunately since her mother's passing she hadn't had the opportunity, being so focused on her work in order to cope with the trauma. Hugo seemed to have helped to release Mel's emotional ties.
 

My phone began to ring again on the dresser next to Mel.
 

'Get that for me would you' I said transferring more clothes from suitcase to washing basket. Mel answered on the third ring.

'Edward' she smiled, 'It's Mel.' 

Stopping what I was doing, my heart starting to beat faster, I pulled myself up off
my knees and rushed over to her, holding out my hand for the receiver. Mel laughed into the phone at something he had said to her.

'Here, I’ll pass you to Lizzie' she stated, handing me the phone.

'Hi.' I closed the door quietly as Mel walked out of the room.

'Hey babe
, I’ve just got to Manchester. How's your morning been?' Edward's voice breezed back at me.

We chatted for twenty minutes,
Edward filling me in on his disastrous train journey and his excitement at seeing Maddie again. 

'Remember to give her the elephant bag' I reminded him. He'd seemed touched when I'd showed it to him in
Ireland and said I’d picked it up for Maddie. Men generally had no clue when it came to buying for little girls and he'd said it was the perfect gift to give her from his trip. I later learned he'd been planning on buying her a pony. Not quite as practical.

We rang off, agreeing to speak later in the evening. A sense of contentment settled over me. He'd called me within hours of last speaking with him. There was no doubt anymore that he didn’t feel the same way as I did. Sitting on my bed, I allowed myself quiet time to process the events of the past four days. My life had gone from one extreme to the next.