A Simple Mistake (7 page)

The music was good, the worship time wonderful, the preaching excellent, but still Lainey worried.

Nick patted her shoulder. ‘It’s okay. Relax. It’s church, not a concert performance.’

What he said made complete sense. God was in control. How could she have forgotten?

There were a lot of people interested in meeting him afterwards. He was as patient and pleasant as always but she knew he was glad when they could leave. Lainey offered to make bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches when they got back to the flat. It was a Sunday night favourite amongst whoever was home. Tonight it was just the two of them.

Nick came up behind her as she cooked the bacon and put his arms around her. He nuzzled her neck, chuckling when she shivered. ‘Mmm, that smells good.’

‘Bacon always does.’

‘I didn’t mean the bacon.’

Lainey giggled and swatted him away. ‘You can make the coffee, do something useful.’ It was like the old days, without the worry of Roger appearing around the corner.

When they’d finished eating, she sat back on the lounge, legs curled up, and regarded him over the top of her mug. ‘I want to know some stuff about you.’

‘What kind of stuff?’

‘Bits and pieces, like your favourite music, favourite food, things you like and don’t like. I know some of them but you might’ve changed.’

‘And you’ll tell me yours.’

‘Right.’

They covered a whole range of topics, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Lainey loved watching him laugh, seeing him relaxed, being himself.

‘Alright, let’s get more serious.’ Nick had his elbow up on the back of the lounge, his head on his hand. ‘Tell me honestly; what’s one thing that really turns you off?’

‘Two things, actually. Bad breath and bitten fingernails. I could never go out with someone who bites their nails. Do you remember Owen Trembath from school? He used to sit there, gnawing away like there was no tomorrow.’ She shuddered. ‘It makes me feel sick thinking about it.’

‘I get the picture.’ Nick checked his own hands. ‘At least I pass that test.’

Lainey took his right hand and examined it. ‘You have beautiful hands. You’ve got such long fingers, well-shaped nails; they’re one of the things I really like about you. Even your pinkie.’ She smiled, tracing the bent, misshapen one. Liam’s was exactly the same.
Tonight, Lord?

‘Your turn,’ she prompted. ‘What don’t you like?’

‘You’ll laugh, I bet.’

‘I’ll try not to.’

Nick looked sheepish. ‘Feet.’

‘You don’t like
feet
?’ Lainey was glad hers were curled up under her skirt. ‘Where did that come from?’

‘Well, years ago I went out with a dancer. She was very pretty, had a
great
body. Ouch!’ He grinned as Lainey poked him in the ribs. ‘We met during winter so I hadn’t seen her feet until she took off her shoes after a rehearsal. They were calloused, nasty looking things.’

‘The poor girl!’

‘I know, but that night she tried to play footsie with me. She had socks on, but all I could think of were these things touching me and that was it. It was all over.’

‘You broke up with her over her
feet
?’

‘I couldn’t help it. Don’t worry, yours are fine.’ Nick pulled her closer. ‘And I have a feeling that they could be green and hairy and I wouldn’t even mind.’

‘Yeah, right.’ Lainey let him kiss her then put a finger over his lips. ‘Hang on, I wanted to discuss favourite movie stars. I’m not quite sure who mine is.’

She started when Nick jumped up. Not quite the reaction she’d been expecting.

‘I almost forgot. Hang on a sec.’ He came back with the holdall he’d left the day before, dug around and produced a paper bag with the Disneyland logo. ‘Talking of movies – I bought you something.’

Lainey pulled out a pink t-shirt with a Tinkerbell print on the front. When she was little she had loved the story of Peter Pan. ‘Oh Nick, you remembered. Thanks!’

‘How could I forget? You used to make me watch the video over and over.’ He grinned before searching again and came up with something concealed in his fist. ‘These reminded me of you too.’ He opened his fingers.

Lainey laughed at the tiny pair of ceramic running shoes. ‘They’re going straight into my treasure box. Thank you, Nick.’

There was a little smile playing on his lips. ‘So, you’ve still got it. Would you let me see what’s in it?’

It was a loaded question. There was stuff from way back but there were also things from him. It meant she would be exposing her heart that little bit more. She sighed. What was she worried about? He owned her heart anyway.

The box was on her wardrobe shelf next to Liam’s journals. She pushed them under some winter jumpers. He wasn’t getting his hands on those just yet.

She sat back down, angling the lid so it concealed the contents, and pulled out a twist of tissue. ‘My first tooth.’

‘Errgh. That’s gross.’

She grinned and put it back, bringing out a butterfly brooch. ‘Your mother gave this to me but it’s got a broken wing.’

‘I get the feeling you don’t throw away much.’

‘No, not when it has sentimental value.’ She showed him the photo of her father, the ribbons from her highjump competitions, all the stuff she’d accumulated over the years. She left the things from him until last.

He chuckled when she produced the cards from the flowers he’d sent her. ‘You are such a hoarder.’

‘I know. Look at this.’ It was the photo she had of the two of them on their ninth birthday at the park.

Nick smiled. ‘Mum’s still got that at home on her shelf.’

‘Really? I can’t wait to see her.’ She pulled out the little velvet bag. ‘And this.’

She let Nick open it and he balanced the guardian angel on his palm. Would he remember when he’d given it to her? Probably, but she wasn’t going to ask. Liam had been conceived that afternoon.

‘Should we give it another turn? A chance to redeem itself?’ Nick set it on the coffee table.

She smiled. ‘I think so.’

Lainey couldn’t decide which to get next, the locket from when he’d asked her to be his girlfriend, or the note he’d given her at the airport. She ended up bringing them out together.

Nick smiled in recognition of the locket and picked up the piece of paper. ‘What’s this?’

Lainey watched as he unfolded it then read it. She knew the words off by heart.

Dear Lainey – wherever I am, wherever I go, you’re forever in my heart. Love always, Nick

‘I gave you this at the airport.’

‘Yes.’

He placed it back in the box. ‘It’s still true, you know.’

She couldn’t have spoken even if she’d known what to say. She bowed her head as Nick took the necklace and fastened it around her neck.

‘Back where it belongs.’ He touched her cheek. ‘I’ll buy you a better one, one day.’

‘No, don’t. I like this one.’ Her voice was all wobbly.

Quick, don’t lose your nerve
.

‘Nick, there’s something—’

The door burst open. ‘Hi guys! Hope we’re not interrupting anything. Want a cuppa?’

Lainey wasn’t sure whether she wanted to kill her flatmate or hug her. It didn’t matter. Either way, the moment was gone.

Lainey’s life was going mad. She’d gone from inconspicuous, which was how she liked it, to someone of interest. She also realised this was just the beginning.

At work, word had spread like wildfire about Nick. She didn’t dare mention the upcoming movie premiere. It would probably end up as a feature in the school newsletter.

On Thursday, Nick picked her up and drove her over to the Harrington’s. Mia was taking her late night shopping for her outfit.

Nick was adamant he would pay for everything; the dress, shoes, handbag, whatever she needed. As he explained, if it wasn’t for him she wouldn’t be in this situation anyhow. So she swallowed her pride and thanked him.

They went into boutiques she’d never even window-shopped at let alone gone into. The assistants all greeted Mia like long lost buddies. Most of them oohed and aahed over Lainey’s height, her hair and her eyes then lamented the fact she wasn’t a size eight.

By the time she’d heard it three times, Lainey was over it.

‘I have a bust, for goodness sake! I’m a woman, not a waif!’

Mia chuckled and dragged her into yet another shop. ‘Come on. I’ve saved the best for last.’

And she was right. Something caught Lainey’s eye straight away.

‘What do you think?’ She held the garment up against herself in the mirror, avoiding the price tag. She didn’t want to know.

Mia ran a critical eye over it. ‘It might do. Try it on.’

At first, Lainey had been very conscious of her cheap underwear but by now she didn’t care. She stripped off her jeans and top and waited for the assistant to help her into the dress.

It was like stepping into a latte. The coffee-coloured satin felt smooth against her skin and the lace overlay had sparkly things all over it. It had the smallest of cap sleeves and the wide neck was modest. The underskirt came to just above her knees, and the lace floated on down another few centimetres, swirling a little when she moved.

Lainey stood in front of the full length mirror and gasped, then felt like an idiot.

Mia laughed. ‘That’s it. We have our dress. You’ll blow Nick’s socks off.’ She reached up to tug on Lainey’s ponytail. ‘Now, just let that all fall down, get some dangly earrings and you’ll be perfect.’

They found shoes and a satin purse that matched and some crystal earrings she fell in love with. It seemed that if money was no object you could find whatever you wanted. It gave Lainey an inkling of what life could be like with Nick on a permanent basis but she squashed the thought.
Not yet.

Mia smiled as they drove home. ‘You’re one of the easiest people I’ve ever had to dress. Even the boys have their moments.’

‘I’ve never done anything like it before. I must’ve tried on at least twenty dresses.’

‘Yeah, and we found the perfect one. I love it when that happens. Mind you, with your figure you’d look great in anything.’ She grinned. ‘Nick said I’d enjoy dressing you. He reckons you’d make a sack look sexy.’

Lainey blushed.
He thinks I’d make a sack look sexy?
She knew she’d be nervous on the night but at least she’d do it in style.

* * *

Lainey and Lara sat outside a café overlooking Coogee Beach and finished their breakfast. Lara and Adam’s engagement party was on tonight, and Lara had a busy day ahead.

‘This is just what I needed.’ Lara leaned across the table and patted Lainey’s hand. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome.’ After a second cup of coffee and a plate of pancakes with maple syrup and ice cream Lainey was beginning to feel more human. Getting up at six-thirty on a Saturday morning wasn’t her favourite thing to do.

‘You’re so sweet, doing this for me, and my laundry as well.’

Lainey dabbed at her mouth with her serviette and smiled. ‘What are best friends for? Anyhow, you’re feeding me tonight. Fair exchange.’

‘I still can’t believe it’s happening. I’m engaged to the cutest man in the whole wide world and he wants to spend the rest of his life with me.
Me
, Lara, the chubby baby Bancroft.’ She splayed her fingers, admiring the twinkling diamonds in her ring.

Lainey loved seeing Lara so happy. She had always told her that one day, some guy would fall for her and sweep her off her feet. And now he had. Dear old Adam.

‘You are going to be a beautiful bride,’ said Lainey. ‘With your dark hair and green eyes you’re going to look like Snow White.’

‘And I can’t wait to go dress shopping with you. Remember we used to talk about this when we were seventeen?’

‘Yep and we made those lists.’

‘And I actually got what I wanted.’ Lara laughed. ‘I can’t believe you picked yours from a department store catalogue. You were so devious.’

‘I had to fob you off somehow. I had my secrets.’
I still do.

‘So how’s it going with you and Nick? Really, I mean.’

This is what Lainey had missed. They had been so busy. She knew she could use Lara as a sounding board and trust her to listen and give an honest and caring opinion.

She took a deep breath and spoke in a rush. ‘I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore.’ There, it was out.

Lara waited. That was one of the things Lainey loved about her friend. She always listened.

‘It’s not that I don’t want to be with Nick, I do, but it’s this going public thing. I don’t have a problem with people knowing we’re an item but because he’s so well-known it’s giving me a problem from a Christian perspective. At least, I think that’s what it is.’ Lainey groaned. ‘Help me out here, would you?’

Lara leaned forward and studied the laminate surface. ‘Do you love Nick?’

‘Yes.’ Lainey was emphatic. ‘It feels like I’ve been in love with him my whole life.’
So why does it bother me?

‘Do you know how he feels about you?’

‘He hasn’t actually come out and said he loves me but all the signs are there. I know it’s only been six weeks but, wow, look at what he did for Valentine’s Day! And the other night he told me the note he’d written all those years ago was still true.’ Lainey had shown Lara the note, the guardian angel reinstated on her dresser and the locket she was now wearing around her neck.

‘That’s when I barged in?’

‘Pretty much.’
And I didn’t get to tell him about Liam – again.

‘So the main issue isn’t how you feel about each other but the fact that he isn’t a born-again Christian.’

‘Yes.’

‘And now, by going to the premiere, you’re about to show the world you’re a couple and you’re worried about what everyone is going to think from a Christian perspective.’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you concerned people will think you’re compromising your values and morals?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you sleeping with him?’

‘Lara, no!’

‘I had to ask but I didn’t think you were.’

‘You should’ve been a lawyer, not an accountant. So what’s your verdict?’

‘I have a feeling,’ Lara said, sitting back, ‘you want to have a relationship with Nick that isn’t so public, but, because that isn’t an option, you’ve gone ahead regardless. Now you feel you can’t back out because he’s spent money on you for this event, and you don’t really want to back out anyway, but you know what it says in the Bible about being unequally yoked. And what you’re going through is part of the reason it’s there.’ She took a breath. ‘Please don’t ask me to say all that again.’

Lainey took a few seconds to digest what had been fired at her. ‘You’re absolutely right. But what I don’t get is why would God have brought us back together in the first place? Meeting like that was definitely His doing.’

‘True.’ There was silence for a moment. ‘Lainey, don’t lose sight of the fact that God wants what’s best for you. We see such a small part of the bigger picture. Look how Adam and I got together. We never could have predicted that.’

‘No. And God even used Adam to get my nose fixed.’ That made them both smile. ‘So what am I going to do, counsellor?’

‘Well, I think if you feel you should back out before Wednesday, do it. No compromise, Lainey. That’s one of your strengths. But if you feel you should keep going, do so, but again, without compromising. You have no idea who you may be helping or if you’re being part of the seed-sowing process on someone’s journey to finding God.’ Lara leaned across and grasped both her hands. ‘I just don’t want you to get your heart broken. I couldn’t bear it if I’m happy and you’re not.’

Lara’s words struck a chord way down deep. What if God needed her heart to get broken so Nick or maybe even someone else could come to know Him? Would she be prepared to do that? Jesus had laid down his life. Would she lay down her heart?