Be Careful What You Wish For (46 page)

I push open the screen door and walk inside. The house is still and quiet. I kick off my sandy flip-flops, pad through the living room and pause to turn on the lamp on the little side table. Next to it is a photograph I took of Gabe. He’s standing in front of the Laugh Factory on Sunset Boulevard, and on the sign above him ‘Angel Gabriel Live’ is spelled out in big black letters, alongside ‘
SOLD OUT’.

Proudly I rub my thumb across the wooden frame. I’ll never be a fan of stand-up comedy, but I’m learning to
appreciate
it. A bit like beer, I muse. Thinking how a chilled one might be rather nice right now. I go on into the kitchen.

I freeze in the doorway.

Ahead, the patio doors have all been flung open and I’m looking out into my little garden. Strung with tiny fairy-lights, multi-coloured balloons and a huge party banner that reads, ‘Happy Birthday,’ it’s crammed with people, whooping and screaming, yelling and shrieking.

Oh, my God.

I steady myself against the fridge.

My first impulse is to run. I hate surprises. I’m not prepared. I’ve come straight from the beach. I have sand in my hair and a spot on my face that I picked. I look like shit. I need a shower. And at least half an hour to do my hair and makeup.

But, like a rabbit caught in headlights, I’m too stunned to react.

Then I see them. Familiar smiles. ‘Lionel . . . Ed . . . Jess!’ I gasp, and now a whoosh of sheer joy is rushing up inside me like a firework, and I’m suddenly finding my feet and running out into the garden, flinging my arms round everyone.

‘Lionel! I can’t believe it . . . And Rosemary! wow! Jess! You sod! Keeping this a secret from me! Oh, and this is your new boyfriend Dominic? Hi, nice to meet you, Dominic! Ed and Lou and – oh, my gosh – is this Ruby? She’s so beautiful – Hey, Ruby, I’m your auntie Heather! Brian! It’s so great to see you . . . Oh, and Neil, lovely to see you too!’

Breathless with excitement I hug them all, laughing as Brian snaps away, taking dozens of pictures. Lionel looks so healthy, and my little niece is adorable, and Jess seems really happy with her new man and – crikey! I take it all back. I love surprises. Bloody love them.

‘Sssh.’

In the middle of all this commotion there’s shushing.

What’s going on? What have we got to be quiet for? Why are we . . . ?

Then I see Gabe. He’s carrying a birthday cake. It’s all lit up with dozens of candles and as he walks towards me, down the little crazy-paving path, everyone starts singing ‘Happy Birthday’.

Oh, my gosh, I’m going to cry. My eyes are pricking with tears and I feel a lump of happiness in my throat. I’m so lucky. Gabe was right. There doesn’t always have to be a but.

He puts the cake on the little patio table, turns to me and kisses my lips. ‘Happy birthday, gorgeous,’ he whispers, giving me a mischievous wink.

I laugh and as everyone gathers round me with their cameras ready, I go to blow out my candles.

When he stops me.

‘Hey! Don’t forget to make a wish,’ he laughs.

Goosebumps prickle. I feel a familiar tingle in my fingers and toes.
No, Heather. Remember, you promised.
I look back at the shimmering candle flames, take a deep breath and close my eyes.

But then again . . .

What’s one little wish?

Alexandra Potter was born in Bradford. She has lived in the USA and Australia and worked as a features writer and subeditor for women’s glossies in the UK. She now writes full-time and lives in Los Angeles. Her previous novels are
Do You Come Here Often?, What’s New, Pussycat?, Going La-la,
and the widely acclaimed
Calling Romeo.