BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY (16 page)

“She has a lot of front Auntie Peggy.  But I
can’t avoid it, need to bite the bullet and face the Reynolds family en masse
at some point.”

“What else have you been doing there?”

“Walking along the beach, shopping, eating and
drinking, well I had half a bottle of wine does that count as drinking?” she
joked.

“That sounds interesting!  Have you met
anyone
on your walks?”

“Ha Ha Claire, I know what you are up to!  Yes
I have bumped into Nico again”

“Oooooo tell me more!”

“I saw him this morning, had a chat, played catch
with Beau the dog.”

“mm mm what aren’t you telling me?  Come on,
tell your big sister?”

“Dinner, okay, he asked me out to dinner
tomorrow.  There I’ve told you!”

“Carrie Reynolds-Davies,” she squealed.  “I
can’t believe you have waited all day to tell me!  What did you say?”

“Well, erm, I didn’t really know what to say but I
told him yes.  He gave me his business card and said he would pick me up
at 8pm tomorrow”

“No way!  I can’t believe that.  What
about Lea?”

“Oh it’s not like that, not romantic or anything”

“Carrie, don’t be daft he is a playboy of course its
romantic!
”

“No no no no no.  It’s just dinner between two
friends.”

“We’ll we will see then wont we.”

“Now I want to change my mind Claire, I don’t know
if I’m ready to go out for dinner.  Other than Rob I haven’t been out for
dinner with a man for five years.  I will just cancel it that’s what I
will do.”

“Don’t be silly Carrie, see how you feel tomorrow
and if you don’t want to go out for dinner call or text him.”

“Okay, but I haven’t got anything to wear, well I
have got nice black trousers if I get a top or something that should do.”

“Carrie, I want
all
the details.  Keep
doing what you are doing; the Cape seems to agree with you.  Love you sis”

“Me too Claire, kiss to Harry but don’t tell Mum and
Dad about Nico, please I don’t want Mum to go off on one!”

Carrie had some shopping to do.  She wanted to
go back to the shop that she purchased the bath soak and candles from. 
She also needed to top up on some cosmetics as she had brought very little with
her.  It didn’t take long to stock up on all her favourite Mac
products.  She was still undecided about dinner with Nico tonight. 
It wasn’t a date.  She wasn’t ready for that but she didn’t want to look a
mess.  Holding the familiar black bag with its distinctive mac logo she
had stocked up on foundation, powder and a few lip glosses. A new eye shadow
duo that wasn’t yet available back home sealed the deal.  On her walk that
morning it was solitary.  No Nico as he was still in LA and no Beau for
company.  Carrie still enjoyed the breeze from the sea and thought she
would never tire of the view out to the ocean. 

Her limited wardrobe contained skinny black trousers
with a little side vent.  Her black louboutin shoes would do the
trick.  What she was looking for was a top and a belt.  Nothing she
had would be suitable as they were too casual.  But she didn’t know where
they were going?

She pulled out the business card that Nico had given
her.  She didn’t want to call.  He said he would be in LA or
travelling back to the Cape or even if the magazines were right planning his
nuptials to Lea.  Oh what the hell was she doing!

“Don’t be a woos, text him Carrie.” Her inner voice
once again coached.

Just a quick text she tutored herself and if he
didn’t reply well maybe he had forgotten all about her and their dinner plans.
Then she wouldn’t look a fool if he didn’t turn up. 

Hi Nico, its Carrie here. Hope all okay
with you.  As I haven’t a clue where we are going for dinner tonight, can
you let me know the dress code? Smart or casual?

Oh bugger she nearly added a X.  Force of habit
when texting she always added a X or two.

Phew, quickly deleting the X as she didn’t want him
to think she was crazy in love with him or anything.  There she hit send
and put her phone in her bag.

She returned to the same store she had visited a few
days before.  Wanting to top up on some of the beauty products that she
had purchased and already opened during her stay.  The shop smelled of the
exotic scents of their products and she was drawn to the tubs of bath salts
with their descriptions.  The lemony scented Haitan Vetiver, bergamot with
Turkish Rose all with a little linen steeping bag to decant the salts
into.  A little tester dish was positioned in front of the display and she
inhaled the lush smell.  The glass jar she added to her basket along with
the body oils and moisturisers; all promising to heal and rejuvenate.  The
next jar invited you to step into the night sea with promises of sandalwood,
chamomile and lavender to sooth you to sleep.  This she picked for her
sister as a gift.  Due to the concentration of essential oils it wasn’t
recommended during pregnancy but she knew her sister would keep it to use for
after she had the baby.  Again she picked up the accompanying body oil and
moisturiser.  She had an idea to give her sister a pampering pack as a
birthday gift.  Claire and Ryan had both been a great support to her over
the last sixteen months.  On her return home she would purchase a gift
voucher for a local spa hotel that they could use after the baby was born or
before if they wanted.  Carrie would include an offer to babysit the children. 
There she felt better at having solved the dilemma of what to give Claire for
her birthday next week.  At this rate she would have to buy extra luggage
allowance from the airline for all her purchases.

A final item for the basked some more of the soy
candles in their lavender, black pepper and sandalwood scent.  Her Mum
couldn’t resist candles either and she knew that this would be a hit
gift.  The sales assistant was chatty recognising her from her visit a few
days before.  Carrie confessed to already using the soak, moisturiser and
candles that she had purchased; hence the return visit.

“The night sea set is a birthday gift for my sister;
I know she will love it.”

“Wait a moment,” she returned with pretty tissue
paper and individually gift wrapped the items placing them in a separate box
then into the gift bag.

“Thank you for doing that”

Carrie left the shop with a smile on her face and
stopped off for a coffee.  She decided to sit in the bistro, rest her legs
before resuming her shopping.  She ordered her latte and checked her phone
for any texts.

“Hello Carrie,”

She looked around to see Tansie and Monique

“Hi Tansie and Monique.  How are the
renovations coming along?  Are you still on plan for moving in this
weekend?”

Carrie invited them to join her for a coffee as they
discussed progress. 

They moved from Carrie’s little table to one of the
booths. 

“Well Carrie, as sure is sugar is sweet I pray we
get the house ready for Sunday.  The contractor has promised Saturday we
will be complete but I don’t know”

“Have faith Monique.”

“I am trying Carrie but the kids really need their
own space.  The more we know it’s getting nearer to moving; the more
everyone is getting on each other’s nerves.”

The coffees were brought to the table.

“Oh I needed this!  I’m trying to get a few
things before I return home.”

“So soon?” Tansie queried.

“Yes, I only reserved my room until Friday but I
need to extend it, if possible for a few more days”

“Terri has taken you under her wing Carrie, I’m sure
she will keep your room for you”

“I hope so Tansie, I will speak to Terri when I get
back.  I just need to get a gift for my Mum.  Can you recommend
somewhere?”

“Oh that’s easy, what do you want to get her?”

“Some earrings or a necklace or something like that”

“I know just the place; a friend of ours has a
little boutique we can show you”

“Brilliant.  But I don’t want to keep you from
your plans”

“We can do with the distraction!  Little Tameka
is quite taken with you Carrie.  She keeps asking if she is going to see
the lady with the funny voice again.”

Carrie laughed.

“I guess she’s not heard much of a Scottish accent
before then.  It would be lovely to see Tameka again too”

Forty minutes later their coffees finished they
walked to Shamiqua’s Boutique which was only a short walk away.

“See I told you, a quick distraction”

They shop was painted the familiar pastel blue on
the shingled wood that the surrounding shops and cafes had.  White double
doors opened on the summer’s day. 

Carrie left Monique and Tansie talking with their
friend and started browsing through the shop.  There sparkling on the
display catching the sunlight gemstone drop earrings in blue topaz and
peridot.  Perfect for her Mum and under fifty dollars a reasonable
price.  A lovely scarf caught her eye and that too was added to her
purchases.   On another shelf a little box clutch bag in red. 
She picked it up and opened the catch.  Just enough room for the
essentials.  Art deco in style with alternating diamond shaped beads on
the front.  She loved it.

Now if she could just find a belt?

“Whoa Carrie, you look like you are on a mission
there!”

“I think I am shame on you for bringing me here!”
she joked to Tansie

She placed the bag on the counter next to the scarf
and earrings which were getting wrapped up. 

“Just a couple of things and I am finished.”

“What else you looking for?  If Shamiqua
doesn’t have it; then nobody will!”

“She has gorgeous things here but I’m looking for a
belt.”

“Shamiqua!” Tansie hollered.

“Ignore my friend!  Soon to be ex friend if she
shouts like that again in my fine establishment.  Scaring away my
customers.  How can I help you?”

Laughter broke out.

“I’m looking for a belt.  A red one if possible
to match that beautiful bag that just caught my eye”

“I have just the thing”

She led Carrie over to another area of the shop with
some select clothing and accessories.  Twenty minutes later Carrie had
tried on a few tops, unsure of the sizing that she would need given her weight
loss and sizes in the USA.  She settled on a black silk vest with a
tailored black blazer.  Several hundred dollars lighter she left the shop
with gifts, bags, and clothing purchased.   Exchanged goodbyes with
Tansie and Monique thanking Shamiqua for all her help.  Tansie and Monique
were returning to the house after this break in their plans.  Carrie
promised to visit before she went home. 

It was late afternoon when Carrie returned to the
Inn, laden with her bags.  She had bought some magazines and intended on reading
them in the parlour with some coffee or hot chocolate.  Within minutes she
had returned to the parlour and settled on one of the sofas.  After
spending most of the day yesterday in her room she didn’t want to repeat the
day.

She poured a cup of coffee and looked to see what
calorific delight Terri would have left.

“White chocolate blondies with cranberries and
walnuts” shaped like flap jack squares Carrie picked up a piece to devour with
her coffee.

“Mmmmmmmmmmm” she groaned aloud.  Laughter
broke out.  She turned holding the half eaten block to see Terri laughing

“Oh you caught me!”

“It’s good to see our guests enjoying themselves.”

“Oh I have to get this recipe Terri; my sister would
love these too.  They are delicious.”

“It’s a Tansie secret recipe but we can ask
her.  So tell me how did you lighthouse plans go?  Did you get to
visit our lovely Portland Head?”

“I did and it was just as beautiful as everyone told
me it would be.  Thanks for the recommendation.  I need your help
again.  Friday is due to be my last night here but I’d like to stay on for
a few more days.  Can you check if you have availability for my room or
another here at the Inn?”

“Sure Carrie, give me a few minutes and I will check
our bookings.”

Carrie returned to finishing off the blondie.
Yum.  She had popped the last crumb into her mouth when Terri returned.

“You are in luck Carrie, that room is available for
another week.  The next booking we have is a week on Saturday for a
wedding.  The whole Inn is booked out.  We will have a busy weekend
then.”

“Oh that’s great news, can you book it out for me
until then?  I can look at booking my flights and let you know if anything
changes.”

“No problem Carrie, good to have you with us for a
little while longer.”

They chatted a bit before Terri was called
away.  Carrie poured another coffee and picked up her magazine. 
Before she could turn a page her mobile beeped.

Nico had replied.

Hi Carrie good to hear from you. We are
going to a local restaurant at the wharf. I guess you could say smart casual
would be the appropriate attire! I spoke with Belle and I have plenty of
questions for you tonight! See you at 8

Gulp.  This was for real.

Oh bugger what had Auntie Belle told him?

As if summoned by a genie her phone began to ring and
it was Belle’s number flashing.

“Hi Belle”

“Carrie what have you been up to girl?  I’ve
just had a rather interesting talk with Nico Devanti.  Tell all”

“I haven’t done anything Belle.  Just agreed to
go out for dinner tonight with Nico. I met him on the beach, we got chatting
and he asked me out for dinner.  That’s all.  End of.”

“Mmm, well he asked me quite a few questions about
you my dear but of course I remained the soul of discretion and didn’t tell him
a thing.”

This Carrie did not believe.  Belle was an
expert at understating.

“Okay so tell me how your trip is so far.  Did
you go to the lighthouse?”

“I’m having a great time Belle, I went to the
lighthouse yesterday and I did get a bit upset but that’s what I
expected.   But I will tell you more about that when I see you. 
I’ve decided to stay on another week.  I spoke with Claire last night and
she is going to smooth things over with Mum”

“Good Carrie, I’m glad you are taking this time
out.  This break away from home will do you the world of good.  So
what is this I hear from your Mum that Claire is moving in?”

Carrie reiterated the reasoning behind her offer to
have Claire stay with her and Belle agreed it was a good solution to all. 

“When you are next speaking with Mum, don’t let on about
Nico.  I will tell her when I get home but I know she would read me the
riot act about it now”

“Carrie your Mum loves you, she just wouldn’t
understand.  Of course I won’t mention it at all.  We all loved Rob
very much.  He would want you to be happy Carrie, I’ve told you that a
million times.”

“I’m not replacing Rob or even looking for a
replacement.  It’s just dinner for goodness sake!  But I know Mum
wouldn’t be supportive about it.  She’s set in her ways, not that she
expects me to wear widow’s weeds or anything like that.  I’ve been such a
mess that I don’t think she would want me to become involved with anyone. 
Listen to me eh involved!  There’s nothing romantic going on, it’s just
dinner!”