Paycheque (44 page)

‘So, what do you propose I do?'

‘We're having a barbeque here tomorrow evening. Which you are going to attend.'

‘And if I don't?'

‘Well then you're fired.'

‘You can't do that!'

‘I can and I will.'

Claire stared at her father. The look she saw on his face she'd never seen before. He was deadly serious. She looked at Maddie who looked at the ground.

‘So, Derek and Bernie and David are coming?'

‘And Bill and Daphne.'

‘So, I kiss and make up – or else.'

‘Yes, because this is not just about you. It's affecting all of us.'

Maddie, who was still staring at the ground, nodded.

‘Look, no one's forcing you to be in a romantic relationship with Derek if you don't want one. But you need to be at least civil – we're in business with the man. You're making things very awkward for Maddie here. And have you thought that maybe I miss Bernie too? As I said, she's practically family.'

Claire sighed. ‘Okay.'

Both Maddie and Jack visibly relaxed.

Claire drove home feeling as though a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. They were absolutely right. Things could not go on as they were. She was actually a little relieved that it had been taken off her hands.

That night, after she'd eaten and had her shower, Claire curled up in front of the television with the cats on her lap. But after a few minutes, unable to focus on what she was watching, she reached for her phone sitting on the coffee table.

‘Hi. It's me, Claire.'

‘Hi.'

‘Bernie, I'm so sorry. I know you were just trying to help. And I really did overreact. I don't know why. And I've behaved like a complete dickhead ever since. I'm really, really sorry.'

‘Me too, Claire. I've been such a stubborn idiot.'

‘I've missed you so much.'

‘Me too.'

‘My life isn't as good without you.'

‘Mine either.'

‘So, truce?'

‘Truce,' said Bernie.

‘Lunch again next week?'

‘Absolutely.'

‘How's David?'

‘He's good – you'll see him tomorrow night.'

‘Ah, yes. The intervention barbeque.'

‘Claire, I'm so glad you called.'

‘Well least it won't be so awkward now. But we could always pretend – just to mess with Jack and Maddie.'

‘No, I think the ice you're standing on is way too thin for that.'

‘Bernie?'

‘Yes?'

‘Did I hear you admit to being stubborn just before?'

‘Yes. I can admit to my failings, unlike some of us.'

‘Touché. I deserved that.'

‘Yes, you did. Have you spoken to Derek yet?'

‘No, I'm going to call him now.'

‘Promise?'

‘I promise.'

‘Okay, I'm going now. See you tomorrow night.'

‘Bye. And thanks Bernie.'

‘Thanks yourself. Now go and call Derek!'

Claire's fingers shook as she dialled Derek's number. What if he didn't want to talk to her? But he'd agreed to come to the barbeque, hadn't he? So he couldn't totally hate her.

‘Claire.'

‘Hi Derek.'

‘How are you?'

‘Okay. And you?'

‘Well I've been better.'

‘Me too.'

There was a brief silence.

‘Claire, I'm so glad you called. I miss you – I really miss you.'

‘Me too, Derek. I'm so sorry.'

‘Me too. Claire?'

‘Yes?'

‘Can I ask a favour?'

‘I suppose so, what?'

‘Can we do this in person? Can I come over?'

‘Oh. Okay.'

‘I'll be ten minutes, just hold that thought.'

‘Right. Okay. See you then.'

Claire was in a flutter of excitement and nerves when Derek knocked on her door. He stood on the step holding a bunch of red roses. She accepted them with a frown, wondering where he'd managed to find flowers this late.

‘Bit the worse for wear, I'm afraid,' he said apologetically. ‘I bought them a couple of days ago but chickened out.'

‘Oh, no. I was wondering where you'd got roses from around here this time of night. They're lovely. Thank you.'

‘Well they
were
lovely.'

‘It's the thought that counts,' she said, beaming at him. ‘Let me just put them in some water.'

In the kitchen, Claire was pleased to have the distraction of selecting a suitable vase and filling it with water. It wasn't going how she'd imagined at all. There'd been no falling into arms, apologising and begging forgiveness. Derek had barely moved from the doorway, just stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

‘There we are,' she said, putting the heavy cut crystal vase on the sideboard at the edge of the room. She went over to him. ‘Derek. I'm really so very sorry.'

‘I know. It's already been said.'

‘Yes. But…'

‘So, where's my hug then? Apologies I can get over the phone.

What I need is to feel you.'

Claire put her arms around him and they embraced tightly. Derek kissed her hair.

‘Being away from you has been hell, Claire. I never thought it would hurt so much.'

‘Hmm. Me too.'

He held her away from him and stared into her face. ‘Claire. I love you. I don't want to live without you in my life.'

‘Me too, Derek.' Claire smiled back at him.

They hugged again. As they did, Claire wondered when she'd be able to utter those three little words again. But right now she knew it didn't matter. What mattered was that she had Bernie and Derek back, and that she wasn't going to stuff up like that again.

They sat entwined on Claire's couch catching up on each other's lives. After a while Claire was stopped mid-sentence while telling of Paycheque's progress by Derek's mouth upon hers. They kissed
passionately, drinking in each other's souls. After what seemed hours, Claire eased herself out of his clutches and stood up. Avoiding looking him in the eye, she gently grasped his hand and led him down the hall towards the bedroom.

They slowly peeled each other's clothes off and got beneath the covers. Claire trembled at Derek's touch and he murmured at hers as they explored each other for the first time.

‘Thank you. That was lovely,' Derek said later, raising himself on an elbow and kissing her gently on the lips.

‘Mmm. It was. Thank
you
.'

‘So. No regrets?'

‘No. You?'

‘Are you kidding? You're lovely.'

They smiled at each other and then fell into a tight hug. Claire liked the feel of their bare skin.

‘I love you, Derek Anderson,' Claire said into his chest.

‘And I love you, Claire McIntyre.'

The next evening, Claire was at the farmhouse helping Maddie and Jack get ready for the barbecue when they heard a car pull up out front. She hadn't mentioned reconciling with her friends to them.

‘That's Dad,' Maddie said, looking out the dining room window.

‘I'll go,' Claire said, and started wiping her hands on a tea towel.

‘Are you sure?' Jack and Maddie asked at the same time.

‘Yep.' As she turned and practically ran to the back door she noticed an exchange of worried glances between them.

‘Hello sexy,' she said to Derek, just loud enough to be heard in the kitchen.

‘Hello yourself.' They hugged and kissed briefly.

‘Come in. We're just doing a few last minute things. You're the first to arrive.'

In the kitchen, Jack and Maddie were staring at each other in disbelief. She grinned at them and wound her arm through Derek's.

‘Think we've been had, young Maddie,' Jack said.

‘Looks like it, Jack.'

When Bernie and David arrived half an hour later, Claire hugged her friend long and tight. This time Jack and Maddie weren't so surprised. David hugged her and whispered that he was so glad they'd sorted things out.

‘Bernie has been miserable and I've missed you terribly. And the café is missing the revenue from your weekly lunches and random cheesecake crisis meetings.'

They enjoyed a chuckle and another hug before moving through to the dining room.

Bill and Daphne arrived soon after, and Daphne puffed up with pride at seeing Jack wearing her hand-knitted jumper, and fairly glowed when he insisted it was his favourite.

When they were seated, Jack held up his glass of wine and proposed a toast: ‘To good family, friends and neighbours.'

‘To good family, friends and neighbours,' they all responded and clinked glasses.