Secrets (18 page)

Chapter
Forty-Six

The days were starting to whip by. With a jolt, Janey realised the Canada Companions were more than half way through their holiday. The final excursion from their Toronto base was a trip to Niagara Falls. Tomorrow morning they’d be flying to Vancouver. Janey felt her tummy flutter with anticipation at the thought of visiting Vancouver. Suddenly the place seemed synonymous with Emma.

‘Looking forward to the trip?’ Janey asked Garth. They were sitting next to each other on the minibus Clive had booked for the Niagara excursion. It was a little after seven in the morning, so an early start for everybody. Clive had been adamant about maximising time in Niagara, to allow for packing their suitcases later this evening. Janey felt slightly panicky. In less than a week she’d be saying good-bye to everybody…and that included Garth. Having decided to emotionally distance herself from him, she now felt more miserable than ever. However, keeping Garth at arm’s length was better than not seeing him at all. The object of her desire gave her a nudge and flashed a disarming smile.

‘Six months ago, if somebody had told me I’d be sitting next to a beautiful woman and visiting one of the wonders of the world, I’d have laughed in their face.’

Janey smiled and blushed at the same time. Garth had unwittingly made it sound as if they were an item. She appreciated his compliment, even though she knew it was just Garth being nice. Their driver started the minibus up just as Clive bounced on board.

‘Is everybody ticketty-boo?’ he enquired. ‘Good! The journey is going to take about an hour-and-a-half. If anyone is feeling tired, lean back and shut those peepers, because it will be full on when we reach our destination.’

From behind her, Janey heard Amanda give a smutty laugh.

‘I think I need to shut more than my peepers,’ she murmured to James. ‘You’re wearing me out, you crazy stud.’

‘All in a night’s work with you, sweet’ums,’ said James throatily.

On the other side of the minibus, Rich was nuzzling Ruth’s earlobe. ‘When we get to Niagara, I’m going to ask you to marry me.’

‘Oh, Boo Bear, what a lovely thing to say.’

Janey leant back against her seat and closed her eyes. She hadn’t slept well last night. There had been muddled dreams about Jake, his wife, Garth and Emma all rolled into one. Janey wondered if the recurring dream of wearing her wedding dress and opening the door to Marie would ever go away. Last night’s version had varied. She’d been about to marry Garth. As the dreaded doorbell chimed, instead of Marie standing there it had been Emma wielding a very familiar designer handbag.

‘Are you tired?’ asked Garth.

‘Mmm,’ Janey nodded.

‘Then lean against my shoulder.’

‘No…really…I’m fine.’

‘Don’t be daft. Come on; put your head against me.’

‘Garth,’ Janey said in exasperation, ‘I really–’

‘Are you always so stubborn?’

‘Okay, okay. I’ll lean against you.’ Janey rearranged herself and rested her head against Garth. She had to admit his body felt far more comfortable than the hard headrest.

‘You’re welcome,’ Garth prompted.

‘Thank you,’ Janey mumbled. Honestly, if only the guy knew what this was doing to her! Little electric shocks were sizzling through her body. At this rate she’d never get any shut-eye on the way to Niagara.

‘Stop snoring,’ said Garth.

‘I’m not snor–’

‘Why are women so argumentative? You’ve been snoring for the last ninety minutes.’

Janey’s eyes snapped open. She was shocked to see a completely different landscape outside the minibus.

‘We’re here? But I could have sworn–’

‘I know. Time flies when you’re snoozing and sleep talking.’

Janey gave Garth a sharp look. ‘Was I?’

Garth winked. ‘Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me.’

Janey laughed nervously. Sometimes she never knew whether Garth was being serious or pulling her leg.

The minibus’s door opened and everybody piled out.

‘Stay close,’ Clive instructed. ‘This place is very busy. The tickets are pre-paid so we shall file straight through to the
Maid of the Mist
. You’ll be given protective plastic ponchos and I strongly advise you to put them on. Take care of your cameras, iPads and phones.’

The Canada Companions set off, swiftly merging with crowds of tourists. The pavement dipped, and suddenly they were in a long walk-through tunnel. The sound of rushing water could be heard.

‘My hair’s going to go all frizzy,’ complained Amanda.

‘You’ll still look beautiful,’ said James gallantly.

‘Give over, you daft thing,’ Amanda giggled.

‘It’s true,’ James protested.

Janey wondered how long a couple could stay so nauseatingly loved-up. Five months? Five years? She tried to remember how she and Jake had been, but all the endearments they’d ever exchanged remained firmly locked out of her mind. She recognised it was a coping mechanism. She watched as James reached up and tenderly tucked a strand of Amanda’s hair behind one ear. Amanda smiled at the gesture and James patted her ample bottom. Maybe the two of them would indeed go on to divorce their spouses so they could marry each other. Perhaps, when the honeymoon period was over, Amanda would nag James for being a telly slob, and he would call her a miserable cow. Janey shook her head to clear the thoughts. Where did they come from? Sometimes her overactive imagination amazed even her.

The pace of the long line-up slowed to a shuffle. The little group stayed close together, not wishing to get split up. They put on their plastic ponchos and edged towards a large bobbing boat that looked like an old-fashioned steamship. Ten minutes later, everybody was aboard and looking slightly ridiculous in their totally dry waterproofs.

‘I’m taking mine off,’ said James. ‘I don’t think we need them. Look, there’s not a drop of water on me!’

‘That’s because we’re near the Rainbow Bridge,’ said Garth. ‘It’s always calm at this point. As we get closer to the waterfalls, you’ll need to put your poncho back on.’

‘I might not be as physically big as you, Garth,’ said James petulantly, ‘but I’m certainly man enough to take a splash of water.’

Garth roared with laughter. ‘Right-oh, James. I’ll consider myself told off.’

James tossed his head and turned his attention back to Amanda.

Janey arched an eyebrow. They’d just witnessed a touch of Little Man Syndrome. She had a mental vision of James cheeking Amanda in five years’ time and Amanda squashing him flat.

The boat pulled away and everybody gasped with delight. Mobile phones were held aloft on selfie sticks, and iPads filmed passing scenery. Many tourists were clicking away with cameras that sported monster-sized lenses. Everybody was oohing and aahing at their surroundings. As the boat continued to chug along, a fine mist began to fill the air.

‘A bit of moisture doesn’t bother me,’ James was saying to Amanda. ‘I love it.’

‘Look at everybody up there watching us.’ Janey pointed a finger aloft. Hundreds of people were lining the sidewalk high above them, some of them waving. Janey waved back.

As the boat plunged towards the Bridal Fall, the rush of water filled their ears. Passengers chuntered as the mist became a drizzle. Cameras and iPads were hastily tucked under plastic capes. The boat steadied and began to chug towards the Horseshoe Falls. The noise went up a notch as the size of the waterfalls grew. It reached an almost deafening crescendo and, as it did so, everybody alternated between laughing and screaming. The air was suddenly filled with never-ending spray.

‘It’s freezing!’ Janey cried over the roar of tumbling water. Her teeth chattered together. ‘I feel like I’m soaked to the skin!’

‘It’s only because your poncho and hood are flimsy and the water is so cold. Uh-oh. Don’t look now,’ Garth nodded his head in the direction of James. ‘Somebody is not a happy bunny.’

The deluge of water had only lasted a few seconds, but it had been enough to give James a thorough soaking. He looked apoplectic with rage.

‘Oh my God!’ he screamed. ‘I’m chuffing
drenched
. Amanda!
Do
something!’

‘Oh dear. Do you want a tissue?’ Amanda asked. Flustered, she foraged under her cape and searched her pockets.

‘No I don’t want a chuffing tissue!’ James snarled. ‘I need a bath towel. Look at the state of my clothes. What’s the matter with the stupid captain of this boat? He deliberately steered this rusting heap of junk into the spray.’

Amanda froze, shocked at James’s outburst.

‘It’s a good thing you’re all man, James,’ Garth teased. ‘Otherwise I’d be inclined to think you were making a fuss.’

James looked up at Garth in fury. Garth’s poncho barely covered his waist but, unlike James, he wasn’t making a song and dance about being wet.

‘I’ll have you know,’ spluttered James, ‘that I’m enjoying every moment. Do you hear me? Every moment.’

‘Excellent!’ Garth clapped James on the back. ‘It’s good to know you’re
soaking
up this experience.’

Janey gave a snort of laughter, but Amanda was looking very po-faced.

‘Don’t ever speak to me like that again,’ she hissed at James.

‘Excuse me?’ James rounded on Amanda. ‘For a moment I could have sworn you sounded just like my wife.’

Amanda’s mouth dropped open. Suddenly she looked enraged. ‘Well in that case I’m wondering how you
speak
to your wife!’

‘Uh-oh,’ Garth murmured to Janey. ‘Lovers’ tiff.’

‘Indeed,’ she whispered back. But then again, Amanda and James had only known each other five minutes. A bit like her and Garth. Was the path of true love ever a smooth one?

Suddenly there was a commotion. The still plunging boat had caused Rich to topple over. Ruth gave a little shriek and tried to pull him up. Unfortunately, as she did so, the boat eddied and Ruth promptly fell on top of Rich. The pair of them were sodden from the waist down.

‘Oh no, Boo Bear, I’m so sorry,’ Ruth cried as she fought to right herself.

‘It’s all right,’ Rich gasped. He pushed himself up and onto his knees. ‘I wanted to go down on one knee, but two will do. This simply has to be my proposal moment. Darling Ruthie, please tell me you’ll marry me?’

Tourists were nudging each other and turning round to look. Some were smiling and pointing. Several had reached for their iPads and mobile phones, filming the dishevelled pair.

‘Don’t keep him waiting, love,’ yelled a tattooed Brit.

‘Put us out of our misery,’ bawled another.

Ruth gazed up at Rich ecstatically. ‘Yes, Boo Bear, I will marry you!’ she cried.

Everybody put their hands together and applauded the happy couple – apart from two people. Amanda was staring coldly at James.

‘Thank heavens I discovered in the nick of time that you’re not just wet from Niagara, but also a total drip.’ And with that she stalked off to the disembarking area.

‘Amanda!’ called James. ‘Come back! Don’t be daft, sweet’ums. It was just a silly disagreement.’

Garth put a hand on James’s arm. ‘I’d leave her to cool off for a bit.’

‘Don’t tell me what to do,’ snapped James. He shrugged Garth off. ‘This is all your fault – banging on about whether I should have worn that ridiculous poncho.’

‘Well really!’ said Janey.

‘Oh it’s all right for you,’ James rounded on Janey. ‘The perfect couple, with your perfect good looks, and your perfect lives. We can’t all be like you two. Now get out of my way, the pair of you. I have a romance to salvage.’

As James stalked off, Janey and Garth stared incredulously at each other.

‘Did I just hear him right?’ asked Garth in surprise.

‘You did,’ Janey nodded.

She shook her head in bemusement. If only James’s accusation were true, she would surely be the happiest woman in the world.

Chapter Forty-Sev
en

The Canada Companions were at a sky-high buffet restaurant which gave a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the Canadian Falls. As Janey returned from the buffet area, her gaze was instantly drawn to the tumbling waters far below. White foam endlessly cascaded sending a massive cloud of mist swirling upwards. It looked like steam from a giant boiling kettle. Everybody was still damp from the boat ride, with the exception of James. He remained looking like he’d stepped into a power shower with all his clothes on.

It was clear Amanda wasn’t going to forgive James for his outburst. She had seated herself at the opposite end of the table, away from James, and was forking up food with small, jerky movements. It was obvious to everybody she was still seething.

From the other end of the table, James was desperately trying to back-peddle into Amanda’s good books.

‘Gorgeous food,’ he said loudly. ‘Just like you, my darling.’ Unfortunately his last sentence was delivered to their waitress who leant across James whilst setting down a tray of drinks. She gave James a startled look but rewarded him with a wink whilst unloading the tray. As she sashayed away from the table, it was clear her wiggle was for his benefit.

‘Ooh, you naughty boy,’ Clive clapped his hands in glee. ‘It looks like you’ve pulled.’ Clive was fully aware of the row between Amanda and James and was loving every minute of the drama.

‘I haven’t pulled anybody,’ spluttered James. ‘I was talking to Amanda.’

‘Oh
per-leeze
.’ Amanda set down her knife and fork. ‘Save your compliments for the waitress.’

‘Don’t be silly, sweet’ums. You’re the one that I want.’

From somewhere in Janey’s head, a soundtrack from
Grease
began to play.

‘Then you’d better shape up,’ Amanda snapped.

Clive smiled wickedly. ‘She needs a man, James. Although her heart might not be set on yooooo.’

There were a few sniggers around the table.

‘What are you all finding so funny?’ James demanded. ‘Amanda, can I have a quiet word please?’

‘You’ll have to have several noisy ones,’ Amanda glared at James. ‘I’m not shifting my butt until it’s time to leave.’

‘How about,’ Garth hastily suggested, ‘we all raise our glasses to the lovely Ruth and her dashing fiancé.’

‘I’ll second that,’ said Janey. She lifted her glass of cola.

‘Thank you,’ said Ruth beaming from ear to ear. ‘I’d just like to say thank you to my darling Boo Bear. You are most definitely the one that
I
want. I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you.’

‘And I with you,’ said Rich ecstatically.

‘I wish you all the very best,’ said Amanda, her jaw set. ‘Although if either of you have any sense, you won’t rush into things. No, don’t look at me like that, Ruth. After all, you’ve only known each other for five minutes. You both have a lot to find out about each other.’

‘Is that some sort of reference to me?’ James demanded.

‘Yes,’ said Amanda defiantly.

‘What exactly have I done wrong?’

Amanda gazed at James incredulously. ‘Apart from publicly trying to hold me responsible for your drenching, you made reference to me sounding like your wife. How insulting is that!’

‘Oh for goodness sake,’ said James crossly. ‘My wife has a lovely voice. It’s one of her attributes.’

‘I really don’t want to know about your wife’s lovely voice – or lovely anything!’

‘This is ridiculous,’ snapped James. ‘I was going to ask you to marry me when we got to Vancouver, but clearly you are one of the world’s most argumentative women and set on cheap point scoring.’

Amanda stood up so abruptly her chair fell over. ‘Marry you?’ she shrieked. ‘Before you start bandying proposals about, perhaps you need to think about the small matter of divorcing your lovely wife with the lovely voice?’

The entire restaurant had ground to a halt to listen to the altercation.

‘Indeed!’ James retorted. ‘And perhaps I should remind myself that you too are married and somebody’s wife – or should I say
fish
wife?’

‘How dare you. My Brian might be a lot of useless things, but he’s never called me that!’

‘And my Muriel might be addicted to watching soap operas, but at least she DOESN’T LIVE THEM OUT IN PUBLIC.’

‘Oh go to hell,’ yelled Amanda, picking up her glass of lemonade. ‘And as you blamed me for your earlier soaking, have this one on me.’ And with that she hurled the contents of her glass across the table catching James full in the face.

‘Great shot!’ said Clive admiringly. ‘If you were a bloke, Amanda, I think I might fancy you.’