Secrets (28 page)

Chapter Six
ty-Eight

By the time Janey got home to Garth’s house, she was feeling tired and rather fed up. At every opportunity throughout the day Susie had mentioned this evening’s “surprise secret”, so much so that even Janey’s entire staff seemed to know about it.

‘Lovely news,’ Mrs Carpenter, the school secretary, had said earlier.

‘What news?’ Janey had asked.

‘Far be it from me to say.’ Mrs Carpenter had smiled mysteriously. ‘My lips are sealed.’ She’d made a zipping motion across her mouth.

Later, as Janey had been walking down the main corridor and stopped to reprimand young Charlie Matthews for playing inside with a football, he’d given her a cheeky grin and said, ‘Congratulations, Miss.’

‘What for?’

‘Nuffink, Miss. I was just being polite, like.’

And now, as Janey put her key into the front door and kicked off her shoes, all she really wanted to do was junk out in front of the telly with a nice cup of tea. She padded into the kitchen on stockinged feet.

‘Is that you, darling?’ Garth’s voice floated down the stairs.

‘Sure is. I’m making a brew. Want a cuppa?’ She reached for the kettle. Janey was just filling it with water when Garth came up behind her. Two large arms encircled her waist as he dropped a kiss on her neck.

‘Is Little Cobbleton Primary School’s sexy headmistress going to tell me all about her day?’

Janey melted against Garth, all previous tension in her shoulders falling away.

‘Now I’m home with you, my day just improved ninety-per-cent.’ She turned the tap off and, dancing around Garth’s bulk, flipped the lid down and plugged the kettle in.

‘Don’t tell me. Mrs Carpenter refused to type up the Minutes of the staff meeting…the kids were little monsters…and Susie is after your job.’

‘One out of three isn’t a bad guess,’ Janey laughed. She opened a cupboard and reached for two mugs.

‘Ah. Then it has to be Susie.’

‘Correct.’

‘Why do you let her get to you?’

‘Because she’s always on my back.’ Janey went to the fridge and pulled out a milk carton. ‘And I’m sorry to say, but she pretty much told me the surprise you have planned.’

‘Oh?’

‘Yep. Apparently I must tart myself up and put on a decent dress. So I reckon you’re surprising me with a nice dinner out somewhere.’

Garth put his hands out in a gesture of coming clean. ‘What can I say? The gossips of Little Cobbleton have been at it as usual.’ He took the carton of milk off her and put it back in the fridge. ‘Go and freshen up and we’ll take a ride out. There’s something I want to show you.’

‘Oooh, really? Is it that new restaurant in Penshurst? Susie kept banging on and on about its wonderful menu.’

‘You’ll have to wait and see.’

‘I knew it! She can’t keep her trap shut! Give me ten minutes and I’ll be right with you.’

‘No rush.’

Janey took the stairs two at a time. Shedding clothes she walked into the shower, relishing the hot water blasting away school grime and irritation over Susie. Minutes later she had repaired her make-up. She was just sliding into a cool silk dress when Garth walked in. He gave a low wolf whistle.

‘Do you realise you are the most desirable woman on this planet?’

‘Give over,’ Janey grinned, her pleasure from the compliment obvious.

‘Your chariot awaits.’ Garth held up his car keys and jiggled them about.

Twenty minutes later Janey was still none the wiser. Garth had driven to the huge swathe of woods that divided Little Cobbleton and Speldhurst. As he parked the car, Janey peered through the windscreen. The September light was already beginning to fade.

‘If this is my surprise,’ she turned to Garth, puzzled, ‘then it’s definitely on me. Whatever are we doing here?’

‘There’s a tree I want to show you.’

‘A tree?’ Janey repeated. ‘I can see an awful lot of trees!’

‘Yes, but this one is a special tree. C’mon,’ Garth released his seat belt and pushed open the driver’s door. ‘Follow me.’

Janey’s eyes widened. ‘Darling,’ she leant across the handbrake and peered up at Garth who was now on his feet. ‘If I’d known we were going to the woods, I’d have put on wellies.’ Garth hunkered down and peered into the cabin at Janey. She indicated with her hands the towering high heels on her feet.

Garth looked dismayed. ‘I’m messing this up,’ he said sadly.

‘Messing
what
up?’

‘The surprise. I wanted it to be romantic. Instead I’m making a pig’s ear of it. So much for me being a romance writer – I can’t even write my own romantic scene.’

Janey looked bemused. ‘Well wherever this tree is, I’m sure it’s beautiful,’ she waved a hand expansively. ‘
All
these trees are a fantastic part of nature, and I love that you’ve brought me here. Thank you, darling.’

Garth shook his head in mock frustration. ‘Now you’re humouring me, Miss Richardson. I’m not going to be thwarted. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Get out the car. I’ll give you a piggy-back.’ He moved round to the passenger side and opened the door.

‘Don’t be daft!’ Janey protested. ‘You might be a big chap, but I’m no sylph. No, stop–’

But Garth was already pulling Janey from the car. ‘Don’t be silly. Surely you recall me piggy-backing you in Mont Tremblant last year? James copied. He nearly gave himself a hernia staggering about with Amanda on his back. Remember?’

‘Yes, but I’ve put on weight since then!’ Janey tried to bat Garth’s hands away as he hauled her to her feet.

‘Sure, all of three pounds. Quit your protests, woman, and hitch up your dress.’

‘Hitch up…? No! Someone might see my knickers!’ Janey squealed as she found herself being hoisted upwards. Her legs automatically wrapped around Garth’s midriff as her arms grabbed hold of his neck.

‘There’s nobody here to see your undies,’ Garth puffed, ‘unless Mrs Jones, Mrs Fosdyke or Mrs Gager are hiding behind one of these big fat tree trunks.’

‘Nothing would surprise me,’ Janey replied as Garth set off. Fortunately the weather had been dry for the last few days and the ground wasn’t too muddy. As Garth strode towards a glorious horse chestnut tree, twigs snapped and crackled underfoot. Janey ducked as Garth stopped under the leafy canopy. The branches were hung with prickly green conker cases. Garth tipped Janey off his back. As her heels touched the ground they instantly pegged in the soft earth.

‘This is what I wanted to show you. Don’t you think the leaves are beautiful?’

Janey looked around. ‘Yes,’ she said uncertainly. She hadn’t the faintest idea what Garth was up to. She glanced at him. He appeared to be looking for something.

‘Ah, there it is,’ he muttered.

‘What is it?’ she peered into the gloom. The light was rapidly receding now.

‘A very special leaf.’

‘I’m flummoxed.’ Janey shook her head in bewilderment.

‘See?’ Garth pointed.

‘Where?’ Janey followed the direction of his finger. All she could see were clusters of serrated palmate leaves. They jostled for space on boughs stretching like open arms in all directions.

‘There!’

And then Janey’s eyes snagged on something both glittering and golden. She stared, trying to focus in the dusk, narrowing her eyes to visually sharpen the object. ‘It’s…it’s a…
maple
leaf?’ the statement came out as a question. How could a maple leaf grow on a horse chestnut tree? She walked towards it, mindful of the damp leaf fall under her heels. As she stood by the maple leaf, Janey realised it had been tied there. She reached up to touch it. It was the glass decoration bought from the Christmas shop in Niagara last summer. ‘What…?’ she began, but broke off. As the leaf twirled away from her touch, something was revealed on the other side of the leaf. Her eyes widened in disbelief. This time she used both her hands to stretch up and steady the maple leaf and the very unusual fruit it was bearing. ‘It’s a ring,’ she gasped. With shaking fingers, she untied the leaf and caught hold of the huge diamond-and-sapphire ring. It almost rivalled Kate Middleton’s
Diana
ring. ‘What…?’ Janey repeated. She swung round to face Garth. But instead of her boyfriend towering over her, he was down on one knee. A broken horse chestnut case was stuck to the hem of one trouser leg.

‘Darling, Janey.’ Garth looked up at her adoringly. ‘I’m an old-fashioned guy trying to do an old-fashioned proposal. Will you marry me?’

‘Oh my goodness!’ Janey felt the breath whoosh out of her. She began to laugh. The sound rose up from her belly, caught in her throat, and immediately turned to tears.

‘Is that a no?’ Garth asked anxiously.

Janey shook her head, hastily placing both index fingers under her eyes. She wiped away the tears, trying not to wreck her make-up. ‘I’m c-crying because I’m h-happy,’ she gulped, struggling for composure.

‘So…is that a
yes
?’ Garth asked hopefully.

Janey gave a watery smile and nodded. ‘It is most definitely a yes.’

Garth scrambled to his feet, his face full of joy. Taking the ring from Janey, he slid it over the third finger of her left hand. It was a perfect fit. But then again, he hadn’t expected it not to be. There had been several attempts at taking his fiancée’s ring measurement while she had been fast asleep.

‘It looks like it was made for me,’ Janey stared at the ring glinting in the low light.

‘That’s because it was,’ Garth murmured, and pulled her close. ‘I love you, Janey Richardson. I love you with all my heart and all my soul.’

‘I love you too,’ Janey whispered. Her eyes were threatening to spurt fresh tears. ‘And you are a mad crazy fool. What if somebody had come along, seen the ring and swiped it?’

‘No chance,’ Garth chuckled. ‘I took the precaution of asking a couple of people to keep an eye on it.’ He dropped his voice so Janey had to strain to hear. ‘Between you and me, one of them is a bit of a Rottweiler, so I knew it would be safe!’

‘Oh?’ Janey stood back to look at Garth properly. At that moment Susie and her boyfriend, Sean, stepped out of the shadows.

‘Can we be the first to congratulate you guys,’ said Susie with a grin. She walked over to Janey and gave her a hug while Sean pumped Garth’s hand. ‘Sorry I nearly let the cat out of the bag earlier, but I didn’t want you going off to the next bit dressed in joggers and trainers.’

‘What next bit?’ Janey began to laugh again through her tears.

‘Susie,’ Garth sighed good-naturedly. ‘Can you just for once try and keep a secret?’

‘No more secrets!’ Janey implored.

‘I’m off,’ said Susie mischievously, ‘before I say something I shouldn’t. But you might like to know I filmed the proposal on my iPad.’ She waggled the gadget at Garth and Janey.

‘How lovely,’ Janey clapped her hands together. ‘Were you able to see us properly?’

‘It’s a bit grainy,’ Susie admitted, ‘but your piggy-back came out a treat.’ She smiled impishly at Janey who suddenly looked horrified. ‘Nice one of your big white pants, Headmistress!’

Chapte
r Sixty-Nine

Janey couldn’t stop looking at her engagement ring. As Garth’s car sped along familiar roads, Janey tore her eyes away from the twinkling diamonds that framed the huge blue oval.

‘Where are we going?’ she asked. This trip was turning into a magical mystery tour.

‘Ah ha!’ Garth tapped the side of his nose.

‘C’mon,’ Janey cajoled. ‘Tell me.’

‘Okay. Little Cobbleton. After all, it is your childhood stomping ground.’

‘Ah, you mean we’re going to Mum and Dad’s.’

‘Wrong.’

‘Well if we’re not going to Orchard House, I’m stumped.’ Janey shook her head, clearly puzzled.

‘Sit back and enjoy the ride.’

So Janey did. As they entered the village’s tiny High Street, Janey’s gaze fell upon Aunty Molly’s tea room. The place was absolutely heaving. ‘Good heavens. I’ve never seen the tea room so busy. I wonder what’s going on.’

‘Maybe we should check it out,’ Garth suggested. He spotted a last available parking space on the side of the road and, braking abruptly, shoe-horned his vehicle into it.

Janey let out a gasp of realisation. ‘This is to do with us, isn’t it?’

Garth smiled mysteriously. ‘Maybe.’

A moment later he was out of the car and opening Janey’s door for her. Janey slid her legs out and, as she stood up, she felt bemused. The tea room, with its big double fronted windows was full to bursting. Jostling for space was surely half the population of Little Cobbleton. And there was Mrs Jones, Mrs Fosdyke and Mrs Gager…and Susie…and Sean…and Joe and Sanjay…and Garth’s parents who were talking to her parents and…good heavens, Emma with Adrian and little Anna all the way from Canada. Janey felt Garth’s hand upon her elbow as he led her towards the tea room. A sea of faces regarded them eagerly.

Garth paused on the threshold. Raising one hand, he punched the air triumphantly. ‘She said YES, everybody!’

The crowd erupted into cheers and deafening applause.

‘Janey, darling!’ Her mother was the first to come forward and hug her. ‘I’m so happy for you. Garth is a great guy, and I know you will both be terrific together.’

‘Thanks, Mum,’ Janey hugged her mother back, breathing in a mixture of hairspray and perfume. ‘He’s definitely
The One
.’

‘And thankfully nothing like the last one,’ Violet whispered conspiratorially. She gave Janey’s arm a little squeeze.

It had been a long time since Janey had thought of Jake. ‘No, Garth is nothing like the last one…thank goodness.’

‘You look radiant, darling.’ Derek stepped forward. ‘Just how a bride-to-be should look. I will be so proud to give you away.’

‘Thanks, Dad. Let’s hope my next attempt to get married runs smoothly.’

‘Of course it will,’ Violet said firmly. She linked arms with Derek. ‘Your father and I will give you all the help you need.’

‘Congratulations, Sis!’ Joe was suddenly by her side and hugging the life out of her. ‘I think we should have a double wedding and give Mrs Jones and her cronies something to gossip about, especially if you put out an announcement that you’re marrying Nancy Newman.’

‘I think that’s an open secret,’ Janey laughed. ‘The gossips won’t get much mileage out of that one.’

‘Janey, coo-ee,’ came a voice. It was Emma carrying little Anna. ‘Adrian and I are so happy for you both.’ She hugged Janey hard while Anna rewarded Janey with a lovely smile. ‘You make a wonderful couple. Now all I need is for Adrian to propose to me and we’ll be proper sisters-in-law!’

Janey laughed. ‘You’re the sister I never had anyway, so it doesn’t matter whether there’s a ring on the finger.’ And she meant it.

‘Excuse me!’ said an outraged voice behind her, ‘but I thought
I
was the sister you’d never had.’

‘Of course you are,’ Janey turned to Susie. ‘But sometimes a girl can have more than one sister. Emma, meet my oldest chum Susie.’

Suddenly the crowd hushed as Garth tinkled a spoon against a champagne flute. ‘Everybody, please grab one of these from the circulating waiters and waitresses. Let’s start off giving Aunty Molly a big round of applause for letting us take over her tea room and put on a fabulous spread for us all.’ The crowd erupted into frenzied clapping and cheering. ‘And now everybody, tuck in and have a great time.’

It was another half hour before Garth caught up with his fiancée.

‘Happy, gorgeous?’

‘More than words can say,’ said Janey truthfully.

‘Good, because I actually have one more surprise for you.’

‘
Another
surprise?’ Janey gasped. ‘I’m amazed you managed to keep everything as secret as you did.’

‘Want to try and guess what it is?’

‘Um…you’ve chosen a date for the wedding?’

‘Nope.’

‘Is it to do with the wedding?’

‘It is.’

‘Er…it’s going to be a double wedding with Adrian and Emma?’

‘Good heavens no,’ Garth shook his head in bemusement. ‘My bride-to-be is having the day all to herself!’

‘I give up.’

‘Remember Clive?’

Janey looked blank for a moment. ‘You mean our holiday rep in Canada?’

‘The very one and same. Well he’s actually a vicar. And he’s back in the cloth, so to speak.’

‘How do you know that?’

‘Because he’s taking over from the vicar of St Paul’s, and he’s here in Little Cobbleton right now.’

‘No!’

‘Yes! So how do you fancy the man who also played a part in bringing us together to be the one to marry us?’

Janey’s face split into a banana grin. ‘Sounds wonderful.’

‘Good. And my final surprise is…’ Garth flung one arm wide indicating Janey should look at the entrance to Aunty Molly’s tearoom. ‘Everybody!’ Garth boomed, ‘I want to introduce you all to St Paul’s new vicar – the Reverend Clive King. Applause please!’

Janey turned and gasped at the sight of Clive, flamboyant in a pink flowered shirt and distressed red jeans, beaming away and graciously accepting his welcome.

‘Well I didn’t know that!’ said Mrs Jones sounding incredibly put out.

Clive nodded his head courteously at everybody before mincing over to Janey and Garth. ‘Hello again, sweets,’ he kissed Janey soundly on both cheeks. ‘I am delighted you’re making an honest man out of the big fella, and even more pleased to be the one who marries you. Well, not literally, but you know what I mean!’

‘How lovely to see you again,’ said Janey warmly. ‘And I would love you to marry me!’