Secrets (24 page)

Cha
pter Sixty

Adrian’s car purred to a standstill on the driveway. ‘Home,’ he announced.

‘Does it feel like home now?’ Garth asked.

Adrian pulled a face as he released the keys from the ignition. ‘Yes and no. Ask me again in another year.’ Pushing open the driver’s door he swung his legs out, relishing being able to straighten up and stretch. It felt like he’d been driving for hours.

On the other side of the vehicle, Garth did likewise. Standing up, he gazed at his brother’s property. ‘It’s certainly a beautiful house, bro.’

‘I know. You wouldn’t get this for the same money back in the UK.’

‘The scenery is pretty staggering here too. I live in a “nice” area, but it’s not like Vancouver.’

‘You’re not exactly seeing much of the place, matey,’ said Adrian as they walked to the front door.

Garth shrugged. ‘I didn’t come here to see the sights. I came to see Anna.’ The two men paused for a moment. ‘It’s been hard for me, bro.’

Adrian nodded. ‘I can appreciate that. Look, let’s get inside. I can see Emma at the window,’ Adrian jerked his head and Garth followed his brother’s gaze. Emma stepped away but not before Garth had clocked her face. It was deathly pale. Adrian grimaced. ‘She looks like hell.’

‘She’s
in
hell,’ Garth responded.

‘Don’t. I feel bad enough as it is. Come on.’ Adrian made to put his key into the lock’s barrel. ‘I know you want to see Anna, but the three of us really need to talk.’

The door swung open before Adrian had a chance to unlock it. Emma stood there looking wretched, Anna on her hip. As soon as Anna saw Garth, her face split into a banana grin. She held her chubby arms out to him.

‘Hello, angel,’ Garth grinned. Stepping forward, he took the baby from Emma. ‘How’s my little princess?’

Emma closed the door after the two men. She leant against it for a moment, as if it were a barrier against the outside world. Her mind was whirling. She lunged forward and grabbed Garth’s elbow. ‘Is she?’ The question held a tone of urgency. ‘Is she really your little princess?’

‘Yes,’ said Garth simply. ‘She’s always been my little princess. Always has been. Always will be.’

Emma’s face was suddenly alight with hope. ‘
You
are Anna’s father?’

Gently, Adrian pulled Emma away from Garth. ‘No. Anna is definitely my daughter.’ The light in Emma’s eyes died. Her face sagged and her shoulders drooped. Suddenly she looked completely brow-beaten. ‘Sorry to disappoint,’ said Adrian lightly. ‘Shall we all go through to the lounge and sit down? I think some very open and frank discussion is way overdue.’

Adrian led the way. Behind him, Emma shot Garth a pleading look. Garth gave an almost imperceptible shake of the head before following his brother into the front room. Emma scuttled after Garth, anxious to sit beside him. Disappointingly, he set Anna down on the floor and hunkered down beside her. Picking up an abandoned teddy, he made the soft toy dance and wiggle. Anna gave a delicious chuckle of joy. The sound was completely at odds with the atmosphere in the room. After a moment’s hesitation, Emma sat down on the sofa closest to Garth. She looked across at Adrian.

‘So there’s absolutely no doubt about this latest paternity result?’ Her face was devoid of emotion, voice flat.

‘None at all,’ Garth spoke on behalf of Adrian.

‘Look, Ems,’ said Adrian gently. ‘I know what you were hoping for.’

‘Do you?’ Her voice wobbled.

‘Yes. You wanted Garth to be Anna’s father. Right?’ Emma didn’t respond, just continued to stare at Adrian with a hopeless expression. ‘I’m not stupid. I’ve treated you abysmally. Privately you’ve been hoping Garth would be Anna’s father. You wanted leverage for some sort of grand reunion with all three of you going back to England and living happily ever after. Am I right, or am I right?’

Emma promptly burst into tears. ‘This whole situation is such a mess,’ she cried. Her hands trembled as they fluttered up to her eyes, swiping at the sudden downpour of tears. ‘I wish I’d never said anything in the first place.’

‘But that wouldn’t have been honest,’ Adrian pointed out. He got up from the armchair he’d been sitting in, and walked over to Emma. Crouching down in front of her, he took her hands in his. ‘And it wouldn’t have been fair to Garth.’

‘Ignorance is bliss,’ she countered. ‘I should have kept my trap shut. Nobody would ever have known. It would have been my secret to take to the grave.’ She removed her hands from Adrian’s and buried her face in her palms.

‘Look,’ said Garth interrupting. ‘We can’t change the past. But we can change the future.’

Emma’s head immediately jerked up. Her whole body went very still as she stared at Garth. ‘Are you saying there is still a chance for us?’

Garth briefly closed his eyes before slowly shaking his head. ‘None at all. I’m sorry.’

Emma’s face crumpled. Fresh tears ran down her cheeks.

‘Here.’ Adrian straightened up and reached for a box of tissues on one of the occasional tables. Wordlessly, Emma took it. Adrian let her wipe her eyes and trumpet into the tissue before hunkering down again in front of her. ‘Emma?’ Once again he reached for her hands, warm fingers curling around her damp ones. ‘Look at me, Ems. I want to say I’m sorry.’

There was a moment’s silence as Emma stared at him uncomprehendingly. ‘Sorry?’

‘Yes. Sorry for dragging you half way across the world. Sorry for being a rubbish partner. Sorry for being a useless father to Anna. Can you forgive me? And…if you can…perhaps we can start over…give ourselves another chance?’

Emma’s mouth dropped open. She stared at Adrian in disbelief. ‘You’ve got to be kidding! The one thing I’ve learnt in the last few months is that you don’t give two hoots about me or Anna.’

‘Yes I do.’

‘Don’t patronise me,’ Emma spat. ‘I might as well tell you now, Adrian, that you’re absolutely right. I was indeed hoping to go back to England with Garth. But even though Garth doesn’t want me, I’m not sticking around in Canada for a second longer than I have to. I’m going back to the UK. I’ll move in with my parents. But at least they’ll be delighted to have me home again, especially with their granddaughter under the same roof.’

‘You’re not letting me finish,’ Adrian squeezed Emma’s hands. ‘Listen to me. I
promise
you that I
do
truly love you and Anna. I just hadn’t banked on settling down to play mummies and daddies quite so soon in my life. But the thought of you leaving me…and taking Anna away…I…well…it’s been one hell of a wake-up call. If I lost you both,’ Adrian’s eyes suddenly glistened, ‘it would tear me apart.’

Emma regarded Adrian blankly. ‘I don’t understand what you’re saying here. Are you expecting me to stay in Canada and wait for you to grow up and get every other woman out of your system, hoping one day you’ll be an adult and become a doting dad to Anna and a belated Prince Charming to me?’ Her face suddenly registered fury as a rush of anger overwhelmed her. ‘Get stuffed, Adrian.’ Snatching her hands away, Emma leapt to her feet making Anna startle. The baby’s bottom lip wobbled alarmingly.

‘It’s all right, princess,’ said Garth soothingly. ‘Let’s give your mummy and daddy some privacy for five minutes.’

‘No, stay!’ Emma rounded on Garth fiercely. ‘I want you to stop right there and listen to these…these…
lies
!’

Emma’s tone of voice was too much for Anna. The baby let out a wail of anguish. Two seconds later the air was rent with choking sobs.

‘This isn’t doing Anna any good,’ said Garth gently.

‘No, it isn’t,’ Emma agreed, eyes blazing. ‘It’s not doing her
or me
any good. I’m beyond miserable, and my poor daughter is miserable too. I’m begging you now, Garth.
Begging
you. Please let Anna and me come back to England with you.
Please
. I’ll do anything. Be your housekeeper. Your secretary. Just tell me.’ She began to choke up, desperate now. ‘Just give me the word, and I’ll be there.’

‘Emma, listen to Adrian. Just hear him out. The guy’s telling you the truth.’

‘The truth?’ Emma shook her head vehemently. ‘Adrian wouldn’t know the truth about love if it came up and slapped him around the face.’

‘It
is
true,’ Garth grabbed Emma by the forearm. ‘He told me all the way back from Julian Green’s office how stupid he’s been…irresponsible…unkind…you name it. And I agree – he has! But I also believe he’s telling the truth. He
does
love you and Anna.’ Emma stared at Garth, her face working but no words coming out. ‘Give the guy one more chance, eh? If nothing else, then for Anna’s sake?’

‘No, I–’

Anna’s howls were threatening to drown everybody out. ‘Listen to me,’ Garth urgently tugged Emma’s arm, as if to shake sense into her. ‘Give it six months. And if he’s still behaving like a prize prat, then call me. I’ll pay for your ticket to England and you can live with me – as a salaried housekeeper-cum-secretary,’ Garth added hastily. ‘Let’s be realistic here. You don’t love me. It’s Adrian who holds the key to your heart. And deep down you know that, don’t you?’

Emma stared at Garth for a moment without saying anything. Slowly she nodded. ‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘Yes, I love him. More fool me.’

Adrian’s arms were around her in a trice. ‘No, more fool
me
.’ He held her tightly to him. ‘I’m so sorry, Ems. Truly. We can make this work. We can. You’ll see. Just give me one more chance, and this time I promise you everything will come good. I don’t want to lose you or Anna. Things are going to change – starting right now.’

‘How?’

‘Like this,’ said Adrian. He cupped Emma’s face in his hands. ‘And like this,’ he added tenderly, before lowering his mouth to hers. Anna watched her parents kissing and immediately quietened. ‘And there’s another way to show you too, but it wouldn’t be very decent in front of Garth or our daughter.’

‘Don’t mind me,’ Garth said with a grin. ‘I’m going to give Anna and Teddy here some tea, so the pair of you can take as long as you like.’

‘Thanks, matey,’ Adrian looked up at his brother over the top of Emma’s head. ‘I owe you one.’

‘Just a minute.’ Emma pulled away from Adrian. She turned to Garth. For the first time she realised how tired he looked. What must today have cost him? ‘Thank you,’ she murmured. ‘Thank you for everything.’ Standing on her tiptoes she planted a kiss on Garth’s cheek. ‘Without you coming over here stirring up a hornet’s nest, none of this would have happened. Adrian and I have a lot of healing to do, but you’ve made it possible for that to start. You’re a great guy, and one day you’re going to make someone very happy.’

‘I know,’ Garth smiled.

Emma gave Garth a searching look. ‘Have you already met her?’

‘Maybe,’ said Garth nonchalantly.

Emma nodded and gave a small smile. ‘You tell her from me she’s one very lucky lady.’

‘I will, when I see her. But that won’t be until tomorrow. If you don’t mind, I’ll spend one more night here. I want to make the most of seeing my gorgeous niece. Then I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it and join the rest of my party. There will be just enough time to pack my suitcase for the flight home. Meanwhile, scoot you two. Anna and I have a larder to raid.’

Garth turned his back on Adrian and Emma and carried Anna out to the kitchen. It was only when Adrian and Emma were upstairs that Garth exhaled. The sound was like a sigh of wind, and loaded with sadness. He held the baby out before him and stared into her lovely face. She rewarded him with a toothy grin.

‘You be a good girl for your Mummy and Daddy, little lady. Do you understand? And remember something else too. Remember your Uncle Garth loves you. And he always will. For ever…and ever…and ever.’

Chapt
er Sixty-One

When Janey awoke the following morning, she felt unrefreshed. Her sleep had been restless. Once again Garth hadn’t returned to the hotel. Her mind had gone into overdrive wondering where he was, who he was with, and what he might be doing. Visions of Garth and Emma rolling around on silk sheets had played through her mind like some sort of explicit movie that wouldn’t switch off.

As she made her way down to the hotel foyer to await the rest of her party, her mobile phone pinged the arrival of another text from Garth. She touched the screen with eager fingers, but the message didn’t reveal anything about baby Anna and Emma, or Garth’s treacherous brother, Adrian.

Back this evening. Dinner? Just the two of us. Have much to tell xx

‘Good morning!’ trilled Amanda.

‘Hi,’ said Janey. Hastily, she slid the mobile out of sight. She didn’t want Amanda seeing the text and asking a million questions.

‘Was that a message from Garth?’

Janey silently groaned. ‘Yes.’ She couldn’t lie.

‘What does it say? Oh, don’t look at me like that! You are the only couple on this trip who haven’t got their rocks off. If ever a couple had chemistry, it has to be you two!’

Janey folded her arms across her chest. ‘You think?

‘Of course! You both sizzle and pop as soon as you get within a hundred yards of each other.’

Janey shook her head. ‘I think you’re just a hopeless romantic. Look sharp. Here come the others. Ruth and Rich are a sight for sore eyes.’

‘Not surprised,’ Amanda pulled a face. ‘They knacker the bed springs at night and slurp over each other by day. There should be a law against it.’

‘That’s how you and James were,’ Janey pointed out. ‘Pot…kettle…black.’

‘Don’t remind me.’ Amanda shuddered theatrically. ‘Talk of the devil.’

‘Morning,’ Janey greeted James as he entered the foyer. He was a vision in khaki shorts and Jesus sandals.

‘Blimey,’ Amanda muttered. ‘Whatever did I see in him?’ She gave James a curt nod.

‘Ladies,’ James inclined his head before sidling over to Rich and Ruth who were standing tactfully on the far side of the foyer.

‘Hello, my party!’ trilled a camp voice. Clive skipped into the reception area. ‘The minibus is ready to whisk us away to our final adventure in fabulous British Columbia.’

‘Remind me again. Where are we going?’ asked Amanda.

‘Grouse Mountain,’ Clive beamed. ‘It’s often described as the peak of Vancouver. So without further ado, follow me.’

However, upon arriving at their destination, the Canada Companions were disappointed to find the mountain shrouded in heavy mist.

‘That’s a shame,’ said Amanda. ‘I don’t think we’re going to see much up there.’

‘You’ll see enough,’ Clive assured. He led them towards a vast aerial tramway. ‘Sky Ride coming up.’

‘Not more heights,’ James winced. His pallor instantly matched his khaki shorts.

‘Do you want to hold my hand again?’ asked Clive to the amusement of other tourists who had already boarded.

‘No thanks,’ James replied smartly. He scampered after Ruth and Rich who were already picking their spot on where to stand. Moments later the huge car was gliding upwards. They soared over millions of evergreens, hiking trails and what would later become ski runs. Even these sights began to blur as they moved into thick cloud. The windows of the tram became beaded with moisture.

‘I was hoping we could all do some zip-wiring,’ said Clive as they stepped out into thick fog. ‘However, I don’t think it would be very rewarding when visibility is so reduced.’ Janey silently exhaled. She was not up for strapping herself into a harness and disappearing into this white ether. ‘Not to worry,’ Clive cheerfully continued. ‘There are plenty of other things to do.’ The fog muted his words. Everything was eerily muffled.

‘Such as?’ James piped up. He sounded peeved.

‘Bears,’ Clive said reverently.

‘Grizzlies?’ Ruth squeaked. She edged closer to Rich.

‘Don’t worry, Ruthie,’ said Rich puffing out his puny chest. ‘I will protect you.’

‘Relax,’ said Clive. ‘This place is a wilderness sanctuary. The grizzlies are secure. You can explore without fear of meeting anything ferocious.’

The party moved off to explore a trail hung with wraiths of mist. James was the first to scream in terror.

‘What the heck is that?’ he bleated and grabbed hold of Clive’s arm.

Janey’s heart lurched. The fog was swirling and shifting. Like an undulating sea, mist rolled this way and that. A few feet in front of them a dense patch clung to a menacing form.

‘Will you all chill out,’ Clive laughed. ‘It’s a wooden statue. They’re everywhere. Ahead is a soldier. Look out for carved lumberjacks…native Americans…even predatory birds.’ Clive shook off James’s arm. ‘Now be a good chap and stop being such a mummy’s boy.’

‘He means Mu-mu’s boy,’ Amanda muttered.

‘Ooh, look!’ Ruth pointed to the ground. ‘Grizzly bear paw prints.’ James looked like he was going to faint. ‘They’re not real,’ she assured. Sure enough, their trail was painted with white paw prints complete with sharp claws. ‘This must be the way to the bears.’

With much excitement, the party rallied and set off through the fog. The air was full of drizzle. Amanda complained about her hair-do being wrecked. ‘It’s like Niagara all over again.’

The paw prints guided them to the mountain retreat of the resident bears. Here a small group of people were patiently waiting by a fenced-off perimeter. It was the bears’ den. There was an air of boredom. Janey found herself standing alongside an American family. They were clearly disappointed at the bears’ elusiveness. The fog was thicker than ever. It stuck to everything and everybody. Janey could feel beads of water saturating her face. Everybody was soaked to the skin. Suddenly a cry went up.

‘There’s one!’

Sure enough, a huge brown bear was lumbering over to a small clearing. Ignoring the crowd, he dropped to the ground. With a groan of pleasure, he began to rub his shoulders against the trunk of a fallen tree.

‘Good heavens,’ Janey gasped. ‘He’s absolutely massive.’

Amanda giggled. ‘He reminds me of your Garth.’

Janey couldn’t help but smile. ‘Except Garth is better looking.’

‘Glad you’ve noticed that,’ said Amanda slyly.

***

‘You’ve switched off on me again, haven’t you?’ Amanda nudged Janey in the ribs. The minibus was homeward bound and now only five minutes away from the hotel.

‘No, I haven’t,’ Janey protested.

‘What was I saying then?’ Amanda challenged.

That, um, you and your Brian–’

‘Yes?’ Amanda prompted.

‘–enjoyed eating biscuits while FaceTiming last night.’

‘But what were we
doing
to the biscuits?’

Janey mentally rolled her eyes. This was getting ridiculous. ‘You suggestively licked a chocolate finger while Brian caressed a jammy dodger.’

‘And compared them to my nip–’

‘Oh look,’ Janey cried, abruptly cutting Amanda off. ‘Isn’t that Michael Bublé?’

‘Where?’ Amanda peered out of the window. Janey said a silent prayer of thanks that, after today, there were no more excursions. She would be spared further lurid accounts of Amanda’s and Brian’s on-line sex life. Tomorrow the Canada Companions would board a jumbo jet back to England. Janey would never have to see Amanda again.

‘I think your eyes need testing,’ Amanda grumbled. She leant back in her seat. ‘We must keep in touch. I’m on Facebook and Twitter. If you’re up for it, Brian and I can FaceTime you one evening.’ She chuckled naughtily.

‘Fantastic,’ Janey smiled weakly. Not if she could help it. At that moment her phone chirruped a message.

‘Is that Garth again?’ Amanda peered nosily at Janey’s mobile. ‘Ooh, it is! Tell me what he says.’

Janey refrained from saying, “Mind if I read it first?” Instead she smiled politely and recited aloud. ‘I’m back at the hotel and waiting for you to come off the minibus. No need to freshen up or change. Don’t want us to waste a precious second.’

‘Blimey, he
is
keen,’ Amanda nodded approvingly.

‘Keen to update me,’ Janey corrected. She sat back in her seat and gazed out of the window at passing traffic and intersections. The thought of Garth awaiting her arrival filled Janey with a warm glow – even if it was only to listen to him talking about Emma.