True Colours (23 page)

‘On New Year’s Day,’ I told him.

He grinned from ear to ear. ‘Oh, Mum. I can’t
wait
!’

I persuaded Adam to stay until first thing on Monday morning so that he could have a relaxing evening. Back at the cottage I made a meal for the three of us and then Harry went off to bed, tired but excited by the prospect of his new future.

Once he was settled I joined Adam beside the blazing log fire he had lit in the living room.

‘I really wish I could spend Christmas here with you both,’ he said wistfully.

I looked at him and for the first time since we’d met I realized how lonely he must have been since the tragic loss of his family.

‘We’d have loved to share Christmas with you too, Adam,’ I said.

He nodded. ‘But best to be careful under the circumstances. I daresay Charles will be looking out for any little hint of misconduct he can find to use against you. Best not to give him any ammunition.’

It was something I hadn’t thought of but I immediately saw the sense in what he was saying. I looked at him for a long moment. In the firelight he looked pensive and sad. ‘Thank you so much for all you’ve done to help me, Adam,’ I said quietly.

He looked up. ‘Not at all. Glad to have been of help.’

‘Why are you so good to me?’ I asked him softly.

He smiled ruefully. ‘Are you really telling me you haven’t guessed?’

‘I know you’re the best friend I’ve ever had.’

‘But you must have sensed that I’d like to be more than that?’ When I didn’t answer he leaned forward to take my hand and said quickly, ‘I’m sorry. I don’t want to spoil things between us, Frances.’

‘You’re not – you won’t.’

‘You’re just coming out of a damaging marriage. Your emotions must be shot to pieces. It’s going to take time for you to start examining your feelings. I know that.’

‘You’re right. But having your support means a lot.’

‘Thank you. So, for the time being I promise not to mention my own feelings again.’

Part of me was disappointed. At that moment, his hand still holding mine, I wanted nothing more than for him to take me in his arms and kiss me, but was he right, was what I felt just a rebound thing? Was I merely grateful for someone strong to lean on? Somehow I didn’t think so, but time would tell. For now he was right. There was a big bridge to cross. The months to come would be difficult and trying. We should wait for life to settle down again.

As always at the beginning of a new year, business at Fantaisie was slow. The previous week Imogene had gone on a buying trip, leaving Katie in charge. She’d had plenty of time to jot down some of the many ideas she’d had about the exciting new future she and Imogene were planning for the business but now it was her turn to spend some time away from the shop so she was working at home, creating two new wedding dresses for Fantaisie’s hire service.

So much had happened since Christmas. The new lease for the shop had been signed and to their surprise they had been offered the first refusal of the premises next door. She and Imogene had spent a long time talking about it and at last had decided to take the risk, using the second shop for their hire business.

As she sat stitching, Katie’s thoughts went to Frances and Sophie. It seemed an age since the three of them had made their trip to Dorset. To her surprise and disappointment Fran hadn’t even sent her a Christmas card. She couldn’t help wondering if something had happened. She’d had a card from Sophie who had scribbled a note inside, saying that she’d had to move out of Greenings at short notice but had found temporary accommodation.

Sitting by the window to catch as much natural daylight as she could, Katie noticed that there were a lot of children about. It must be half-term, she mused, picking up another sequin with her needle. That meant that Sophie would be free and as she was working at home there couldn’t be a better time to arrange a meeting. Maybe the three of them could get together this week and catch up with all the news.

Setting her sewing aside she went into the kitchen and put the
kettle on for coffee, while she waited for it to boil she took out her phone and selected Sophie’s number. She picked up at once.

‘Hi, Katie. Long time no speak.’

Well at least Sophie sounded cheerful. ‘Hi. How are you?’

‘Great thanks. Enjoying a few days off.’

‘I thought it must be half-term, that’s why I’m ringing. Did you have a good Christmas?’

‘Not too bad. You?’

‘Super. Look, it’s ages since we got together. I’m working from home at the moment so I’m more or less free. How about meeting for lunch?’

‘Sounds lovely. Have you heard from Fran?’

‘No. Have you?’

‘Not for some time. I feel guilty, I keep meaning to ring her but such a lot has happened and somehow I haven’t got round to it.’

‘Shall I ring her now – or will you?’

‘I will,’ Sophie said. ‘But shall we say it’s a date anyway. Tomorrow – same time, same place? I’ll book our usual table.’

‘Lovely. See you there then.’

Napolitano was quiet when Katie arrived. She was a little early so she wasn’t surprised to find that she was first. She ordered herself a glass of white wine and settled down to wait, sitting where she could keep an eye on the door.

She spotted Sophie the moment she arrived. She was laden with bags and had obviously been shopping. Spotting Katie she waved cheerily as she made her way across the restaurant.

‘Phew!’ Dumping her bags on to a spare chair she sank into the seat next to Katie. ‘I don’t come into Town very often so I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone.’

Katie laughed. ‘Looks as though you’ve bumped off a whole flock if that lot’s anything to go by.’

Sophie grinned. ‘I’m going on a Mediterranean cruise at Easter,’ she said. ‘So I needed a few things.’

‘Wow, a cruise! Lucky you. By the way, did you manage to contact Fran? Is she coming?’

‘Yes. She’s moved – living in Lincolnshire now. I don’t know any details but she says she’ll explain everything when we’re all
together.’ She beckoned a waiter and ordered a glass of wine for herself and one for Frances.

‘She’ll be here in a minute,’ she explained. ‘I think she’s been through quite a tough time. She didn’t say a lot but she’s obviously not living at Crayshore Manor any more.’

When Frances arrived a few minutes later it was clear to both of them that she had lost weight. Katie greeted her warmly.

‘Fran! Lovely to see you. Hey, you’ve been on a diet. Are you going to tell us the secret of your success?’

Frances sat down wearily. ‘No secret,’ she said with a wry smile. ‘Divorce is the answer. That’ll do it every time.’

Katie winced, ‘Fran love, I’m sorry. Me and my big mouth. I’d no idea.’

‘Of course you hadn’t. Don’t be sorry. It’s all for the best anyway.’ Frances pulled off her gloves. ‘I’m sorry not to have been in touch with either of you. It was deliberate, I’m afraid. I didn’t want to burden either of you with all my troubles, not at Christmas.’

‘That awful woman hasn’t been giving you more problems, has she?’ Katie asked.

Frances took a sip of her wine and shook her head. ‘No, thank goodness. I haven’t heard another word from her, and anyway she’ll have no idea where I am now that I’ve moved.’

‘So you and Charles have split up?’ Sophie ventured.

‘Yes and not before time. I’d already found out that he was seeing his ex-wife again. He didn’t try very hard to hide the fact. But what finally tipped me over the edge was that Harry had an accident at school and fractured his skull.’

The other two gasped. ‘Oh God, Fran, how awful!’

‘It was the same day that we went to Dorset. When I got home several messages had been left for me on the phone telling me that he was in hospital.’ She looked at the other two. ‘It turned out to be no accident but the result of more bullying but the school did their best to cover it up. I tried to reach Charles and my suspicions were confirmed when I found out that he was with her, Celia. When he eventually came home he refused again to accept that Harry was being bullied and insisted that he would be going back to school as soon as he was fit enough. That was when I made up my mind. Harry and I left the following day.’

‘Poor Fran.’ Katie touched her arm. ‘You must have felt so alone. Where did you go?’

‘We were lucky; Adam – my boss – has a cottage in Norfolk. He let us stay there until after Christmas. Then I found a flat in Stamford – again with Adam’s help. As soon as we moved I got Harry into a good school, found a solicitor and filed for divorce.’

Sophie and Katie exchanged looks. ‘It all sounds very organized,’ Sophie said. ‘But I’m sure you’re playing it down. It must have been such a traumatic time for you.’

‘Naturally, but not as bad as I thought,’ Frances said. ‘Charles had hinted that he would apply for custody of Harry and for a while I was terrified that he might get it. He has a lot of influence. But thank God it didn’t happen.’ She paused to finish her wine. ‘I must admit that I wouldn’t have known where to start if it hadn’t been for Adam. It was his suggestion that I applied for a divorce first. I was expecting fireworks but to my surprise Charles neither contested it nor mentioned applying for custody of Harry. I rather suspect that Celia had a hand in that. She’s hardly the motherly type. Charles does have access though. The arrangement is that he’ll see Harry every other weekend.’

‘So in the end it all worked out better than you expected?’ Sophie said.

Frances smiled. ‘Yes, thank goodness. Harry loves his new school and we both love the flat and living in Stamford.’ She paused. ‘None of it would have been possible without Adam. I don’t know what I would have done without him.’

‘So, are you still working for him?’ Katie asked.

‘Yes. I hardly dare believe it but everything seems to be on course for us at last.’ She looked up. ‘But enough about me.’ She looked at Sophie. ‘You’re looking fantastic. To what do we attribute that glow?’

Sophie smiled. ‘I told you that Greenings was finally sold,’ she said. ‘I had to move out in a hurry in the end but I found a temporary flat so I wasn’t exactly out on the street.’ She regaled them with the story of Mrs Lowe’s flat and her custody of Albert, which meant she was stuck at the flat over the Christmas break.

‘But I didn’t mind,’ she said. ‘Albert is a poppet and I really missed him when his owner came home.’

‘Don’t tell me it’s a cat that’s given your eyes that sparkle?’ Katie enquired mischievously.

‘Not exactly, no.’ Sophie avoided their eyes, playing with the stem of her glass. ‘Actually Rex and I have decided to give our marriage another go.’ Both girls gave a whoop of delight that had other customers turning to look. ‘And we’ve found the perfect house,’ she went on. ‘As it happens we both turned up to view it at the same time, which isn’t quite the coincidence you might think. I suspect my mother of having a hand in that. To cut a long story short we both liked the house and we put in an offer which was accepted. We’ll be moving in a few weeks’ time but before that happens we’re going on a second honeymoon during the Easter break.’

‘That’s fantastic!’ Katie said, but it was Frances she was watching. Finally, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she said, ‘Fran, Adam – your boss – seems to have gone to an awful lot of trouble for you. Do we take it that you and he are…?’

‘
Katie
!’ Sophie looked shocked but Frances shook her head.

‘It’s OK. I’m not free anyway until my decree comes through, remember.’

‘He does sound lovely though.’ Katie observed.

Frances smiled. ‘He is.’

‘Oh, come off it. He’s obviously head over heels in love with you,’ Katie said. ‘So how do
you
feel about him, Fran? Come on – give!’

Sophie quickly put in, ‘As Fran says, it’s early days and she still isn’t free. We shouldn’t press her. I don’t suppose she knows what she feels at the moment.’

‘I do actually,’ Fran said suddenly. ‘Since Christmas Adam has been a tower of strength, helping us and keeping my job open for me. At first I thought I felt the way I did about him because of his kindness and understanding, but for a few weeks after Christmas he kept his distance because of the divorce and it was then that I realized then how much I missed him. I did some work for him at home during that time and we spoke on the phone regularly but as the days and weeks went by I found myself longing to see him. That was when I knew.’

‘That you shared his feelings?’ Katie asked.

Frances nodded. Looking up, she grinned ruefully at Katie. ‘Satisfied? Any more you’d like to know?’

Seeing that Katie was about to ask the inevitable question and unwilling to see her friend pressed further Sophie put in quickly, ‘So, what about you, Katie? We haven’t heard a word about you so far and last time we were all together things looked pretty bleak for you. I take it you eventually confessed to Imogene about the devious Drew.’

‘Funny you should mention him.’ Successfully diverted, Katie couldn’t keep the grin off her face. She leaned forward, eager to impart her recent piece of good luck. ‘I told you how he was trying to con me into leaving Imogene and Fantaisie. That was bad enough and the thought of confessing to Imogene was even worse. It took me ages to screw up enough bottle. My knees were knocking that morning, I can tell you. I was quite prepared for her to sack me on the spot but to my surprise she was amazing about it. She knows her ex pretty well and she knows what he’s capable of. She finished up asking me to become a full partner.’

‘Really?’ The other two looked at her in amazement. ‘After what had happened – how come?’

‘Well, you see, the lease on the shop was in both their names and it was up for renewal, which was why Drew was hoping to see her go bust. He planned to take over the business and run it himself. Imogene suggested that we let him think she was bankrupt. She pulled out of the lease and I took it on in her place.’

‘Sounds great, but is it all above board?’ Sophie asked cautiously.

‘Oh yes. The lease is in my name now, but it’s only a formality. Everything was legally arranged before Christmas, and guess what – I – well
we
have been offered the shop next door so we’re actually expanding; using the new shop for the hire service. We’re going to call it Something Borrowed. When we open in a few weeks’ time we’re going to have a grand opening day with champagne and everything. I’ll make sure you both get invitations.’

‘So what about Drew,’ Sophie asked. ‘Did you ever hear any more from him?’

Katie laughed. ‘Oh yes! Obviously he was hopping mad when he realized Imogene had turned the tables on him, but his curiosity got the better of him and he couldn’t resist coming round to see for
himself. Imogene let him think she was working for me. I don’t think he was fooled for a minute but there was nothing he could do about it. He actually congratulated us but you could see how much it pained him.’ She chuckled. ‘The words came out sort of
shredded
, as though he was straining them through his teeth.’

Sophie laughed. ‘So all’s well that ends well then. I think all this calls for a celebration.’ She caught a waiter’s eye. ‘We’ll have a bottle of bubbly and toast the success of Something Borrowed.’ She looked at the other two. ‘Just think, this time last year we’d almost forgotten one another existed. It’s thanks to the school reunion that we met up again and it seems to have been lucky for all of us.’

‘Not without all of us going through the mill first though,’ Frances reminded them. ‘Let’s hope that we’ve all managed to learn something from it.’

Sophie nodded. ‘And let’s hope that next Christmas will be better for all three of us than the last one.’

‘Actually
I
had a fantastic Christmas,’ Katie said with a grin. ‘Imogene took me to this fantastic health spa and we spent four days being seriously pampered. The best Christmas I ever had!’

The waiter brought their champagne and drew the cork with a loud pop. The girls laughed as they watched the champagne fizz into their glasses. Sophie raised hers.

‘To us,’ she said. ‘Here’s to marriage, divorce and Something Borrowed.’

‘To us,’ the other two responded. ‘The best of good luck to all of us!’