Page 7 of The Pop-Up Cake Shop

She leaned across the counter and murmured, ‘After I found Barry in ahighly compromising positionwith our next-door neighbour’s male gardener, I was so livid I chucked all his belongings onto the front lawn then I marched straight down to the local car showroom with his credit card and bought myself a sports car.’

‘Wow. And Eric showed you the car?’

‘Yes.’ She gave a mischievous grin. ‘He showed me a good deal more than that the following night.’ She shrugged. ‘I was obviously on the rebound and it would never have lasted, but we had a great time in Las Vegas.’

‘Gosh. You’ve led a really . . . interesting life.’

‘Well, you only live once. You’ve got to make the most of it, haven’t you?’

‘You’re right.’ She really was. Instead of being worried that this trip might not be all I wanted it to be, I should embrace it with gusto.

Life was for living!

With that in mind, after I left with my dollars, I paused once more outside the jeweller’s window and smiled fondly at the silver bracelet on its plush velvet cushion. The price was ridiculous. But when did I ever treat myself to anything? I worked hard and saved hard, and I deserved it! It would be lovely to wear it in New York on a special night out with Richard.

I was about to go into the shop when I realised it had closed for the day.

Turning away, I felt a strange mix of disappointment and relief. I’d have felt guilty buying it. So it was probably best that it wasn’t to be.

It also meant I’d have more money to spend in New York with Richard!

*****

On the flight over, I was still aware of a little knot of anxiety inside at what the next few days might bring.

I was so looking forward to our reunion. But what if Richard wasn’t as pleased to see me as I was to see him?

I couldn’t seem to shake the nagging little doubt I’d felt, hearing the sound of that woman’s voice in the backgroundwhen I’d phoned him that time. He’d said it was the TV and I knew that logically of course I should believe him. Because Richard had never, ever given me a single reason to mistrust him. It was my problem, not his.

I prided myself on being a fairly confident and self-assured sort of person. But the separation seemed to have made me feel quite vulnerable. I’d even started to doubt if Richard really loved me, which deep down I knew was ridiculous.

Everyone knew that the first flush of romance didn’t last long. But settling into a steady relationship was even better, really. In the end, having someone who was always in your corner – a best friend as well as a lover – was far more important than romantic gestures...

I knew my occasional indecisiveness had started to irritate Richard, and he hated the soaps and romcoms I liked to watch. And by the same token, his increasing insistence on tidying up after me could drive me bananas at times. His flat had become like a show-house lately. He said now that he was working such long hours, it made life easier to keep everything in order. Mugs were whipped away to the dishwasher almost before the last swallow had been consumed and they certainly weren’t allowed to rest on a side table, evenwitha coaster underneath them. (Because what if the coaster ended up with a ring on it.)

These were things we laughed about because no one was perfect. Differences like this were a normal part of any good, solid relationship.

And absence, of course, made the heart grow fonder. That’s what they said, anyway. So why on earth was I worrying?

Hopefully, our reunion would banish all my silly little fears...

*****

Sure enough, as we hovered over JFK airport preparing to land, the nagging doubts melted away and were replaced by a huge surge of excitement.

I was in New York!

And Richard would be there at the arrivals gate to welcome me!

A flood of emotion coursed through me. I’d missed him so much and these few days together were really precious. We needed to make the most of them.

I recalled Geraldine and her amazing zest for life. She didn’t let worries or disappointments get her down. She simply moved on to the next adventure.

Maybe it was time I became ‘more Geraldine’?

In years to come, I’d look back on this trip with fond memories, whatever happened with Richard and me in the future. It was an adventure in hopefully a whole string of adventures that would make up my life experience.

I couldn’t wait to get off the plane and see him standing there, waiting for me...

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