Page 22 of The Facilitator: Part 2
“Yes, three weeks, which is a problem. Alex thinks we are leaving intwo.”
We chatted back and forth about how to convince Alex, and probably Mackenzie, he wasn’t flying to the U.S. in two weeks. We also chose the Kensington Registry office. Gabriella was to call them and see what was required, paperwork wise, and available dates. The more we talked, the more we thought it might be possible to have this organised as a surprise. Gabriella had access to the necessary documentation, and she most certainly had his trust if she asked him to sign something without readingit.
When talk of outfits started, I began to get super excited. Gabriella wanted understated. She always dressed smartly, even when casual, but a full on wedding dress wasn’t her thing. She pulled a couple of pages torn from a magazine to show a gorgeous cream trouser suit, it would be perfect for her. As our evening wore on, the level of excitementrose.
“We can do this, you know,” I said, raising my glass toher.
“I do believe we can. Now I need Mackenzie to tell Alex that plans have changed and our leaving date hasmoved.”
“Right now, with what he has going on, and I hate to use that, but… It’s perfecttiming.”
So it was settled. Gabriella would call the registry office on Monday, I’d ask Mackenzie to delay Alex’s leave, and both Gabriella and I had a date with a clothes store for outfits. All we needed to firm up was a reason to get Alex to the registry office on theday.
We ate and we laughed, we didn’t stop talking unless it was to chew and swallow our food. We laughed so loud, we had the neighbouring tables giggling along with us. I couldn’t recall a time I’d enjoyed myself so much. I’d been out once or twice with the girls at my old office, but I had never connected with another woman the way I did Gabriella. I wanted to cry. I’d found someone who I’d have a lifelong friendship with and she was moving away. I could understand how she felt when she learned Alex was totransfer.
The table had been cleared and coffeepoured.
“Can I ask you a question? Something personal?” Isaid.
Gabriella cocked her head to one side. “If you want to know my bust size, justask.”
I chuckled. “I don’t need to know your bust size. No, this is probably more personal and maybe upsetting…forget I said anything.” It hadn’t occurred to me how upsetting my question would be until I’d used theword.
“Ask away,Lauren.”
“Okay. Mackenzie’s car crash. He told me the circumstances last night. Tate was your boyfriend, wasn’t he? How did you forgive him?” I asked, lowering my voiceslightly.
“Ah, yes, that personal,” she said, but smiled kindly at me. “I could never hate Mackenzie, not even for that. I think if you’d known him then, you’d also know how angry and sad he was. Not only that, how easy it was for him to get in with badpeople.”
She took a sip of hercoffee.
“I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. Sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me,” Isaid.
She reached across and took my hand. “We are best friends. I was devastated, obviously. Tate got in that car for one reason only, and that was to help Mackenzie. We’d watched his decline for a few months—no matter who intervened—we couldn’t help him. He was on self-destruct for a while. The death of his mother really affected him. It wasn’t a case of needing to forgive him because I didn’t blamehim.”
I looked sharply ather.
“Let me explain. The car had been recalled; there was a fault with the braking system, or something. It was waiting for repair. It wasn’t even his car. The car belonged to Addison. Even though I don’t think they were dating at the time, she supplied his drugs, she smuggled the alcohol, she was the one who dragged him down, and she was the one who gave him the car keys. Which is why her father covered it all up. He didn’t want his slutty daughter caught up in atrial.”
“Was her father thatpowerful?”
“Absolutely. He owned pretty much all the businesses in the town and beyond. It would be a case of bribing the police with his brother’s job, for example. I don’t know the facts; I don’t think any of us do, to be honest. One minute Mackenzie was under arrest for driving under the influence, and the next he wasn’t. But, of course, it came at a high price. Addison had her claws inhim.”
“He didn’t think Addison knew, but he’s worried that she might now,” Isaid.
“I doubt she did at the time. None of us knew what her father had done. All Addison would have known was the same as the rest of us. Not enough evidence to charge Mackenzie withanything.”
“Do you think her father could have left details written down, something for Addison to find?” Iasked.
“I’ve no doubt he would have, he very well could have just told her. He loathes Mackenzie, Lauren. The hate is like a cancer eating him away, that and the alcohol, are the only things keeping the man alive.” She visibly shuddered at the thought ofhim.
“Thank you. No more talk of them now. I’ve enjoyed our dinner and I’m sorry I asked that question,” Isaid.
Gabriella raised her coffee cup to me. “I’ll drink to that. I’m pretty sure we’ll have our time with Addison at some pointsoon.”
I regretted saying goodbye, despite knowing I’d see her in a couple of days anyway. I’d had the most wonderful evening and really wished it could have been longer. While I was on the way home, I textedMackenzie.
I’m on my way home, see yousoon.
