Page 64 of Strictly Friends
Fi dutifully repeated the words and then dropped the card on to her desk with a sigh. ‘See, if you weren’t so tetchy about us talking about him, none of this would be a surprise to you. I’ve known about it for weeks, but I haven’t dared say anything.’
Pushing aside the spreadsheets in front of her so forcefully that she almost knocked over her coffee, Ruby stared at Fi in disbelief.
‘Hold on a minute, are you telling me you’re in touch with Griffin?’
Fi sighed again. ‘Yes, but please don’t get all huffy and annoyed about it. I respect your decision, but I’ve known Griffin for almost as long as I’ve known you and, unlike some people, I can’t just cut off my friends.’
Ignoring the dig, Ruby scowled at her in dismay. ‘But you’remyfriend.’
‘Yes, I am, but you made Griffin my friend too,’ Fi said reasonably. ‘He’s been going through a challenging time, and he needed support.’
Ruby looked stricken, and Fi shook her head impatiently. ‘Rubes, you’re my mate, and if it was a competition, you’d win hands down. But it isn’t, and I can be there for both of you, so please don’t make this a thing.’
While it stung to hear Fi had secretly been in contact with Griffin, the part of Ruby that still felt guilty about the damage her vicious words would have caused felt a tiny bit relieved someone had been looking out for him. Not that she would give Fi the satisfaction of saying so.
Fi sat back in her chair, watching Ruby’s expression closely. ‘Before you tell me you’re not interested, you should know Griffin’s been working like a maniac to set up this foundation. He was so happy about the impact of the music programme he put in place for the children on Sorrel Island that he was keen to scale it up. He’s been collaborating with child psychologists, trauma experts, and even musicians’ unions to create programmes that integrate music with trauma and mental health therapies for kids and adults. Honestly, Rubes, it’s a fantastic idea and he’s pulling it off on an international scale. The foundation has started kitting out five centres so far, including one at Ocean House, and he’s planning a whole network of them.’
Ruby listened to Fi’s impassioned words in stunned silence. She had always believed Griffin could make good use of both his musical talent and his boundless energy, and it sounded as if he had finally found the path to change his life and make good use of his inheritance. Hearing what Griffin had achieved in such a short time – and in Marilyn’s name – left Ruby feeling even more ashamed of using his mother to hurt him.
As if she sensed Ruby softening, Fi rammed home her advantage. ‘Look, come to the launch with me, or at least think about it over the next couple of weeks. You don’t have to get into a long conversation – just say congratulations and leave it at that. You loved his mum, and it’s been, what, nearly six months since the two of you spoke? I’m sure it would mean the world to him to see you there.’
For an infinitesimal moment Ruby wavered, and then she shook her head. ‘You don’t understand. Even if I wanted to talk to him, I promise you that Griffin would cross the street rather than speak to me again. I said some awful things to him the last time we spoke and, in his shoes, I certainly wouldn’t forgive me!’
‘Yeah, well, maybe Griffin’s more generous and forgiving than you give him credit for. Like I said, not everyone has it in them to cut people off just because they’re upset with them.’
Ruby remained silent, refusing to be drawn into another argument about a situation she had tried and failed, more than once, to make Fi understand. Despite herself, Ruby stood and walked over to Fi’s desk. She picked up the invitation card and, as she scanned the gold-embossed script, she felt the pricking of tears behind her eyes. Griffin had finally found his way and it was hard to believe that after all they’d been through together, she would play no part in this momentous stage of his life.
‘Look, he’s moved on. Besides, we all know what he’s like when it comes to women,’ Ruby said desperately. ‘Every woman thinks they’ll be the one to change a man, but—’
‘But nothing!’ Fi cut in. ‘You might have known Griffin the boy, but it’s pretty obvious you don’t have a clue about Griffin the man.’
‘That’s not true!’ Ruby protested.
‘I’m sorry, Rubes, but it is. You still see him for who he was back when he was grieving and lost, not for who he is now. He might pretend to be an idle playboy, but the man has been quietly overseeing a multimillion-pound fortune for years that he never asked for and never wanted. He could have gone wild and spent the money on drink, drugs, and debauchery like a lot of trust-fund kids, but he didn’t. Personally, if I was in his shoes, I’d be living in Monaco and having a ball – not to mention saving millions in taxes! But that man would never dream of leaving you and Jake. Maybe it’s easier for you to stay angry at him about Kenny rather than risk trying to make a relationship with him work, but Griffin is a good man.’
Fi watched the emotions chasing over Ruby’s face. ‘He’s grown up, Rubes. Honestly, I think he’s put his past behind him.’
A picture of Shirlee in her lemon-yellow sweater instantly flashed through Ruby’s mind and she drew in a sharp breath and tossed the card back on to the desk.Of course he has – me included!
‘Well, it’s about time, isn’t it? I hope he’ll be very happy.’ Ruby forced a smile. Griffin had Shirlee now and was looking to the future, not his past.
Fi looked startled. ‘Ruby, what I meant was that if you’re worried he’s not serious about making a commitment, then—’
‘Fi,stop! I keep telling you I don’t want to talk about Griffin, and you just won’t let it go!’
Fi held up her hands in mock surrender. ‘Fine, I’ll take Priya instead since she’s besotted with the man – and don’t blame me if they waltz off together into the sunset.’
When Ruby failed to crack even the tiniest smile, Fi leaned forward and said quietly, ‘Shout at me all you like, but I see the pain in your face. While you think you’re the one depriving him of your relationship, you’re also punishing yourself.’
Ruby stalked back to the table and gathered up her papers into an untidy pile. Picking them up, along with her half-empty coffee mug, she marched out of Fi’s office without a word.
45
For as long as she could remember, Ruby’s maxim had always beenExpect the unexpected. But, as she made her way home from the station, feeling in equal parts furious at Fi for not understanding her position, and devastated at being consigned to Griffin’s past, Ruby’s go-to mantra was far from her mind. Which explained why, as she hurried around the corner of the high road into Blossom Street with her eyes fixed on her watch, she wasnotexpecting to run slap bang into Griffin, who was approaching from the opposite direction.
He reached for her arm to stop her falling, and as soon as Ruby recovered her balance, she wrenched it away as forcefully as if his fingers had burned through her jacket and branded her skin. The blood drained from her face as she stared at him, drinking in the familiar features while her heart went into freefall. Too late, she remembered Jake had been spending his inset day off school with Griffin, and she had forgotten to ring home to check the coast was clear before returning.
Contrary to Ruby’s earlier assertion, Griffin didn’t look like someone who would cross the street to avoid her. Instead, he stared at her wordlessly, his hazel eyes searching her face. The tan he had acquired in Sorrel Island had faded to his usual light brown complexion and, for the first time since she’d known him, he had a low-cut beard.
