Page 46 of Strictly Friends
‘Ruby!’
Hearing the urgency in Griffin’s voice as he shouted her name, Ruby’s heart dropped, and she tossed aside her half-read novel and scrambled off the lounger. Raising a hand to shield her eyes as she watched him race across the beach towards her with Jake close behind, she gasped as Griffin picked her up and spun her around before depositing her gently on the sand.
‘What the hell is going on?’ she asked, her heart pounding as she tried to catch her breath.
‘He’sspeaking! Drew is actuallyspeaking!’ Griffin’s eyes glittered with emotion, and Ruby clutched at her chest, her mouth dropping open in shock.
‘Oh my God!’ she exclaimed. ‘Oh, Griff, that’s so brilliant!’
Jake rushed up to his mother and hugged her around her waist, jumping up and down.
‘You should have seen it, Mum! The director wascrying.’
Ruby glanced at Griffin, who looked close to following the director’s example, and she swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. It didn’t take a genius to work out why Griffin had bonded so closely with Drew; they had both been through the trauma of losing their much-loved parent figures. Griffin had put so much time and effort into building Drew’s trust and now, seeing his lipstremble with the effort of staying in control, she could tell how much it meant to Griffin to see Drew finally respond. Forgetting the awkwardness of the past few days, she threw her arms around Griffin’s neck and hugged him tightly.
‘Group hug!’ Jake squealed, flinging his arms around the two of them.
Ruby laughed as she extricated herself from the tangle of limbs. ‘This is such good news, Griff. All the research you’ve done has really paid off by helping Drew.’
‘It’s just the start, though, Rubes,’ Griffin said, his face glowing. ‘Those poor kids have been through so much, and it’s simply incredible how powerful music is in breaking down barriers. It can make such a difference because if we can help them open up, they can start healing.’
‘What hashappenedto the Griffin I know, and who is this person speaking with what sounds suspiciously like a sense of purpose?’ Ruby teased, impressed nonetheless by the impassioned speech.
‘I might surprise you yet. Come on, let’s take a walk and I’ll tell you all about it. I’m too buzzed to sit down.’
Ruby slipped on her sandals and hooked her arm into his as they strolled along the beach while Jake ran ahead. She listened intently while Griffin described the music session and the palpable shock in the room when Drew uttered his first words.
‘So what did he actually say?’
Griffin laughed. ‘“I want some water.” Not exactly profound, but it was music to our ears. I’ve been chatting to Diego – you remember, the waiter we met at the restaurant? He’s agreed to hook me up with some of his musician friends cos I want to fund a programme so they can play regularly for the kids at Ocean House. I’ve promised the director of the home that I’ll be in touch to work on a longer-term project we can launch the next time I’m here.’
‘Thenexttime ...!’ Ruby echoed. Shocked, she released his arm and faced him squarely. ‘Oh my God, you’re really serious about this, aren’t you?’
Griffin shrugged. ‘I don’t want to abandon Drew, and, besides, what else am I doing with my time and money? This is something I know could make a difference to those children, so why not?’
She tilted her head to one side and studied him gravely. ‘So, what you’re telling me, then, is that you’re going to be very brave and fly in the teeny-tiny plane again?’
He burst out laughing and flung an arm around her shoulders, urging her forward. ‘A wise woman once told me that you need to overcome your fears if you want something badly enough,’ he said lightly, before releasing her and dashing over to help Jake, who was attempting to climb a large rock.
A few minutes later, leaving Jake perched triumphantly on top of the boulder, Griffin returned to where Ruby was standing alone, staring out to sea.
‘Rubes,’ he started hesitantly, ‘I feel like things have been a bit ... off between you and me lately. I’m going to Diego’s gig at his cousin’s bar tonight. Fancy coming along? We can practise our salsa moves and blow away the cobwebs?’
‘Yes, of course!’ She smiled, relieved for the chance to clear the air. ‘But what about Jake?’
‘MissIda would be happy to look after him. Or, better still, if Narita’s free tonight, she’ll be glad of the extra cash. Jake’s got a massive crush on her, so he’ll be ecstatic.’
‘Really?’ Ruby’s eyebrows shot up in astonishment. ‘I had no idea! Am I really that clueless about what goes on around me?’
Griffin’s lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile. ‘Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to. Come on, let’s head back and sort it out.’
33
Ruby adjusted the thin shoulder straps and the low-cut vee of her sleeveless, slim-fitting dress before twisting around to check her back in the mirror. The silky fabric clung to her body and the fringed hem, starting at mid-thigh, revealed the long length of her legs. The vibrant orange colour glowed against the deep bronze of her skin, which had been given an extra sheen from the shimmering body cream she had applied liberally after her shower. She forced herself to stop grinning long enough to slick some bronze gloss over her lips and then danced a little jig of excitement, twisting her hips back and forth to swish the fringes on the dress. She loved dancing, and after weeks of family-friendly activities she couldn’t wait to do something grown-up for a change. Furthermore, with their easy banter restored, Griffin was the perfect partner with whom to enjoy a night of uncomplicated partying.
Ruby sat on the bed and slipped on her high-heeled sandals before returning to the mirror for a final check. Flip-flops and trainers were all very well for walking around the beach or sightseeing, but she had missed her heels and the confidence that came from strutting with that extra bit of height. Smoothing back her braids, she picked up her bag and sashayed down the stairs, enjoying the stunned expression on both Griffin’s and Zeke’s faces as she descended.
Griffin’s eyes shot straight to her legs. ‘Will you slap me if I whistle? Cos you look seriously hot!’
