Page 67 of The Wedding Cake Wish
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
I’m meeting Rob at his workshop at five and as I driveover there, I’m trying hard to be positive.
If I can just see his face and kiss him and talk about thingsthe way we used to, everything will be all right.
Earlier, I did what Ruby suggested and went to see Shirley,Rachel’s next-door neighbour. She was lovely when I explained why I was there,and she told me all she knew. But she wasn’t able to tell me who actuallystarted the fire, so I’m still no wiser. On the way home, I phoned Ruby toupdate her on what Shirley told me, and she asked me what we’ve decided to doabout the wedding. I said I needed to talk to Rob but that I thought it was likelywe’d decide to postpone it.
Thinking about that, my heart feels heavy.
On the one hand, I’m devastated, but on the other hand, Ireally can’t see us having a happy day with everything that’s going on...
And then, on top of everything else, when I arrive at Rob’sworkshop on the outskirts of Sunnybrook, he’s not even there.
‘He had to make a delivery,’ explains Pete, the guy whoshares the workshop. ‘He asked if you’d meet him there, outside the property.He’s given me the postcode.’ He hands it over with a smile. ‘Shame about yourmeal, though.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Oh.’ His face drops as he realises he’s probably put hisfoot in it. ‘I heard him on the phone cancelling it. I thought you’d know.’
‘No. I didn’t. Never mind. There’ll be other chances.’ Iforce a smile. ‘Right, I’ll go and meet him...here.’ I wavethe paper with the postcode on it, say goodbye to Pete, and go back to the carto set the satnav for wherever I’m meant to be going.
I set off, grimly determined to try and stay upbeat. It’snot turning out to be the evening I was hoping for, and there’s a lump of dreadin the pit of my stomach which I’m trying hard to ignore. Nothing seems to havegone right recently. But the tide has to turn some time.
Everything’s going to be fine.
Once again, though, my insecurities have startedresurfacing. Is Rob now thinking twice about making a commitment to me? Is thatwhy he doesn’t want to have a romantic dinner with me? Because he’s worriedhe’ll say things that will upset me?
Rob would rather die than hurt me, I know that for a fact.He’s such a lovely, caring man. I’m so lucky to have him.
But for how long?
The tears that have been threatening for the past few days finallybreak through. I slow the car, looking desperately for a bus stop or a lay-byto pull into. But right at that moment, the satnav announces, ‘You have reachedyour destination.’
I pull into the side of the road, hitching my wheels on theverge, and dig out a hanky to wipe my eyes.
Then I stare out in amazement.
This can’t be the customer’s house. I must have punched inthe postcode wrongly.
The reason I know this is wrong is because it’s the houseRob and I have bought. The one that will be ours in just a few short weeks.Although now I’m wondering if it will actually happen...
And then as I sit there, trying to work up the strength toget out of the car, suddenly Rob appears, walking down the driveway.
‘What’s going on?’ I ask, as I get out.
‘We’ve got the keys.’ He’s beaming at me, holding them up. ‘HoneysuckleCottage is ours! I heard this morning. It went through quicker than thesolicitor was anticipating, but I thought I’d wait till tonight to tell you...tosurprise you.’
I laugh in amazement. ‘Well, you’ve certainly done that!’
‘Come on. Come inside. I’ve brought food and I thought wecould have a picnic on the floor. Romantic, eh?’
‘Very romantic.’ My heart lifts. Maybe things are going tobe all right, after all. ‘This isn’t like you at all.’
‘What, the romance thing?’
I smile affectionately and shrug. ‘A romantic picnic is astart, though. Come on.’ I head towards the cottage, but he catches my hand andstops me.
‘What?’
