BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY (34 page)

Ryan returned home and Carrie was immediately
enveloped in the biggest bear hug. 

“You had us all worried back there.  I’m sure
Claire had interrogated you enough about the states but it’s good to have you
back sis.” 

“She has been very gentle with me Ryan but I’m sure
she won’t be so easy on me next time.”

Ryan had been a part of her sister’s life for almost
all of Carries adult life.  She didn’t think she could remember a time
when Ryan and Claire weren’t together.  He was like a big brother to
her.  Had helped to mop her tears when she had broken up with a boyfriend
during her teenage years.  Cried tears of joy with her when his son was
born.  Cried tears of sadness with her when Rob had died.

“Next time?”

“Well next time include not getting mugged. 
That’s an experience I never want to repeat”

“And the boyfriend?  Is there a next time there
too?”

“Claire!  I thought you wouldn’t say anything
about Nico.”

“I can’t not tell my husband, you know he’s my weak
spot!”

“Your secret is safe with us Carrie; the parents
don’t know a thing”

Carrie could feel her face flushing.  “It’s all
very new to me, I like Nico.  But I don’t know what the future will bring
to us.  He knows all about Rob.  There are no secrets between
us.”  The ringing of Carrie’s mobile interrupted their discussion.

It was Nico.

“Talk of the devil, excuse me while I take this
call” She grabbed a cardigan from the peg next to the back door.  “Hi
Nico” Shimmied it on and opened the door leading to the garden.

“Hello you, how have you been?”

“I feel fine, 99.9% recovered and catching up on my
sleep, how are you?”

“It’s been crazy here but I think we have the
project back on track.  Belle says Hi.  I spoke with my parents.”

“Oh, that sounds a bit ominous,”

“Not at all, they are both now very clear on our
relationship”

Gulp... Relationship.

“Nico you didn’t have to do that,”

“Yes I did.  We don’t have to justify being
together to anyone, least of all my family.  My mother sends her apologies
for offending you even if you did say she had a skinny ass!”

“Oops.  Thank you Nico, I haven’t told my
parents, but Claire and Ryan know about us.”

“I’ve asked Robin to email you my
schedule.   We can work at this Carrie.  Don’t be put off by how
full it looks.  What about the 27
^th
?  Can you check that
date if you are free?”

“I can’t on the 27
^th
; it’s my Aunt and
Uncles Ruby wedding anniversary.  Every year they have a party for their
anniversary and we always go.  Last year I missed it,” she paused the
silence explaining why it was another event she had avoided.  “But I’ve
promised I will be there this year.  My Mum was pregnant with me at one of
the parties.  She danced the night away and the next morning I made my
arrival in the world, no one lets me forget that!”

“Okay, let’s check out some other dates when you get
the schedule”

They said their goodbyes but Carrie sat on the chair
a little longer.  The early evening air was beginning to chill and she
pulled the cardigan closer.  Her head a confused jumble.  She had an
alert for a new email.  It was from Robin.  Oh crikey his schedule
looked hectic.

Don’t worry, Robin had written.  Its colour
coded but I’ve added a tab to explain some of them.  Just let me know if
you need any more info.  It does change frequently but there are some days
with a little wiggle time to move around.  Hope to see you soon.

She replied she would be in touch.  Part of her
wanted to jump on the next flight to him the other to run away in the opposite
direction and hide.  But she couldn’t say any of that in front of Claire
or Ryan.

Carrie had brought a stack of magazines home and
Claire was flicking through some of them when Carrie returned back to the
house.

“Oh My God!” she exclaimed.

“What?”

“You have to see this Carrie, you are in the
magazine!”

Is The Billionaire Playboy Playing Away?
 
The headline read.   Nico Devanti 35, international business man and
head of the Devanti Group was out and about with an attractive mystery
female.  The brunette was pictured in a chic black ensemble holding
tightly onto Nico’s arms.  Isn’t that a place where we all want to be
folks?  The couple were spotted at a trendy waterfront eatery in
Portland’s old town.  Sources say they enjoyed an intimate dinner for two
and couldn’t tear their eyes from each other the whole night.  The
atmosphere was sizzling between them and that wasn’t the steaks cooking on the
charcoals.  Poor Lea, it looks like her wedding dreams are a distant
memory!  Hope she can still get a refund on that dress!!

Officials for Nico have taken the unusual step of
giving a statement!  That’s right an official statement.  Here it
goes …

“Nico and Lea have parted ways but they
remain friends and will always care for each other.”

Carrie re-read the passage over and over.  The
photograph was taken just as Nico had placed an arm around her to steady her on
the cobble stones.  Her head tipped back as she looked into his eyes in a
side profile.

“Oh no.”

“Fame at last Carrie, I can’t believe it.  How
many people do you think have read this?”

“I don’t know Claire, thousands, millions I don’t
know, I just bought it at the airport for something to read”

“And Lea?  Wedding dress.  What is going
on?”

“Lea jumped the gun.  He never proposed and I
believe him.”

She took a picture of the article on her phone and
sent a message to Nico.

He replied instantly.  He had already been
notified by his press team and gave his authority for the press release. 
He would speak with her later but it was unlikely anyone could trace her. 
She wasn’t to worry.

“Hello, hello, Tantie, wakey wakey”  A tiny
hand was placed on each of her eye lids to pull them open.  Harry had
decided it was time to wake Carrie.  Whether her body was ready or
not.  She felt the shift of the duvet as his little body rolled in the
bed. 

“Hello Harry” It was 6am.  “Me say ‘bye ‘bye
Daddy.  Daddy go work”

“Did he now”

The little blonde head bopped up and down in
agreement.  “Daddy say shhh” Harry shushed far louder than any word
could.  “Mummy sleeping, me hungry Tantie”

“Okay let’s get you some breakfast”

Carrie made him his breakfast which he was
determined to feed himself despite any attempts from her to assist him. 
After cleaning up Harry and a coffee for her they settled on the sofa to watch
Peppa Pig.  When Claire joined them a couple of hours later they were
singing. 

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“Take advantage while you can Claire, Harry decided
6am was wakey wakey time”

“Sorry, well at least let me wish you a happy
birthday”

“I don’t mind Claire; it was lovely to wake up with
my nephew”

They hugged and Carrie made them some tea.  Her
phone beeped a message from Nico.

“Happy Birthday beautiful x”

She replied and said she had been woken early by
Harry starting the day in style watching Peppa Pig.  Leaving Harry with
his Mum she went to shower and change.  On her dressing table she had a
framed picture of her and Rob having a snowball fight.  It was taken at
her parents a few winters ago.  Her face was bright pink with the cold and
they were laughing.  She loved how normal and fun the picture was. 
How it captured a special time.  Outside the sun was shining.  She
put the picture back on the dresser.  The pennies had stopped.  She
hadn’t found any since her return from the Cape.  Did this mean he
disapproved?  She spoke almost every day to Nico and unbeknown to Nico she
was planning to fly out in a few days to surprise him in New York.  She
had been secretly planning this trip with the assistance of Robin who had been
a great help. 

She dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt. 
Wearing her hair loose with its natural curl which had become her style of
late.  She applied some make up and finished off with a pair of diamond
stud earrings that Rob had bought her for their last birthday together. 
Last year she remembered she had struggled to dress for work. 

They were having a family dinner at home as a
celebration.  Claire was getting tired and Carrie wanted her to make it to
Peggy’s party the following day for however long she could.  Despite their
protests she had decided she wanted to keep her birthday low key and spend time
with her family at home.  In a concession her Mum was bringing some food
over that she had prepared for their meal.  Carrie had some play time
baking with Harry the day before and they had made cupcakes.  She even had
some champagne chilling and a passion fruit juice that Claire was currently
craving in this later stage in her pregnancy.

The doorbell rang almost in sync with Carries foot
stepping on the last stair.

“I will get it” she called out.

A beautiful bouquet of pale pink peonies and white
roses greeted her.  She signed for the delivery and knew they were from
Nico before she read the card.  Ever since their night together she would
always associate peonies and white roses with Nico. 

“Oh Carrie, they are gorgeous flowers, hmm I wonder
who they are from?”

She found a vase large enough to accommodate the
arrangement and left them displayed on the dining table. 

“Happy Birthday Carrie, I hope the flowers are as
beautiful as you will always be to me. Nico x”

“They are from Nico,” she tucked the card into her
back pocket.

He was travelling and she knew even with time
differences it would be 2am.  Not a good time to text him.  She would
thank him later.

Belle also sent flowers and Carrie spoke with
her.  She deliberately didn’t mention Nico.  She didn’t want to hear
what he was doing without her but Belle had a different idea.

“I think Nico is pining for you Carrie.  What
have you done to him?”

“Nothing Belle, to be honest it’s scary thinking of starting
a relationship,”

“Well you need to see him soon darling; he is like a
bear with a sore head.  Not his usual sunny self.  No sign of Lea
either here but the magazines are agog wondering what has happened to the big
romance.  I’m surprised she hasn’t given an exclusive.”

“Nico is dealing with it.  I definitely don’t
want to be known as breaking up anyone’s relationship”

“Today is not a day to think about things like
that.  Enjoy the rest of your birthday darling. I hope you get lots and
lots of lovely things.  Oh and some champagne of course.”

“Of course Auntie Belle, it’s already on ice”

Late afternoon her Mum popped round.  
Harry was playing in the garden while Carrie and Claire sat enjoying the
sunshine.  They brought him in for his nap after a little protest. 
Carrie settled him giving her sister a chance to rest avoiding the
stairs.  She clicked on the baby monitor to hear if he woke after closing
the stair gates.

“Happy Birthday darling, we will bring your gift
tonight.”  Carrie was once more hugged in celebration of her birthday.

“Thanks Mum, do you want some tea?”

“Yes a quick cup will do before I carry on with the
rest of my errands for today”

“Mum, you never have a quick cup, its unheard of in
this family.  I just spoke with Belle, she sends her love”

“That’s good she has been a little difficult to
track down recently but that’s how she wants to live her life and good luck to
her.”

Claire was shifting around on the sofa trying to get
comfortable.  “Mum Belle has always been like that and I don’t think she
would ever work 9-5.  It wore bore her to tears”

Carrie returned with the tea.  She could feel
the stare of her mother as she looked her up and down.  “What is it?”

“I’ve said before Carrie but you look
different.  I just can’t put my finger on it”

“Mum, I haven’t changed at all.” the ringing of the
doorbell interrupted her reply.  “I’ll get it”

“Delivery for Carrie Reynolds-Davies”

“Yes, that’s me”

“Hold on a moment and I will get your parcel.”

Carrie watched as the delivery driver returned to
the rear of the truck.  Using a trolley he pushed along a large
crate. 

“Where would you like it?”

“I didn’t order anything that big, are you sure it’s
for me?”

“Yes, it has your name on it.  It’s an express
delivery from New York”

New York.  It had to be Nico.

“Okay, if you can bring it through here into the
living room”

She signed the electronic pad confirming acceptance.

“What on earth Carrie” her mother exclaimed. 

“I have no idea Mum, I wasn’t expecting
anything.  How is this supposed to open?”

“I think you will need to prise open the lid”

“I will see if there is a hammer or something in the
garage”

Her mother and sister were staring at the large
crate as if it were an alien in the house.  She returned with a hammer and
a screwdriver of all things.  A few taps later which she tried to muffle
to prevent waking Harry and the lid opened.

An A4 sized envelope sat on the top.  She
ripped open the secure seal.  Another envelope with Nicos distinctive
scrawl of her name.  She looked a Claire.  “It’s from Nico”

“Who is Nico, Carrie?”

“Nico is my friend.  The family I stayed with
in the states after my accident.  He’s Belle’s boss,”

“Yes, I know that.  But who is he to you
Carrie?  Do you have something to tell me?”

She knew that her face betrayed her guilty
feeling. 

“I guess you would say that he is more than just a
friend.  He is my boyfriend.”

“A boyfriend, when did this happen?  Did you
know Claire?  Why am I always the last to find out anything that concerns
my family?”

“Whoa Mum, slow down,” Claire interrupted. 
“It’s all new to Carrie and I have only recently known”

“Oh Carrie, what about Rob?  He’s your husband”

 The barbed comment cut to her.  “Mum, I
will always love Rob.  That hasn’t changed.”

“I can’t deal with this just now, really Carrie you
should have told me before.  Does your father know?  You tell him and
Belle everything before me.”

“Dad doesn’t know.  But yes Belle does. 
Don’t be hard on her Mum”

“How I deal with my sister will be my own business
but for once it seems I’m not the last to know.  I’m going now, I have my
errands”

“Mum let me explain.”

“No Carrie, I’m busy, there will be no more talk of
this just now.  It’s your birthday not a time for family disagreements.”

Emotionally bruised by her Mothers tirade and brush
off Carrie could only watch in shock as her mother sped away.

Claire sat beside Carrie on the sofa.  “Oh
Carrie, don’t cry, she doesn’t mean it.  She’s just not ready for you to
move on that’s all.  It’s just her way of dealing with things.”  Carrie
nodded and picked a tissue to wipe her tears.  “It always like that
Claire, sometimes I feel Mum has never forgiven herself for my accident falling
down those stairs.  I will always be her little girl needing her
guidance.  She was happy when I met Rob as he took care of me.  I
know that now.  He was a good, kind, gentle man who everyone liked and
loved.  I couldn’t have asked for a more loving husband.”

“We know that Carrie, I for one am routing that you
are finally ready to move on with your life.  It was a scary dark time
that I didn’t know if you could get free of or want to.”

“The dark days are still there.  They don’t go
away completely.  I still have nightmares about the accident. 
Sometimes I turn round to speak to him but he’s not there and it kills
me.  I’m not some adulterer.  But why does being happy make me feel
so sad?”

She excused herself to go wash her face. 
Staring in the mirror at her blotched face.  Wonderful.

“Open your letter while I go check Harry and take no
notice of Mum.  You know it will have all blown over.”

The letter was hand written on the same paper as her
invitation to the commerce dance.  She recognised the texture of the
expensive parchment.

Happy Birthday Carrie

Have a wonderful day doing things you like
with your family.  I wish I could share it with you but next year will be
different, I hope we will share it together then.

Please accept these birthday gifts in my
absence.

Nico x

Claire tucked an arm around Carries shoulders. 
“You okay sis?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she handed over the letter for her
sister to read, knowing she would be curious to its contents.  “Oh Carrie,
I think he is serious about you,”

Cutting open the protective polythene she pulled
back the plastic to reveal an inner white box.  After a little tug, pull
and wrestle with the contents the box was free from the wooden crate. 

“Phew, what the hell is in there?”

“I have no idea Claire, let’s find out” She was
determined not to let her disagreement with her mother ruin the day.  They
had head butted opinions throughout Carries life and turning twenty nine wasn’t
going to change that. 

“Oh My,” Her inner Doris Day was back.  Wrapped
in tissue paper carefully folded the gold Dolce and Gabanna lace dress that she
had tried on for the commerce desk. 

“Carrie that is beautiful,” She held it against her
body then placed it carefully over the chair.  At a quick glance it looked
as though all the dresses she had tried on that day were there.  Next the
short fuchsia Marchesa mini dress with beaded and crystal neckline. 
Finally the dress that had been a close favourite that day the balmain halter
neck dress in pink and grey silk. 

“These are the dresses I tried on for the commerce
dance, all of them.”

The bottom of the box held another box.  She
carefully removed this and opened the lid to reveal four small rectangular
boxes.  The names of the designers embossed on the front of each
box.  Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana, Oscar De La Renta and Alexander
McQueen.  Each box contained a clutch bag in its own dust bag.  Small
evening clutches of various designs and materials.  Bejewelled clasps,
embroidery and one in black satin.  They were perfect accompaniments to
the dresses.  She felt overwhelmed by his generosity but it was the final
box that had the tears falling.   He had bought her a replacement
birkin bag.  The distinctive orange and bold box with the Hermes
logo.  She knew before she even opened the box.  It touched her that
he had remembered how upset she had been at her bag being destroyed during her
mugging beyond use.  This was no rip off copy, this was the real
deal.  Contained in the dust bag with certificates of authenticity and its
care guide her very own birkin bag.  Soft red leather and gold
detail.