BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY (37 page)

“I think I will go and soak in that big bath of
yours Carrie, I think that’s what I need; my back is achy today,”

Carrie gave her a sharp look.

“Don’t panic, the baby isn’t on his or her way, I’m
just feeling it a bit more achy than usual today,”

“Claire I knew you were overdoing things with this
party,”

“Im okay, stop worrying.  I think a bath and a
nap should do the trick.  Are you okay looking after Harry?”

“Of course I am.”  Harry was chomping at some
chopped carrots which he loved.  There was a knock on the door
interrupting their conversation.  “I will get it,”

Her heart stopped.  “Nico,” she whispered and
launched herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist.  He walked
forward into the room and they continued to kiss.

“Carrie Reynolds-Davies, put that man down!” her
sister shouted.  Carrie blushed and reluctantly slid her feet back on the
ground. 

“Hello,”

“Hello you,” she returned.

“Sorry Claire” she apologised. 

At that moment Harry ran across the room and grabbed
a hold of Carrie’s leg.  He looked shyly up at the man.  But Harry
was also staking his claim on his Auntie.  Nico crouched down to Harry’s
eye level.  “Hello you must be Harry, I’ve heard all about you”

“’lo” Harry repeated and continued to stare at this
new person who seemed to pass muster as he let go of Carries leg.

“And I’ve heard all about you,” Claire said and
eased herself up from the sofa.

“Hello I’m Carrie’s sister Claire; it’s nice to
finally meet you in person”

“Delighted to meet you and Carrie has told me all
about you too”

“All good I hope or there will be trouble,” she
joked.  “Carrie, I’m going for that bath now, you still okay?”

“Yeah sure,”

“Apologies Nico but a woman in my condition needs
her rest,”

Claire retreated upstairs and Carrie occupied Harry
with some more carrots as he had munched through the ones she gave him
earlier.  They sat side by side on the sofa.  Harry between them.

“I guess this isn’t the reunion you were talking
about last night” she gestured to the rollers.

“I think you look hot Carrie, in your daisy dukes”

“Oh don’t say things like that to me”

“After how you said hello?  I’m lucky I could
still walk”

“Where is Jay?”

She knew Jay travelled everywhere with him.

“In the car making some calls,”

“Okay, call him in when you are ready; it will be
nice to see him.  Do you want something to drink a coffee or juice or?”

“I want you Carrie but a coffee will be great
instead.”

The benefit of the open plan living and kitchen
area, Carrie could see Harry still on the sofa determined to finish the
carrots.  She set about making the coffee black as he liked it and a juice
for Harry too.  He had finished the carrots and now wanted the attention
of his Auntie.  Carrie picked him up and perched him on her hip as he
drank from his sippie cup.  One hand holding the handle of the cup the
other hand he was twirling a strand of Carrie’s hair that was loose from the
curlers.

“Oh I must look a state; I thought I would see you
later when I was all glammed for the party”

“You look amazing to me Carrie,”

“Me wanna play Tantie, car, car, play.”

They walked over to the French doors and Carrie set him
down where he ran at great speed towards his toy car.  Nico had his arm
around her waist as they stood in the doorway watching her nephew. 

“It’s good to see you, I’m glad you made it, it
means a lot to me Nico,”

He kissed her again, a soft gentle Hello you kiss.

“I wouldn’t have missed it.  You asked me to
come as your partner, of course I want to be with you, and Belle has been
telling me all about your family,”

“Oh no, even Auntie Peggy,”

“Yes, even Peggy,”

“Well you have been warned, I have two words for you
Spanish Inquisition”

“Yes, and I’m still here.  You have a lovely
home Carrie, not what I expected I confess,”

“Thank you, what did you expect?”

“Something smaller, especially when you said your
sister and family were living with you,”

“They’ve breathed life into it again made it the
family home it was meant to be but it doesn’t feel like home anymore to
me.  Where are you staying?”  She said changing the subject.

He told her the exclusive hotel that he had booked
into,

“Are you joining me there afterwards?”

“I will pack an overnight bag.  Can you take it
with you?”

Harry had lost interest in his car and began to kick
a football around the garden.  Nico had removed his suit jacket, rolled up
his sleeves and the tie was gone as they joined him kicking the ball between
them.  It ended in a scrum on the ground with much laughter. 

Claire observed the play around in the garden from
the upstairs window as she could hear their giggles and shouts as she relaxed
in the bath.  When was the last time she heard her sister so happy? 
A long time now it seemed.  Almost two years and she deserved
happiness.  Tonight would be the tester as her parents also met Nico for
the first time.  She only hoped their mother who would be the more difficult
of the two, would see the happiness also for herself. 

When Claire returned downstairs she also invited in
Nico’s driver who was still in the car.  He tried to decline but Claire
could be just has determined.  They made their own introductions. 

“Let me get you something to drink,” another shriek
of laughter broke out, “Have you ever seen that Jay? Your boss rolling around
in the grass?”

“Nope I haven’t but I haven’t seen him this relaxed
with anyone.  Carrie is good for him, they are good for each other too,
and she’s a tough lady”

“I agree with you but then again, she is my sister
so I’m a little biased there!”

Carrie heard Jay’s voice.  “Hi Jay,” she gave
him one of her famous hugs as she thought of him as a friend.  “It’s good
to see you,” They chatted for a few minutes before Carrie retreated upstairs to
pack.  Claire joined her with Harry in tow. 

“Oh My God Carrie!”

“What?”  Carrie had opened a cupboard and was
removing an overnight bag. “What’s wrong?”

“Well no wonder you are in love with the man, he is bloody
gorgeous”

“Claire McIntosh, control yourself or that baby will
be making an appearance earlier than planned.” she joked.  “I’m just
packing some things.  I’m staying with Nico at his hotel tonight; I
wouldn’t bring him back here.  It wouldn’t feel right,”

She walked through to the en suite and gathered some
toiletries.  Added one of the agent provocateur nightdresses and some
clothes for the following day.  

“I understand Carrie,
just be careful okay?”

In the living room Nico stood in front of a black
lacquer console table with three small drawers a silver table lamp on
top.  It wasn’t the furniture that held his attention but the picture
above.  It was a canvas print of Carrie on her wedding day.  A black
and white print with Carrie smiling up into the face of Rob, her eyes beaming
with love and adoration.   He was surprised at the feeling of
jealousy that he was experiencing at that moment.  Carrie had spoken of
Rob it wasn’t an off topic subject for them but this visual affirmation
triggered the jealousy button.  “So this was the husband?”  Jay
voiced.  “Yeah” Nico agreed and walked back towards the garden. 

“I think I’ve thought of everything,” she left the
bag at the door.   Claire was lying down on her bed, resting. 
Harry had returned downstairs with her.

“Okay, I guess we better get moving and let you do
what you have to do” Carrie frowned, what was wrong?  Nico seemed a little
distant.

“Okay, eight o’clock and you have my parents
address,” 

Jay picked up the bag, “I will take this out to the
car, see you later Carrie”

“Car, car” Harry shouted and ran into the garden.

“What’s wrong?”

“Everything is fine Carrie,”

They kissed goodbye and Nico held her tight. 
She held onto the lapels of his jacket holding him closer.

“I ah,”

“What Nico?”

“Nothing Carrie, I will see you tonight”

 Feeling completely bemused.  She watched
as he left.

Ryan drove them in Carries car as it was bigger and
could accommodate all of them.  She sat in the back next to Harry in his
car seat.  Claire up front with Ryan.  Claire wore a form fitting
black jersey dress that accented the baby bump.  Flat gold sandals and
chunky gold jewellery completed her outfit.  “You look glowing,” Carrie
told her.  They shared a hug before it was time to leave the house. 
“Everything will be okay”

They made the short journey to their parents’ house
and Carrie knew she had some decisions to make.  Tonight she would speak
to Nico about the future and the future she wanted with him.  Ryan stashed
the flowers away that they would give to their Mum out of sight to be given
later.  Her Dad opened the door dressed in his dinner suit.  Mum had
made him dress for the occasion.

“Oh Dad, you look so smart,” they hugged,
“Congratulations on your retirement”

“Carrie what a treat you look tonight, that’s my
girl, keep smiling okay?  You mum told me this Nico chap is coming
tonight.  So I will finally get to meet the guy who’s put a smile back on
my daughters face”

“Dad!  Leave her alone, it will be bad enough
with Aunt Peggy” Claire interrupted.

“Thanks you guys, my nerves are shattered enough at
that prospect,”

“Claire my darling, oh what a picture you look too,”

“What a charmer Dad, are you ready for your big
night?”

“Yes, action stations, here comes your Mother and no
doubt she will have your duties for this evening” he joked.

Kate looked elegant in a long silver pencil skirt
with a thin belt, silver sequin top and silver court shoes.  It flattered
her tiny waist and small bust.  Her parents made an attractive
couple.  Pictures were quickly taken to capture the moment of them
together in their finery.  They chinked glasses in congratulations and
shared good wishes for the future.  It was a warm summer night and the
strands of lights were twinkling in the trees.  The large hurricane
candles lit for the walk ways.  The marquee was lit with the chandelier
lighting and the band could be heard.  Her mum was fussing over some of
the canapés as the guests began to arrive.  The front room of the house
was were most guests stopped to say their hellos to the hosts before retreating
with a drink of some champagne or something from the bar that had been set
up.  Then like the pied piper they could follow the sound of the music out
to the garden and the marque.  Carrie placed gift bags that had been
kindly given to mark her father’s retirement, bottles of his favourite whisky
and cards in the front parlour. 

“Auntie Peggy, good to see you,” Carrie kissed her
Aunts cheek in greeting.

“Well, well if it isn’t wee Carrie, now look at you out
of your widows weeds eh!”

“Peggy!”  Her Dad interrupted. “Here have a
drink”

 “So your Mum has warned me, oh I mean told me,
that you have a fella coming here tonight but we’ve not to make anything out of
it, it’s no big deal eh”

“That’s right Auntie Peggy, my boyfriend Nico is
coming tonight, I will make sure you get to check him out”

“Nico what sort of a name is that?  Is he from
around here?  Your Mum wouldn’t say?”

“His family has an Italian background and he is from
America”

“Did you meet him on your travels when you were away
to ‘find yourself’ again?  Mmm well I guess the insurance money came in
handy then if you bagged yourself another fella”

“Peggy, keep your opinions to yourself” Claire
warned.

Carrie picked up a glass of the champagne and drank
it in one swift gulp.  It was going to be a long night if Peggy’s reaction
was anything to go by.  Peggy sauntered off with her cousin Marie not that
far away.  She knew they would be off to claim the best table in the
marquee for their entourage as they did at most family events.  A chance
to observe all the other guests and pass comment. 

“Hey why are you all looking so glum?  I
thought this was supposed to be a party” A voice boomed from the door way.

“Auntie Belle”

Looking glamorous as ever in a scarlet dress pulled
low over her shoulders she swept through the room dispensing kisses of
hello.  No one could accuse Belle of growing old gracefully.  Harry
had insisted on running through the living room and hiding behind one of the
sofas.  Carrie ran after him, secured his giggling body and returned back
just as Nico arrived.