‘He’s planning to marry Lila. His luck doesn’t get much worse than that,’ Josie said, deadpan.
At least that made Cammy laugh, relieving the anxiety on several counts. First of all, it reminded him how much he loved her brutal honesty. Although, there was no denying that he preferred it when it was aimed in someone else’s direction.Secondly, he had the ring, so panic averted. Thirdly, he could now go about the rest of the day, back on schedule, knowing that a hitch like this hadn’t derailed them.
It was all good. Lila would love the ring. Okay, maybe not love it, but as Val said, it was only a temporary measure. Disaster averted.
‘Why do I feel like I’ve seen this ring before?’ Josie mused, slipping it on. ‘Argh, the ageing process is bollocks. I think every time I pee I lose brain cells. My memory is shot.’
‘No idea,’ Cammy shrugged. ‘Anyway, let’s get this and get out of here. We’ve still got loads to do.’
Don’t remember. Don’t. Please don’t.
Josie, hand out in front of her, was still staring at it. ‘I have definitely seen it. Val, do you recognise it?’
Val shook her head. ‘Don’t think so. I’m more of a yellow gold person. If I was a young one nowadays I’d be drowning in gold chains and rapping out my shopping list down at ASDA.’
Save me.Cammy looked heavenward to the Gods of romance and age-related forgetfulness.
‘Mel!’ Josie exclaimed, channelling Angela Lansbury, solving a mystery at the end of every episode ever ofMurder, She Wrote. ‘Mel had a ring just like this when she was married to Joe and… oh.’ She finished on a low point, was looking at Cammy now with genuine concern.
‘Josie, it means nothing. I just liked the ring. I didn’t even remember that it was similar to Mel’s. Look, this is for Lila. End of story.’
Was it though? If he was entirely truthful with himself, he wasn’t even sure that Lila would like it. It definitely wasn’t the kind of ring that would make her exclaim with delight, throw her arms around him while feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. But it was fine. She’d love what it stood for and she’d bethrilled when he explained it was a two-part operation and she could come and choose her own afterwards.
The events of today were seriously killing his buzz. This morning he’d woken up so sure of what was ahead, excited about how it was all going to play out, and now… Maybe he just needed something to eat. It had been hours since breakfast. Yes, that was it. Once he’d eaten he’d be thinking straight again and Mel would stop popping into his head. A bit of lunch would sort that out and then he could just get on with making everything perfect for Mel. Oh bugger – he meant Lila.
After he handed over his credit card, the assistant went off to box up the ring.
‘So what’s next on the agenda?’ he asked Val, ignoring Josie’s raised eyebrow of inquisitive disapproval. It was nothing he hadn’t seen before. Ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away, but he could only hope she got distracted and moved on to some other outrage or point of interest.
‘We’re going to the restaurant to check everything is ready for the proposal tonight. Do you think Lila has any idea what you’re up to? What does she think you’re doing this evening?’
Cammy shrugged. ‘I’ve told her we’re going out for dinner with you two.’
‘Och, Cammy, could you not have come up with something a little more appealing than that? I bet you my last pair of support kecks that she’ll cancel. She’s never exactly taken to us, has she?’ Val was looking worried now – and if Val was worried, then there was something to panic about because the woman could cope with just about anything. ‘Maybe you should make the offer a bit more appealing. Is there no one else you could ask?’
She had a point though. He’d thought it had been a clever move, because it didn’t involve anyone that could let the secretslip, but now he could see that it may be slightly flawed. Lila had never really engaged with Josie and Val. He knew why – they were, as far as she was concerned, part of his old life, a life that she wasn’t connected to. On top of that, Josie and Val, and their extended circle of family and friends, were a tight group to penetrate. It made total sense that Lila felt a little out of place and would rather spend time in the company of people she knew and loved. He got that.
Perhaps he should have invited her parents along.
‘You’re right. I’ll call her mum.’ He pulled out his phone and called Louise.
‘Louise? Hi, it’s Cammy. I’m good thanks, how are you? You’re where? Oh. I didn’t realise you golfed. I won’t keep you then. I just wondered if you and Jack were up to anything tonight or if you’d like to join Lila and me for dinner? You did? And is she still with you? Didn’t think so – don’t think she’s got the shoes for it. Yes, sure, I’ll hold…’
Strange, Cammy thought, Lila hadn’t mentioned anything about popping over to meet her parents this morning. She’d said she had a completely jam-packed day of appointments and presentations. There was a muffled sound at the other end of the line.
‘Hi, yes, I’m still here. Ah, no worries. Another night then. Nope, completely understand. I’ll see you soon.’
He hung up to four raised eyebrows of inquisition.
‘She said no?’ Val asked, blatantly unimpressed. Cammy knew she was all about her family and nothing would stop her joining them for dinner. Only a couple of years ago, she’d lost her daughter, Dee, in a car accident just before her thirtieth birthday, and it had brought the rest of her family closer than ever.
‘Yeah, Lila’s dad had already made plans to take her mum out to dinner, so they’re doing that instead.’
‘But that’s…’
Josie was cut off by the ring of Cammy’s phone.
‘Louise! No of course not – that would be great. I’m glad you changed your mind. Yes, Grilled, on Royal Exchange Square, at eight. The table is booked. Look forward to it.’
