Daisy hoped her expression told him that he had nothing to fear; no one was going to think any less of him for showing his feelings tonight of all nights. She felt Gianna shift and sigh next to her, knowing her boss must be tired, as she often was towards the end of a shift.
‘Come on, Dad!’ Cleo encouraged. ‘There’ll never be another moment like this. Forty years!’ She clapped.
‘All right then. I feel obligated, but all right then.’ He spoke slowly, sincerely and it was moving.
‘I don’t know where to start.’ He took a deep breath and blushed.
‘The beginning?’ Lawrence suggested.
‘Yes.’ MrKelleway coughed. ‘The beginning. I guess all I want to say is that I got lucky the day I met Winnie.’
MrsKelleway reached up and took his hand, running the back of his knuckles over her cheek with her head cocked to one side. Daisy knew that if nothing else, she wanted to be like this when she was old, still reaching for the man she loved. It was so beautiful to see. She stole a glance at Cassian.
‘We met quite by chance, fate if you like. There was me standing at the bus stop on an ordinary day. I was a streak of a lad, nothing to recommend me, counting the coins in my palm, and wondering how far twelve pence would take me. And she walked straight up to me with this big smile and a clear, confident voice: “Is it late again? Oh well, might be quicker to walk!” That’s what she said, that’s all she said. And I can see you nodding as this is not a new story for you, but the point is, I knew by those few words that her nature was wonderful, not only was she beautiful—’
‘Was?’ MrsKelleway tutted and gave a mock sulk, flashing a glimpse of her perfect porcelain gnashers.
‘Is!’ Her husband brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed. ‘Youarebeautiful. Of course, you are. But it was more than that: with those words you told me that you were the kind of girl who, if the bus was late or didn’t show up at all, was happy to walk. I knew then that you’d look for a way to get over obstacles in life. And you did, and we have.’ He paused and let go of her hand to wipe his eyes. ‘You took a chance on me, Winnifred Wallace. You didn’t laugh when I told you about my idea to buy linen and hire it out, returning it to hotels and restaurants neatly washed and folded, saving them the job. You didn’t laugh. You had faith in me. You loved me.’ He looked into her eyes. ‘And all those hours with little ones running around your feet, tired, so tired, endlessly washing and ironing tablecloths, napkins and sheets, but you did it – we did it.’ He looked around at his children, his family, and Daisy felt the weight of his words. ‘And it paid off. We grew our business, bought the laundries until we supplied linens as far north as Wolverhampton and someone else did all that washing and ironing, and what a wonderful life we’ve had.’
‘We have,’ his wife chimed. ‘We have.’
‘But the greatest gift you ever gave me was our beautiful kids.’ His voice cracked, and Lawrence sniffed. Cleo let her tears flow and Georgie handed her a handkerchief. ‘Loz, our oldest, then our Louis, who was too precious an angel to stick around.’ He looked up and crossed his chest. ‘And then came little Cleo, and now our grandchildren, Cass and sweet Dom and another on the way. I thought I was lucky that day at the bus stop, couldn’t believe you happened to be walking by, but forty years later, I can tell you that I am the luckiest man on the planet. Here’s to the next forty, my love!’ He raised his glass as his family stood.
‘The next forty!’ they chorused, before sipping champagne and moving around the table to hold each other, kiss each other and lay their arms across each other’s backs.
Daisy looked up to the sound of Gianna crying and she understood. It was moving and it was rare, the kind of sentiment you usually only saw in movies.
Lawrence stepped away from the table and came towards her. She felt her heart race in advance of the interaction.
‘Daisy, you have made tonight for us. Thank you for working so hard.’ He reached out and placed some paper in her hand. It felt like money, but she didn’t dare look down as that would seem rude and a bit grabby.
‘Thank you, MrKelleway.’ She felt the blush of awkwardness and slipped the notes into the front of her apron.
‘You’re very welcome.’ He smiled. ‘And please call me Lawrence. Your mum and I go way back – we’re practically family.’
That’s what he said! That she was practically a Kelleway!Her heart soared at the thought.
‘Right!’ He turned back to the table and shouted loudly. ‘Mum and Dad, let’s head home and get your gifts open!’
MrKelleway beckoned to Carlo, who took the envelope he passed him; cash, it seemed, was the order of the day. The two men shook hands.
‘You okay, Gia?’ she asked, as her boss cried openly.
‘I am. It’s just that sometimes life ...’ She ran out of words.
Daisy watched as Cassian walked out of the restaurant without giving her so much as a second glance. Her stomach sank with disappointment, although she wasn’t entirely sure what she had hoped for.
‘Yep, life.’ She concurred, as the two women walked back into the kitchen. Reaching into her apron pocket, she scanned the notes in her hand. Her mouth flew open. ‘Oh my God! You’re kidding me! He’s given me a hundred and fifty quid! I can’t believe it!’ She jumped on the spot. It was a wonderful surprise.
‘I’m so happy for you, darling girl.’
‘Gia, let me go halves with you, we can—’
‘No! No, don’t be daft.’ Gianna was still mopping at her residual tears. It really was some speech. ‘Your tips are always your tips, Daisy Daisy. We wouldn’t have it any other way.’
‘I don’t know what to say. Thank you, Gia!’ She threw her arms around her boss and gave her a tight hug. ‘Oh, my goodness, thank you! I can’t believe it. A hundred and fifty pounds!’ Again, she counted the cash to make sure. ‘Do you think it’s a mistake? Should I chase after him?’
‘It’s no mistake,’ Gianna reassured her. ‘He likes to tip big, and he can afford to, so why not?’
