‘You guys helped me not only understand I was gay but accept it too.’
‘Ah, that’s so sweet. Because you found us so physically repellent the only explanation could possibly be that you weren’t into girls?’ Remy laughed, putting her hand on his arm as if only physical contact would do.
‘Kind of.’ He stuck out his tongue. ‘No, I remember sharing a bed with you two hot chicks and all three of us lying there staring at the poster of John Taylor you had taped to the ceiling.’
‘I remember the one.’ Indeed she did.
‘And it was like ... ah, I see what’s going on here.’
‘I still love him,’ she declared.
‘Do you?’ Ashleigh sounded surprised.
‘God yes, I’ve already told Midge that if John happened to be passing through Amesbury with his entourage and his car broke down and he needed the loo and a cup of tea, and he knocked on my door and came in and used the bathroom and had a cuppa and then, as he was leaving, said to me, “I’ve fallen madly in love with you, Remy Hughes. Come with me and live in my mansion in America, and let me peel you grapes all day and we can swim naked in my pool and playRio, the album, on repeat, while we lay in the sun,” I’d go. Just so he’s prepared and knows what to tell the kids.’
‘That, my love, is a weirdly specific and detailed scenario, if you don’t mind me saying so. It suggests you’ve given it quite a lot of thought.’ Tony stared at her.
‘Not really.’ She smiled, knowing she had maybe envisaged this very thing at least a dozen times.
‘Hang on a minute!’ Tony reached for his phone and the sound of ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ filled the room. ‘Oh my God!’ She jumped off the bed and danced with her hands above her head, watched by Ashleigh and her beloved bestie. ‘I’m sixteen again!’ she yelled, as the music filled her up and she did her best to blinkback the tears that threatened at just how quickly it had all passed, all of it, and for what she and Tony had endured, unaware of what lay in wait for them, just around the corner in a dark car park one Saturday night.
The bedroom door opened and in walked her mother.
‘For of the love of God, Tony Newman, please turn that down. I can barely hear myself think!’ Her mum shielded her eyes with her hand as if this might quieten the music.
‘Sorry, Mrs Brett.’ He hit the volume button.
‘Keener!’ She pointed at him.
Ruthie Brett rushed over and held the man in her arms. ‘Welcome home, love.’
Remy knew she’d never forget this wonderful, wonderful moment on this brilliant day. Her fiftieth birthday was shaping up to be the best one ever!
Ashleigh
With the party in full swing, Ashleigh helped herself to a glass of wine.
‘You all right, little one?’ her dad asked, as he ate a sausage roll and wiped crumbs from his V-necked sweater with the back of his hand.
‘I am, Dad. So lovely to have everyone here under one roof.’
‘Makes me prouder than I can say!’ His voice carried the quaver of emotion as Sophie and Riccardo danced, and her mother sat in the corner, no doubt grateful for the seat, with little Elio on her lap. Bertie and Evie giggled in the doorway, partners in crime. It made her happy to see the cousins getting on so well. Ridiculously, it felt like a win for her side. Given the lure of Archie, his little boys, and all that his family and their wealth could offer, at least she had Bertie and his deftness at computer games in her corner. Midgeand Raul chatted and reminisced like old friends, as Remy and Tony leaned on the windowsill and occasionally bent double over something that was so funny they couldn’t possibly remain upright!
She took a sip of wine, unwilling to admit that having Tony here had rather robbed her of something. She was fond of Tony, most definitely, but they were never a comfortable trio, not once she’d left primary school, as if Remy only knew how to operate as a twosome. It hadn’t bothered her much when she’d had Guy to hook arms with, but it had of course been a while since that was the case. Itwaslovely to see their old friend – of course it was, they shared history – but she knew that if Tony was on the scene, then she faded into the background. It had always been that way, and wasn’t going to change, even on her special birthday. It was uncomfortable to recognise this as jealousy, plain and simple.
‘Can’t believe my kids are fifty!’ Dennis tutted.
‘That makes you very old, Dad.’ She laughed.
‘It does that!’ He reached for her hand. ‘I don’t know if I tell you enough, Ashleigh, but I am so very proud of you.’
‘Don’t know why.’ She looked at the floor, unable to accept his simple compliment for what it was.
‘Oh, so many reasons.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Getting into St. Jude’s. I’ll never forget it, all those kids vying for that scholarship, and they gave it to you! Them teachers knew, like I did, that you were always going to make something of yourself. I’ve never been so proud. I used to tell all the blokes at work,my daughter goes to St. Jude’s Academy. You should have seen the look on their faces! I might not have made it to the boardroom, never got the big promotion, but I had that.’ His words were like tiny spikes that peppered her skin and stung just as much. Her sweet, sweet dad. ‘How you’ve handled splitting up with his lordship.’ He never said Archie’s name, not anymore. ‘I’ll never understand the fella, never! The way you’ve looked after Evie, setting up your own businessagain, as if it was easy, not letting life knock you down – you’ve done it all, Ashleigh, and you should never forget it.’
She took another sip.
‘Den!’ her mum called. ‘Come and hold your great-grandson!’
