Page 25 of It Was Always You

She blushed and turned as if trying to hide it. ‘Well, it’s a moot point. It’s not happening.’ She turned back to him and smiled sadly. ‘Anyway, enough of my love life. How’s Eve? What time is she getting here?’

‘We’re meeting her there at Glitterati. Her folks are down from Skye and they’re staying at a hotel in Edinburgh, so she’s gone up there after work. Max and Tia will be meeting us there too.’

‘Ah, yes, Max and his new lady love. Is it serious?’ She took another draw of her beer.

‘I would say so. They’re talking about her moving in here.’

She almost choked. ‘In here? What about you? He can’t do that.’

Adam laughed. ‘Well, he is. I’m thinking of moving on anyway. The job at school will give me more money, so I can maybe afford a bigger place. Might even buy somewhere.’

She gaped, open-mouthed. ‘Good grief, Adders, what’s happened to you while I’ve been away? You appear to have grown up.’

‘Cheeky sod.’ A car horn beeped outside. ‘Right, that’s us. Come on. Let’s go party!’

Getting a table at Glitterati was no mean feat. Securing several was a pure miracle. Adam was eternally grateful to the people who had made the cancellation, considering this was the space his party was now filling up. He was over the moon to be celebrating in such style. He and Lily walked through the glass doors into the open expanse of white walls, white chairs, and white booths. And to top off the white… a little more white. All this was married with a gazillion sparkles adorning the expensive-looking chandeliers. As they moved in the breeze from the opening door, tiny rainbows were being cast on every spare area of wall and floor. It really was stunning.

‘Bloody hell, Adders, you’ve gone all out.’ Lily gasped as she took in the luxurious surroundings.

Adam breathed in a contented relaxing breath, a wide smile fixed on his face. This was perfect. Just perfect.

A group of people were waving at them from a seating area over by the bar where white leather sofas surrounded a large faux-sheepskin rug. Another long glittering chandelier hung just above the low glass table.

Adam’s parents, as well as Max and Tia and a few colleagues from Adam’s current workplace, all shook his hand and greeted Lily. But his eyes soon settled on his most desired guest.

Eve.

His breath caught and his heart skipped when he saw her. She wore a fitted silver dress that showed off the curves he adored to perfection. On her dainty feet were silver stilettos, and she carried a jewel-purple clutch. Long silver strand earrings fell to her shoulders, and her golden-blonde hair had been straightened, hanging just below her décolletage. A heart-melting smile spread across her face as his eyes trailed up her body to meet her shimmering blue eyes. Quickly he made his way over to her and slipped his arm around her waist.

‘My goodness, you have to be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,’ he breathed into her ear and felt her shiver at his words.

‘You look rather gorgeous yourself.’

He kissed her cheek and waited for his insides to settle before turning to greet her parents.

The meal was as wonderful as they had all hoped. Everything cooked to perfection. Portion sizes meant everyone was satisfied but not overly stuffed. Everyone was happily chatting and drinking while Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ played in the background. Adam smiled as he lazily stroked a finger up and down Eve’s wrist.

After the whole party was finished with desserts, Adam nervously stood and clinked his glass with a spoon. The tables closest to him quieted.

‘Sorry to interrupt your wee chats, everyone, but I just wanted to say a few words if that’s okay.’ He smiled as he looked around the area of the restaurant where his nearest and dearest sat. ‘I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you all here with me to celebrate tonight. Getting this role as an English teacher in such a fantastic high school is a massive thing for me and I’m absolutely thrilled about it.’ Rumbles of appreciation travelled amongst his friends and family.

Adam took a deep breath. ‘But I’m afraid I lured you all here under false pretences.’ Confused looks were exchanged but he continued. ‘Getting this job means the world to me, obviously, but there’s one thing that means even more to me than that. Well, I say one thing, but I mean one person.’ Ed Sheeran began playing in the background and vocals filled the air with the sweet lyrics of ‘Thinking Out Loud’ as they floated above the low mumblings of the restaurant clientele.

Adam turned towards Eve and took her hand. ‘Eve, you mean more to me than any job, than any other woman, than anything in this whole world, in fact. I wasn’t unhappy before I met you, but I was incomplete. Meeting you wasn’t just an accident. We were meant to be. We go together like… like haggis and tatties… like bees and flowers… like fish and chips… Okay, enough with the food comparisons when we’ve just eaten.’ Giggles and chuckles traversed the group. He fumbled about in his pocket and retrieved a small box.

He dropped to one knee in front of Eve and gasps filled the air as he spoke with trembling lips and fingers. ‘Eve, if I’m honest, I think I’ve loved you since the moment I first met you that day Lily brought you into the refectory, and if it’s possible, I love you more each passing day. You’re the sun in my sky, my light in the darkness. Okay, the clichés are coming out now but I don’t care. You’re the most stunning woman in any room you walk into. You make me laugh. You even laugh at my jokes and that’s a sure-fire way to show you’re a keeper. You rein me in when I’m impulsive, but I really hope you don’t rein me in this time. You’ve filled my heart with a love I could never have imagined feeling. And if you’ll have me, I’ll try my very best to make you as happy as you make me feel with just one of your beautiful smiles. Eve, will you marry me?’

Eve’s eyes were glassy; her fingertips were resting on her lips. Her bottom lip quivered. ‘Yes, oh, yes.’ She lurched forward and wrapped herself around Adam as the whole restaurant burst into spontaneous applause. Adam kissed Eve passionately to seal their engagement.

Tears streamed down her face as Lily watched the scene unfold before her. People hugged her, presuming she was overcome with happiness for her best friend and his romantic proposal. She didn’t try to stop them. After all, she’d been the one to introduce them. But deep inside, unbeknownst to anyone else, her heart broke all over again. The ache in her chest was almost unbearable, but she put on a brave face and applauded along with the rest of the witnesses to this magical event. Her smile was forced and felt like a mask. But it was a mask she had been wearing for many years and would have to wear for the rest of her life. And wear it she would. Just for Adam. Just because all she wanted, apart from Adam, was his happiness.

TRACK 11

‘MOVE ON UP’ (CURTIS MAYFIELD)

August 2016 – moving-in day for Adam and Eve

Lily called from the top of the staircase. ‘How many more boxes are there, Adders?’ She’d been complaining that her arms felt like jelly and her legs weren’t much better. Eve was in the kitchen unpacking all the necessary bits and pieces to make cups of coffee for everyone.