Secrets (23 page)

Chapter F
ifty-Seven

Janey was in turmoil. As the minibus carrying the Canada Companions trundled to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, it was taking every shred of her willpower not to burst into tears.

‘Are you all right, love?’ asked Amanda. ‘I get the impression you’ve not been listening to a word I’ve been saying.’

Janey looked at Amanda with huge troubled eyes. She
had
been listening, albeit intermittently. One part of her brain had registered that Amanda and Brian had last night indulged in a FaceTime session involving long-distance cybersex and unmentionable things with a certain blue smurf. Apparently Brian had been so excited he’d dropped his breakfast cornflakes over his erection. However, the thinking part of Janey’s brain had been on Garth. She was trying not to torment herself over his whereabouts. Certainly he’d not spent the night in his hotel bed.

‘I’m just feeling a bit out of sorts,’ Janey said. ‘Put it down to one too many gins last night.’

‘Don’t give me that nonsense,’ Amanda tutted. ‘It’s man trouble, isn’t it? I can sniff man trouble at ten paces. I said to my Brian last night, when he’d finished mopping up all that spilt milk, “There’s a woman on this trip who is deeply unhappy. What she needs is a man like you.” And that is
indeed
what you need, Janey. A man like my Brian who will make your heart sing.’

Janey couldn’t help but smile. The thought of taking up with a pleasant but rather gormless chap like Amanda’s Brian wasn’t going to cure Janey’s aching heart. Amanda seemed to have conveniently forgotten that only a few nights ago she’d been bonking for Britain with James. Not that Brian would ever find out about it. Janey sighed again. ‘I’m just tired.’

‘Tired of not knowing whether you’re coming or going with Garth?’

‘Oh, Amanda…’ Janey trailed off. Her eyes welled. She blinked rapidly. ‘He’s such a nice guy. Unfortunately he’s not
my
guy.’

‘Why don’t you wait and see what the outcome is? From what you’ve told me, there isn’t going to be any grand reunion with this Emma hussy. She did the dirty on him – with his brother no less. Garth can’t possibly be in love with someone like that!’

‘You’re forgetting that Emma is the mother of Garth’s child.’

‘Not necessarily. Garth’s brother might be the father.’

‘Well Garth is hoping that’s not the case. And who knows what will happen if it proves to be true? People die for their children, so reuniting with a woman who once betrayed him is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Anyway, I’m ninety per cent sure he does have feelings for Emma.’

‘Look, love. I’m no counsellor. After almost chucking my own marriage down the toilet, I’m not the best to give advice either. But if I were you, I’d sit tight. What will be will be.’

‘My brother said the same thing the other night when we were FaceTiming.’

‘Well there you go then!’ Amanda patted Janey’s hand. ‘That’s two of us delivering pearls of wisdom. Ooh, look sharp. We’re here.’

The minibus had rocked to a gentle standstill. Clive was gathering up his paperwork and rep pass which would enable the small party to go to the front of the queue. He stood up to face everybody. ‘I’ll be two shakes of a lamb’s tail!’

Janey gathered up her handbag and sunglasses, although she doubted she would need the latter. Today the weather was cooler with a dull grey sky. Vancouver was like an English summer. Outside a watery sun couldn’t decide whether to blast everyone with golden rays or hide behind a black cloud and let the citizens of British Columbia take a dousing.

Moments later Clive was back. ‘Follow me, folks!’

The Canada Companions headed towards a cobbled area surrounded by towering trees. Sign posts, fashioned like totem poles, directed them. Following their rep through the Express Lane, Janey caught sight of something that made her gasp with horror. She’d naively imagined this excursion would comprise a few people walking about. Certainly all the pictures she’d seen on the internet had depicted such images. Instead she was aghast to see the suspension bridge loaded with two lanes of human traffic – one coming, one going. Even worse, the bridge seemed to have a life of its own. Not only was it rocking from side to side, it was also bouncing up and down. Janey’s stomach churned unpleasantly.

‘Sweet Mother Mary,’ said Ruth rather dramatically. She promptly crossed herself. ‘Please tell me we’re not really walking across
that
!’

Clive immediately set about reassuring everyone. ‘Don’t worry about a thing.’

Inside Janey’s head a Bob Marley song began to play. She wondered if she was in the grip of some sort of hysteria.

‘This bridge,’ Clive continued, ‘is so perfectly engineered it can’t possibly flip over.’

‘That’s reassuring to know,’ said Rich, ‘because the only plunge I want to take is of the marital kind.’

Ruth looked adoringly at her fiancé. ‘Oh I do love you, Boo Bear.’

‘Come on,’ Clive urged. ‘Let’s do this!’

Janey took a deep breath and followed their guide. As she did so, her mobile phone let out a musical ping from the depths of her handbag. Scrabbling for the phone, she rushed after her fellow companions and opened the text message just as she stepped onto the bridge. Her world instantly rocked, not only from the momentum of the bridge and who the text was from, but also because of what the message said.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Garth finished his text to Janey. He slid the mobile phone into his jacket inside pocket. Looking up, he caught his brother’s gaze.

‘I don’t know what to say, matey,’ said Adrian.

The brothers were sitting side by side in Adrian’s car. They were parked up outside Julian Green’s private office. Both men looked pale. Adrian’s hands were visibly shaking. Garth rubbed his eyes viciously. He felt so tired, as if somebody had flicked a switch and turned his energy off.

‘Look, bro. It is what it is.’

‘Yeah, I know,’ Adrian replied. ‘But it’s still–’

‘What?’

‘A shock.’

Garth nodded. ‘I can understand that.’

‘I’ve spent the last twenty-four hours completely hyped up. I didn’t sleep a wink last night – which had nothing to do with the hot little redhead I saw earlier.’

Garth gave Adrian a sidelong glance. ‘Why do you do it?’

‘What? You mean muck about with other women?’

‘Yes. Don’t you love Emma?’

Adrian closed his eyes and inhaled deeply before opening them again. ‘Honestly?’

‘Yes, of course honestly. I think, more than ever, it’s crucial we’re honest with each other. Agreed?’

‘You’re right. Okay. Then…yes…I guess I love Emma.’

‘What do you mean you “guess”? She’s meant to be your partner. You either love the woman or you don’t!’

Adrian hung his head. ‘I know. What I’m trying to say, and not doing a great job at, is she’s the sort of woman I’d have liked to settle down with later in life – when I’ve finished playing the field and having fun. I love flirting, Garth. The thrill of the chase. Then, later, that triumphant feeling when a woman finally goes to bed with me. Since my divorce from Jemma, I haven’t felt ready to hang up my condom and settle down to a life of domesticity. Emma initially appealed to me because she was…this sounds awful, matey, and I’m truly sorry…she appealed to me because she was unobtainable.’ Adrian shook his head. ‘I’m such a bastard.’

‘Yeah, I did call you a few choice names at the time. I think that was one of them,’ Garth grimaced.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Yeah, you said.’

‘I mean it.’

‘I know.’

‘Would you like to deck me?’

‘What would that achieve?’

Adrian shrugged. ‘I dunno. It might make you feel better. Or maybe make me feel better. It’s a fitting punishment.’

‘It wouldn’t change anything though, so rather pointless.’

‘Why are you always so civilised?’ Adrian regarded Garth, genuinely puzzled. ‘If you’d done that to me and taken, say, Poppy off me, I’d have tried to flatten you – even though you’re bigger than me.’

‘Ah, yes. Poppy. I remember her at Mum and Dad’s anniversary “do”. Legs up to her armpits.’

‘The very one and same. The woman who upset Emma so much that Emma felt it necessary to make free with most of the table wine.’

‘Yes,’ Garth nodded at the memory. ‘It did get a bit messy. In every sense of the word. I guess pregnancy hormones are challenging.’

‘As is an unfaithful woman,’ Adrian pointed out, ‘especially when she’s a
pregnant
unfaithful woman. It puts a different complexion on matters.’

‘In hindsight there are a lot of things that obviously now make sense. At the time I just thought Emma was mood swinging.’

‘Did you ever love her?’

Garth didn’t hesitate. ‘No. We should never have got together. I knew it was you Emma wanted. She was at your birthday bash, in tears, and I felt sorry for her. I was just a shoulder to cry on. But she was very persistent and I suppose I was flattered.’

‘Flattered? Why?’ Adrian looked incredulous. ‘You can have your pick of women!’

Garth laughed but there was no joy to the sound. ‘I disagree. There aren’t many women out there who want guys like me.’

‘What
are
you talking about?’

‘I’m ridiculously tall with huge feet. Compared to you, I’m clown-like.’

Adrian shook his head. ‘This is nonsense. You must have self-esteem issues. I’d love to be built like you. It’s sexy.’

‘Careful, bro. You sound like you’re getting in touch with your feminine side.’

‘But it’s true! Women love hulks. It makes them feel small, dainty and protected.’ Adrian regarded his hands for a moment. The trembling had subsided a little. He glanced over at Garth again. ‘Are you seeing anyone at the moment?’ He immediately spotted his brother’s hesitation. ‘You are! Who is she?’

Garth shook his head. ‘It’s not like that. But if you must know, I met a woman on the flight out of Heathrow.’

‘You hooked up with somebody on the way over? Neat work!’ Adrian let out a low whistle.

‘You’re misunderstanding the situation. I came to Canada with a group of people. I met them on this holiday website for solo travellers wanting companionship.’ Garth caught Adrian’s expression. ‘No funny business – it’s absolutely kosher.’

‘Shame,’ Adrian teased. ‘So who is this mysterious female?’

‘Somebody who’s had a tough time. She’s been great actually. Very…supportive.’

‘She knows about...,’ Adrian searched for the right words, ‘this mess?’ His voice was suddenly full of despair.

‘Yeah, she knows.’

‘Did it put her off you?’

‘I wouldn’t know. Nothing has actually happened between the two of us. We’ve just hung out together. But I’m hoping she likes me.’

‘Of
course
she likes you,’ Adrian said indignantly. ‘What is there
not
to like? A great big hunk of a guy who’s good looking, a famous author,
and
loaded.’

‘But also someone with potentially more emotional baggage than the average guy fresh out of a relationship.’

Adrian’s face fell. ‘Now we know the DNA result, maybe things will still work out?’

‘I hope so. But what about you and Emma? You took her half way across the world. Away from her family, friends, and support network. Then you dumped her from a great height.’

Adrian squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed the bridge of his nose. ‘I know. My behaviour has been despicable. I know she wants to go back to England with you. You don’t have to be Einstein to work that out.’

Garth remained silent and stared solemnly through the windscreen. A bug was crawling across the glass. Garth wondered what it was like to be an insect, oblivious to human drama. ‘Her motivation to return to England with me is because she thinks you don’t care about her.’

‘I
do
care about her. I told you, I love her. I think it’s taken Julian Green’s DNA results to actually make me realise that. I certainly don’t want her going back to the UK with you.’

‘Then for goodness sake tell her, and stop fooling around with other women. Bro, I want you to treat Emma nicely. She’s not a plaything to be picked up and put down on a whim.’

‘I know. I feel ashamed. But…well…I won’t lie…it was Anna who was the initial glue between us.’

Garth sighed. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

‘Sure.’ Adrian started the car up. Before he released the handbrake he paused and looked at Garth. ‘Just promise me one thing, matey?’

‘What?’

‘That despite everything I did to you, we’re friends again.’

‘Of course,’ Garth nodded. ‘That goes without saying. Come on, bro. I think it’s time we both spoke to Emma.’

Chapte
r Fifty-Nine

Janey bounced across the Capilano suspension bridge, one hand clinging to the leaping rail while the other tightly grasped her mobile phone. Her eyes re-read the dancing text message from Garth.

Hi, gorgeous. Back at hotel tomorrow night. DNA results in. Badly need to see you xx

Janey read the message twice just to make sure she’d understood it correctly. Yes, she had. Garth had definitely omitted to tell her the DNA result. Oh for goodness sake! Only a man could fail to impart crucial information and leave a woman hanging, just like she was on this wretched suspension bridge three hundred feet over the Capilano River. There was a tap on her shoulder.

‘Get a move on, Janey,’ Amanda complained. ‘You’re holding things up.’

‘Sorry,’ said Janey hastily. She slid the mobile phone into the back pocket of her jeans before springing, like a kangaroo, after the human line she was following. Amanda charged after her.

‘Who was texting you?’

‘Garth,’ Janey panted. She wanted to get off this bridge. It gave a whole new meaning to “motion sickness”.

‘Oooh, lover boy!’

Janey tutted. ‘Don’t be daft.’

‘What did he say? C’mon, spill the beans.’

‘He knows the DNA result.’

‘Oh my goodness,’ Amanda squealed. Grabbing hold of Janey’s leaping shoulders she spun her round so they were face to face. ‘
And
?’ she demanded.

Janey tried to focus on Amanda’s constantly shifting face. ‘And nothing.’

‘Eh? What do you mean?’

‘He didn’t say what the result was…is.’ Janey looked frustrated. ‘He just said it was in, and that he badly needs to see me.’

‘Oh for–’

‘I know.’

‘Men!’

‘Indeed.’

‘Ladies,’ said a camp voice. ‘Whilst I know my gender is of frequent frustration to the fairer sex, can I please ask you both to move your botties
tout de suite
. There is a lot of chuntering going on behind me.’

‘Sorry,’ Amanda grinned at Clive. She turned back to Janey and gave her a gentle prod. ‘Move.’

They bounced on, finally alighting under the shade of towering cedar-scented evergreens. Janey was dismayed to see her brush with heights was only just beginning.

‘Where’s my party?’ Clive clapped his hands for attention. ‘Rich, could you possibly stop kissing Ruth for ten seconds and listen to me? Thank you! We’re about to embark on the Treetops Adventure.’

‘Treetops?’ asked James nervously.

‘Yep,’ Clive beamed. ‘You’re going to be feasting your peepers on views only a squirrel usually sees.’

‘I don’t think squirrels see views as high as this,’ James boggled. He was looking almost as green as the endless leafy canopy all around them.

‘Ah, but we’re not talking about British squirrels, James. Here, within the West Coast’s rainforest, there are panoramic views one hundred and ten feet up in the air.

‘Fab,’ said James weakly. He caught Amanda giving him a pitying look. His eyes slid away as he pondered how to deal with his current predicament. Glancing back at Amanda, he saw she was still looking at him. James straightened up. Wandering over to her, he cleared his throat. ‘Um, Amanda. Hi. Would you mind terribly if I held your hand? Just while we get through this part of the excursion,’ he added hastily. ‘Absolutely no funny business, I promise.’

‘Yes I do mind,’ Amanda snapped. ‘Go and find somebody else to do your hand holding.’

‘Now, now, boys and girls,’ Clive waggled a finger. ‘Let’s not squabble. If you’re really that worried, James, you can hold
my
hand. But – as Amanda said – absolutely no funny business, okay?’

‘Er, on second thoughts–’

‘Don’t be shy,’ said Clive. He grabbed hold of James’s damp palm. ‘Okay, folks. Let’s get a wiggle on.’ And with that James found himself being yanked off with the mincing Clive.

‘I’ve seen it all now,’ Amanda snorted.

‘Don’t sneer,’ Janey quavered. ‘I know exactly how James is feeling.’

‘Then there’s only one thing for it,’ said Amanda, squaring up. ‘You’ll have to hold my hand too. This Canada Companions lark is going to new extremes.’

The crowds of tourists had thinned out. On this side of the bridge it was mainly couples and small parties. The group set off to walk a series of seven suspension bridges high above the forest floor. After half an hour or so, James and Janey had settled into the groove of treetop travel through rainforest vegetation. All was going well until Clive led them to an area ominously named “Cliff Walk”.

‘Now I’m really in trouble,’ James croaked.

Clive paused to address his group. ‘Don’t look so worried, boys and girls. This might seem like a heart-stopping activity, but I promise it’s absolutely safe. It’s just a teensy bit high…and a weensy bit narrow.’

‘You can say that again,’ Janey muttered.

‘And there’s just one itsy-bitsy thing I need to draw your attention to,’ Clive added. Five anxious faces looked back at him. ‘In some places, only glass separates us from the canyon far below – but it’s very strong glass!’ He gave them all a winning smile. ‘So without further ado, follow me!’

Full of trepidation, the little group shuffled after Clive. Carefully they manoeuvred along a granite precipice beside the Capilano River. Janey found herself concentrating only on Amanda’s dusty espadrilles in front of her. She totally ignored the series of narrow labyrinth-like twists of cantilevered bridges, platforms and steps. Ahead of her, Clive paused to update them.

‘You’ll be thrilled to know,’ Clive shouted, ‘there are only sixteen anchor points in the cliff supporting this entire structure. It’s what’s known as
environmentally sensitive engineering
.’

It was at this point that James dropped to his hands and knees and began to crawl. ‘I can’t take any more,’ he whimpered.

‘For goodness sake, James,’ Amanda tutted. She leant over him and hauled him up by his hoodie. ‘Man up!’

‘I want my Mu-mu,’ James sobbed.

‘And I want my Brian,’ Amanda retorted. ‘But they’re not here, so we’ve got to make the best of it.’

Janey looked at James sympathetically. She desperately wanted Garth, but he wasn’t here either. Making the best of it was all the three of them could do.