Staying at Daisy's (35 page)

…the smell of fresh paint.

Slowly, very slowly, Daisy breathed out again. Fresh paint and lots of it. And newly replastered ceilings. Following Dev through to the kitchen she saw rolls of wallpaper stacked up in readiness against the wall. Pots of eggshell emulsion were piled neatly in one corner along with folded-up dust sheets, a pasting table and an assortment of brushes.

‘This is the last room,’ said Dev. ‘They’ve finished the rest of the house. Unless you think all this stuff’s only here to impress visitors.’ Dryly he added, ‘Maybe you’d like to speak to them yourself, just to prove they exist.’

‘No thanks.’ Daisy shook her head vigorously as he took out his mobile and punched in a number. She backed away in alarm as Dev tried to make her take the phone.

Grinning, he said, ‘Jeff, hi, it’s Dev Tyzack. Yes, I’ve just arrived. Now listen, I’m up in London tomorrow so I’ll leave the money here for you to pick up in the morning, is that OK? Good. And you’ll be finished by Friday? Brilliant. Jeff, before I go, could you just do me a favor and have a word with a friend of mine? Thanks.’

Refusing to be intimidated any longer, Daisy grasped the nettle. Well, the phone.

‘Hi, Jeff, I understand you’re a painter and decorator. Could you tell me the name of your firm please?’

At the other end of the phone, a bewildered-sounding Jeff said, ‘Um, Phoenix Services.’

‘Thanks very much.’ Daisy nodded efficiently. ‘Goodbye.’

‘Happy now?’ inquired Dev.

‘Phoenix Services.’

‘Right.’

Since there was no longer any need to protect her staff, Daisy said, ‘When my secretary asked you what they were called, you didn’t know.’

‘Ah, I
see
.’ Dev nodded, understanding at last. ‘Well, that’s because until recently Jeff was trading as JR Services. His surname’s Richardson,’ he explained, as if Daisy had learning difficulties. ‘But a couple of weeks ago, a man called John Rowlands contacted him. He’s another decorator from Melksham and guess what his company name is?’

Irritably, Daisy said, ‘OK, OK, I’m not
six
.’

‘You were the one who wanted to know this,’ Dev pointed out. ‘So anyway, John Rowlands is branching out, moving to Bath, and he offered Jeff money to change the name of his business. When your secretary asked me what it was called, I couldn’t remember offhand what they’d decided on.’

‘Well, that’s that sorted out.’ Daisy wanted him to stop now; she had the nasty feeling he was laughing at her.

‘Oh, come on, cheer up.’ Dev flashed her a dazzling smile. ‘Seeing as you’ve come all this way, you may as well have a look at what’s been done.’

She let him give her the guided tour. It was a stunning house. Jeff had done a good job. Daisy dutifully admired the decor in every room and wondered how soon she could decently leave.

Dev waited until they were back in the kitchen before asking the killer question; the one she’d spent the last twenty minutes dreading.

‘What I don’t understand is, why would anyone pretend their house was wrecked if it wasn’t?’ He shook his head at Daisy, seemingly perplexed. ‘More to the point, why on earth would they want to move into a hotel when they already had a perfectly good home?’

Oh help, mustn’t go red, mustn’t go red…

‘Well,
quite
.’ Daisy looked equally puzzled. ‘That’s exactly what I was wondering! I mean, it doesn’t make any sense at all, but when Brenda said—’

‘But what I really,
really
don’t understand,’ Dev interrupted, ‘is why, if you were that mystified, you didn’t do the obvious thing and just ask me.’

His gaze was impenetrable. Bugger. The ferocious blush Daisy had been so heroically keeping at bay was suddenly rampaging out of control. She felt it swoosh up her neck, all the way to her hairline. In fact the top of her head was probably blushing too.

‘I don’t know. I didn’t want to… um, embarrass you.’

Dev smiled. ‘Actually, I think I’ve got it. You thought I’d made up the flood story and moved into the hotel because I liked you so much I was prepared to do anything to be near you. Am I right?’

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake!’ Daisy forced out a laugh that bordered on the hysterical. ‘What a thing to suggest! Of
course
I didn’t think that!’

Bloody Brenda, this was all her fault. She definitely deserved the sack.

‘Sure?’ murmured Dev.

‘Absolutely! God, that’s the most ridiculous thing I ever heard!’

‘Only you’re blushing.’ He moved towards her. ‘Quite a lot, in fact.’

That was the really annoying thing about paper bags: they were never around when you needed them.

‘I have to go,’ Daisy blustered, trying to get past him. Thank God he was moving out of the hotel the day after tomorrow.

‘Not yet.’ Putting out an arm, Dev said, ‘Actually, you were half right.’

Confused, Daisy stopped struggling. ‘Half right about what?’

‘I liked you a lot. Maybe not enough to run up to the loft and drill holes in the water tank,’ Dev amended, ‘but enough to choose to move into your hotel rather than any of the others.’

Daisy’s heart was beating very fast now; she could feel it leaping in her throat. Hadn’t she always known this, really? And why was it having such a paralyzing effect now?

But it was all very well knowing it in theory. It wasn’t quite so easy to stay calm when the person in question was standing right in front of you, calmly telling you how they felt.

‘I’ve said this before,’ Dev went on, ‘and I know you don’t like it, but you and Josh aren’t right for each other. You’re with him because he makes you feel safe.’ He paused. ‘And that isn’t good enough. It’s a shitty way to live—it’s such a
waste
. You deserve more than that. I saw you talking to Josh yesterday and it’s obvious you don’t love him. It was like watching two friends.’

Daisy realized she was holding her breath. He didn’t know that she and Josh were no longer a couple. He didn’t know about Josh and Tara…

‘I don’t want to talk about Josh,’ she whispered.

‘I tried to kiss you once before.’ Dev’s dark eyes never wavered from hers. ‘And you slapped my face.’

He
knew
.

The corners of Daisy’s mouth pulled up, just slightly. ‘Well, you could always try again.’

The doors were locked. Clarissa was back at the hotel being looked after by Rocky. They were all alone in the house. Daisy wondered when, subconsciously, she had made up her mind to do this. Just once, to satisfy her curiosity and see what Dev Tyzack was really like.

He didn’t disappoint. In slow motion, she found herself being led back up the stairs. They barely made it to the top. Magical kissing was followed by frenzied removal of clothes. Daisy, running her hands greedily over Dev’s hard athlete’s body, could scarcely bring herself to tear her mouth from his in order to breathe. She wanted him so badly she could have made love right then and there on the staircase. It was only thanks to Dev exerting a little self-control that they managed to reach the bedroom. Leaving behind a trail of abandoned clothes, they finally made it to the king-sized bed.

***

‘What are you thinking?’ Dev, leaning up on one elbow, pushed a tangle of hair out of her half-closed eyes.

Daisy lay on her back, one hand flung above her head, listening to her breathing slowly return to normal.

‘Just wondering how many other women have looked up at this ceiling.’

‘You’re the first.’

‘Of course I am.’

‘You are,’ Dev insisted, before breaking into a grin. ‘This ceiling was only replastered last week.’

Daisy smiled. ‘You certainly know how to make a girl feel special.’

‘You are special.’

‘Oh, please!’

‘I mean it,’ said Dev, suddenly serious. ‘I’ve waited a long time for this.’

He sounded so convincing, Daisy marveled. As if he truly meant it.

Then again, this was undoubtedly how he bowled over his numerous conquests in the first place. An expert like Dev knew just how to flatter a girl, how to make her feel important and desirable. It was an elemental part of his seduction technique, one he would have used countless times.

The only difference with her, of course, was that she hadn’t jumped into bed with him months ago; she had done the unthinkable and actually kept him waiting. But the wait was over now. He’d got what he wanted. All that remained was for Dev to see her a few more times, make her fall head over heels in love with him, get bored with her in true serial seducer fashion, and finally dump her, just as he had dumped all the rest. Pausing only to add her poor broken heart to a pile the size of a coal tip.

Oh yes, Daisy thought. That was exactly the way it would happen.

‘This is it,’ said Dev, his fingertips trailing down her arm. ‘You don’t know how much you mean to me.’

Yeah, yeah, heard it all before. From Steven, actually.

But it wasn’t so easy to ignore the physical sensations he was arousing with those philanderer’s fingers of his. Trembling with renewed longing, Daisy arched towards him. An hour ago she’d told herself, just this once.

Oh well, what the heck. Just once more.

***

‘Six o’clock,’ Daisy lazily observed, having reached for Dev’s arm and glanced at his watch. Their second lovemaking session had been slower, less frenetic and more sensuous than the first. Dev was indeed proving himself an expert. It had been glorious.

‘You don’t really have to get back, do you?’ He kissed her neck, his warm tongue teasing her hypersensitive skin.

‘Oh, I do.’ God, I definitely do. If I don’t leave now…

‘I’ll come back with you,’ said Dev. ‘You have to tell Josh.’

Daisy closed her eyes. ‘Tell Josh what?’

‘You know. That it’s over. This is it now.’ Beneath the tangled duvet, he ran a warm hand over her stomach. ‘You’re with me.’

Listen to him, just
listen
to him. As far as Dev was concerned, it was a foregone conclusion. It simply hadn’t crossed his mind that she might not want her heart broken and tossed onto the coal tip along with all the rest.

‘No I’m not.’ Daisy removed his wandering hand and slid out of bed. ‘This is just something that happened this afternoon. You kept dropping hints that I was missing out on a treat—and I admit it, I was curious.’ She shrugged casually as she reached for her bra and—where were they? Oh yes, dangling from the door handle—knickers. ‘But just because we’ve been to bed doesn’t turn us into an instant couple. I’m still with Josh and I’m going to stay with him.’

Dev’s face was expressionless, almost mask-like. ‘Are you joking?’

‘Never been more serious.’ Bra fastened, knickers on, Daisy opened the bedroom door and saw her skirt and shoes strewn across the landing. ‘Now I don’t need to be curious anymore.’

‘But—’

‘This is never ever going to happen again,’ Daisy went on. ‘And Josh is never
ever
going to find out. You’re leaving the hotel, you and I will never see each other again, and we’ll all live happily ever after.’

Dev lay there, very still, propped up on one elbow. ‘Is that what you want?’

‘Absolutely.’ She flashed him a bright, must-dash smile. ‘And it’s what I’m going to get.’

So much had happened in the past fortnight. First Paula Penhaligon had left the hotel, then Dev and Clarissa had abruptly departed. Within days, Maggie had pretty much moved in with Hector. Next, the rewiring and repairs having been completed, Barney and Mel had moved out of the hotel and back into Brock Cottage.

Tara smiled to herself, having saved until last the most important move of all. Josh was, needless to say, now staying with her at Maggie’s cottage. As Josh had remarked in bed only this morning, it was like a complicated game of musical chairs.

And now this.

The man sitting next to her finished writing on his clipboard and turned to speak.

Tara braced herself.

‘Congratulations, Miss Donovan,’ said the examiner who’d looked so scary earlier. ‘I’m delighted to tell you that you have passed your test.’

Tara promptly burst into tears.

***

‘I thought you’d blown it.’ Josh enveloped her in a bear hug. ‘When I saw you crying I thought you’d failed.’

‘I was just so happy. That poor man looked so confused. God, I can’t believe it!’ Doing a little jig for joy on the pavement, she grabbed Josh’s hand and dragged him across the road. ‘I’m not a learner anymore! He said I did really well! You’ll have to drive us home by the way.’

‘Why?’

Tara pushed him through the swing doors of the wine bar opposite the test center.

‘Because, you wally, I’m going to celebrate with a great big drink.’

At the bar, Tara was so busy feeling fantastic, she missed the first part of the sentence. All she managed to catch was ‘…with me.’

‘What was that? Whoo, sorry.’ She rubbed spilled Frascati into the denim stretched across Josh’s gorgeous thigh, then waggled her finger playfully through the frayed bit on his knee. ‘Did you know you have the most feelable knees I’ve ever seen?’

‘You’re not paying attention,’ said Josh.

Tara beamed. The alcohol—on an empty stomach because she’d been too nervous to eat breakfast this morning—was fizzing like sherbet through her veins. She was feeling fantastic, fabulous, and… frisky.

‘I don’t just like your knees, you know. There are other bits I’m very fond of too.’ Tipping forward at a precarious angle on her bar stool she whispered lasciviously, ‘I really love your… tummy button.’

‘Never mind my adorable body parts.’ Josh rolled his eyes. ‘I’m trying to talk about Miami.’

‘Oh.’ That was a coincidence; she’d spent the last couple of weeks trying not to talk about Miami. Or to even think about it.

‘I want you to come with me,’ said Josh.

Oh.

‘With you where?’ To the airport, did he mean? To wave him off?

‘To Miami. I love you.’ Josh’s big hands closed round hers. ‘It’s a great place, you’d have the time of your life. And we’d be together.’ He paused, his eyes searching her face. ‘So, what d’you think?’

Tara thought it was a good job he was holding her hands. Otherwise she was in danger of toppling off her stool.

Moving to America. With a man who adored her. What an offer.

The old Tara would have leapt at the chance. Riddled with insecurity, the most casual boyfriend could have suggested practically anything—living with him in a wooden hut in Siberia, setting up home in a manky tent on the hard shoulder of the M25—and she’d have been there like a shot, not caring how horrible it might be, just pathetically grateful that someone actually wanted her to wash their socks for them.

But the last few weeks had been a revelation, a truly exhilarating experience. Like a scratchy old sweater introduced for the first time to the joys of fabric softener, she felt silky and cared-for, desirable and re-born… And confident enough to say no if she wanted to.

‘You’re going to turn me down, aren’t you?’ The hope faded from Josh’s speckled greeny-brown eyes.

‘I love you.’ As she wrapped her arms round his neck and kissed him, Tara thought how much she owed him for having made her feel this good about herself. Josh was her very own human fabric conditioner.

‘You love me
but
,’ he prompted.

‘I love you and I’ll come out to Miami.’

‘I can still hear that
but
.’

Tara kissed him again, then smiled. ‘But not straightaway.’

***

‘It’s all over. I’ve left him. Well, that’s not true—I kicked him out.’

‘No! Oh my God. How do you feel?’

‘Truthfully? Fantastic.’

Tara had been wary at first when Annabel had rung up and asked to see her. But Annabel had stressed that everything was fine, she just wanted to update her on the Dominic situation. She’d sounded so cheerful that privately Tara had guessed she was going to hear that Annabel was pregnant, Dominic had vowed to turn over a new leaf, and the two of them were going to put the past behind them and embrace parenthood with a vengeance. She’d even pictured them, hand in hand, attending prenatal classes together.

Just as well she’d never been tempted to set up in business as a clairvoyant.

‘Tell me what happened,’ Tara urged. ‘I want to hear everything.’

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, warm enough to sit outside. Josh had tactfully removed himself from the cottage and was playing a round of golf with Hector. There were, appropriately, birds and bees darting around the back garden, and even a few butterflies investigating the lush delights of the flowering magnolias.

‘I came to my senses, basically.’ Annabel, sipping her tea, seemed remarkably sanguine. ‘Dominic’s a liar and he’ll always be a liar. When I confronted him, he tried to persuade me I’d made a huge mistake. When I showed him the photos the private detective had taken, he instantly switched to grovel mode and swore he’d never
ever
look at another woman. Well, that’s like—’

‘A fox promising not to eat a chicken,’ said Tara. ‘So, let me guess. You caught him out again?’

Vigorously, Annabel shook her head. ‘Not at all. Oh no, Dominic was on his
very
best behavior. It was me. I just realized I’d never be able to trust him again. All of a sudden I knew I couldn’t spend the rest of my life being married to someone like that. So I told him to go.’ She pushed up the sleeves of her pale blue sweater and rested her elbows on the arms of the wrought-iron garden chair, her manicured fingers loosely laced together. ‘Dominic didn’t take it well. He begged me to change my mind. When that didn’t work, he shouted and called me a fat cow. I told him to leave and he called me a lot more names. Then he left. That was two weeks ago. I haven’t seen him since, but I know where he is.’

Riveted, Tara said, ‘Living in a cardboard box somewhere?’

Annabel giggled. ‘Oh, please. This is Dominic we’re talking about. Can you seriously see him roughing it?’

Fair point.

‘OK, a mink-lined cardboard box with en suite bathrooms and jacuzzi.’

‘Getting warmer. Jeannie does have two en suites and a jacuzzi.’

Jeannie? Who was Jeannie? Belatedly, Tara’s eyes widened in recognition. ‘Your sister? She’s letting him stay with
her
?’ Heavens, that was a bit much—surely everyone had the right to expect a show of solidarity from their own sister!

Annabel smiled at the look of indignation on her face. ‘He’s doing more than just staying with her. It turns out Jeannie’s had a massive crush on him for years.’

‘Nooo! You can’t mean it!’ But since Annabel clearly did, Tara shrieked, ‘That is bizarre.’

Annabel’s blue eyes twinkled. ‘Not really. After all, she inherited just as much money as I did.’

‘But how can she do that to you! My God, she was mad as a snake when she caught me and Dominic in the summerhouse, she went
mental
.’

‘Exactly,’ said Annabel. ‘Of course we all thought she was going mental on my behalf. But it turns out she was just furiously jealous of you.’

‘And now he’s moved on to her.’ Tara shook her head in disbelief. ‘Doesn’t that make
you
mad?’

Annabel smiled. ‘She’s my little sister. She always used to want to play with my toys when we were kids. If I fell for Dominic’s lies, how can I blame Jeannie for doing the same? Anyway, I don’t suppose it’ll last long. She’ll see through him in the end.’

Crikey, talk about tolerant.

‘You’re taking it so well,’ Tara marveled. ‘You’re so
calm
.’

Annabel shrugged. ‘I’ve stopped kidding myself. I made a mistake and now I’ve sorted it out. To be honest, it’s a relief. I feel great. My mother keeps telling me I’ll meet someone else one day, but I’m really not interested. I just want to enjoy myself for a while, do all the stuff I’ve always wanted to do.’ As she flipped back her blonde hair, Tara noted the confidently ringless left hand. ‘Anyway, enough about me. How have
you
been?’

Oh dear. Tara hesitated for a moment; was this going to be like telling a bankrupt you’d just won the National Lottery? Still, at least Annabel appeared to be a cheerful bankrupt.

‘Well, I have met someone else.’ She couldn’t not tell her; in her smitten state it was so hard not to talk about Josh. ‘And I’ve never been happier in my life. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted.’

‘Married?’ Annabel grinned to show she was joking.

‘Not even married. It’s like a miracle. I love him to bits. And he loves me.’

‘Good grief, this sounds serious. Can I be bridesmaid?’

‘He’s off to Florida in a fortnight to start a new job.’

Annabel’s fair eyebrows shot up. ‘And you’re going with him?’

‘He wants me to, but I said no.’ As she spoke, Tara swelled with pride. Thanks to Josh, she now had the confidence
not
to scurry after him, petrified that the moment she was out of his sight he’d be up to no good with any number of bronzed blonde beach babes. He was the one who had made her feel secure enough, for the first time in her life, to turn him down.

‘But Florida—wouldn’t that be a great place to live?’ Annabel was clearly confused. ‘Are you saying you’d really rather stay here and carry on working in the hotel?’

More pride welled up in Tara’s chest. Any minute now she’d pop like a helium balloon. ‘I’ve handed in my notice. Florida’s fantastic, but so are loads of other places in America. Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to see New York, California, the Grand Canyon—do the whole sightseeing bit. I knew I’d never really see them because I’ve never had the guts to actually do anything about it.’

Cottoning on, Annabel said, ‘Until now?’

‘Until now.’ Tara hugged her knees with delight. ‘I just realized there was nothing to stop me. I’d been saving up for a car, but now I’m going to buy a ticket for a Greyhound bus instead and see as much of the country as I can. Wyoming,’ she said dreamily. ‘Seattle. Boston. Los Angeles. And when I’ve done all that, well, then I’ll go to Miami.’

‘Where your wonderful man will be waiting for you.’ Annabel looked thoughtful.

Tara instantly felt mean and tactless. ‘I’m sorry, this isn’t what you need to hear.’

‘Don’t be daft, it’s brilliant. I was just thinking how much I envy you.’ Twirling a strand of long blonde hair meditatively around her finger, Annabel said, ‘In fact, if you fancied some company on the trip, I’d be there like a shot.’

Tara’s mouth dropped open. ‘Are you serious?’

‘Why not? I could do with a change of scenery. It sounds fantastic. Two girls traveling together is safer than one. And I wouldn’t throw myself into your boyfriend’s arms when we reached Miami,’ Annabel promised with a grin. ‘You can do that bit.’

‘Are you
seriously
serious?’

‘I’d love to come with you. By the time I got back, Dominic will have been dumped by Jeannie. A couple of months out of the country is just what I need… My God, if we’re going to Wyoming, I could meet a
cowboy
out there…’

‘Not for any kind of meaningful relationship,’ Tara put in sternly. ‘Just sex.’

‘Oh, goes without saying. Definitely just sex. So,’—Annabel leaned forward, her eyes dancing—‘what d’you think?’

Blimey. Tara glanced at their empty cups, then over at Annabel, who was looking eager and excited.

‘I think it’s time we opened a bottle of wine. I definitely need a drink.’