Page 85 of Plot Twist

‘Where’s Jackie?’ I asked in a low whisper.

‘On her way,’ he replied.

That seemed to snap Riley out of whatever world he was living in for a moment. I tried not to let him see my face fall in disappointment. The last thing I wanted was to see Riley and Jackie together, like one big happy family, but I had to suck it up.

I had more pressing things to deal with now.

I tore my eyes away from him and located Ivy, who was walking back towards us with a huge grin on her face.

‘Auntie Bridget says I look like a princess!’ she exclaimed, her whole face lighting up at the comparison.

‘You certainly do. Four outfit changes later and you found the perfect dress,’ Riley smiled with a small eye roll.

My insides felt like they were melting as Ivy grinned up at me, her baby teeth proudly on display as she cuddled into my leg.

‘What’s a diva, Becca?’ she asked, scrunching her nose up at me. ‘Daddy said I’m a total diva.’

‘A princess that deserves only the best. Just like you, Ivy.’

I forced the smile as my heart broke a little inside.

God, I was going to miss her.

40

My eyes followed Ivy as she floated around, grinning while everyone told her how beautiful she looked. She already knew, with her pink, sparkly dress and matching sparkly shoes. Her hair, I noted, was styled to perfection in a French plait with small flowers woven in and out.

‘Mammy did it,’ she told me, with a curtsey, as I commented on how beautiful it was. ‘And Daddy said it was a good job she was back to fix my hair for tonight.’

A salty taste took over my mouth and suddenly I felt totally exhausted, like I could curl up in a heap on the rock-hard beige bricks across the courtyard floor and fall fast asleep.

I just had to get through tonight before I would say my goodbyes. Riley, Ivy, Bridget and Ellie were all moving on with exciting chapters. Ivy would be starting school after the summer. She had already picked out her bag and pencil case.

Ivy probably wouldn’t recall my existence in a few months, never mind years. Child development studies at school had taught me about infantile amnesia, the inability of adults to recollect early memories, and the rapid forgetting that occurs in childhood.

The memories I shared with her would be mine only.

I glanced up and spotted Jackie, sauntering towards Riley in a tight black dress and silver heels, as though she hadn’t a care in the world. She placed her hand on his arm and leaned in to whisper something in his ear. His face remained expressionless. I’d become accustomed to Riley’s hearty laugh, his easy-going shrugs and his wide, easy smiles. I looked away. It was none of my business.

I had to tell him though. I couldn’t leave without saying anything to him at all. Not that he’d probably notice, given how preoccupied he looked with Jackie being back. But it was only courteous to tell him I was leaving, given he was the reason I was here in the first place. Now was neither the time nor the place, though. Lifting a glass of fizz in one hand, I straightened up and went to find Bridget and Ellie to see if I could help with anything.

A noise echoed around the courtyard as Ellie and Bridget called for everyone’s attention.

Bridget held a microphone and, with a shaky hand, started to read out the speech she’d been stressing out about the evening before. I’d already heard her going over it approximately forty-six times. I crossed my fingers that she’d be able to get through it without stammering over her words.

I’d assured her everyone would be rooting for her, but that didn’t help when all eyes were fixated on you.

She thanked everyone for coming and made a few special mentions: the catering staff; the cleaning staff (which was actually just me and Ellie, but she reasoned cleaning staff sounded more professional); everyone that had helped with the project, from plumbers to the local suppliers and shops. She gave Riley, Ivy and me a special mention, too. Then she turned to Ellie.

‘Most of all, I want to thank Ellie, for putting up with me and being my partner in business and in life. We are excited to announce that we are now about to embark on another adventure together, this time as parents to two beautiful children who will join our family next week. So, I’d like you all to raise a glass and toast. . . to the future!’

An excited murmur made waves through the crowd as everyone raised a glass to toast their lovely news. Bridget’s legs were shaking by the time she’d finished. Ellie was beaming and the two leaned into one another and embraced.

‘Congratulations, you two,’ I said, walking over. ‘That was fantastic, Bridget. And everything looks amazing. You guys make the best team.’

‘Ach, you think so?’ Bridget said. ‘It wasn’t too over the top? Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned the twins. What if it’s tempting fate?’

‘Nothing’s going to go wrong,’ Ellie assured her. ‘It’s all going to be just fine.’