Angel Kiss - Laura Jane Cassidy [70]
‘Right you are, Joe,’ said Mary as he left the kitchen. She took a slice of cake out from a tin and started to wrap it in tinfoil.
‘It’s black forest gateau,’ said Mary, ‘Nick’s favourite. Actually I better remember to keep him a piece!’
The more I heard his name, the worse I felt. I really hoped I’d be able to fix things.
‘Did you get anything nice for your birthday?’ I asked, trying to change the subject.
‘Oh yes. Well, I got that beautiful painting from Colin.’ She pointed over to the far wall, at the painting I’d admired in Colin’s room the first time I’d met him.
‘It’s stunning,’ I said.
‘It’s wonderful. There’s something special about it. And Lydia said she’s dropping down my present later. My sister got me a nice bracelet … and wait till you see what I got from Joe and Rita. I’ll just go and get it.’
Mary hurried out of the kitchen. I looked around the room. Everything in its proper place, everything neat and tidy.
‘Here it is!’
She opened up a gift box to reveal a silver watch.
‘Oh, it’s lovely!’
‘Isn’t it gorgeous? I needed a new watch. Joe must have remembered that. He’s so thoughtful.’ There was a glint in Mary’s eye that I hadn’t seen before.
Chapter 23
‘SURPRISE!’
‘Oh my God!’ screamed Mary.
Everybody cheered. I stood on my tippy toes, trying to see over the crowd. I shuffled in behind Emily, so I could get a better look at Mary’s face.
She looked completely shocked. She had just stepped into the parish hall, which Brigid and Joe had transformed into a sparkling wonderland complete with fairy lights, silver streamers and gold helium balloons.
‘I’m going to kill you, Brigid Smyth!’ said Mary as Brigid gave her a big hug.
‘Don’t blame me! It was all Joe’s idea!’ she said with a smile.
‘No wonder you were trying to get me to wear this dress, Nick! I can’t believe this! This is … this is wonderful!’
‘You deserve it,’ said Joe. ‘And may I say you look lovely.’
She did indeed. Mary was wearing the red silk dress that Lydia had made her for her birthday. It showed off her curves. She’d had her hair blow-dried and was wearing high heels, which meant she now reached Michael’s shoulder. She looked so petite and vulnerable beside this huge man. It was the first time I’d seen Michael out of his police uniform and he looked quite smart in a dark grey suit and blue tie, but he was smiling half-heartedly. He looked like someone incapable of happiness. Couldn’t he at least pretend to enjoy himself?
‘So you didn’t have a clue, Mary?’ said one of the other guests. There were so many people there.
‘Not a notion! I can’t believe it!’ At least Mary was having fun. That’s all that mattered.
I tried not to look at Nick. But I couldn’t help myself. He was wearing a suit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody look that good in real life. And he was smiling too. Why couldn’t he be in one of his grumpier moods? His warm smile made him even more attractive.
Everybody went up one by one to kiss Mary on the cheek. I was one of the last to greet her.
‘Happy birthday, Mary!’ I said.
‘Oh, thanks, Jacki. Thanks for coming. I can’t believe this! You didn’t give anything away earlier! I should have guessed Joe was up to something.’
‘I love your dress,’ I said.
‘Thank you. Lydia gave it to me for my birthday. Isn’t it gorgeous? I wasn’t going to wear it, thought it was a bit fancy for a restaurant, but Nick insisted. Now I know why! I wasn’t going to a restaurant at all!’
It was nice to see Mary so happy. She really did deserve it.
‘Happy birthday, Mary!’ said David.
‘Thanks!’ she said.
David looked good too. He was wearing denims and a black shirt, which he’d spent ages choosing. Carla and I were ready half an hour before him. There had been talk between Peter and Anne about whether Carla should be grounded, but I was glad that they allowed her to go to the party in the end. And Carla seemed happy in her own way.
‘Jacki,’ said Joe, ‘… can I have a little word?’
‘Of course. Talk to you later, Mary,’ I said.
‘Yes, talk to you later. Oh my