A Simple Mistake Read online

  ‘Wednesday week. You won’t have to miss out on your homegroup.’

  ‘Good. And it’s the red carpet thing?’

  ‘Yep. Lots of cameras and flashing lights. I know it’s a big ask, but I really want you there with me. If you can.’

  Thoughts flitted unchecked across her face. She’d be hopeless playing poker.

  ‘It means we go public.’

  ‘Yes. If you’re ready.’

  ‘And what will that mean for me in terms of publicity?’

  ‘We’ll be photographed a lot at first, but that’ll die down. And at the premiere, James and Mia will look after you too. They let me have more than one guest and James is good publicity.’

  ‘What would I wear?’

  Nick’s heart lightened. She was thinking about it. ‘Mia will help you with that. She’s an expert.’ He waited.

  ‘Okay,’ she said finally, ‘I’ll do it. But I’m really, really scared.’

  ‘Thank you.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘It means a lot to me, Lainey.’

  She smiled and dragged him up. ‘Let’s walk while you tell me about Chicago.’

  They threw their cups into a bin and moved off down to the water’s edge. ‘It was brilliant. We’ve been trying to crack the American market for years. We’ve had a measure of success but nothing like we’ve had everywhere else. Now, we have an opportunity.

  ‘Someone gave a certain talk show host a copy of The Journey after she’d seen Against All Odds and the song made her cry. Her team contacted my agent in the States and Malcolm and I met with them and she wants us on her show. In three weeks.’

  ‘Nick, that’s fantastic!’

  ‘You bet. They’re going to do a show about the movie, and then the next one will be about us. Our host has decided she wants America to hear us. It’s our big chance.’

  ‘And you deserve it.’ She squeezed his hand, her eyes shining in the moonlight.

  ‘Now,’ he said, ‘I’ve been thinking. How about we go and spend a week with Mum during your school holidays? You could catch up with the old crew again and we could have a whole seven days together.’ He looked at her with regret. ‘My life is hectic. I’m always off here and there and never around much. Are you okay with that?’

  ‘Of course.’

  He hadn’t been expecting such a positive answer and certainly not that fast. Relieved, he went to kiss her but she pulled away.

  ‘Just a minute. I need to tell you a few things. I’ve had time to think too.’ She took a deep breath and let it out. ‘I already had a life, Nick, before you came back into it and it’s a very full one. I love my church, my job, and my friends. It’s wonderful having you around but I don’t depend on you for my happiness.’

  Ouch.

  ‘That comes from my relationship with the Lord and I don’t want to put anyone before Him. Including you.’

  God one, Nick zero.

  She put a hand on his cheek. ‘I’m sorry if I’m hurting your feelings, but you like me to be honest with you.’

  ‘Yep, I do.’ He placed her hand on his chest and held it there. ‘What else?’

  ‘I’d love to come up to the Gold Coast with you. I can’t wait to see your mum and catch up with everyone, but mostly, I want to spend time with you.’

  One all.

  ‘But we need to lay some ground rules for our relationship.’

  Here we go.

  ‘I don’t expect you to come to church with me unless you want to but it’s something I’m committed to doing every Sunday.’

  He nodded.

  ‘And I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be alone at your place. I feel uncomfortable with that. I’d rather you came over to the flat.’

  He nodded again.

  ‘And I’m not going to sleep with you.’

  ‘God, Lainey.’ The word shot from between his lips and Lainey pulled her hand away. ‘Sorry. It just slipped out.’ He’d been so careful not to say things like that around her and his mother. He’d fallen into the habit over the years and it was a hard one to break.

  ‘I’m sorry. Truly. And I’d already figured sex wasn’t an option. I do have respect for your beliefs, you know. I was brought up on them too.’

  She eyeballed him. ‘Yeah, but we’ve blown it before, haven’t we.’

  Nick wasn’t quite sure what to say. On an issue where he’d expected her to be shy, she was in control and he was feeling awkward.

  ‘I’d planned for you to stay at Mum’s place, Lainey, not mine.’

  ‘That’s alright then.’

  He paused. ‘Mum knows we slept together.’

  ‘What! Did you tell her?’ Even in the moonlight he could see she’d gone pale.

  ‘No. Your mother did.’

  ‘My mother!’

  ‘Yep. She rang one night, told Mum, let her have it, then hung up. It was at Christmas. I was in the kitchen with her when she took the call so I couldn’t help but overhear.’

  ‘But it wasn’t your mother’s fault! Why would Mum go off at her?’

  ‘I don’t know, but I guess mother hens go into defence mode when their chicks have been … um … violated.’

  ‘It was hardly that, Nick.’ Her voice might have been soft, but she was agitated, her eyes looking everywhere except at him.

  ‘Well, no, I suppose not.’ He smiled, thinking back and then cleared his throat. Dangerous ground, don’t go there. ‘Mum was furious. If I’d been smaller she would’ve whipped me.’

  Lainey gave a shaky laugh. ‘I thought Mum was a bit funny when you were talking about your mum, when we went there for lunch. Now I know why.’

  ‘Yeah, well she rang up a week later and apologised. I guess she still feels awkward. I don’t think they’ve been in contact since. I mean, she really let it rip, Lainey. I could hear her from where I was sitting. And they used to be so close.’

  ‘It was our fault, if we’re really honest. We shouldn’t have done it.’

  He wanted to say he was very glad they had but didn’t think Lainey would appreciate it. She seemed to have calmed down again though.

  ‘James has told me to take up running … you know, to help.’ His grin faltered then died. Another mistake.

  ‘You’ve discussed that personal, private part of our relationship with James?’ Lainey glared at him. ‘And I suppose he knows we slept together as well?’

  ‘I believe I told him, years ago, yes. It was more of a bragging thing, I guess. I mean, I was sixteen. It was—’ He broke off. ‘What? Haven’t you told Lara? Isn’t that what girls talk about too? Lainey, wait!’

  She had marched off without him.

  ‘Lainey, I’m sorry.’ He tried to grab her hand but she yanked it away and stood there, furious.

  ‘For your information, I have not told anyone except my mother. And she told Roger. That’s it. And it took me years to accept God’s forgiveness. You have no idea, Nick, no idea at all, and that’s what I mean about us not being on the same page.’

  He didn’t know what to say. They stood there, not touching, just looking at each other, away, and then back again.

  ‘So, does that mean you’ll still come to the premiere?’ he asked eventually.

  Lainey stared, then burst out laughing. ‘Yes. Yes, I will, you big lump. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.’ She whacked him on the chest. ‘You get me so mad sometimes.’

  This time when he caught her hand, it stayed there. ‘I want you to be with me on that red carpet more than anyone else.’

  ‘Kylie Minogue busy on that night, is she?’

  ‘Begged me to take her but I turned her down. I told her my mother would cut me out of her will if I didn’t invite this old family friend who’s had a crush on me for years.’

  ‘Your mother is the wisest woman I know.’

  Nick la
ughed, kissed her, and then they headed back to the car.

  Phil, the chauffeur, was asleep, a book resting on his chest. Nick tapped on the window, yawning. It was two o’clock in the morning.

  ‘What have you got planned for tomorrow? Or should I say, today?’ he asked, as they buckled up.

  Lainey yawned too. ‘I think I’ll skip the morning services and sleep in, but I’ll go to the evening one.’

  Nick sank deeper into his seat and closed his eyes, holding her hand. ‘How about I come around late afternoon to get my stuff and I’ll go with you.’

  ‘You don’t have to, Nick.’

  ‘I want to.’

  ‘Then thank you. I’d love you to come.’

  There was a long pause and he felt himself going down.

  ‘Nick? There’s something–Nick?’

  Lainey tapped him on the arm, but he couldn’t open his eyes to save his life. Jet lag. Whatever she wanted to say would have to wait until tomorrow.

  Chapter Ten

  The music was good, the worship time wonderful, the preaching excellent, but still Lainey worried.

  Nick patted her shoulder. ‘It’s okay. Relax. It’s church, not a concert performance.’

  What he said made complete sense. God was in control. How could she have forgotten?

  There were a lot of people interested in meeting him afterwards. He was as patient and pleasant as always but she knew he was glad when they could leave. Lainey offered to make bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches when they got back to the flat. It was a Sunday night favourite amongst whoever was home. Tonight it was just the two of them.

  Nick came up behind her as she cooked the bacon and put his arms around her. He nuzzled her neck, chuckling when she shivered. ‘Mmm, that smells good.’

  ‘Bacon always does.’

  ‘I didn’t mean the bacon.’

  Lainey giggled and swatted him away. ‘You can make the coffee, do something useful.’ It was like the old days, without the worry of Roger appearing around the corner.

  When they’d finished eating, she sat back on the lounge, legs curled up, and regarded him over the top of her mug. ‘I want to know some stuff about you.’

  ‘What kind of stuff?’

  ‘Bits and pieces, like your favourite music, favourite food, things you like and don’t like. I know some of them but you might’ve changed.’

  ‘And you’ll tell me yours.’

  ‘Right.’

  They covered a whole range of topics, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Lainey loved watching him laugh, seeing him relaxed, being himself.

  ‘Alright, let’s get more serious.’ Nick had his elbow up on the back of the lounge, his head on his hand. ‘Tell me honestly; what’s one thing that really turns you off?’

  ‘Two things, actually. Bad breath and bitten fingernails. I could never go out with someone who bites their nails. Do you remember Owen Trembath from school? He used to sit there, gnawing away like there was no tomorrow.’ She shuddered. ‘It makes me feel sick thinking about it.’

  ‘I get the picture.’ Nick checked his own hands. ‘At least I pass that test.’

  Lainey took his right hand and examined it. ‘You have beautiful hands. You’ve got such long fingers, well-shaped nails; they’re one of the things I really like about you. Even your pinkie.’ She smiled, tracing the bent, misshapen one. Liam’s was exactly the same. Tonight, Lord?

  ‘Your turn,’ she prompted. ‘What don’t you like?’

  ‘You’ll laugh, I bet.’

  ‘I’ll try not to.’

  Nick looked sheepish. ‘Feet.’

  ‘You don’t like feet?’ Lainey was glad hers were curled up under her skirt. ‘Where did that come from?’

  ‘Well, years ago I went out with a dancer. She was very pretty, had a great body. Ouch!’ He grinned as Lainey poked him in the ribs. ‘We met during winter so I hadn’t seen her feet until she took off her shoes after a rehearsal. They were calloused, nasty looking things.’

  ‘The poor girl!’

  ‘I know, but that night she tried to play footsie with me. She had socks on, but all I could think of were these things touching me and that was it. It was all over.’

  ‘You broke up with her over her feet?’

  ‘I couldn’t help it. Don’t worry, yours are fine.’ Nick pulled her closer. ‘And I have a feeling that they could be green and hairy and I wouldn’t even mind.’

  ‘Yeah, right.’ Lainey let him kiss her then put a finger over his lips. ‘Hang on, I wanted to discuss favourite movie stars. I’m not quite sure who mine is.’

  She started when Nick jumped up. Not quite the reaction she’d been expecting.

  ‘I almost forgot. Hang on a sec.’ He came back with the holdall he’d left the day before, dug around and produced a paper bag with the Disneyland logo. ‘Talking of movies – I bought you something.’

  Lainey pulled out a pink t-shirt with a Tinkerbell print on the front. When she was little she had loved the story of Peter Pan. ‘Oh Nick, you remembered. Thanks!’

  ‘How could I forget? You used to make me watch the video over and over.’ He grinned before searching again and came up with something concealed in his fist. ‘These reminded me of you too.’ He opened his fingers.

  Lainey laughed at the tiny pair of ceramic running shoes. ‘They’re going straight into my treasure box. Thank you, Nick.’

  There was a little smile playing on his lips. ‘So, you’ve still got it. Would you let me see what’s in it?’

  It was a loaded question. There was stuff from way back but there were also things from him. It meant she would be exposing her heart that little bit more. She sighed. What was she worried about? He owned her heart anyway.

  The box was on her wardrobe shelf next to Liam’s journals. She pushed them under some winter jumpers. He wasn’t getting his hands on those just yet.

  She sat back down, angling the lid so it concealed the contents, and pulled out a twist of tissue. ‘My first tooth.’

  ‘Errgh. That’s gross.’

  She grinned and put it back, bringing out a butterfly brooch. ‘Your mother gave this to me but it’s got a broken wing.’

  ‘I get the feeling you don’t throw away much.’

  ‘No, not when it has sentimental value.’ She showed him the photo of her father, the ribbons from her highjump competitions, all the stuff she’d accumulated over the years. She left the things from him until last.

  He chuckled when she produced the cards from the flowers he’d sent her. ‘You are such a hoarder.’

  ‘I know. Look at this.’ It was the photo she had of the two of them on their ninth birthday at the park.

  Nick smiled. ‘Mum’s still got that at home on her shelf.’

  ‘Really? I can’t wait to see her.’ She pulled out the little velvet bag. ‘And this.’

  She let Nick open it and he balanced the guardian angel on his palm. Would he remember when he’d given it to her? Probably, but she wasn’t going to ask. Liam had been conceived that afternoon.

  ‘Should we give it another turn? A chance to redeem itself?’ Nick set it on the coffee table.

  She smiled. ‘I think so.’

  Lainey couldn’t decide which to get next, the locket from when he’d asked her to be his girlfriend, or the note he’d given her at the airport. She ended up bringing them out together.

  Nick smiled in recognition of the locket and picked up the piece of paper. ‘What’s this?’

  Lainey watched as he unfolded it then read it. She knew the words off by heart.

  Dear Lainey – wherever I am, wherever I go, you’re forever in my heart. Love always, Nick

  ‘I gave you this at the airport.’

  ‘Yes.’

  He placed it back in the box. ‘It’s still true, you know.’
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  She couldn’t have spoken even if she’d known what to say. She bowed her head as Nick took the necklace and fastened it around her neck.

  ‘Back where it belongs.’ He touched her cheek. ‘I’ll buy you a better one, one day.’

  ‘No, don’t. I like this one.’ Her voice was all wobbly.

  Quick, don’t lose your nerve.

  ‘Nick, there’s something—’

  The door burst open. ‘Hi guys! Hope we’re not interrupting anything. Want a cuppa?’

  Lainey wasn’t sure whether she wanted to kill her flatmate or hug her. It didn’t matter. Either way, the moment was gone.

  Chapter Eleven

  Lainey’s life was going mad. She’d gone from inconspicuous, which was how she liked it, to someone of interest. She also realised this was just the beginning.

  At work, word had spread like wildfire about Nick. She didn’t dare mention the upcoming movie premiere. It would probably end up as a feature in the school newsletter.

  On Thursday, Nick picked her up and drove her over to the Harrington’s. Mia was taking her late night shopping for her outfit.

  Nick was adamant he would pay for everything; the dress, shoes, handbag, whatever she needed. As he explained, if it wasn’t for him she wouldn’t be in this situation anyhow. So she swallowed her pride and thanked him.

  They went into boutiques she’d never even window-shopped at let alone gone into. The assistants all greeted Mia like long lost buddies. Most of them oohed and aahed over Lainey’s height, her hair and her eyes then lamented the fact she wasn’t a size eight.

  By the time she’d heard it three times, Lainey was over it.

  ‘I have a bust, for goodness sake! I’m a woman, not a waif!’

  Mia chuckled and dragged her into yet another shop. ‘Come on. I’ve saved the best for last.’

  And she was right. Something caught Lainey’s eye straight away.

  ‘What do you think?’ She held the garment up against herself in the mirror, avoiding the price tag. She didn’t want to know.