Page 62 of Strictly Friends
‘It doesn’t matter how much we trust them, weallworry that men only want us for one thing,’ said Fi dismissively. ‘Are you telling me that somewhere in your complicated-Ruby-thinking you weren’t petrified that someone with Griffin’s track record might break your heart the same way Kenny did? Isn’t all this business of cutting Griffin out of your life just you pushing him away before he gets a chance to hurt you? Maybe I’m wrong, but it sounds a bit convenient that you’ve suddenly decided you can’t trust him because he didn’t tell you about one chat with Kenny.’
Ruby winced, her fragile emotions wounded by the unfairness of Fi’s assessment.Why doesno-oneunderstand why I made the toughest decision of my life?To her horror, she felt tears welling and she stared at the pointed toes of her boots, willing herself not to cry.
‘You’re wrong, Fi,’ she choked out. ‘I know Griffin’s reputation with women better than anyone.I’musually the one putting his broken exes back together after his kiss and runs. Maybe it sounds naïve to you, but I wasn’t worried about him doing the same to me. It was bigger than that.’
‘Then tell me, Rubes, because I don’t understand,’ urged Fi. She rested her arms on the desk, her turquoise eyes fixed on Ruby’s face.
Ruby cleared her throat, but her voice was still thick with emotion. ‘When Kenny left, I went through hell. But, looking back, that was nothing compared to how I’ve felt since I found out Griffin betrayed me. With him, I felt the safest I’ve ever felt with anyone. He’s been in my life so long that he’s like apartofme! I trusted him unconditionally, and him breaking that trust has shattered me. I don’t think I can ever explain to you how traumatic that feels.’
Fi slumped back into her seat. ‘I’ve been through two divorces, remember, so I know what it feels like to be let down by someone you love. After Duncan did the dirty on me, I honestly believed marrying Frank was the right thing to do, and that it would last for ever. If I’d known the bastard was only trying to exploit my heartbreak for money, I’d have—’
She broke off and took a deep breath. ‘This isn’t about me. Look, love, Griffin has admitted he was wrong not to tell you, but it’sonemistake after years and years of – well, whatever it is you two have that none of us quite understands.’
Ruby tucked a stray braid behind her ear and shook her head. ‘It’s not just one mistake, Fi. It’s a monumental breach of trust, and it was precisely that level of trust and honesty between us that made our relationship special. Without it, who we are together is meaningless. Just think about it: if he lied about something so important, what else about us has been a lie? I’m a lot happier on my own – or at least I will be, in time.’
Fi wasn’t giving up easily. ‘Rubes, I accept Griffin’s conduct seems a bit shady, although we don’t know his motives since you won’t talk to him. But you can’t go through life not trustinganyman because of the actions of one – okay, two – men.’
Focusing on Griffin’s duplicity was far easier than delving into the murky tangle of her emotions, and Ruby maintained a dogged silence until Fi sighed in exasperation. ‘At least we know where Jake gets his stubbornness. Okay, then, have it your way. Let’s pretend this isn’t another excuse to justify your reluctance to trust people. Painting Griffin as the devil who betrayed you might make you feel more in control for now, but if you stay stuck in that narrative, he won’t be the only one you’re hurting.’
Ruby pushed away from the door and turned the knob. ‘I’ll be fine. I’ve leaned on Griffin for too long, and I’m following MissIda’s advice and trying to find my balance. Which means that the only things I’m focusing on are my son and my career.’
Fi conceded defeat with an elegant shrug of her shoulders. ‘If you say so. But, as someone who’s had to learn the hard way, let me just say that avoiding your problems is not the way to solve them.’
43
Christmas and the new year came and went, bringing rain, fog, and icy snow showers that further depressed Ruby’s spirits. The long hours at work were doing little to improve her mood, and the dark winter nights and dreary days plunged her into a spiral of misery that only started to lift amid the first glimmerings of spring.
As the weeks and months passed, Ruby’s life slowly fell into a new pattern. Socialising, which had in the past almost invariably included Griffin, was now with Fi and her other friends – with the strict proviso that the topic of her former best friend was not up for discussion. Jake continued to see his godfather regularly, and on his days out with Griffin, Ruby found herself particularly eager to escape the house and her thoughts.
The positive fall-out from their trip to Sorrel Island continued. Ruby’s regular catch-ups with MissIda had become a highlight of both their weeks, and bookings for Paradise Inn continued to soar, with the website and Narita’s social media activity attracting visitors from around the world eager to visit the island and stay in MissIda’s elegant home. Narita now worked full-time at Paradise Inn, sparing Zeke the pain of seeing his granddaughter follow her parents and leave the island to find work.
Mac was close to finishing the portrait and when he gave Ruby a glimpse of it during one of their video chats, she had been blownaway by the level of detail he had captured in her face and the vibrant colours of the island backdrop.
‘I still can’t get over the idea that people are going to be gawking at a picture of me in a fancy art gallery!’
‘They will be viewing a masterpiece by Mackenzie Castro, notgawkingat a picture of you,’ was Mac’s pained response.
The portrait exhibition was scheduled for the end of October, and Mac was holding Ruby to her promise to visit New York for the grand opening. With Jake scheduled to spend an extended half-term holiday on Sorrel Island with Kenny, Mac refused to take no for an answer, dismissing Ruby’s apprehension with a peremptory, ‘My agent will take care of getting you here and everything else you need. Ruby, this exhibition is a big deal,’ he added, further stressing her fraught nerves at the prospect of being on show. ‘I’ve done some great work, kid, but this portrait is my best work yet and I couldn’t have done it without you. Besides I promised Estella you’d come – she wants to meet you and check out the competition.’
The divorce papers remained unsigned as Mac and Estella continued their slow but steady courtship, and Ruby was equally curious to meet the woman who had captured Mac’s heart.
As time marched onwards, Ruby tried to persuade herself she had taken control of the hurt, anger, and betrayal she associated with Griffin. If, from time to time, she felt an unexplained ache in her heart or found herself crying unexpected tears that told a different story, she also grew more adept at convincing herself that she was fine.
Ruby’s connection with Kenny, on the other hand, had blossomed into a comfortable friendship. Without the bitterness of the past or any expectation for a future, chatting to Kenny felt easy and, to Ruby’s surprise, something she found herself looking forward to.
One such phone call came on a Sunday evening while Ruby was in the kitchen helping Auntie Pearl clear up after dinner. WhenRuby ended the call a few minutes later with a smile on her face, Auntie Pearl glanced at her sharply.
‘Sounds like you and that man are getting on well.’
Ruby nodded, wondering how to broach the suggestion that Auntie Pearl consider using Kenny’s name.
‘It’s funny, but I think we get on better now than when we were together.’
Auntie Pearl hung the tea towel she was holding on to a hook and folded her arms. ‘Well, you know I’m not one to say I told you so, but I’m pleased you’ve finally taken off your rose-coloured glasses about the past. That man was never right for you but, for your sake and for Jake’s, it’s good you’ve made peace with him.’
‘Well, he’s taken my advice and started dating, and he’s seeing a woman he sounds quite smitten with.’
Auntie Pearl sniffed. ‘So now you are the matchmaker for these men? I don’t understand your generation!’
