Page 74 of Strictly Friends
‘I’m yours, Ruby,’ he murmured. ‘I’ve always been yours.’
Then he kissed her over and over again, and when Ruby kissed Griffin back, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
EPILOGUE
The small aeroplane suddenly swooped, and Ruby winced as Griffin, seated next to her, stifled a groan and gripped her hand.
‘You are such a baby,’ she laughed, and then, as the plane dipped sharply, she squealed in horror, her life flashing before her eyes.
‘Now who’s a baby?’ Griffin said, his smugness somewhat tempered by having to speak through gritted teeth.
Thankful Jake wasn’t there to witness their humiliation, Ruby clutched Griffin’s hand and tried to focus on her upcoming reunion with her son. The four-hour flight they had taken from New York to Jamaica, five days after Mac’s exhibition opening, had been a breeze. But after the delicious food and free-flowing champagne courtesy of their first-class seats, boarding the tiny aircraft carrying them back to Sorrel Island had come as a rude shock – and one not helped by Griffin’s unconcealed terror. He had insisted on coming with her, both to attend the launch of the newly completed Music Heals centre the trust had built next to Ocean House, and – as he had bluntly put it – to make sure she didn’t end up with Kenny again.
‘We should be landing shortly,’ Ruby said brightly, keeping her tone upbeat in the hope of persuading Griffin – and herself – thatthey weren’t facing imminent death. ‘We’ll see Jake soon, and I can’t wait to give MissIda a massive hug!’
‘Just as long as it’s only MissIda you plan on hugging,’ Griffin growled.
Ruby laughed, tickled that Griffin could still feel insecure about her ex. ‘You are going to besucha crotchety old man one day! Besides, Kenny has his hands full with his new girlfriend. Jake says she’s very pretty and an incredible scuba diver – so she’s obviously much more his type than me!’
Whatever Griffin was going to say was cut off as the roar of the engines signalled the approaching runway. As the plane touched down on to the tarmac, Ruby squeezed her eyes closed for a moment. The worst part was over, and she couldn’t wait to see her son again and take him home. This was the longest she had ever been apart from Jake and, as much as she had enjoyed New York, nothing mattered more to her than holding her little boy in her arms.
New York had been a revelation, as had Estella. Ruby’s mental picture of a tall, slender blonde had been confounded by the statuesque redhead with razor-sharp cheekbones and a deep, infectious laugh that immediately captivated her.
Mac’s portrait, now known asIsland Goddess,had received rave reviews from a host of art critics and – as he had immodestly pointed out – cemented his reputation as one of the foremost figurative artists of his time. As the model and inspiration behind the portrait, Ruby found herself – just as Mac had predicted – at the centre of a storm of media attention, spending the better part of two days giving back-to-back interviews.
The rest of the time had been spent exploring the city with Griffin, while a riotous dinner with Mac and Estella at their home had cemented her bond with the artist. Whatever the future held, Ruby knew that, in Mac, she had found a friend for life.
As soon as the aircraft doors swung open, Ruby followed Griffin out of the confined cabin and into the bright sunshine. Looking around the familiar surroundings and feeling the warm rays of the Caribbean sun on her bare arms, it felt just like coming home.
In less than an hour, they had passed through customs and collected their baggage. The moment they emerged into the airport terminal and saw an excited Jake waving behind the barrier, Ruby raced to him, falling to her knees, and opening her arms wide as he rushed into her arms.
‘Omigod! Youcan’thave grown taller in only two weeks!’ she exclaimed, holding him tightly.
As soon as she released him, Jake ran to embrace Griffin, and Ruby stood up to give Kenny a warm hug.
‘You’re looking well,’ she remarked, stepping back, and taking in his spotless white sports shirt and the ever-present baseball cap. He returned her smile, and to her relief the two men shook hands amicably. If the greeting wasn’t exactly fulsome, it was cordial enough to pass muster.
Kenny relieved Griffin of the loaded trolley and as they walked out of the airport to where Kenny’s car was parked, Jake slipped his hand into Griffin’s.
‘Drew’s not at Ocean House any more,’ he announced sadly.
‘I know, buddy. The director told me last week that the authorities finally tracked down his parents in Miami, and Drew’s gone to America to live with them. But you’ll get to see the other kids tomorrow at the launch.’
With Jake in the front passenger seat and Ruby and Griffin in the back, Kenny drove to Paradise Inn, having already agreed with Ruby that Jake would remain with him until they returned to London at the end of the week. As much as Ruby would havewanted to stay longer, she had several marketing campaigns on the go and couldn’t afford any more time away from the office.
The car bumped along the familiar rough track leading to Paradise Inn and Ruby felt her heart pounding in anticipation. Jake had been under strict instructions not to disclose news of Ruby’s arrival to MissIda, and Ruby couldn’t wait to surprise her. As Kenny turned into the long drive, he honked his horn loudly several times and a few moments later a small figure in a vivid cerulean-blue dress came out of the house. Ruby grinned as she saw the woman clutch at her chest and her mouth open in astonishment when she spied the occupants of the car, before hastening down the front steps. As soon as the car came to a stop, Ruby jumped out and raced over to fling her arms around a stunned MissIda.
‘It’ssogood to see you again,’ Ruby exclaimed, almost in tears as she held on to the slightly built woman she had grown to love so deeply. When Ruby finally released her, MissIda took Ruby’s hands in hers and gazed up at her with wide, shining eyes.
‘You came back, sweetheart, just like you promised.’
‘I did! And look who I brought with me.’
She gestured towards Griffin, who came up to them and bent to kiss MissIda on each cheek before gently hugging her. MissIda cupped his face between her hands and examined him for a long moment before turning back to Ruby, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief. ‘Looks to me like you finally found your heart’s twin. What did I tell you?’
Ruby laughed, flushing with embarrassment at the woman’s smug expression. ‘You’re impossible, MissIda! But this time I have to admit you’re right. So, do you have a room for us now you’re a social media superstar and Paradise Inn is world-famous? I couldn’t believe that video of you on TikTok!’
MissIda chuckled. ‘You can blame Narita for that, sweetness. The child is always dreaming up some nonsense, but whatever she’sdoing is working. Since you made that beautiful website for me, we’re always busy and I’ve hired help to take care of the grounds.’
