Something from Tiffany’s Read online

  She beamed widely. ‘Honestly, Ethan, I couldn’t believe it. When I saw the Tiffany’s box I nearly fell down.’

  ‘I can imagine.’ Ethan’s fists clenched involuntarily. ‘So he asked you to marry him, and then gave you the box?’

  ‘No, no. Actually . . .’ Her eyes dropped to the table and she hesitated slightly, as if she was about to say something but then decided against it. ‘No, after he was released from the hospital we were exchanging Christmas gifts and he just produced that stunning little blue box and . . . well, when I saw what was inside I nearly lost it.’

  ‘I know exactly what you mean,’ Ethan said through gritted teeth. ‘I mean, I can imagine,’ he clarified quickly, but it seemed she hadn’t picked up on anything untoward.

  Rachel was still smiling at the memory. ‘So while it took a bit of prompting – it was so funny because I’ve never seen Gary so nervous – he finally popped the question and the rest is history.’

  Based on this account of events, Ethan now knew for certain that a proposal had never been in the offing, and from what he could tell this guy was making a complete fool out of this poor woman. She deserved so much better and Ethan sorely wished he had the courage to tell her that. But he really couldn’t.

  ‘Ethan? Are you all right?’ he heard her ask and he immediately snapped back from his reverie.

  ‘Yes, of course. Sorry, I was miles away. Just thinking, really.’

  ‘About what?’ Rachel took another sip of her wine and as she did so the ring on her finger glistened in the candlelight.

  He swallowed hard.

  ‘It is a beautiful ring,’ he said, wishing he could somehow snatch it back without her noticing.

  ‘Yes, it is,’ she said, holding up her hand. ‘It’s so incredibly elegant, and nothing like I’d expected from Gary, actually.’ She smiled. ‘He can be a bit . . . what’s the word?’

  ‘Gaudy?’ Ethan prompted, his mouth tightening.

  She laughed. ‘Well, no, I was going to say careful – with money, I mean. And I’m pretty certain this ring must have cost a fortune.’

  Ethan knew all too well how much it had cost, right down to the very last cent.

  ‘It’s such a classic setting and a beautiful design, and from Tiffany’s of all places . . .’ She stared dreamily at her finger. ‘I really had no idea a guy like Gary would even know about these things – you know, how a Tiffany diamond ring really is the last word in romance.’

  ‘So I’ve heard,’ Ethan muttered.

  ‘But anyway –’ she shook her head ‘– besides listening to strange women bleating on and on about their personal lives, how has your visit been? I hope the meeting went well. Was it something to do with your work?’

  ‘Yes.’ The question caught Ethan off guard. ‘It was fine but . . . well, I’m actually here researching a book.’ Now that he’d decided he was going to wait until he could broach the subject with Gary, he thought he might as well use this tried and tested cover story, instead of coming up with another to explain his visit here.

  Her eyes widened. ‘You’re writing a book? Sounds fabulous! What’s it about?’

  Just at that moment, a waiter passed the table carrying a basket of bread and he caught Ethan’s eye. ‘It’s about . . . bread,’ he replied impulsively, his mind racing. Why the hell didn’t he just stick with the same explanation he’d given Vanessa? ‘Erm . . . a kind of exploration of bread in different cultures throughout the world. I’m researching Ireland now.’

  ‘Wonderful.’ Rachel smiled politely, and he figured that such an uninspiring subject matter had in fact been a brainwave. How boring did a book about bread sound?

  Good, the last thing he wanted was for her to start asking too many questions; it was hard enough trying to keep up with the porkies he’d been telling to Vanessa about his ‘research’.

  ‘Well, considering the business I’m in, I know a thing or two about that, so don’t hesitate to ask,’ she added pleasantly, and out of nowhere Jane’s dying words hit Ethan with the force of a thousand blows.

  Go and find a woman who’ll bake you bread.

  He stole another look at the kind, sweet-natured woman sitting across from him, whose gentle heart he was finding it impossible to break. Then Rachel moved her hand again, and the Tiffany diamond flashed so brightly it almost blinded him.

  A woman who’ll bake you bread.

  The same woman who was currently wearing his engagement ring . . . ?

  Chapter 23

  Having finished the last of the Saturday-night rush, Terri said goodbye to Justin and the waitresses, and was just about to lock up and go upstairs when none other than Gary appeared at the doorway of the bistro.

  She frowned, wondering what he wanted. And what was he doing here anyway?

  Hadn’t Rachel said something about him not being able to drive the bike back home tonight because he’d been drinking? Terri pursed her lips suspiciously.

  Approaching the door, she could see that he did indeed look a little worse for wear. ‘This is a surprise,’ she said, letting him inside. ‘I thought Rachel said you were staying in Wicklow somewhere?’

  He grinned sheepishly. ‘I was going to, but then I felt bad about letting my baby down. Is she still here?’

  ‘No, she’s off tonight. I thought you knew that.’

  ‘Oh.’ He looked puzzled. ‘I thought she’d stay on if she knew I wouldn’t be around.’

  Not for the first time Terri wondered how a supposedly smart woman like Rachel had ended up with such a self-obsessed moron. She couldn’t be certain but was pretty sure that her friend didn’t have any low self-esteem or insecurity issues. After all, she had no reason to. Rachel was beautiful, had a successful business, was a lovely person and everyone adored her. So what did she see in this guy that nobody else seemed to? Her friend had alluded now and again to the fact that they had a scorching sex life but surely this wasn’t enough to keep a relationship going? Although that wasn’t something she’d know much about, Terri thought forlornly.

  ‘Nope, definitely not here.’ For some reason Terri felt like making things hard for him, and decided not to immediately reveal that Rachel was currently out to dinner with Ethan Greene.

  Slightly crestfallen, Gary looked at his watch. ‘Shite. It’s a Saturday night. I don’t really fancy just sitting in by myself and watching telly.’

  ‘Well, I suppose you should have organised your day better, then, shouldn’t you?’ Terri said pointedly.

  ‘Ah, don’t you start. I got enough of an earful from Rachel earlier. And I came back in the end, didn’t I?’

  ‘Yes, how did you get back? I sincerely hope you didn’t drive.’

  Gary shook his head. ‘Nah. Turns out Liam’s missus wasn’t as cool about us staying over as he’d thought, what with the new baby and everything. So myself and Sean had to get a taxi back. Cost us a bloody fortune, and we have to go back up there in the morning to collect the bikes.’

  ‘Really.’ Terri wasn’t particularly interested in the ins and outs of Gary’s exploits. ‘So where’s Tonto, then, seeing as you’re on your own?’

  ‘Ah, he was feeling a bit under the weather so he went on home. Bad pint, I reckon.’

  ‘Right.’ Terri deliberately jingled the keys. ‘Well, Gary, much as I’d love to chat all night, I’ve got a few things to do here and—’

  ‘Hey, any chance of a late one?’ he interjected and Terri felt like throttling him. As if she had nothing better to do than wait hand and foot on him because he fancied a free drink!

  Then again . . .

  Terri thought about it. She’d been wondering all week about this bizarre situation between Rachel, Gary and Ethan Greene. She just knew something was up and was desperate to figure out what it was. Now, and particularly when Gary’s guard was down, perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to do a little digging?

  ‘Oh go on, then,’ she said, standing back to let him inside. ‘I’ve still got a bit of cleaning up to do, so as
long as you stay out of my way . . .’

  He grinned. ‘You’re a star, Terri; did I ever tell you that?’

  ‘Yeah, loads of times.’ Going behind the bar, she took a bottle of beer from the cooler, grabbed a bottle opener and popped the top. Showtime.

  ‘Glass?’

  ‘Nah, I’m good.’

  Terri slid the bottle across the granite-topped counter and Gary lifted it to his lips, gulping it down as if it were the elixir of life.

  ‘Good woman.’ Still standing, he practically drank the entire bottle in one go, then exhaled loudly. ‘After the day I’ve had, I needed that.’

  ‘I can imagine.’ Terri had to bite her tongue. Instead, she proceeded to sweep the floor of the dining room. ‘So how’s life with you these days? I suppose you’re all excited about the wedding?’

  He rested the beer bottle on the bar. ‘Ah, you know yourself. Hey, any chance of another one of these? I can get it myself.’

  Of course you can, Terri thought. ‘Sure, go ahead.’

  ‘Thanks. It’s been a really long day. Besides, nothing better than beer when it’s on the house.’

  Terri shook her head. Again, she just couldn’t fathom how someone like Gary would spend thousands on a ring when he was so cheap that he couldn’t resist the opportunity to get drunk at someone else’s expense. Namely her and Rachel’s, Terri thought bitterly to herself. Still, needs must . . .

  ‘Well, I have to admit that you really threw us all for a loop,’ she went on, determined to keep him on the subject of the engagement. ‘Who knew you were so good at keeping secrets?’

  ‘You have no idea,’ Gary groaned, and Terri gave an interested glance, wondering what on earth he could mean by that. ‘Oh about the engagement, you mean,’ he added quickly, sitting up straight. ‘Well, I suppose I am good at keeping secrets, and I wanted to make sure she was surprised.’

  ‘Consider it mission accomplished.’

  ‘Well, as far as all the wedding stuff goes, that’s really Rachel’s thing. Besides, she’ll have to stump up and play her part in paying for all of that now. I’ve done my bit.’

  Terri worked hard to keep the smile on her face.

  Such a Romeo.

  ‘I know you have. I mean, that rock must have set you back a fair bit, and from Tiffany’s too.’

  ‘Yep, I really went all out. She must be feeling pretty lucky having a ring worth at least . . . um, a grand or so on her finger.’

  Leave it to Gary to talk about the price, Terri thought, prickling at his bad taste; but at the same time the figure he’d thrown out stopped her short. A grand, my ass. Not for a diamond that size and certainly not from the likes of Tiffany’s! That ring must have cost twenty at least . . . Then she paused, thinking that if Gary knew this for a fact wouldn’t he be bragging about it, rather than trying to be modest?

  Right away Terri knew something was up. Gary was hiding something – and she couldn’t be sure if it was to do with the engagement or something else, something even bigger. But whatever it was, she was determined to find out.

  ‘Right.’ She stopped sweeping and leaned against the brush. ‘You know, it’s been a long day for me too, so I think I might join you. Fancy a shot of something stronger?’

  Gary’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Of course.’

  Putting the brush aside, Terri took a bottle of whiskey off the shelf and grabbed two shot glasses, pouring them each a nice-sized shot. ‘Bottoms up,’ she smiled, throwing it back and trying not to grimace at the taste. She hated whiskey but there was a method to this madness.

  Gary threw his back too, and immediately she poured another, noticing him stumble slightly against the bar.

  ‘Sit down at a table and relax,’ she fussed. ‘Unless you’re in a hurry or anything?’

  ‘Of course not.’ Gary beamed. ‘Anyway, I wouldn’t dream of leaving a lady drinking all by herself on a Saturday night.’

  Crikey, was he flirting with her? Terri’s stomach churned and this time, it wasn’t down to the whiskey.

  ‘Yes, I have to applaud you for committing to Rachel. I hadn’t figured you as a one-woman man,’ she cooed, deciding to play along. ‘You and Rachel are just so good together that I have to admit I’m a little jealous. I’d love a man like you in my life.’

  He looked at her, trying unsuccessfully to focus on her face, and Terri tried her utmost to keep her smile steady and her distaste at bay. Now he was wondering if she was flirting with him. When she thought she might burst out laughing, she poured him another shot, which he again drank quickly.

  ‘Nice one.’ Gary now wore a satisfied expression, the combination of flattery and whiskey going straight to his head, it seemed.

  She poured him yet another shot and got him a fresh beer for good measure.

  Gary sat forward unsteadily. ‘You know, I like this side of you, Terri, I really do. You’re usually so . . . I don’t know, serious all the time.’

  ‘Well, I suppose every now and then everyone needs to get a little crazy.’

  He hiccupped, and his words slurred slightly. ‘Good woman.’

  She poured him another shot and he looked at her speculatively, as if about to say something.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

  ‘I was wondering . . .’ Gary drank down the whiskey but then seemed to lose his train of thought.

  ‘Yes?’ she prompted.

  ‘Ah, it’s nothing really.’

  ‘No, go on, you can tell me.’

  ‘Well, it’s just this bloke, Ethan, that keeps ringing her . . . He’s starting to annoy me.’

  Terri paused. Finally, she was getting somewhere. ‘Really? Why? Are you jealous or something?’

  ‘Nah!’ He guffawed loudly. ‘Why would I be jealous? Rachel’s crazy about me.’

  ‘Of course she is. But, actually, I was wondering about that too. Why does he keep ringing her?’

  ‘Dunno. I reckon he took a fancy to her at the hospital while I was under.’

  ‘I see.’ Terri was disappointed. She was hoping for some grand revelation from Gary about Greene, some explanation as to why he was so adamant about keeping in touch.

  Could it be that Ethan Greene had a thing for Rachel that had somehow begun in New York? It certainly didn’t look that way today, although, thinking about it, he did seem quite nervous around her, as well as being overly concerned about Gary’s whereabouts. Was this because he wanted to see Gary, or was actually afraid of him?

  No, there was something else going on at the back of it all, Terri was sure of it.

  Again, she decided to bide her time and wait until the moment was right to reveal to Gary that at this very second Rachel was out having dinner with Ethan Greene.

  ‘So you’re worried that Greene might steal Rachel away from you, is that it?’

  Gary guffawed. ‘You must be joking! Nah, I just don’t like the way he’s sniffing around her, that’s all.’

  ‘I can imagine. Still, I suppose it’s funny how these things work sometimes. If Greene hadn’t come along when he did, then who knows what might have happened? With the accident, I mean.’

  ‘Yeah, who knows?’ Gary snorted and slurred. ‘Well, all that seemed to work out well for Rachel, that’s for sure.’

  Terri narrowed her eyes. She was about to learn what was going on, she knew it. ‘What do you mean? Of course it worked out well, but for both of you, surely?’ She pretended to be shocked, egging him on.

  He laughed. ‘Well, to be honest, I can’t really remember much of it myself, but the one thing I do know is that if that accident hadn’t happened, we probably wouldn’t be engaged.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Terri sucked in her breath, but he didn’t seem to notice.

  He smiled and motioned her closer. ‘Can I tell you a secret?’

  ‘Of course. My lips are sealed.’

  He scratched his head, reminding Terri of a gorilla she’d seen on a recent visit to Dublin Zoo with one of her nephews. ‘I don’t know where the hell
that ring came from.’

  ‘What? What do you mean?’

  His eyes were glazed. ‘As I said, I don’t know where it came from. It just appeared in my stuff after the accident.’

  Terri blinked, confused. ‘You mean you can’t remember buying it at Tiffany’s?’

  ‘Nah. I bought something there all right, but it wasn’t that rock.’

  Now her mind was galloping like a racehorse. ‘Back up there for a second. You’re telling me you bought something from Tiffany’s, but when you got back from the hospital the same thing wasn’t in the bag?’

  ‘Bang on. I think there must have been some mix-up in the shop.’ He raised his glass. ‘Worked out well for me, though.’

  ‘Hold on. You mean that you somehow ended up with the ring that Rachel’s now wearing instead?’

  ‘Yup.’

  ‘But, Gary, surely you took the ring back to the store and told them about the mistake?’ Terri was flabbergasted. ‘Or explained it to Rachel, at least?’

  ‘How the hell could I, when she was doing a jig over it?’ He gave a self-satisfied grin. ‘Anyway, the way I see it, it’s finder’s keepers.’

  ‘But . . .’ Terri was finding it hard to get a handle on this. It wasn’t what she’d expected at all and yet it made sense. ‘And what did you actually buy?’

  He shrugged. ‘Just some charm bracelet that I thought Rachel might like. Didn’t cost me much, and look what I ended up with!’ He grinned again. ‘I dunno . . . it was late, and I was rushing to get back to the hotel . . . Then next thing I know, I’m lying in some hospital bed.’

  Terri was silent for a minute, while she tried to think this through.

  ‘So it was right after you left Tiffany’s that you got hit?’ She hadn’t known the specifics before, but now that she did this was starting to make a hell of a lot more sense. It was all falling into place. The ring – it wasn’t meant for Rachel, and never had been. Which must mean . . .

  Suddenly Terri recalled Ethan Greene’s wide-eyed expression earlier today when Rachel was showing off her magnificent diamond.