The Secret Notebook Page 21

  One mild night in late October, they walked through the illuminations together, ate chips, and Izzie remembered reading in Nan’s notebook that her grandparents had done that, too.

  And when they tired, they jumped on a tram to take them all the way back home, just like her grandparents had done.

  All through November, Izzie felt herself growing stronger. Her connection with Eddie, Ruby and her friends at DAS continued, the plans firming up for her to return to work in early January.

  By late November, she had finished the set of paintings for Eddie early and their client was happy with the photographs of her work.

  As Eddie was handling all the liaising, Izzie couriered the work down to his offices so they would be ready for delivery in the New Year.

  Her friendships with the beach crowd also grew and enriched her life. Even Kay had warmed up towards her again after Justin invited them all over to his one Saturday night, a week before Mick and Janey’s wedding, to celebrate his birthday.

  Izzie thought whatever had bothered Kay had obviously sorted itself out and let the niggle go completely.

  The day of Janey and Mick’s December wedding finally came; Izzie thought how it had seemed an age away when Justin first mentioned it. She thought, too, of her nan’s diary, where she’d said that time sped up the less time there was. How true that was.

  Izzie smiled at the warmth that bloomed inside her at the thought of Nan, at the realisation that Nan and Grandpop would always be woven through the fabric of her own life.

  Justin called at the bungalow early on the morning of the 23rd December.

  ‘I’m on my way to Janey’s now, Izzie, as she wants photos of herself and family getting ready.’ He patted his pocket. ‘I’ve got their photo list. You still okay if I pick you up after I drop my gear back home before the reception? It’ll be just before seven?’

  ‘Absolutely, thanks, that’d be great.’

  ‘You look lovely, Izzie!’ Justin said when she answered the door later that evening. He took hold of her fingers and held out his arm. ‘Give us a twirl?’

  Delighted at Justin’s response, she spun around. The electric blue dress belled then draped from her curves and silver, high heeled strappy sandals completed her look.

  ‘Will I do, then?’

  Well aware Justin was used to the stunning presence of model-like beauties at his side, Izzie hadn’t bothered to compete with such loveliness. Instead, she had gone for simplicity, hair in a cascade of loose curls, clipped back at one side, and minimal make-up as she still hadn’t expanded on the eyeliner and mascara that had hitched a ride in her bag when she left London in a hurry.

  A quick trip out to Cleveleys had uncovered the gorgeous dress and the flirty silver sandals tucked away in a divine clothes shop.

  ‘Are you sure I’ll do? I think I could do with a lot more make-up.’ In a moment of honesty, Izzie said, ‘Lorna always looks so beautiful in the magazines.’

  He gave a half smile and shook his head. ‘She does, but I don’t suppose you have ever been kissed by someone with about an inch of make-up all over their face and lips? A fake tan that leeches onto your white sheets and eyelashes that crawl down her cheek during the night?’

  ‘No.’ Izzie laughed. ‘That’s something I haven’t done, yet.’

  ‘I wouldn’t recommend it as it gets messy, but if you do decide to try it, don’t wear white.’

  Izzie couldn’t help laughing again, the vision of fake-tan-stained sheets just a bit too grim to do anything else.

  A smile tilted his mouth. ‘Your hair suits you like this.’ His fingertips touched the soft copper curls where they fell against her cheek, his eyes held hers and Izzie’s stomach flipped in response.

  Dear God, it felt just the same as it used to, being so close to him; it felt electric, as though tingles zipped around inside her… She wanted to control the sensations, but was unable.

  He smiled suddenly, as though something occurred to him. ‘Do you still like to dance?’

  ‘I do! Especially at weddings.’

  ‘Fantastic.’ He gestured towards the front of the bungalow. ‘I’ll go watch out the front for the cab, should be here in a minute.’ With that, he left her to her final touches.

  After rooting through her handbag for another new purchase, Izzie added bright blue crystal earrings, and applied a bit more mascara to her eyelashes.

  That stray sensation, the spear of lust and desire that had shot through her when Justin touched her hair had sent her emotions scattering in all directions.

  ‘How are you doing? The cab just texted to say it’s a minute away.’

  ‘Should I wear this?’ She held up the blue crystal teardrop necklace that had come with the earrings.

  His eyebrows raised and Izzie wondered whether that was appreciation she saw in his expression.

  ‘Let me see?’ He took the necklace from her and gestured for her to stand in front of the hall mirror. His knuckles rested against her neck and shoulders as he held the delicate necklace in place. ‘I think it looks good.’

  As Justin spoke, his breath broke against the skin on the back of her neck, shifting her hair just a little, and that in turn sent a sexy shiver down her spine.

  ‘Would you fasten it for me please?’

  Izzie had to take a deep breath in order to still the crazy hot quiver at his closeness.

  ‘Aren’t you taking a suitcase with you?’

  Izzie laughed. ‘Just a little handbag.’

  ‘You did remember that we’ll be staying in the hotel overnight, didn’t you?’

  ‘I think it slipped past me. Hang on, I’ll grab my toothbrush and something to change into tomorrow.’

  ‘Mick and Janey’s idea was to have as many guests as possible at breakfast tomorrow morning.’

  Everything fitted easily into her well-used rucksack. Gathering up the small silver evening bag she’d bought with the silver shoes, she took her things to the front door. ‘Hang on, before we leave…’ Justin held up his phone, ‘Let’s get a photo of us both dressed up?’

  ‘I want one, too.’ Izzie unearthed her phone and got Justin to hold it at arm’s length for a selfie. He took three on the trot ‘just for good measure’.

  ‘Fantastic.’ He checked the screen of his phone and then smiled broadly. ‘Our carriage awaits.’

  Whilst Izzie locked up the bungalow, Justin took charge of carrying their overnight bags.

  She was having a job not to stare at him; he looked so hot in his black suit. The sharp white shirt and black and grey striped tie was the perfect foil for his fit frame. His slightly overlong wavy dark blond hair, sexy green eyes, and easy smile was also a heck of a combination.

  They chatted for the rest of the journey – inconsequential stuff. It was a heady mixture of easy friendship spiced with sensual sparks.

  They reached the large hotel reception on the promenade in Blackpool as other guests were arriving, the bride and groom standing side-by-side just inside the magnificent venue, greeting each newcomer in turn.

  ‘Justin, great, you can just relax this evening instead of being on duty!’ Mick grinned from ear to ear. ‘And thanks for today.’

  The men shook hands warmly. ‘I’ll get on with processing your photos first thing tomorrow, Mick, Janey.’

  Janey hugged Justin and thanked him for everything. ‘It’s a fabulous gift, Justin, thanks.’

  Then she hugged Izzie and Izzie told her how beautiful she looked in her ecru lace gown.

  Justin rested his hand at the base of Izzie’s spine and they each took the proffered champagne from the waiting staff as they entered the reception room. He guided her to a large round table where they knew some of the others, and once settled, he leaned towards her and said, ‘I’ll nip out to the front desk and get our keys.’

  ‘Cheers.’ She raised her glass and smiled as Justin headed out of the room.

  The event organiser announced that the buffet was open, and guests were free to help themselve
s; they also announced that the staff would be circulating with champagne.

  ‘You coming to get some grub?’ the young woman beside her asked.

  ‘Oh, I definitely will, yes, but I’ll wait for Justin.’

  ‘No need to wait, I’m here,’ he said as he materialised at her side. ‘Do you want to get something now?’

  ‘Definitely, I’m starving.’

  He gestured for her to move in front of him, and as they made their way to the buffet, he leaned down and said quietly, ‘I’ll give you a room key when we sit back down.’

  At the sizzling sensation of his breath against her shoulder, Izzie picked up a plate and shuffled around the table, which was groaning with food.

  ‘I’m not sure I trust myself to keep my hands off you seeing you look the way you do.’ His voice was a hoarse whisper when he spoke.

  ‘You know what to say to a woman.’ Always did, the thought occurred. As his words set that hot sensation off inside her once again, her awareness at him being close was almost unbearable.

  They ate and chatted to one another and to the others seated at their table. Background music cushioned the sounds of plates and cutlery, glasses clinking and general talking and laughter.

  Once everyone had finished eating, and the speeches had been applauded, the staff quickly and efficiently cleared the tables and the guests were invited to surround the dance floor whilst the new bride and groom took their first dance.

  Standing beside Justin, his arm resting along her shoulder, Izzie could not help but smile up at him.

  Once the couple finished their first dance, the DJ invited everyone to join the dance floor and Izzie’s heart gave a little leap – no, a huge leap – when Justin took her hand so they could jive in amongst many others who took up the invitation.

  It really was like stepping back in time. They’d spent hours dancing in Justin’s parents’ lounge on wet afternoons, at parties, the Tower, anywhere … both before and after they’d become lovers.

  Izzie wondered if anyone else experienced that sensation that there was one dance partner who just fitted – knew every move you were about to make and their own complemented yours; someone who smiled back when you smiled up at them and laughed when you grimaced at your own wrong-step. She felt like that with Justin, certain his hand would always be in the right place to twirl her around, his palm at the small of her back when he pulled her close and they moved from foot to foot in perfect sync. Happiness warmed her and her smile reflected that effervescent sensation.

  Staying on the floor for four or five dances, they then returned to the table for a drink, and Izzie thirstily drank her glass of champagne. ‘I think I need about a gallon of water,’ she said and laughed. ‘Does anyone else want one?’

  ‘Yes, please, dear,’ an elegant, elderly lady at the other side of the table responded. ‘I’d like a pint of beer as well, please. Bitter!’

  Nodding at the request and loving it because her nan had always loved a pint of bitter, Izzie turned and wound her way to the long bar. Drinks acquired, she returned to the table with a large jug of water, several empty glasses, a pint of beer and a couple other drinks requested by their companions.

  ‘You didn’t have to do that Izzie, one of the waiters would have got those for you.’ Justin helped unload the glasses when she returned.

  ‘Didn’t occur to me, to be honest. All I knew is that I needed a great big long drink, and probably not the alcoholic type.’

  After drinking several glasses of water, Izzie took herself back to the dance floor and joined several ladies who looked as though they were having a good time dancing. After a while she glanced over to Justin, but he was talking to a man beside him – they looked like old friends catching up so she hadn’t disturbed him.

  It was kind of scary to join people she didn’t know, but fuelled by far too much champagne and too little light food, Izzie sang along to the music, waving her hands in the air and being what she thought of as a participating wedding guest. She thought there was freedom in not knowing anybody too well, because she would not be held to task for her dodgy singing and dancing by anyone!

  She only realised how hot she had become when the music slowed and as she turned to leave the dance floor along with her newfound friends.

  Justin stepped towards her. ‘May I have this dance?’

  ‘Be glad to, but don’t hold me too close as I’m a bit hot.’

  He ignored her advice and pulled her close against him. Shivers ran all over her when he leaned towards her and whispered, ‘I know.’ Izzie didn’t need to see his face to hear the amusement that laced his response.

  Oh God! The tingles rioted through her. Again. He’d always been able to make her feel like the sexiest female on earth.

  She smiled, shivered with pleasure and rested her cheek against his crisp white shirt, thankful that the loud music drowned out her soft moan of desire when his palm pressed against the middle of her back, pulling her close into his torso, the flimsy fabric of her dress no barrier to the warmth melting Izzie against his firm body. It felt right, like she fitted.

  Instinctively, she smiled up at him and his own features lit with a smile that made her heartbeat literally flutter.

  They danced for hours.

  ‘Are you okay?’ he eventually said.

  ‘Great, are you?’ It was getting late and the music had slowed, the DJ announcing that everyone should take the opportunity to dance to the last few songs. Justin pulled her towards him, and Izzie let her head sink to his shoulder. After all the night’s supercharged fun and dancing, a slow dance fitted the bill perfectly.

  Izzie clasped her fingers up around his neck, tangled in the hair that brushed his white collar; she watched his eyes darken in response to her touch, felt one of his hands shift low on her waist, pulling her into him, the other at the small of her back. She smiled, conscious that he kept his eyes on her and those darkened eyes smouldered with lust.

  Too soon, the music ended and folks clapped, cheered and drifted away.

  Izzie smiled up at Justin whilst he remained still, holding her in his arms. ‘It’s been a fabulous night, thanks. I’ve enjoyed being with you.’

  ‘And thank you.’ His voice was hoarse and for a fleeting moment she thought Justin was going to kiss her. A sharp stab of disappointment ran through her when that didn’t happen, but then, just as she was about to take a deep breath against that feeling, his soft yet firm lips warmed hers. The charge through her body was heavenly and she responded, pulled him closer still, arched into him and he held her close.

  She had no idea how long passed before the sound of the DJ’s trolley trundling across the wooden dance floor brought her closer to earth. Justin’s mouth raised from hers and his deep voice sent tremors through her.

  ‘Shall we go to our room?’ He gave her a small smile, a slight bow, and gestured that she should go in front of him to the lift in the lobby, where they then zoomed up to the second floor. All the while, her body craved the heated closeness of his.

  A mixture of nervousness and sharp excitement fizzed around in Izzie; she had no idea what would happen with Justin once they arrived at their room and the thought sent a sharp quiver through her. She knew what she wanted to happen…

  ‘Do you mind if I shower?’ she asked him as he kicked off his shoes and loosened his tie still further.

  ‘Not at all.’

  Izzie unzipped her dress, whisked up her tiny wash bag and went into the bathroom to use the shower. She wallowed in the smell of the delicious honeysuckle shower gel provided, wondering what that smell would come out like on Justin’s skin. She enjoyed that delicious thought.

  There were two hotel robes hanging behind the bathroom door and she pulled the shorter one on and decided to wear it to bed since she had forgotten to pack any sleep wear. When she emerged, she asked, ‘Do you fancy a cup of tea? I’ll sort it whilst you shower, if you like?’

  ‘You know me so well, that’d be great, Izzie.’ He slung his
tie and jacket over the chair.

  Before he went into the bathroom, he smiled that smile that spoke of hot kisses, hot summer days, hotter summer nights.

  Distracting herself from the thought of Justin in the shower, Izzie flicked on the telly. It went straight to a music channel so she set the remote down on the dressing table stand and let it play quietly.

  It drifted through her mind that her nan always said that everything happened for a reason and Izzie wondered for a moment if her nan had brought her together once more with Justin – for a reason.

  To help them both find one another again?

  Or to help Izzie put her teenage first love behind her – finally – before she moved back to her chosen life in London? Or maybe to help her move on emotionally after Rufus died?

  Brushing out her hair, Izzie let her thoughts wander. Did it matter anymore what had happened in the past? It was getting harder to stay upset and the anger she had felt was definitely being overwhelmed by the rise of long-buried feelings. It was becoming easier to bat down the endless questions: Could she ever trust him again? That was a tough one. But did it matter? Was it important to her anymore?

  Justin had never mentioned that day in their past – the meeting that never was – and they’d both moved on. Was there anything stopping her at this moment in time from reaching out and having this … this final fling with him?

  She let the scenarios dance around in her thoughts… It was December 23rd now; he would be going away to New Zealand in just a few days. Tonight would be the beginning of the end of their fling – just friends, lovers, grabbing the moment before they would go their separate ways. Just how they intended. No commitments, no promises, no ties. No broken hearts.

  Being close to Justin again, laughing, talking and dancing with him, seemed to have sensitised her entire body and dispensed with anything resembling sense or the need to know just why he hadn’t turned up to meet her that day.