He laughed, sitting back in his chair, taking a look around him as the party – which was now in full swing – continued to gather pace. The atmosphere was heady with excitement and fun as everyone around them danced and drank and enjoyed themselves. And all of a sudden that’s exactly what he felt like doing too. Oh, not so much the dancing part, but the drinking and enjoying himself, he could do that.
‘I’m really glad you stuck around, Martha. Because I know the way I acted…’
She leant forward, shutting him up with a kiss. ‘It’s over, Reece. You know the truth now. There are no more secrets, so, let’s just move forward, okay?’
He nodded, kissing her back, taking her hand in his and squeezing it tight. ‘Yeah. I like that idea. Moving forward with no looking back… Martha, do you think India…?’
‘Sweetheart, India is a real big girl now, she’s gonna be just fine. You’ve just got to allow her to make her own mistakes but let her know she can come to us if she needs to. For whatever reason. Okay?’
‘Okay,’ Reece smiled. ‘Learn to let go, huh?’
‘Well, she’s forty-three-years-old now so I think it’s about time, yeah. Come on, I need another drink. Let’s find a waiter and order some champagne. I’m in the mood to celebrate.’
‘Celebrate?’ Reece frowned. ‘Celebrate what?’
‘Us, Reece. I want to celebrate us.’
And, as far as Reece was concerned, he couldn’t think of anything worth celebrating more.
***
‘Charley, will you stop it, please? You’re making me feel nervous,’ India said as Charley looked over her shoulder for about the tenth time in five minutes. ‘It’s almost like you’re expecting something to happen.’
‘Like what?’ Charley asked, biting down on her bottom lip, her voice dripping with nerves. ‘Do you think something is going to happen?’
‘Charley, what the hell are you talking about? What do you think is going to happen?’ India laughed, smiling her thanks at the barman as he handed her a fresh drink.
‘In case you hadn’t realised, India, Jimmy Cash is still out there, somewhere. And I have no idea what his next move is going to be, so, excuse me if I’m slightly on edge right now.’
‘He’s not going to do anything here, tonight though, is he?’ India replied, shuffling about in her chair because anything to do with Jimmy Cash made her more than a touch uncomfortable, considering what he’d done to her brother. ‘I mean, come on. Even Jimmy Cash can’t be stupid enough to try anything here, not with the amount of security Vince has got in place.’ India wasn’t actually sure who she was trying to convince now – Charley, or herself. Jesus! She really didn’t want to talk about Jimmy Cash tonight, and she didn’t think Charley should be dwelling on it either. This wasn’t the time.
‘Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.’ Charley breathed a heavy sigh of relief, running her fingers through her hair and shaking it out, almost as if that would rid her of any remaining tension. ‘Vince said not to think about all of that tonight.’
‘Maybe you should listen to him then,’ India said, taking a sip of her Jack Daniels. ‘Vince knows what he’s talking about.’
Charley smiled, crossing her legs and hugging her knees. ‘I can’t believe I could have lost him, India.’
‘But you didn’t, did you? I’m not denying what you and Kenny did wasn’t stupid but, Jesus, come on. Who the hell am I to lecture anyone on stupid decisions? I’m the bloody expert on all things stupid.’ India looked at her friend, reaching out to take her hand, squeezing it gently. ‘Look, it’s over, Charley. Vince is a good, good man. The best. And he loves you, so much, so just forget about you and Kenny and concentrate on you and Vince. He’ll make sure this Jimmy business goes away…’
‘How though, India? How is he going to do that? How can he possibly deal with a man like Jimmy Cash?’
‘He just will, Charley. Vince won’t let you down. He won’t do that, I know he won’t. And I also know he’ll move heaven and earth to sort this out so just listen to him, okay? And trust him. You do that, and before you know it everything will be back to normal.’
‘Do you think so?’ Charley asked hopefully.
‘Yeah,’ India smiled. ‘I think so.’
‘I really hope you’re right,’ Charley sighed. ‘Because every morning I wake up hoping this has just been one long, unwelcome nightmare. But when I see the