'I did things I was scared to do, because I couldn't risk Faye finding out that I had feet of clay. Of course, she knew that all the time, but she didn't let on because she didn't want me to find out.'
This time the laughter was loud, with a warm, friendly tone. Everyone knew that this was an excellent speech, striking just the right note for the occasion.
But Faye never thought of it like that. She was listening intently to the man she loved, breathless with hope.
'Clayton Properties has been as much her creation as mine. And that's why it's right that I should honour her tonight, on our tenth wedding anniversary.'
He took her hand to raise her up, and opened the black box in front of him. A riviere of diamonds glittered inside. The crowd rose in thunderous applause as he fitted the lavish jewels about her neck. Faye hardly heard them. She was looking into Garth's smiling eyes, feeling the warm touch of his hands on her neck. Everything was coming right at last. He'd only been waiting for tonight.
In her joy she was able to pose for the photographs with a truly radiant smile. It was going to be all right. Tonight, when the children had gone to bed, he would tell her what was in his heart and they would find each other again. She could have sung with happiness.
It seemed an eternity until the party broke up, but at last they were all moving towards the door. Her hand was tucked in Garth's arm. She could see the car waiting for them through the great entrance. In a few minutes they would be inside it, perhaps in each other's arms. Cindy and Adrian would giggle, but they were welcome.
Suddenly Garth tensed and stopped. He seemed awkward. 'Faye, I should have told you this before. Something came up this afternoon.'
She stared at him in disbelief. Oh, this couldn't be happening again!
'I was going to France in a few days, but I've had a call to say they need me earlier. I've got to leave for the airport straight away.'
'You're not even coming home with us?' she gasped.
'When you get there you'll understand. Please believe me- This is best.'
Cindy and Adrian came beside them, looking up with silent questions as they sensed the changed atmosphere.
'Daddy has to go to France on urgent business,' Faye said, hardly knowing what she was saying.
'You mean you're not coming home with us?' Adrian asked.
'Not just for the- Cindy, what have you got there? It's not a doggy bag, is it?'
Cindy guiltily produced not one bag but two.
'There's Peaches as well,' she explained, 'and she's eating for three or four or five or-'
Something strange seemed to happen to Garth. He closed his eyes and for a moment Faye could have sworn that his lips were shaking, as though he was on the verge of tears. But that didn't make sense.
'I just hope you've got enough for her,' he said at last. He dropped to one knee and put an arm around each child, hugging them tightly. "Bye kids,' he said huskily. 'Be good.'
There was a mysterious undercurrent in his voice. Faye stared at him, trying desperately to understand.
'I'll take you to the car,' he said.
'Garth-' she cried. She was suddenly scared.
'Faye.' He said her name so softly that she barely heard. He reached out and touched her cheek and there was something in his eyes that broke her heart. Abruptly he seized her and pulled her hard against him, burying his face in her hair. Then, just as quickly, he thrust her from him.
'Goodbye, Faye,' he said hoarsely, and turned back inside.
It was all over, she thought, as she was borne home. The distance he'd set between them recently had been a warning. Tonight he'd played his part so beautifully that she had been taken in.
In her heart she knew what she would find when she reached home. There would be a letter announcing that everything was over between them. He'd had all he needed of her.
Nancy was waiting up to put the children to bed. She didn't comment on Garth's absence. Nor did she look at Faye as she said, 'There's something in your room. He told me to put it there when you'd all left.'
The envelope was lying on her pillow, her name written in Garth's bold hand. With trembling hands she opened it, and read:
My darling Faye,
This is the hardest letter I've ever had to write, because it's a goodbye, and that's a word I swore I'd never say to you. I love you so much. I never stopped loving you for a moment, but I killed your love and couldn't get it back.
Once it seemed easy. I thought I had the power to force you back to me. I managed it in one way, but the more we were together, the more I realized that your heart had slipped away. Perhaps I was never the man for you. I only seem to make you unhappy.
There's something you must know. When Barker was dying I went to Kendall Haines and begged him to use his influence to get James Wakeham. I meant to tell you next day, when things were calmer. But I never did, because that night something happened that changed everything.
Earlier Cindy had asked me to have Barker put to sleep. She said, 'If you love someone, you've got to let them go, if it's best for them.'
I didn't see the implications for us at first, but then you loved me with such sweetness and warmth that I knew only the best was good enough for you. And the best is to escape from me. You once said that nobody could be happy with me. And you were right.
So I never told you about approaching Haines, because it might have made it harder for you to leave me. I didn't want you staying because I'd 'earned' it, but only because you loved me. And you're safer not loving me.
I learned something about Haines too, that night. He's not the man you think he is. He co-opted his secretary to fill your place without much loss of time. I wasn't sure whether to tell you, or whether it would be interfering in your life. You might not even have believed me. But now I won't be here, you must know the truth. Don't marry him, my darling. Wait for someone else who's better than both of us.
It's taken me too long to learn wisdom from my daughter, but I know now that the truest way I can show my love is by letting you go.
I won't be returning to Elm Ridge. I want you and Cindy and Adrian to stay there. After the divorce I'd like to see the children often, but I promise never to trouble you.
It's the tenth anniversary of our wedding, and I've showered you with diamonds, as the firm expected me to. But my real anniversary gift is something else. You'll find it in a parcel next to this letter. I wonder if you'll recognize it. If so, I like to think it will still mean something to you.
Goodbye, my dearest. I love you so very much.
Garth.
She had to read the letter twice. There was a blank look in her eyes as the incredible truth came home to her, and she let out her breath in a long sigh.
'You fool,' she murmured. 'How could you be so blind?'
But did she mean him, or herself? She honestly couldn't have said.
The little parcel lay on the bed. It was plainly wrapped in brown paper and carried no tag. She was almost afraid as she opened it.
Inside she found the tin plate Garth had mentioned in his speech, with the two entwined hearts scratched in the centre. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. She'd thought he'd tossed those early days aside contemptuously, but he'd remembered as vividly as herself. Despite his brash exterior, he'd secretly treasured this memento all these years. Now it had a slightly forlorn, abandoned look.
Her happiness was almost too great to be borne, but her tears still flowed. They were for him, going away, believing that she didn't love him. How could it end this way? How could two people who loved each other so much manage to lose each other?
Then her head went up. She wasn't going to give in without a fight. With trembling fingers she dialled the airport number and was put through to Bill's little cubby hole.
'Bill, it's Faye. Is Garth there yet?'
'No, but he's due at any moment. Our take-off slot is in half an hour.'
'He mustn't go. Bill, you've got to stop him.'