Beauty & the Brit -Chapter 12 (Patreon)

CHAPTER TWELVE: DERICK’S DENOUEMENT

It was a cool Saturday morning and although it should have been the time to sleep in, Paige was up taking a break from housework on the couch reading in their living room.

Just as her novel was getting to a very intense climax in the middle of its current chapter, Paige faintly heard the sound of their front door opening. She tried to read on to satisfy her curiosity but somehow the sound of the door had snapped her out of things just enough that she couldn’t seem to get back into the book. She placed her bookmark into her hardcover and called out to her friend: “Rae? I’m just in the living room!”

Only, it wasn’t Rae who came around the corner. “Oh! Nate! Hi,” Paige greeted.

“Hey Miss Paige,” he responded warmly, “Sorry to come right in but Miss Rae sent me a text that the door was unlocked and to come right in.”

“Oh! Well actually she must be running late because she’s still not back from the store or wherever,” Paige admitted. “But can I get you something? Lemonade? Oh uh hot tea or coffee? I noticed it was a bit chilly outside and doesn’t look like it’s warmed up any,” she remarked.

“Oh no thanks Miss Paige,” he dismissed, “Just came to drop off the drill and drill bits,” he admitted, “My wife and I are going out of town until Monday afternoon so I just popped over before we’re out.”

“Ah! Well I’m sorry that Rae isn’t here to see you off too. Hopefully she’ll burst through the door in a second,” Paige mused and it made Nate smile.

“Well if she doesn’t please tell her thanks for me and I’ll see you both Tuesday morning.”

“Yeah, of course,” Paige nodded easily.

She hesitated, suddenly wondering if Rae being out of the house at this time was intentional after her friend's confession about her renewed feelings for Nate last night.

“Well, I hope you and Emily have fun and a safe drive or safe travels wherever you’re ending up,” she expressed and Nate was grateful.

“And thanks again for that barbeque here last night we both really enjoyed ourselves. Emily and I would both love to do at least another one of them this summer if not more with you guys. She really liked it. I did too.”

“We’d love to,” Paige agreed, “just name a day.”

“Yeah. Will do!” he agreed with a smile, eyes sparkling. “Well have a good weekend Miss Paige. See you in a few days.”

“See you!” Paige murmured as she put a hand up in farewell before he went to the door.

When Rae came home it was about two quarters of an hour later. Paige was lying on the couch now listening to music. “Hey.”

“Hey!”

“Nate came by,” she told Rae.

“I know,” Rae responded simply.

Paige sat up. “It’s okay if you needed space.”

Rae smiled at her friend. “Just gonna put these things away. And thanks Pay. Be right back.”

“Take your time!”

It didn’t take her friend long and soon Rae had returned to stand in the entryway, “So… we both know about Nate. Any word from Derick?”

“Yeah,” Paige spoke, “Um he of course wants to meet up today.”

“I figured he would,” Rae grinned, “So what time are you going? Is he coming right now?”

Paige laughed shakily, “I haven’t made a time yet. I’m nervous. He said anytime after eleven.”

“It’s approaching eleven now…”

Paige groaned uncomfortably.

“What the hell are you waiting for? You only have a few hours left! Meet up with him!”

“I know I just...I don’t know what to say! I am going to miss him and I want to see him but then how do I say goodbye? And you said I should kiss him and oh God do I ever want to but then that’s all that’s going to be in my head and I’m going to be blushing and awkward and he’s going to notice!”

Rae took a deep breath and sat down beside her friend, “If you don’t make a time now then he’s going to think you don’t want to see him. Or you’re going to regret the time wasted here on the couch at the end of the day. Please just go. You managed your nerves around him before, I think you can manage now that you know each other,” Rae reasoned.

Paige took a deep breath in and nodded. “Yeah you’re right. Well and I wanted to wait for you because he asked if you’d like to hang out too…”

“He did?” Rae smiled, happy with the news, “That’s really nice of him! Sure but I have to go to the university for five tonight: I’ve got that art evening thing!”

“Oh crap right I forgot!”

“I find it funny that they want to do a dinner and presentation with the arts department during summer like hello people vacation but I guess this is the best time to do it since there are changes coming for fall that will be addressed. And I guess too the university semesters end in April so this isn’t terribly sudden but still: nicer weather than May for example and we’re invited to attend. I wish you guys could come!”

“Oh don’t worry about it! Derick is probably sick of plated dinners and neither of us would have any clue of what they’re saying anyway!” Paige mused. This made Rae laugh a little.

“Hmm it’s buffet I think but no matter. Well go on then make plans with Derick!”

Paige looked nervously at her phone. “Okay. I’ll do it.” She texted back and got an almost immediate phone call in response. She put it on speaker.

“Hey Rae!” he greeted once he knew that both could hear him, “So any ideas on what you want to do today?”

“Why don’t you choose; I mean it is your last day,” Paige responded shyly, feeling a pit in her stomach.

“Oh but all the same I trust the judgement of you lot!”

The girls looked at themselves with humble excitement. After a moment of thought, Rae was honest with Derick about her commitment that evening.

“Oh well that’s alright. We can still see each other a little at least this afternoon if you’ve got the time and if not well we spent some fun times together and I can see you next I’m in town,” he reasoned.

“That’s kind! But no I can spare a few hours this afternoon to hang out with my new bestie!” she teased.

He laughed, “I’m glad to hear of my promotion. I shall take the role very seriously.”

“Good!”

“Well then how about we all do lunch, my treat, and I dunno visit a park or a… a… local treasure.”

“Well in that case I have something in mind,” Rae put in with a look of mischief.

“Brilliant! Shall I come by in an hour and pick you up?”

“That’s kind but may I take my own vehicle instead? That way if I have to go then I’m not interrupting your guys’ fun? And then we don’t have to get picked up from lunch to drive to my ‘local treasure’?”

He chuckled, “That does sound rather sensible. Okay then Rae I’ll meet you for lunch and—”

“Nonsense Der we’ll pick you up! It’s your last day, let us give you some hospitality before you go away so that you’ll remember to return!” Rae teased and the three laughed. Derick submitted to her will.

Three quarters of an hour later, the three were inside Rae’s car on their way to lunch.

As it was Derick’s choice, he directed Rae to drive down the block and turn right. Soon, she was asked to make another right turn then another. “Derick! You’re leading us in a circle!” Rae laughed.

“Stop! Stop here up ahead at the parking,” he urged.

Paige glanced back at him with amusement as Rae did as he asked and parked the car.

“Okay what’re you up to mister!?”

Derick looked back at Rae evenly, “Our restaurant is right here,” he indicated.

Paige gasped softly which made Rae look at her, “What am I missing?”

“Derick this is… this place is on the pricey side! You can’t take us here!” Paige spoke in explanation.

“I can so. Rae drove us here. We may as well,” he teased and both girls laughed though Paige was in nerves and Rae’s laughter in amusement of his joke.

But try as she might to protest, Derick wasn’t having it. “Please let me treat you both to a meal,” he begged, “I want to thank you for your friendship and hospitality over this past week and it’s just really meant a lot to have my week brightened so unexpectedly with both of those things. So, let me take my friends out to lunch before I go, hm? Please?”

Paige couldn’t refuse those beautiful blue eyes that stared back at her so intently. Rae only gave in because she said luckily she was appropriately dressed for the place.

So into Charo’s they went.

Lunch went pleasantly. Though at first she felt a bit shy and awkward, being around both Derick and Rae together put Paige at ease until she forgot all her insecurities and nerves and felt instead like she was with two people she’d known her entire life at their favourite restaurant together and not one of the finest in town.

Rae and Derick silently too felt the same; the kindred connection between them all and they enjoyed themselves just as much as Paige.

Following lunch, they all headed to the car where Rae set off to take them to the surprise destination. “I’m utterly curious but as you both know the local fare better than me I’m at your mercy. Paige, any ideas or are you not telling?”

“I’ve honestly no clue where we’re headed,” she admitted openly.

“Agh she’s got us both in the dark then!” Derick mused.

“Not much further,” Rae promised.

A few minutes later she pulled up outside of a line of shops and parked the car. “I was going to wait until everything was perfect but uh since today’s a special occasion for you Derick I figured I could make an exception and give you both the sneak peek,” Rae declared as she got out.

Paige unbuckled and followed curiously, Derick meeting her on the other side of the vehicle where Rae was standing on the sidewalk in front of a place just underneath a sign which read ‘Affluent Arts’ in elegant but easy to read script. Rae’s name was underneath where it read ‘Popup Gallery of’.

“Blimey is this yours!?” Derick exclaimed as he realized.

Rae was smiling trying to remain humble at his reaction.

Paige’s hands flew to her mouth. “Rae! Ohmygawd!”

“Like I say I was going to wait but then Derick wouldn’t get to see it before it opens so,” Rae spoke as she fidgeted with some keys in her hand and then hesitated, “You guys wanna go in and see?”

“Do we ever!” Paige exclaimed in a squeal of happiness and excitement, “I thought you weren’t going to be able to do this until September!”

“Well I negotiated a better price on rent for the space. Seems the landlord has a daughter who is in the Arts Program at the university that attended my first talk and couldn’t stop talking about me so uh...that worked out. And I’m a hard ass as you know so—” She moved and unlocked the front door and let them inside the building where she’d papered the windows colourfully so that people got a sense of what was to come (colours and art) and so they couldn’t see in until the gallery was done and she had installed proper blinds.

Derick’s face lit up as he stepped in and looked around briefly as though he was a kid that had just uncovered a toy factory that was handing out free candy. “When you said ‘local treasure’ or whatever I… You certainly delivered!” he praised as he gazed back at her again, awaiting her to show them around the large space where her art hung on the walls and inside cases along the gallery floor.

“Thanks Der. Go on and look around you guys don’t be shy. Tell me what you think. I still have some work to do with presentation and adding a few more pieces but it’s almost done. I was going to open in about two, two and a half weeks once I got some flyers out and everything officially ready...”

“Rae oh my God this is incredible!” Paige exclaimed as she moved in and hugged her friend, “I’m seriously so, so happy for you!”

Rae showed them around her gallery and both her friends were impressed. There were pieces there that Paige hadn’t seen and she was delighted by them.

“You’re incredibly talented Rae. I hope you find success here in this,” Derick expressed. She was grateful for his words of support.

“May I purchase one?” Derick asked her when they’d all sat around chatting awhile; Rae had pulled up some chairs from her back room and handed them all a Coke from her mini fridge as well.

“What?” She almost spit out her soda.

“May I purchase a piece from you?” he asked her, gesturing at the art around the place.

“No, no Derick you don’t have to do that for me!” she laughed nervously, “I appreciate it but please it’s fine! When I open I already have a few interested people from the university connections who will be stopping by. I’ll be fine.”

“Oh that’s brilliant but no I’m not asking to be compassionate or anything I really would like a piece,” he told her earnestly. “If you’ll let me. And if you’d rather wait for opening, well I respect that and I’ll make arrangements to get something then,” he promised.

Rae stared at him with some disbelief for a few moments before she came back to life, “Well yeah of-of course you can get something I just… didn’t expect this is all! I wanted to show you guys because I was excited about my pop-up shop I never expected you to view it as customers.”

“And why shouldn’t we?” Derick smiled, “If we like the work then it’s all the better because we’re supporting a friend.”

“Thank you, Derick. Gosh thanks!”

Paige grinned as Rae and Derick went through the motions of the sale and he selected something he liked and purchased it. “I’ll bring it by the hotel before we do something else Paige once Rae goes if that’s alright. Or, if you want an evening to yourself I’m quite happy to oblige!”

“Oh no, no!” Paige disagreed. “I don’t mind at all.”

When it came time to say goodbye to Rae, Derick was moved with emotion, “It sounds perhaps odd for me to say this but I’m going to miss you,” he told her.

“If you didn’t I’d be pissed!” she laughed and they hugged.

“Hey, I’ll drive you guys to the hotel so you don’t have to walk or cab it with the art.”

Once arrived the two hugged again and he came out of it grinning. “This is a ‘I’ll talk to you later’ moment,” he told Rae and she chuckled and nodded.

Farewells made, Rae drove off for her dinner and conference meeting at the university and Derick and Paige went into the hotel. He asked the concierge to deliver the wrapped art to his room before he turned to Paige with a smile, “Well, world is our oyster then. What do you want to do tonight? Are you hungry? It’s a nice night better than the morning: we could always grab something and picnic somewhere or I dunno what!” he mused.

“If I’m really honest,” she responded slowly, “I’m really not hungry yet. Our lunch filled me up pretty good and having that soda with you guys tided me over so I’m not thirsty or anything right now.”

“I’m not hungry either but I didn’t want to pretend that you might not be hungry too without asking,” he blushed, “Ok then no dinner for now. What about ice cream?”

“Ice cream?” she repeated. “Oh! Uh sure!”

After getting directions to an actual ice cream parlour instead of using someplace like McDonald’s, the two set off there and got their treats in hand before walking together towards a local park with a few trees and rolling hills for them to walk through and enjoy together.

The two sat down on a bench together, finishing off their cones within moments of doing so.

“There are a few parks like this in London that this reminds me of,” Derick admitted.

“Oh really?” Paige exclaimed with delight, “That’s really cool!”

“Yeah,” he grinned, “Like I was saying to Nate and Emily and you guys, everywhere you see common threads between people and places themselves. London is its own thing and yet I can see it here and vice versa.”

“That’s really so great!”

“Yeah,” he agreed, “really makes you feel connected to the world like we’re all just people after all you know?” he murmured gently.

She smiled and nodded.

“I hope you’re able to travel. I think you most of all would see the intricate beauties in things that others don’t often recognize.”

This made Paige blush but Derick encouraged it and stuck by his statement. She thanked him for the compliment.

The two remained in the park awhile longer soaking in the sun and enjoying the atmosphere before they hopped onto a local trolley together to make their way closer to Redford Manor.

“You hungry yet?”

“Nope. How about you Derick?”

“No. That ice cream hit the spot. Being out in the sun though I’m a bit thirsty.”

“Oh! We’ll have lemonade when we get back to my place then,” she offered easily and he thanked her.

The two went into the backyard where there was warmth but also shade and sat together surrounded by citronella candles to keep away the mosquitoes as they drank their drinks and relaxed.

“I hope this isn’t too boring for you I feel like we should be out doing something,” Paige expressed after several relaxing minutes.

He shook his head. “Gosh no this is perfect. Considering all I have to do in London when I get back I’m happy to have moments like these where it’s just...hanging out,” he grinned.

She smiled with relief. “Oh yeah that would be good then.”

He nodded and took a sip of his drink. “I’ve got uh something like six or seven galas, dinners, luncheons and breakfasts in the next month or so to attend.”

“That many!?”

“Yeah,” he chuckled, “And not all for the same organizations either. And I’ve got meetings and some things similar to the work I was doing here where I get to tour and talk with people about programming and funding and so forth.”

“Yeah that certainly does sound like you’re going to be very busy!” she agreed. “In that case, I’m glad you have some down time now,” Paige smiled.

“Me too,” Derick expressed warmly, “me too.”

After awhile longer of chatting casually and taking in the beautiful summer’s evening, Paige excused herself for the toilet and Derick offered to take their cups and the pitcher inside. “It’s slowly getting late and if I keep this up I’ll be up all night needing the loo,” he teased, “because it’s very good and I don’t want to stop!”

Laughing gently, Paige allowed him to and they agreed to meet back at their seats where Derick agreed he could stay a little longer before needing to go back to the hotel to finish packing for his journey the next morning. Paige felt a lump in her throat at the thought of that.

She tried to ignore that feeling as she sat with him again in the lawn chairs on the grass of her backyard.

“Today has been really fun,” Derick expressed as he turned his face towards the sun a little which had found him despite the shade of the tree they were nearby, “I’m happy for everything I’ve shared with you lot here but it’s bittersweet to know just as things were really getting great that we have to conclude for awhile until I’m able to come back.”

“Gosh I agree I can’t believe you’re going to be gone tomorrow! I feel like… This has just been so much fun! I don’t want our little get-togethers to end!” Paige admitted.

“Maybe they don’t have to. Come with me.”

“What?!”

“Come to England. You can sightsee and enjoy a holiday which you deserve and if you’re willing you can be my date to a couple of these gala things I’ve got coming up. You’d be doing me a huge favour.”

Paige laughed but was unable to really take him seriously. “Derick don’t even joke!”

“I’m not joking!” he exclaimed with a short laugh, “I mean it! Come back to England with me and stay for a couple weeks or a month.”

She couldn’t believe it. His tone, his expression… He wasn’t actually joking with her. “That would be amazing but I can’t?”

“Why not? Feel free to be honest with me. Truly.” His face was eager to learn her answer.

“I’ve got work. I can’t just ask for like two weeks off of work with no notice! Never even mind a month! And besides it would put Cornelia out.”

“What if all of that was already dealt with? What if you were able to convince her and she wanted you to go what then?”

“C’mon Derick that’s ridiculous—”

“If you’re concerned about not making your wage or about your payments into Quiet Village, don’t be. I’ve heard today that the store was approached to provide a large order of books to the hospital.”

Her eyes widened. “D-Derick—!” her voice was somewhat soft in surprise.

“This is of course important and well suited for DeBurgh Endowments as one of their key values is supporting local businesses and community. And this is quite clearly important and beneficial for the hospital as it would benefit the patients well to have free books to access. And I’m told that an arrangement and partnership has been made with ‘Quiet Village’ and Willow Gardens Hospital to go in on a literacy program –a program that the current owner of the store has been delighted to be a part of and a program that I hope the future owner will happily and easily continue down the road…”

Paige felt speechless.

“Point being that thanks to DeBurgh Endowments funding the literacy program ‘Quiet Village’ has a bit more of a profit not to mention another checkmark added to its already wonderful reputation of being a wonderful and generous and kind figure in its community…”

“Derick I don’t know what to say—!”

“You don’t have to say anything except to decide what you want to do about having that paid holiday- Cornelia has agreed that you deserve one and with the new commission she’s able to give you and the other employees a better vacation pay so that when you do take time off your paycheques aren’t suffering for it.”

“Oh my God you asked her already!?” Her cheeks went red but he went on,

“And your portion towards buying out the store won’t be missed; those payments have already gone through early courtesy of a grant from DeBurgh Endowments towards supporting young entrepreneurs.”

“Oh my God you’re making that up!” she complained, embarrassed and flattered by the surprising offer.

“Am not! Look it up! They have an entrepreneur program and scholarships and grants available.”

“What, as of earlier today?” she muttered anxiously laughing as she did in fact reach for her phone to check. He wasn’t lying though.

“So basically what I’m saying to you Paige is that all you have to do is ask for the time off, if you want it, and that’s no longer standing in your way for coming to England. Unfortunately Rae has too many commitments and can’t come she told me—”

“Oh my God she knows about this?”

“I asked her early Friday morning and she told me today her answer.”

“O-Oh.”

“So if you come, she wouldn’t be able to. But if you want to, you’re able to. Work commitments are no longer standing in your way and Rae gives her blessing.”

“Derick I—” Her head was in her hands and she ran them through her hair and cradled her face back again in disbelief. “I don’t know what to say I’m utterly speechless. You did all that, for me!?”

“Goodness no! Not all of it!” he teased, “Well I mean c’mon it’s true: the partnership with the books was in my— in our at DeBurgh Endowments’ best interests and the hospital’s too. It’s going to provide a lot of positive impact on the community. I mean it’s already offering the employees of the bookstore and its owner better pay and pension prospects. That’s super great and important! Never mind all of the wonderful things it’ll do at the hospital.”

Derick took a breath and went on with personal honesty, “The thing is that I’m not ready to say goodbye, Paige. You said it yourself we’re having such a wonderful time chatting and hanging out and I really wish I could stay here longer but my commitments back home can’t wait so… Now comes the opportunity to show you a little adventure where I’m from! I’d love for you to see some of the things you’ve only ever read about!”

Paige couldn’t believe he was saying all of this but at the same time he sounded so sensible. His offer didn’t sound completely outrageous. “I-I’ll need some time to think about it I mean… Actually no I… I have the house to help take care of and not just the store. As much as I’d love to I can’t go jetting off to England with my house budget money and leave Rae alone here with the house and repair costs— God and please don’t say you’ve hired contractors to fix the house while I’m away Derick because I draw the line and I won’t let you!”

“Oh gosh never thought of that!” he laughed, “Well give me a phone call and five minutes!” he teased.

“Jeeze absolutely not!” she cried as she lunged forward to stop him from dialling anything on his mobile.

“I won’t I promise,” he vowed. “But I guess I did forget to say or perhaps you missed it in my yammering on like this that I’m covering your costs of flight and accommodation and food and leisure. If you say yes it’s an all-expenses-paid trip no questions asked; no fine print!”

“Now you’re just...no!” Paige stressed, “I can’t ask you to do that!”

“Why not?” Derick returned, “You’d be doing me the favour of being my date to a couple more of these things and… Oh gosh I just realized that this totally sounds like a Pretty Woman scenario and that is literally the last thing I mean with this! Bollocks forgive me! And forgive my cussing just then too!” He put his face into his hand, embarrassed, “Obviously, gosh, obviously you don’t have to be my date and I’m not asking anything in return except that maybe you and I can talk a bit more and have lunches or dinners or a couple of walks together because I like getting to know you Paige and I feel like this whole scenario is being cut so short before either of us have had a true chance to scratch the surface of this growing friendship we’re planting! We’ve just tossed the seeds in the soil, I feel.”

Paige felt the same and she gave him a slow nod of acknowledgement before he went on,

“But gosh no you don’t have to say yes to coming with me to a luncheon or gala dinner or anything of the sort. You just have to come over and enjoy yourself and see what you want to see if you say yes to taking the trip. That’s all I want; that’s all I ask. But if you wanted maybe it’d be fun to come with and see these gala things from the other side and get to try some food without having to be the one bringing it out to guests!

“Have I made a complete mess of this yet? Coz I feel like I’ve talked so much that I’ve hammered it into the bins—” he admitted sheepishly.

“Gosh no, no you’ve not messed it up but… it’s just a lot to take in, Derick. I… I just need some time. It’s all so fast and sudden.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I didn’t expect us to hit it off so well when I extended my stay here and now I’ve realized at the last second that I didn’t want to go back to England just yet because you and I have just started up something good and fun and… I decided to take the risk and be spontaneous and go for it. And if you say no, I understand and we always have email and Skype and whatever else right? Or if you want to agree that this all ends here then—”

“No, no I… I love talking to you. We don’t have to say goodbye forever. I just need to think about it all. It’s...a big decision.”

“Yes I realize that so I’ll stop talking now. You choose what’s right. Take your time but not too much. My flight leaves at eleven-thirty five tomorrow morning and after that you’re welcome to still fly out after me if you have to, or if you’ve changed your mind. I just don’t want you to decide and then feel like you have to cut your time shorter or something. And I apologize for the short notice of it all on my part but I had the idea yesterday and...didn’t have much time to put everything into action on my end. If Cornelia said no or if Rae shot down my idea… I knew I couldn’t ask unless I had those things, and the hospital and shop collaboration would be a huge bonus. A-anyway yeah I’ll let you be now. Just think about it; and when you decide, then message me or call me, okay? Even if it’s the middle of the night...”

Paige nodded mutely.

“I’ve stunned you. I’m sorry,” he laughed nervously, “I just… Will you be alright?”

“Ye-yeah,” she exhaled smiling on autopilot. “Y-you go and get ready to go and I’ll… Yeah. We’ll talk later then,” she nodded again and again.

Derick gazed at her feeling a bit bad. ‘I’ve broken her!’ he thought as he watched her go through the motions of bidding him goodbye before he got into his driver’s vehicle and waved farewell to her for what he hoped was not the last time before he’d fly back tomorrow.

After Derick left and she returned into the house, Paige realized her hands were trembling. “England? England!” She paced back and forth some more, anxious for Rae to be home to hopefully ground her again.

She hadn’t imagined it, had she? Derick had invited Paige to return to England with him for a month. It was crazy right?

Paige paced and wrung her hands, feeling like she was going to faint. She was simultaneously excited and scared all at once. She hadn’t felt this way since Cornelia had offered her the store. But at least there’d been Cornelia around to calm Paige’s nerves. Being here all alone at Redford Manor felt like it was intensifying the insanity.

Paige hurriedly fled to her bedroom and collapsed on the mattress. ‘Derick wants me to come to England with him! ENGLAND!’ Though she lay on her bed, this was no dream. “Oh Rae! Get home quick will ya?”