“Mitchell. Salutations,” Jasmine Trencher said with a smile that showed a smudge of lipstick on her front tooth. “So fantastic to see you. I wondered if you’d be here for the celebrations.”
His mouth gaped and the color seeped from his face. He instantly started to sift through all the words he had screamed at her in his own head over the last couple of years to find ones that were suitable in front of Poppy.
His daughter squeezed his hand. “Dad?”
Mitchell swallowed the words down thickly. He ordered himself to think properly before he spoke to Jasmine. “It’s okay, Pops,” he said gently. “You go and see Liza, if you like?”
She nodded and skipped off, and he watched as the Bradfields embraced her, as if she was one of their own family.
Yvette wore a black sundress and cradled Connor in a white sling, lowering him so Poppy could take a peek. Naomi crouched down to wipe ice cream from her kids’ mouths and Sheila enjoyed the attention of a street performer who played the guitar and sang to her. When they noticed Mitchell looking over, they each gave him a wave.
He raised his hand back, and a feeling of belonging rose within him. When he returned his focus to Jasmine, he found a calmness in his breathing. His smile didn’t feel too forced. “The bridge looks beautiful. It’s amazing to see everyone using it. You must feel very proud.”
Jasmine pressed her lips together, looking bewildered at his generous words. “Yes, totally. A couple of years’ hard work, but worth it. I mean, it’s really magnificent, huh? I admired your original design, but it just wasn’t...”
He held up his hand to stop her. “You were right, Jas. Okay? Your design is more fitting of the city. You just went about introducing it in the wrong way. But it’s all water under the bridge,” he said, not intending to make a pun. “I’ve made peace with it, and a lot of other things, too.”
“Right,” she said, taking this in. “Good. I mean, no hard feelings, right?”
He couldn’t grant her that much, and he looked around him. “Are you here with anyone to celebrate your achievement?”
Her shoulders dropped and he noticed. “I, um, well—no, actually. Things are totally awkward at Foster and Hardman at the moment. Someone complained I pilfered a design from them. I mean, as if I’d ever need to do that. Why would I? It’s ridiculous. I keep trying to grab Don for a coffee to explain, but...” She flicked her eyes away. “Um, are you still in touch with him, Mitchell? Perhaps you could...”
Mitchell cleared his throat. “I’m no longer part of that world. I’ve moved on.”
“Yes, but he might listen to you...”
“Perhaps you could write him a letter to explain.”
“Yes, but—”
He felt a hand slip into his, fingers weaving. Liza stood at his side. “Hi,” she said with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, but Poppy is virtually begging me for ice cream. I didn’t know if she’d already had one...”
“No, not yet. And it’s fine. We were just finishing up our conversation, anyway.”
“Great. We’re all waiting for you, and Barry is here, too.”
Mitchell looked over to where Poppy, Yvette, Sheila and Barry stood. “Friends and family,” he explained to Jasmine. “Got to go. Sorry.”
“But about Don...?” she said after him as he walked away. “What about me?”
He gave a shrug of his shoulders and concentrated on Liza’s hand in his.
When they joined the others at the mast, Poppy stared intently at Connor. She hooked her fingers around his sling so she could see him better. “Look at his tiny fingers,” she said. “His eyelashes are so cute.”
Yvette rocked him proudly. “I’m going to take him home in a few minutes. I don’t want the loud music to scare him when it starts.”
“Auntie Jean called Mum this morning,” Liza told Mitchell. “She had a day off from her tour. When she’s completed it, she’s going to come and stay with me for a few days. It will be such fun. I can’t see her and Mum ever agreeing on anything musical, but they might find a common bond over Connor. I hope they can work out their differences.”
“Let me know if I can help with any chili making,” Mitchell said.
“I’ll bear it in mind, though getting takeaway will be less stressful.”
When Mitchell glanced over toward Barry, he saw his friend was slouched against a railing.
Liza followed his eyes. “Barry doesn’t look happy at all. Do you know what’s wrong with him?”
Mitchell shook his head.
“Chat to him, if you like? I’ll take Poppy for that ice cream. Is she allowed two scoops?”
“Yes, and sprinkles.”
When Mitchell joined Barry, his friend’s shoulders slumped. “Things haven’t worked out with Trisha,” he said. “Her ex is still on the scene and making moves for her attention.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Why are things so complicated?” Barry huffed. “It looks like I’ll have to go back into the wild again.”
Mitchell patted his arm, and he thought about the last few weeks. “Why don’t you leave things alone for a while?” he said. “Stop searching so hard and things might come to you.”
Barry pondered on this. He nodded toward Liza. “That worked for you, yeah?”
“I think it did. Maybe the bad times help you to appreciate the good, when they happen.”
Barry managed a small smile. “Whoa, that was deep.”
“I know, right?”
“Maybe Liza might have a nice single friend or two...”
Mitchell shook his head slowly. “Come on, mate. Let’s get an ice cream to cool us down.”
Barry chose chocolate flavor and Mitchell got adventurous with mint choc chip. Poppy wanted vanilla with cherry chunks, and Liza went for strawberry.
Barry licked his cone. “I’ll look after Poppy for a while, if you guys want to go for a walk together?” he suggested.
Poppy squinted against the sun. “I could interview Barry for my project, Dad. He’s not a stranger and will have stories about the padlocks on the bridges.”
“Good idea. If he doesn’t mind?”
“Nah, go for it,” Barry said, but then jokingly pressed a hand against his heart. “Nothing too painful, though. Go easy on the questions.”
Mitchell and Liza ate their ice creams and walked back along the bridge to the main street together.