He got to his feet, wobbled, then looked at me so coldly that a shiver ran down my spine. ‘I’ll go but answer me one thing first. I still don’t get it. Why would you throw away a great career, an exciting life in the city, and a chance to be with me for… for… this.’
‘You’ve just answered your own question, Andy. You just don’t get it. And that’s the reason why I choose allthisover you. You don’t getit.You don’t getme.We don’t get each other. It’s over. Forever.’
The coldness in his eyes seemed to drop a few more degrees. ‘You say I’ve changed but you’ve changed too and not for the better. I’m not sure I even like you anymore.’
‘Fine. That makes us quits. And you can have these back.’ I swiftly removed my new earrings and unclasped my necklace before dropping them back into the bag.
He snatched it from me. ‘You know that photo of you that I said I kept in my wallet? I found it at the bottom of a crate when I was packing, discarded and forgotten. You’re not all that special, you know. You’ve really let yourself go. I’m not sure I want a fat girlfriend showing me up. I hope your business fails.’
‘And I hope you never get promoted. Get out!’ I picked up his shoes and socks and shoved them into his arms, stormed towards the front door, and yanked it open. ‘I’m waiting.’
When I slammed the front door behind him a few moments later, I let out a shuddery deep breath and prepared myself for the floodgates to open. But they didn’t. I was still shaking from the confrontation but the only feeling I had was relief. Eight years of wondering ‘what if?’ had finally reached a conclusion. Our time had been when we were at university and I’d been foolish to think that, with so much happening in both our lives, we could ever be those same people again. Andy was right; Ihadchanged but, unlike him, itwasfor the better. He may have the right middle name but he wasn’ttheSteven. I knew who was, though. I picked up myphone to reply to Nick’s text but spotted a message from Auntie Kay.
?? Auntie Kay
I knew it! I knew Nick was your Charlie! I’m beside myself with excitement. Go get him!
?? To Auntie Kay
I will. But first I really need some sleep. It’s been a tough week xx
And now for my reply to Nick. I just hoped it would work…
?? To Nick
Andy’s gone. I’m so sorry for everything I’ve put you through. Hope we can stay friends and maybe go out for a drink soon xx
35
Elise had offered to work a couple of shifts over the school holidays. She was waiting outside the shop for me on Monday morning and glanced at her watch as I fumbled with my keys in the door. ‘Cutting it a bit fine this morning, aren’t we?’ It was two minutes until opening time.
‘Don’t,’ I mumbled. I felt stressed enough about being late without anyone commenting on it. ‘It’s been a hideous weekend and I slept through the alarm this morning.’
Getting the door open at last, I flipped the sign round to open and headed into The Outback to get the float for the till. ‘Can you watch things? I’ll just be a minute.’
‘Sure.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ Elise said when I’d brought her up to date on the Andy situation between serving customers. ‘How do you feel?’
‘Angry but relieved.’
‘You did the right thing. I hate to be the bearer of more bad news but you know the fireworks he said he’d organised…?’
‘Another lie?’
She nodded. ‘Sorry. The landlady of The Ship was celebrating her fiftieth birthday and twenty-five years of being a landlady with?—’
‘With a firework display that would have been seen over the castle?’
Elise nodded. ‘It was in this morning’s paper. I was wondering how to tell you.’
I covered my face with my hands and muttered. ‘Oh, Elise, I’ve made such a mess of things this past week or so.’
‘Hey. You didn’t make a mess of anything. Andy did this; not you.’
I looked at her sadly. ‘But I could have told him to get lost right at the start. I could have stuck with Nick but I had to be blinded by the whole Steven thing.’
‘What are you going to do about Nick?’
