Andy couldn’t have organised a more perfect day. The sunrise champagne balloon flight was followed by a mooch around the grounds of Denbury Castle, lunch in a quaint country pub then a romantic walk along the seafront back at Whitsborough Bay.
He dropped me off at Seashell Cottage late in the afternoon, saying he’d leave me in peace for the evening after hogging me for most of the last twenty-four hours.
‘Are you free tomorrow night? he asked as we stood outside the cottage.
Seaside Blooms would be open again and I’d been looking forward to an evening on my own, or perhaps catching up with Elise. If I agreed to see him, that would be five days in a row that we’d spent time together and I suddenly felt quite stifled by it. He’d promised me I could have time to think about what I wanted but he wasn’t giving me that time.
‘Please,’ he said, clearly spotting my hesitation. ‘I’ve got another surprise planned. Not quite as impressive as a balloon flight, but it’s something you’ll love.’
I’d never been able to resist his puppy dog eyes. Smiling, Inodded. ‘Okay, then, but I can’t give you all evening. I need an early night.’
He smiled seductively. ‘I’m sure that can be arranged.’
I stiffened. ‘Andy! You know that’s not what I mean. I’m shattered and I need some sleep.’ I could hear the irritation in my voice and softened my tone. ‘Thank you for an amazing day. That really was a dream come true.’
‘You’re welcome.’
When he showed no signs of leaving, I placed the key in the lock and pushed the door open slightly. ‘Have a good evening back at the hotel.’
‘I’ll miss you,’ he said, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me goodbye. I could tell from the urgency behind his kiss and the way he pulled me close that he wanted me to invite him in and take things a bit further. Had he not listened to what I’d just said? I felt quite annoyed at him for yet another contradiction – saying he’d leave me in peace then making it clear that he didn’t want to.
I pulled away and gave him a playful push. ‘Thanks again and I’ll see you tomorrow.’
He looked momentarily disappointed, then smiled, waved and headed off down the path.
Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it and a sigh of relief escaped from me, which wasn’t the reaction I expected following such an amazing day. Mum had told me not to let him rush me into anything but rushed was exactly what I felt. He’d turned up without warning on Saturday, had bombarded me with texts on Sunday, and had managed to talk me into spending time with him every day since Monday, even getting me to change my Christmas Eve plans with my family.
I peeled off my various layers then phoned Elise to see if she was free for a catch-up. She said she’d drive over as soon as she finished her dinner, which meant I had half an hour – plenty of time to catch up with Clare. I frowned just before I phoned her. If I’d just invited Elise round and was about to call Clare, I obviously wasn’t that desperate for some alone-time. What did that mean?
‘Sorry, Sarah,’ Clare said when I finished my update. ‘I know you had a great relationship back in the day but I don’t trust himnow. I know you’ll think I’m being cynical but it strikes me that your man Andy’s trying a bit too hard.’
‘In what way?’
‘It seems to me that he’s doing everything he can to tap into your best memories of your time together and is flashing his cash trying to spoil you.’
‘Because he took me on a hot air balloon?’
‘For starters, but it’s also the free things like running the bath to remind you of the power cut incident. Don’t you think that’s a bit planned? That was the night you said you loved each other. Pretty big moment. I bet he ran the bath just to get you thinking about it again.’
I laughed. ‘Maybe that was his motivation but what’s so bad about him making a bit of effort? He’s got a lot of making up to do.’
‘It’s hard to explain what I mean.’ Clare sighed and paused, obviously trying to find the right words. ‘It all seems too engineered, too romantic-movie-perfect. A balloon flight, a walk around a stately home, a posh lunch in a country pub with a roaring log fire, a walk along the beach… I bet he chased you along the sand then picked you up squealing and threatened to throw you into the sea so you clung tighter to him. The laughter stopped as you both looked deep into each other’s eyes and kissed as the wind whipped your hair and the waves crashed around you like Whitsborough Bay’s answer to Cathy and Heathcliff.’
‘How…?’
‘Jesus, Sarah, you did, didn’t you? Will you not see my point? It’s like he’s been watching back-to-back romcoms – probably worked his way through your DVD collection on Christmas Day – and he’s contrived a day full of movie-perfect moments. I think the only thing he missed out was some fireworks, which was a missed opportunity because he must remember how much you love them.’
Could she be right? Did I also think that deep down? Was that why I felt relieved when he left earlier?
Clare continued. ‘Something doesn’t add up. I think there’s more to his sudden declaration of undying devotion than he’s letting on.’
‘Like what?’
‘That’s the part I can’t get my head round.’
When Elise arrived, I brought her up to date on what had happened with Nick and then Andy’s unexpected appearance putting a spanner in the works. She was particularly keen to understand how I felt kissing Nick then kissing Andy and empathised with the messy situation I’d found myself in.
‘Today really does sound perfect,’ she said. ‘You’re obviously feeling something for Andy at the moment, but is that based on nostalgia for your lost love or have you fallen for the present-day Andy?’
