‘Of course I will but I’m sure he’ll want to speak to you.’
‘Am I hypocritical doing this after spending the day kissing Andy?’
Elise squeezed my hand. ‘Don’t think about that. It’s not like you’ve slept with him or anything. You’ve just been on a journey of discovery and you’ve discovered that Andy isn’t the one for you, but you could only have discovered that if you’d let him in a bit, couldn’t you?’
I smiled. I was so lucky to have a thoughtful and understanding friend like Elise. It was time. I took a deep shaky breath. ‘Right. This is it. Do I look okay?’
‘Gorgeous.’
I’d just put my hand on the door handle when Nick’s door opened. I retracted my hand. ‘Movement.’ Sliding down in my seat, I stared as a woman stepped out of the house. Tall and slim with messy long blonde hair, she was casually dressed in skinny jeans with a baggy checked shirt over what looked like a white T-shirt or vest-top. The lack of a coat suggested that she probably had a car somewhere close-by. Sure enough, she rummaged in her jeans pockets and dug out a set of car keys.
Maybe it wasn’t Nick’s house.My hopes were dashed as the woman moved away from the doorway to reveal Nick behind her. Wearing his dressing gown. His hair was all ruffled, as if he’d just got out of bed. The woman reached into her jeans pocket again and handed Nick her keys while she tied her hair back. My heart sank with the realisation that she looked like she’d just got out of bed too.She reached for the keys but Nick pulled her into a tight embrace instead. I held my breath, heart thumping, while he clung onto her,his head nuzzled into her hair. They pulled apart and Nick kissed her. It was only a quick peck but I couldn’t see if it was on her cheek or lips. They spoke and there was lots of nodding, a final hug, then she got into a small silver car and started the engine. Leaning against the doorframe, Nick waved. He stood there long after she’d pulled away, looking in the direction in which the car had gone. He ran his hand through his hair then headed back into his house, closing the door.
Crap. I’m too late. Too bloody late.
‘Oh, Sarah. I’m so sorry.’
Elise’s words told me that she’d read exactly the same into the situation as I had. He’d moved on. And why shouldn’t he? I hadn’t given him any indication that he should wait for me. I hadn’t even shown him the courtesy of replying to his Christmas Day text. Pants. Why couldn’t I at least have done that? Why did I have to get distracted with the damn turkey and then forget again today because of Andy?
‘You said he had a sister…?’
‘That wasn’t Callie.’
‘You’ve met her?’
‘No, but Auntie Kay says she’s about my height with dark hair. That was definitelynotCallie.’
‘A friend?’
‘I appreciate what you’re doing but did that look like a friend to you? Besides, the only female friend he’s ever mentioned is Skye and I’ve met her.’
‘I’m sure there’s an innocent explanation.’
‘He was in his dressing gown. It’s seven-thirty. They hugged for an eternity. They kissed. He stood on his doorstep for ages looking in the direction she’d gone. It didn’t look innocent. It looked more like two people who’d just got out of bed.’
Elise’s silence spoke volumes.
‘Will you take me home please? And would you mind if I had some time alone?’
She squeezed my arm gently then put the car into gear. We headed back towards Seashell Cottage in silence.
32
The shop couldn’t have been open for more than five minutes the following day when the bell tinkled. A short woman, probably a similar age to me, headed straight for the counter. She smiled at me and removed a deep pink woollen cap, revealing a mop of shoulder-length dark hair. ‘You must be Sarah,’ she said brightly. ‘I’m Carolyn. But you can call me Callie. Everyone does.’
‘Nick’s sister?’ Eek!
‘The very same.’
‘You look just like him.’
‘I know. I get it all the time and I try not to take offence that people think I look like a man.’
‘Oh, I didn’t?—’
‘It’s okay. I’m kidding. I’ve been dying to meet you. Nick never stops talking about you.’
‘Really?’ That was probably before his evening of passion with Blonde.
