‘Now wait a minute, that was never the case.’ She tried to calm herself but her hackles were rising and it wasn’t easy. She tried a different tack. ‘I’m staying at the inn. Your inn. I’m really pleased for you, it must mean a lot to have a business here.’
‘It does.’ And there it was, the smile between friends that Melissa had missed more than she’d ever realised. ‘What do you think of the place?’
‘It’s wonderful, I have a lovely room with the balcony.’
‘It’s our best room.’
‘Sandy has turned into a beautiful young lady, I didn’t recognise her at first. She really looks like you too.’
Tracy put a hand to her hair, the mass of blonde curls that came down to her shoulders. ‘Same wild curls that don’t want to be tamed. She straightens it but in the rain or the humidity, well, it’s not a fair battle.’
‘No, I don’t suppose it is.’
‘You’re looking well, Melissa.’ Tracy’s grip on her baguettes had lessened slightly, the tension in her shoulders had given way to a more relaxed and open stance. ‘Are you still working with the airline?’
‘I am.’
‘Are you with anyone? I know you don’t need to be, I’m just interested.’
Melissa smiled. ‘I’m with a man called Jay. He’s good to me. We’re pretty serious.’
‘So he’s the one?’
‘Yeah.’ She wasn’t going to mention the engagement to anyone, not without a ring – it didn’t feel real quite yet.
‘I was angry you didn’t stay in touch,’ Tracy said, ‘and that you never came back when I needed you, but I also want good things for you.’ When Melissa’s gaze drifted to the ground she added, ‘You know, Barney used to ask me every time I saw him whether I had any news.’
Her heart sank. ‘I never realised.’
‘You were, and still are, like a daughter to him. Please tell me that now you’re in touch, you won’t leave it so long next time.’
‘I won’t, not ever. His fall scared me, I realised how I’d feel if I left it too late.’
‘You’d never forgive yourself.’
Melissa nodded in agreement. She most definitely would not.
‘How’s Harvey coping?’
‘I wondered how long it would take you to mention his name.’
‘He came to see me, desperate for your contact details that he’d got rid of. I don’t suppose he realised he might ever need them again. That day, I’d never seen such a look of fear in his eyes, not even when…well, you know.’
She did know. Harvey had a past, a family history that most people around here were well aware of. He’d run scared from his father on more than one occasion, been known to take solace at the barn mostly but sometimes the bakery, the Heritage Inn, the tea rooms. ‘Thank you for passing it on.’
‘I never thought you’d move on from Harvey.’
‘People change, I guess.’
Tracy smiled kindly. ‘How long are you here for?’
‘I’m booked in for three weeks, you haven’t checked the booking?’
‘I don’t always get around to looking at names. Blame my efficient daughter.’
‘She seems to have taken to it well.’
That seemed to please Tracy. ‘She has, Giles too. As a matter of fact, he’s been managing the place for me today so I could get a few things done, have a little break. I’ll be back in this afternoon so you’ll see me around.’
