‘You think I should’ve come back before, just to see why he didn’t leave with me when we’d planned it all along? How could I? I was humiliated that I wasn’t enough for him.’
‘Is that what you really think?’
‘He chose Heritage Cove over me.’
‘Maybe he chose to give you your life, Melissa.’ Tracy smiled at her. ‘He never spoke to me about it, he’s a guy – you know what they’re like with their feelings – but I’m reading between the lines. Perhaps there are things that went on that you don’t know. Maybe talk to him, give him a chance to try to explain.’
‘Maybe it would be better not to rake it all up again.’
‘Perhaps you’re right, especially if you’re with someone else now.’
Melissa looked at the baguettes in her friend’s arms when Tracy swatted a fly away. ‘What are they for?’
‘I’m making lunch for my book club. Hey, why don’t you come? I’m hosting it at the inn at midday.’
‘Maybe one day, but not today.’
‘The only person you’ll know is Etna…oh, and Nola, and then there’s Lucy – you’d like her, she’s the temporary blacksmith.’ She took a breath. ‘Listen to me trying to give you five years’ worth of information in a few minutes! If you’re still on the same number, would you mind if I messaged you?’
‘My number’s changed but grab it from the guest records, you’ve got your hands too full to add it to your phone right now,’ Melissa smiled.
‘I’ll definitely do that, perhaps we could catch up soon.’
‘For sure.’
Melissa went on her way, a sense of relief washing over her at seeing Tracy, although she’d only just waved her on her way when she passed the archway separating the bakery from the tea rooms and almost knocked into a woman coming from the opposite direction.
‘Look out!’ the woman laughed but any hint of a smile disappeared when she saw it was Melissa.
‘Tilly, good to see you.’ She didn’t look any different.Only a couple of years younger than Melissa, she had the kind of hair that always stayed in place. The middle part never wandered off centre, the bottom of her mid-brown hair curled up evenly around the base.
‘I won’t say likewise.’ Distrusting hazel eyes stared back at Melissa.
It seemed she’d got off lightly with Benjamin and Tracy. Tilly, who ran the candle shop, wasn’t about to give her any break at all. Her face had become a dark cloud of disapprovaland despite her bohemian dress sense with natural fabrics and earthy colours and patterns, she didn’t exactly seem open-minded about what had driven Melissa to stay away for so long.
‘Poor Barney had to put himself in the hospital to get your attention,’ Tilly huffed. And without waiting for a response she stalked across the road and headed for the bus stop.
‘What did you expect?’ came a low voice from behind Melissa.
She swung round to face Harvey. ‘Look, can we at least be civil while I’m here? I’m in the village to spend time with Barney, I’d rather not fight.’
‘It’s all about you isn’t it?’
‘You hurt me as well, remember.’ Hands on hips, she snapped, ‘It’s not all one-sided.’
He opened his mouth ready to disagree but instead rubbed a hand across the stubble on his chin. ‘I don’t want to fight either.’
A memory of an argument between them came back to her. He’d been working hard as a builder’s labourer, she was working as a personal assistant for a solicitor, both earning their own money. They’d talked about travelling and so they both saved, but one day he came home with a surprise. He’d taken her outside and shown her a motorbike, told her he’d been taking lessons in secret. He offered her a helmet and said he’d take her for a ride. He thought she’d be thrilled but instead she saw the dangers, she had a go at him for spending too much money and not being committed to their plans. He’d yelled back at her and the night he took off on that bike in a rage had been terrible. She’d sat with Barney in his barn as he set up for the annual Wedding Dress Ball, sobbing that her last words to him were so horrible, even though she did it out of worry. When the deep rumble of Harvey’s motorbike sounded outside the barn she ran out and flung her arms around him, both of them apologising over and over again, her for overreacting, him for not realising that the extra danger of him on a motorbike had sent fear cascading through her, fear that she could lose someone else she loved to a road accident.
Not interested now in bickering for the next three weeks, she changed the topic back to the reason she was here in the first place. ‘How do you think Barney’s doing?’
‘He’s eating, he’s sleeping, so that’s positive. But he still won’t do any of the exercises given to him by the physiotherapist.’ He pushed his hands into his jeans pockets. He’d always looked good in a simple pair of Levi’s and a T-shirt like he was wearing now, a small thread of cotton hanging down onto his bicep.
‘It’s hard to know whether you’re encouraging him or nagging him,’ she smiled. ‘That’s how it felt when I mentioned trying a few exercises – I even offered to help, but he wasn’t having any of it. He keeps saying he needs his rest, which I guess is part of it. I’m so afraid of upsetting him I’m not sure what else to say.’
‘You and me both. But one of us might have to be more forceful soon if he doesn’t come around. The doctors told me his best chance of a full recovery will be to slowly get his strength and mobility back, which means doing the weight-bearing exercises, balance training.’
‘Sounds like a gym workout.’
