‘It does, but it’s important and he doesn’t seem to see that. Thanks for trying with him, though. Out of the two of us, you’re probably our best chance at convincing him. He’s pleased you’re back – you’re a novelty, whereas I’m here all the time and he bites my head off if he thinks I’m badgering him.’
He sounded exhausted with it all. ‘I’ll try again, see what I can do. He’s definitely not himself…emotionally, I mean.’
Harvey sighed. ‘I thought I was imagining it.’
‘Definitely not. I expect him to be tired but it’s the lack of spirit I find such a shock. Maybe I’m overreacting, we did talk a lot last night before he told me he was exhausted and needed to go to bed. But I guess it’s a big change going from total independence to having everyone looking out for him, you staying at his house to make sure he’s OK.’ She held up a hand, pre-empting the rebuke. ‘I’m not saying you’re wrong to do it – in fact, I think it’s the right thing – but he’s so used to being on his own that it’s an adjustment.’
‘I’m not sure how long to keep doing it,’ Harvey admitted. ‘Part of me thinks I should stay weeks, the other part thinks he’ll be better if I go back home soon. It feels like a delicate balancing act.’
‘I guess he’s only a phone call away when you are back home; do what you think is best.’ The look he gave her seemed to suggest he was dubious about her giving him the deciding vote, but he said nothing. ‘Maybe he just needs time.’
‘Tilly probably does too,’ he said.
‘She wasnothappy to see me.’
‘She got close to Barney after you left. I think after the breakup with her boyfriend she didn’t have many people to turn to and you know what Barney’s like, he has a knack of magically appearing right when you need him the most.’
She grinned. ‘How does he do that?’
‘Intuition?’ Harvey suggested.
‘Well, whatever it is, I hope he’s back to it soon.’
‘You showing up will do a lot of good,’ Harvey confessed, ‘as long as you’re hanging round for a while.’
‘You know I am.’
‘Didn’t know whether you’d have to get back quicker than you planned, now you know he’s home and well.’ His gaze lingered on hers. ‘I believe he told you he’s not going ahead with the Wedding Dress Ball.’
‘He did, and I mentioned it to him again last night. I thought it was a knee-jerk reaction but now I’m not so sure.’
‘It’s a first, I know that much.’
‘What about White Clover? He raises a ton of money for them every year.’ White Clover was the charity that had benefited from the proceeds of the ball every year, for as long as it had been running.Based on the outskirts of Heritage Cove, it supported families after the death of a child and withBarney a strong voice of the community, he must have been driven to support a local charity.
‘White Clover will miss out, I guess,’ said Harvey. ‘He does appear to have made his mind up.’
‘Then we need to change it.’ The smile they exchanged made her stomach flip because he hadn’t smiled at her like that since she arrived, not since the heady days of the spring before she left the Cove for good.
‘I left a handout from the hospital with a list of exercises on the bench in the kitchen near the kettle. If you could get him to at least take a look, I think it would be a start. Maybe he’ll see his life isn’t over yet, much as he appears to think otherwise.’
‘I’ll give it my best shot.’
‘I’ll see you around.’ And with a civil wave, off he went.
Melissa made her way along The Street and crossed over the road. She stopped when her phone rang and she smiled to see it was Jay calling. She sat on the low wall that curved around the bend and would lead down to Barney’s place and chatted to her fiancé. He was drinking coffee in one of their favourite cafés and sounded lost without much to do until she suggested he finally take his sister up on the offer to go stay with her in Bath. She felt terrible he was having a wasted week and hoped he’d consider her suggestion. She almost wished she was heading down that way with him, exploring the cobbled streets, watching street entertainment, strolling along by the canals. But she needed to be here for now.
Trying not to feel too guilty about ruining their shared time off, she ended the call and continued around the bend, down to Barney’s, where she followed the path between the trees and went in through the back door. Barney was in the lounge in the same armchair he’d sat in every other time she’d visited in the last couple of days. ‘Harvey says you slept well,’ she said, sitting on the ottoman opposite, ‘and Tracy asked after you.’
‘Well, that’s nice. And I’m fine. I always sleep like a log.’ He’d pulled a blanket across his lap but pushed it away now, his lips curving into a smile, ready to gossip. ‘So, you’ve spoken to Harvey, and Tracy too. How was it with Tracy?’
‘It was awkward, but then it was fine. And we’re going to meet up again and talk properly.’
‘I told you people around here wouldn’t hold a grudge, and if they do, send them to me.’
‘Once you’re up and about you could tell them yourself,’ she tried. But when she got no response she said, ‘Tracy said she’ll be bringing you treats from the bakery tomorrow, so be warned.’
‘Best bakery in the village.’
