‘Barney has been through more than we know,’ she went on as he sat down. ‘Whoever Lois was, she must’ve broken his heart and we’ve no idea why.’
He still wondered why this couldn’t wait until the morning.
‘I don’t think Barney has ever truly moved on from whatever happened between them. And I think…well, I can’t help thinking that Barney’s mood, his lack of desire to get back to normal, is also something to do with Lois.’
With a sigh he said, ‘Whatever happened would’ve been years ago, before he came to the Cove. I know I’m a man and I’m not supposed to understand feelings as well as you women, but I’m pretty sure he would’ve picked himself up from a woman dumping him and moved forwards.’
‘You don’t have to sound so heartless about it.’
‘It’s not heartless, it’s reality. I think you’re reading way too much into this. Now, it’s late, I have to be up early for a job.’ And the more she sat here opposite him the more he wanted to reach over and touch her hand, pull her to him and pick up where they left off. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps moving on wasn’t so easy for Barney, it certainly wasn’t for him. But he wasn’t going to let her know that. ‘Not everyone bounces back from a broken heart,’ he said instead.
‘Are we talking about Barney and Lois here, or us?’
‘Maybe both.’ He didn’t take his eyes away from the dog, who had turned her attentions to her master.
After a while she asked, ‘Should I say something to Barney?’
‘Then he’d know you were snooping.’
‘I’d hate him to resent me.’
‘He’d never do that.’ He quickly changed the mood when her gaze lingered on his by telling her, ‘Well done for doing so much organising today – the band, the newspaper, the florist,’ he elaborated.
‘I feel better now it’s all done. The band was a worry. I called them, they said they were already booked up after the cancellation as we suspected they might be, but they phoned back less than an hour later. I don’t mind telling you I was sweating a bit, I don’t really have any idea where to start when it comes to hiring a band and some I looked into were way too expensive or the members all looked about fifteen years old and I suspect would put on a heavy-metal gig that wouldn’t go down well at all.’
Harvey was amused by that. ‘Doesn’t bear thinking about.’ Silence fell between them again until he said, ‘I wonder why Barney never mentioned this Lois.’
‘Ah, so you’re curious too.’
‘OK, I’ll admit it, I am. It’s weird, you’re right. Especially with our history, particularly with me, when you left. I’m not having a go at you,’ he said when she flinched, ‘but it would’ve been the perfect example of a breakdown in a relationship and a man who has carried on regardless.’
‘A perfect example? Or a bad one? I mean, he doesn’t ever talk about what happened, he’s got a wedding dress in his wardrobe. Perhaps he didn’t want to share it with you in case you went down the same road as him and never moved on.’
‘You can check my wardrobe if you like, I only have men’s clothes, no dresses.’
‘I don’t think that’ll be necessary.’ He loved the way her whole face got involved when she smiled and she couldn’t hide her expression even if she tried. ‘Perhaps I should leave this alone. Winnie, what do you think?’ She ruffled the dog’s fur, but Winnie just rolled on over for a tummy tickle. ‘Maybe Barney just left the dress and forgot about it, perhaps he did keep it as a spare or to give to someone. You know what he’s like about including people. He’s big on community relations, keeping local businesses going, making sure new residents don’t stay anonymous.’
‘Even if they’d rather,’ Harvey smiled. ‘I hear Lucy, the new blacksmith, resisted getting to know everyone at first until Barney insisted upon it and had her over for afternoon tea to give her the low-down on the Cove. He accosted her on The Street and left her little choice.’
‘That sounds like our Barney. And I’ve met Lucy, she seemed nice. I wonder if she’s here for good.’
‘Knowing Barney, he’ll treat her as though she might be.’
She waited a while and then said, ‘I know you think I’m trying to find explanations that may not be there, solve a heartache that may never be mended. But something about the dress, the Wedding Dress Ball, it all niggles me. And I think that whatever it is that Barney doesn’t talk about has affected him without any of us realising and I think it’s affecting him now, making him want to give up.’
‘I get where you’re coming from but we’re doing all we can by running the event this year. And Barney said he’ll be there watching from the sidelines.’
‘Are you going?’
‘To the ball? Of course. I’ve been every year since I turned eighteen.’
‘Even after…’
‘Even after you left,’ he finished for her.
‘Life goes on, eh?’
‘Something like that.’
