Harvey didn’t wait for an answer, he slung the brochure in the recycling on his way out the door with Melissa, rolling his eyes in the process.
Outside beneath the sunshine Melissa smiled. ‘Ten days to go until the ball. Do you still have your tux?’
‘I’ve upgraded, I have another I bought for a workmate’s wedding a couple of years ago.’
‘What happened to the old one?’
‘Time for a change – that one was second-hand and never fitted as well as it could. I got this one tailored, I figured I’d be wearing it for plenty of years to come.’
They were loitering by the trees that led through to the courtyard. ‘I’m going this way.’ Melissa indicated the little gate at the front of the path that led out to the pavement and the bend that wound around to The Street.
‘I can give you a lift.’
‘I think I’ll walk, clear my head a bit – it’s been a crazy few hours.’
‘You’re not wrong there.’
‘I’m just pleased they’re talking, even more pleased we didn’t give Barney the shock of his life.’
‘I’ve a good mind to after what he’s been up to.’
‘He had the best intentions.’
‘Yes, I suppose he did.’ He pushed his hands into his jeans pockets. It was probably too warm to be wearing them but he’d needed them this morning when he walked Winnie along the beach down at the cove with the wind whipping unforgivingly. It had died down now to a gentle breeze. ‘Even Barney has a date for the ball this year,’ he grinned.
‘Lucky Barney.’
‘You could be my date, like old times.’
‘Harvey…’
‘I’m kidding.’ He wasn’t.
And with a smile she went out of the gate and on her way.
Harvey had a quick peek in the window of the house before he left and saw Barney and Lois smiling, laughing about something. The way that pair had danced in the barn must have pulled back the years for them, it was probably as though time had stood still in some ways.
He only wished he and Melissa had the same chance to make things right. Barney was happy enough, he was on the mend well and truly, but that meant Melissa would soon be leaving the Cove.
And there wouldn’t be anything he could do or say to stop her.
Chapter Fifteen
Melissa answered the door to her room at the inn and was surprised to see Lois on the other side. ‘I didn’t expect door-to-door service,’ she smiled, standing back for Lois to come in. The ball was tonight and she was already nervous, not about the event itself but about spending more time with Harvey. Because now she knew it was time to be honest with both of the men in her life.
Melissa had spent the last ten days keeping busy. She’d taken the final deliveries at the barn so the venue was totally ready for the ball, she’d confirmed bookings in her paranoia that something would go wrong, she’d helped Lucy choose an outfit for the event, and she’d spent days in the cove amongst friends. Jay had been busy with work and their contact had been emails and messages with time zone clashes, but rather than find it difficult she’d found that the space it afforded her helped to clarify things in her mind.
‘It’s no bother,’ Lois smiled. ‘I thought I’d leave Barney to it for a bit, he can introduce me to more people later.’
‘That sounds about right. I take it he’s getting back into his stride?’ She hung the dress over the open-doored wardrobe.
‘I’ll say.’
‘It must be overwhelming for you, I do sympathise, because now he isn’t pulling the wool over our eyes and pretending to be on his last legs, he’ll be making up for lost time.’
‘He told me it’s been hard for him to stay home so much.’
‘Hmm…I’m sure it’s been a nightmare for him.’
