Chapter Thirty-Nine
Ashleigh – The Lanes, Brighton
‘Okay, I think I’m officially going to give up,’ Romesh announced as he slumped into a chair in the café.
‘That’s okay. The main thing is I’ve found something to wear.’ Ashleigh sat opposite him organising the bags from their late-night shopping trip.
Ashleigh and her nan had finished Beth’s wedding dress yesterday, and she’d steamed all the creases from it this morning ready to take with her on Thursday to the hotel, along with her emergency sewing kit for any last-minute alterations or mishaps that might occur at the wedding. What she realised once it was complete was, she’d been so focused on Beth’s dress – understandably – that she’d completely neglected to sort out whatshewas going to wear.
One emergency text message conversation later and she and Romesh were down at Churchill Square, taking advantage of the extended opening hours for Christmas as she searched frantically for an outfit in blue that was smart enough attire for a bridesmaid.
‘Not the shopping. Trying to cheer you up. We’ve tried on and bought beautiful clothes. You’ve had my marvellous company for a couple of hours, and we ate some really amazing pizza to fuel us. Now we’re stopping for hot chocolate, and you’re still not cracking a smile. I’ve seriously compromised my healthy eating for you, young lady.’
Ashleigh groaned and propped her head up on fist. ‘I know. I’m sorry. I’m trying – I really am – but I’m miserable. The whole thing with Olivier was such a mess. I never should have even entertained the idea.’
Romesh frowned at her. ‘Why not? He liked you, you liked him. It was a shame his work called him home before you could get to the good stuff but sometimes these things just don’t work out do they?’
Ashleigh pulled a napkin out of the dispenser on the table and started tearing at it, making snow-like confetti. If only it was as simple as that. An aw-shucks, better luck next time, the guy you fancy has gone home, type of thing. But it was more than that. She couldn’t kid herself anymore. She’d liked him for such a long time and this Christmas, they’d grown even closer. ‘You know we promised we’d tell each other everything from now on?’
‘Yes. Are you holding out on me? Did something happen?’
‘No. We never even got a kiss.’
Romesh narrowed his eyes at her. ‘You know that doesn’t mean I’m going to give you my apartment.’
Ashleigh managed a laugh. ‘It was your bet.’
‘We’ll discuss that later. What are you holding back from me?’
‘I really,reallywanted it to work out with Olivier, Ro.’
‘Oh.’ Romesh scooted forward and placed his hands over hers to still them. ‘He made it through the thorns did he?’
‘What?’
‘You keep your heart locked up in a tower don’t you, angel? One with briars wrapped around it.’
Ashleigh pressed her lips together. ‘I don’t let people in, do I?’
‘Not easily. And I don’t blame you for it one bit, given what your parents have put you through.’ He squeezed her hand and leaned back over onto his side of the table. ‘But you let Oli in?’
‘I think he was already in before the thicket was fully matured,’ she reflected dryly.
‘Maybe we should drop the metaphor – it’s starting to sound “bush-like” and with the whole adolescent angle…I’m getting uncomfortable.’
‘It wasyourmetaphor.’
‘I know but let’s move on. You were falling for him?’
‘I fell for him years ago and every time he comes back for Christmas it just gets a little bit worse. I dared to let myself hope something could come of it this year when he asked me out but he still left. Again. Like everyone else does.’ She scooped up her pile of napkin confetti and let it sift through her fingers. ‘And is it any wonder? Sometimes I think the only reasonyoustick around with me is because you have enough personality to make up for my complete lack of one.’
‘Don’t say ridiculous things like that, Ashleigh.’ Romesh’s voice became serious in a way it seldom did. ‘It’s an insult to us all. You are one of the best people I know. Olivier would be lucky to have you.’
She forced a smile. ‘I’m sorry. That was a stupid thing to say. I just… He sees all the bright and the beautiful things in the world. He’s always so optimistic. I’m so different to him. It’s no wonder he didn’t fight it when I said I couldn’t do the long-distance thing. He never even tried to convince me. He was never interested in me the way I was in him.’
‘Okay.’ Romesh stood up, grabbing his bags. ‘You’re coming with me. I was trying to avoid this in case it made you even more maudlin but that isn’t possible it seems.’ He stared at her and gestured with his hand. ‘Come on.’
‘What about our hot chocolates – where are we going?’
