We both smile and it feels like old times again. After ending the call, I get up and spot Noah at the door. In his hand is a bottle of wine. I’m an emotional and snotty mess by the time I unlock the door and let him in. He pulls me into a hug and holds me tight. ‘Tell me everything,’ he instructs, gesturing me to one of the booths. After removing his jacket, he goes to fetch two Little Love Café mugs and pours us both some wine.
Everything comes out in a snotty, tear-fuelled torrent. After, Noah is silent. He traces the outer edge of his mug with his thumb. ‘I didn’t know she died in Dad’s arms.’
‘Nor did I.’
Noah looks shocked. He takes my hand. ‘Alice, listen to me. I need to talk to my father about this. Hearing all this is making me uncomfortable. I also need to talk to Becky.’
‘Becky?’ I gasp.
‘Alice, I want to be a part of your life.’ He leans over and kisses me. ‘I want us to be together, you, me, Lucas… and Batman.’
We both chuckle at his Batman comment.
‘I need to go back to Ireland. I want to talk to Dad about what happened all those years ago and I want to tell Becky that I want a divorce.’
‘You’re leaving meagain.’
Cupping my face in his hand he whispers, ‘I’ll be back to meet you down by our rock very soon.’
‘How long will you be gone for?’ Hot, stinging tears are filling up my eyes.
‘You need to believe in me when I say that Iwillbe back, Alice. I don’t want to live a life full of regrets and what-ifs anymore. You are the one and only person I have ever truly loved.’
Half of me wants to believe him. He’s saying things with sincerity, and I must believe in him. The other half of me is slipping into a pit of despair and frustration. What if Becky convinces him they need a second chance? Noah and I might never be together. Maybe we are destined to be apart?
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
It’s Friday, the day Lucas and I move into our new home above the ice-cream parlour. Noah left for Ireland yesterday. It was an emotional goodbye and I tried not to listen to my brain telling me history was repeating itself. We all know what happened the last time Noah left for Ireland.
We asked Jake, Frankie’s boyfriend, if he would help on a temporary basis. Jake agreed as his father was out of hospital and making good progress after his stroke. I have the afternoon off work as Jake is covering for me.
Dad seems to have forgotten about our heated discussion on Sunday and has been helping me take our belongings to the new flat. We have even shared a joke or two about how much stuff I have acquired over the years.
Once I’ve made up our beds, I pull Lucas into a hug. He giggles and laughs as I tickle him. ‘Do you like our new home?’
He nods. ‘Can I have an ice cream now?’
Dad chuckles and ruffles Lucas’s mop of curls. ‘You won’t forget Grandpa and Bean, will you?’
Lucas throws himself at Dad. ‘No, silly Grandpa.’
Dad goes to the living room window. ‘What a fabulous view!’
‘It’s great, isn’t it?’ The sea is calm this evening. Waves are taking their time to reach the shore and when they do, they break with little fuss. A few chattering seagulls are circling above, and the orange sun is sitting above the horizon.
Dad nods. ‘I bet you’ll be glad to not sleep on that old camp bed tonight.’
I laugh. ‘It has crossed my mind.’
He looks at me and I feel the urge to ask him about Mum and those rumours. The words are on the tip of my tongue. I want to ask him why he can’t talk to me about what happened. I get that I was young when Mum died but there have been lots of occasions since then when we could have sat down and talked. But Noah has advised me not to say anything to Dad until he has talked to his father.
Once Dad has left, Lucas and I have a rummage through my boxes. Lucas squeals with delight after pulling out his favourite game, Hungry Hippos. To celebrate having our own place we have a game which ends with Lucas rolling about in hysterics. After a drink of warm milk, I tuck him up and read him one of his Batman stories. His eyes are closed before I’ve even finished.
My flat doorbell goes as soon as I sit down on my new sofa. It’s Phoebe and Esme clutching several bottles of wine. ‘We have to celebrate your new pad,’ says Phoebe as she steps inside and plants a soppy kiss on my cheek. ‘Congratulations, Alice.’
Esme hugs me. ‘This is a new start for you, Alice.’
We troop upstairs and they admire my new living room. ‘This is nice,’ coos Phoebe. ‘In the summer you can sit on your sofa and curtain twitch at all those hunky male surfers.’
