I want the ground to open and swallow me whole. My stomach performs a nauseating spin cycle. Half of me wants to lie and say we got rid of the miserable woman. It would be easy – however what happens if Michelle comes back to the café and sees me? The other half of me wants me to be brave and take responsibility for my behaviour.
‘It was me,’ I say, as the woman’s mouth falls open in surprise. ‘You’re right. I did ruin your friend’s proposal and I feel bad about it.’
An awkward silence descends upon me, the woman, and her fiancé.
‘What are you going to do to put it right?’ The woman asks, as her fiancé hisses, ‘Rachel, stop this.’
‘Put it right?’ My voice crackles. ‘Well, would Jason and Michelle like to come in here for free coffees?’
To my horror the woman takes out her phone and taps out a message. Her fiancé is mouthing the wordsorryat me and shaking his head.
‘Michelle says she would like to accept your offer of free drinks. She and Jason will come in soon. I think it’s right that you get a chance to apologise to them.’
‘Yes of course,’ I say, forcing out a smile, before hurrying back to the counter.
‘Are you okay?’ Jake asks, glancing at me.
I gesture towards table four and explain what happened with Michelle and Jason and what the woman said to me. Jake casts me an uncomfortable look. ‘You’re brave, Alice. I would have lied and gone for the easier option.’
On my break I head for the gift shop to see how Esme is doing. When I arrive, Joy is leaving the shop, arm in arm with Eric from the guesthouse. Joy casts me a huge smile. ‘Alice, how lovely to see you. Have you heard the news? We have sold the gift shop business.’
‘What? You’ve sold it?’
Joy nods. ‘Esme and I are leaving Blue Cove Bay to start a whole new life in North Devon.’ She playfully tugs on Eric’s arm. ‘I can’t wait. Can you, Eric?’
He laughs and shakes his head. Then they saunter off down the promenade. Esme is tear-stained and emotional behind the gift shop counter. She looks up as I rush over to her. ‘My nightmare has come true, Alice.’
‘Have you not told Joy you don’t want to go?’
Esme shakes her head. ‘I tried to last night, but I wasn’t strong enough. Joy started shouting about what Mum would say if she was still alive, how as twins we are meant to stay together in life and how she needs me for our new business.’ She wipes her wet cheek with the back of her hand.
‘Oh, Esme, I’m so sorry,’ I say, pulling her into a hug.
‘I don’t want to go,’ Esme sobs. ‘I’m a grown woman who can’t say no to her twin sister. It’s pathetic.’
‘Okay, what’s the worst Joy can do if you refuse to go?’
Esme looks at me. ‘What do you mean?’
‘What’s the worst that will happen? Joy goes off to North Devon with Eric and you stay here. Is that so bad?’
‘Joy will never speak to me again and I will feel guilty for the rest of my life.’
I rub Esme’s shoulder. ‘Joy has been horrible to you for thirty-seven years. She’s controlled every aspect of your life, and she’s also made you run this place by yourself. We both know you manage this place whilst she gallivants around Blue Cove Bay.’
‘Yes. True.’
‘I don’t understand how Joy not speaking to you and leaving you here is any worse than what you are going through now.’
Esme stares at me. ‘You have a point.’
‘Who is this buyer? This has all happened quickly.’
‘Joy put it up for sale last week without telling me. An anonymous buyer has made her an offer.’
I place my hand over Esme’s. ‘Be brave. Come on, Phoebe and I will be here for you.’
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
