Page 101 of New Beginnings on Railway Lane

Then she turned and left.

55

‘You know, I hate to say that you’re a party pooper,’ said Ethan, going up to Ryan and slapping his brother on the shoulder.

Ryan turned to look at him. ‘But you’re going to say it anyway.’

His brother had returned with the excuse that he wanted to make sure that the Valentine’s Day party was up to his high expectations, but Ryan knew that something had changed between them. A small hurdle had been overcome and Ethan seemed ready to return to Cranfield on a more regular basis than ever before. And Ryan was glad. Because he needed his brother more than ever at that moment.

It was ironic, thought Ryan, looking across to his dad. That as Bob grew stronger day by day, it was his eldest son that needed support at that moment.

Bob was chatting away with Maggie, seemingly transformed. He didn’t have to hide his love of the trains any more or suppress it away from his ex-wife’s disapproval. In fact, his time was shared between the train and heading out with Maggie now. A friendship had blossomed between them. Would it become any more? Ryan had no idea, but his dad was happy and so he was grateful.

‘The place is rocking,’ said Ethan, waving a hand around the restaurant.

It was true. The villagers had all come out to celebrate. Spring was just around the corner. So many of them were friends these days, thanks to the gatherings in the coffee shop and the restaurant. The noticeboard was full of notices and advice.

And it was all down to Katy, thought Ryan.

‘The drink that I’ve kindly provided is flowing most excellently,’ carried on Ethan.

‘I think I picked up the tab for that,’ Ryan reminded him.

Ethan shrugged. ‘It’s all a matter of perspective. Anyway, the food you’ve laid out is excellent. Turns out my big brother really is a very good chef.’

‘Thanks,’ drawled Ryan. ‘I knew all of this, by the way.’

‘Which begs the question as to why you look so miserable?’ asked Ethan, giving him a pointed look.

Ryan took a sip of his beer, but the alcohol did nothing to dull the ache inside. He glanced once more at the front door, but it remained firmly shut. There had been no texts from Katy. No news. He expected that she was clinking expensive glasses of champagne in celebration of her brand-new job. And her brand-new life without him.

He sighed heavily.

‘Find her and tell her how you feel,’ said Ethan softly.

Ryan looked at him with bleak eyes. ‘I won’t hold her back when her career’s elsewhere,’ he replied.

Ethan rolled his eyes. ‘So have a long-distance thing. That could be hot.’

Ryan shook his head. ‘Her hours would be insane. I’d barely see her.’

And that was the worst thing of all. He had got used to her being there, the first person he saw every morning and the last person he spoke to each night. He loved the feel of her in his arms, the touch of her hand as she stroked his face, the feel of her lips on hers.

He looked at Ethan. His brother was studying him with concern. He knew that there was nothing he could say to change the way things had worked out. He knew that Ryan was in love with Katy. Everyone knew it.

So Ethan did something he rarely did. He stepped forward and gave his big brother a hug before stepping away with a jokey aside to a nearby group of people.

Ryan took another sip of his beer and looked up as the front door was opened once more. To his surprise and pleasure, it was Katy. Her cheeks were glowing from the cold outside as she stepped inside. Unable to make a path through the many villagers who had rushed forward to greet her, he watched as she smiled and laughed with everyone, slowly making her way through towards him.

Ryan put down his beer and stood as still as a statue until, finally, she was standing in front of him. She unwrapped her scarf before giving him a smile.

‘Hi,’ she said.

‘Hi,’ he replied, barely able to speak.

‘Well, this all seems to be going very well,’ she told him, looking around.

He nodded his reply.