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‘Yes, I do. But it doesn’t matter anymore, does it?’
And as Emily pulled her into her arms she gave in to the misery and the pain and wept.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
FOUR WEEKS LATER, Daisy was still not entirely sure how she’d got back to New York. After Rollo had walked out, the Dunmores had refused to blame her for her part in the deception, and she had managed to stay calm while James had teased the whole story from her.
But in the face of their kindness, she hadn’t been able to stop herself from bursting into tears again.
And it had been a relief to cry.
To grieve for what might have been.
But it had been more of a relief to get home.
For the first few days—a week, even—she had wept just like Emily Dunmore had. Then finally the tears had stopped.
Maybe she had no more tears left, she thought as she wiped down the tables in her parents’ restaurant with swift, automatic efficiency. Or, more likely, the time for crying was over.
Now it was time to start living again. That was pretty much what David had said to her. She had visited him in rehab and told him the truth. And, just as she had done when he’d admitted his gambling problem, he’d pulled her into his arms and told her he’d be there for her.
Back at home, her father had handed her an apron and suggested she take a few shifts at the restaurant. Neither he nor her mother had pressed her for details. They’d simply welcomed her home and offered comfort and support.
And, of course, a job.
Glancing across the restaurant, Daisy almost smiled. Unbelievably, and for the first time in her life, she was actually enjoying waitressing. There was something comforting in the repetition of clearing tables, taking orders and making small talk with people. Better still it was nothing like her life in Manhattan.
It was a month since James Dunmore’s limousine had dropped her at her parents’ house. A month since she had last seen or spoken to Rollo. Not that she’d expected to hear from him. She’d known the minute he’d turned and walked away that she would be deleted from his life. And so she’d done the same, ruthlessly weeding out everything he’d ever given her.
Her heartbeat leapfrogged. She had given her ring to James and he had promised to return it to Rollo. Given their history, she hadn’t wanted there to be any risk of confusion. Or even the slightest possibility that she might have to see him again.
Although there was no chance of that happening. In his own words, the month they’d spent together had been a month too long.
The pain caught her off guard and, lifting up the condiments, she ran her cloth over the mustard and ketchup bottles, grateful for the distraction of physical activity.
Not that she was going to give in to the pain. She was stronger now. Sadder too. But determined to make her life matter. Which was why, when she’d saved up enough money, she was going to university to study English. She’d always wanted to go to university but had never thought she was good enough, and being an actress had been a legitimate way to disguise that self-doubt.
But she was done with being other people. Now she was going to be herself, and if that meant failing and facing up to her fears, then so be it. There was no shame in trying hard or finding something a challenge. Only in lying to others and oneself.
Her lips curved upwards. It wasn’t quite a smile—she wasn’t there yet—but maybe when David came home tomorrow she’d be ready. Although, knowing her twin, he’d probably already guessed. After all, he knew her better than anyone. As well as he knew himself.
And just like that, her head began to spin, her words raising a memory of another restaurant, a pair of green eyes, and a deeper voice than her own saying softly, ‘You’re different. I know you as well as I know myself.’
‘Are we done here, Daisy?’
She jerked her head up, heart pounding. Her dad was standing in the doorway.
Outside in the street, the traffic lights had changed to green and cars were streaming over the crossroads and somehow it soothed her. Life carried on; her life too, and it was a good life. She had a loving family, a job and now she had a future.
Turning towards her father, she nodded. ‘Yeah, I’m done. Let’s go home.’
* * *
‘What time is David getting here again?’
Daisy groaned. ‘I told you, Mom. He doesn’t need a lift. He wants to get a cab.’
Her mom frowned. ‘And you think that’s okay?’
