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Mitch put his hand out. ‘I wish you wouldn’t shut me out, Holly.’
Don’t cry, don’t cry,she told herself. ‘I’m not shutting you out. I have a few things to get through.’
‘You’re pushing me away.’ Mitch rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I thought we’d pulled down the barriers. I thought we’d got past this.’
Holly blushed. ‘Well, some things I need to sort out in here.’ She put a hand on her chest. ‘On my own.’
‘But we could do things together.’
Holly felt herself shaking. ‘I’m quite capable.’
Mitch sighed. ‘I’m not suggesting you’re incapable, Holly. You’re not the only one who’s hurting. I’ve lost Sid, and Vanessa.’ He looked into her eyes. ‘Can’t you see we’re in the same boat? Why do you want to paddle alone?’
Holly felt hot tears threatening her eyes and her face reddened.I can’t cry in front of the staff,she thought.Why was he piling on the pressure? She needed to be strong. She needed to get through the wait to see if Val would survive, a clear head to deal with the market and village fair, and strength to fight off Tom and his claim on her land. If she was to let her barriers down, she would be a total wreck. She did not want to be a weak, mess.
‘Come on, Holly.’ Mitch outstretched a hand.
Holly’s bottom lip quivered; she knew if she spoke, she would only have a few words until her voice cracked. ‘Please stop pressuring me, I don’t need saving, I’m not Vanessa.’ Holly heard the words echo in her head as if someone else had said them. She put her hand to her mouth as she studied Mitch’s expression. It was if every feature on his face dropped an inch. He made no comment but whisked around.
‘Mitch, I …’ Holly called out watching his back as he strode away from her.How could I have said that?she thought as her lip trembled and she turned away, asking herself where the words had come from. Her whole face quivered until she got inside the caravan and let the tears stream down her face.
