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Chapter Twenty Two
Pulling her mobilefrom her apron pocket, Brooke checked it again. The screen was still blank. No notification, no missed calls, no messages.
‘That’s about the hundredth time I’ve seen you sneak a peek at your phone. Is everything okay?’ Diane turned to grab a paper bag.
‘Yes, no. I don’t know. I’ve not heard from Max at all. He hasn’t messaged or rung and he normally has by now. Or else he’s popped in to say hi. We haven’t gone even a few hours not communicating since we got together, let alone most of the day.’ She glanced at the clock. They’d be closing up for the day in half an hour.’
‘I thought he was still decorating the kitchen upstairs?’ Heidi glanced across her shoulder as she served a customer.
‘No, he finished a couple of days ago.’ Brooke tapped her phone against her palm.
‘Have you messaged him?’
‘Yep. I’ve sent him about five messages.’ She grimaced. ‘And I rang him at lunch, but it just went straight to voicemail.’
‘If you’re worried, why don’t you finish early and go and find him? He might be having issues with his phone.’ Diane thanked her customer and leaned against the back counter next to Brooke.
‘Are you sure? I feel bad doing that, but I am worried about him.’ Brooke looked from Diane to Heidi.
‘We’re sure. There are only a few minutes left before we close, anyway.’ Heidi nodded towards the clock.
‘Okay, thank you. I owe you both.’ Slipping her apron over her head, she hung it up and headed outside. Diane was probably right. There must be something wrong with his phone. She stepped out onto the cobbles. It was still warm, but there was a strong wind and she quickly tied her hair up.
Weaving between the tourists and local residents, she turned up the hill. She tried to think back to the party yesterday. Had she said something to put him off her? To scare him away? She was sure she hadn’t. Yes, they’d spoken about having children, but it had been Max who had broached that subject and it had only been a light-hearted conversation because they had been surrounded by little kids.
There was Annie’s cottage. Walking down the narrow path between the flowerbeds towards the front door, she stepped around the overhanging flowers, careful not to tread on anything. She knocked on the door.
‘Hello, Brooke, dear. Have you come to see Max? Come on in.’ Pulling the door open, Annie stepped back, ushering her through. ‘He’s just in the garden. Go on through.’
‘Thank you.’ Smiling, Brooke made her way down the hallway and out through the open back door. She could hear voices. No, just Max’s voice. He must be on the phone. It was working then. Walking slowly around the edge of the cottage, she watched as Max paced up and down the immaculately mown lawn, pausing every so often to run his fingers through his hair or rub the back of his neck.
Something was wrong. She could tell that by his actions, by the way he was speaking slowly and quietly into his phone. Should she go over and let him know she was there? Or should she hang back and wait for him to hang up?
As if sensing her presence, Max held his finger up, spoke quickly into his phone, and hung up. Slipping his phone into his jean pocket, he slumped down on the garden bench and lowered his head into his hands.
‘Max. What’s happened?’ Brooke rushed across and sat next to him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.
‘I’m really sorry, but I’ve got to go back home today.’ His voice was quiet, broken.
‘Oh, right.’ she frowned. They’d always known this day would come, but she’d assumed he’d be staying with Annie for at least a few more weeks. ‘Has something happened?’
He nodded. ‘It’s Cheryl and her partner. They’ve been making mistake after mistake with the business. The decorating has been shoddy, they’ve put the prices up, they’ve missed deadlines. One of the property developers I do a lot of work for rung me this morning to complain about the state of the decorating. Well, not to complain, more to let me know what’s been going on. I’ve spent the day ringing clients, trying to apologise and stop them from going elsewhere.’
‘That’s awful. But why? If they’re trying to take over the business, why would they want to lose customers? It doesn’t make sense.’ She rubbed his back.
‘I don’t know. I think they just don’t have a clue. Cheryl does, but he doesn’t. He’s greedy. He’s probably been upping the prices and spending less time on the jobs.’ Sitting back, he rubbed his hand over his face. ‘I’m sorry I’ve not been in touch today.’
‘Hey, don’t apologise. I was just worried about you. That’s why I came to find you.’
‘Thank you.’
‘So, you’re going back today, then?’ She swallowed.
