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‘Yeah, that my grandfather had bad taste in friends.’
‘So, what are you going to do?’
‘Not a clue. Possibly ask him to buy me out so I can do my own thing. Or perhaps I could buy him out…’
‘What are you talking about, Emmie? You sound like you’ve a mind to stay.’
Iamthinking about it. A brand-new start in life in a gorgeous place, with money behind me… Who wouldn’t think about it? But how can I justify staying in Cornwall when I’ve promised myself that I’ll sort out my relationship with Stephen, who has no interest in moving down here? I know it isn’t just his fault – I have a few things to address, as well. So perhaps running off to Cornwall isn’t the best solution, after all. But… it feels so right! Still, I need a strong excuse, besides my grandmother not being able to cope without me, which is a huge lie, of course.
‘Emmie? When are you going to admit Jago Moon intrigues you?’
‘Don’t be silly. I’m just annoyed that I’ll have to be dealing with him.’
‘Then lethimbuy you out.’
‘You think he can? It’s more probable that I’ll have to buy him out.’
‘Emmie, you’re not seriously thinking of staying in Starry Cove, are you? I mean, it’s gorgeous and all, I’ll give you that. But what are you going to do on the weekends when the shop closes?’
I don’t need to think about my answer.
‘Live! Be happy. In any case, I don’t even know that he’ll want me as a partner. We didn’t really get off on the right foot, as you remember.’
‘Do you realise we’ve been talking non-stop about Jago for a while now? My advice? You dump Stephen now, because the clock’s ticking. Your engagement party is only a few weeks away.’
In a few weeks I’ll be drinking champagne at a party organised by my future mother-in-law. Surrounded mostly by people I don’t know. Her and Stephen’s people. But after that, once I convince him to move out, we can start living in our own home. If I can convince him to move out, that is.
But what if he doesn’t want to? That’s a huge stumbling block, and a shaky start to a marriage, to say the least. We have a lot to talk about. But our conversations, or rather, arguments, never seem to reach that depth. It seems to me that it’s all more about the actual engagement party and the wedding ceremony that matter to him, as he wants to give his mother answers.
But he never seems to be interested in actual married life. Is it because he thinks nothing is going to change? That I’ll just slot into his and his mother’s home and lifestyle, rather than build a new life? Does he think he’s still going to be leading the bachelor life?
‘Emmie…? You still there?’
‘Mmh? Yeah. I’ve got to go now. I’ve… got stuff to do.’
‘Liar,’ she says, but I can hear the smile in her voice. ‘You go get him.’
‘Who?’
‘The man who would smile the knickers off you, that’s who!’
I sigh. Her and her sexual fantasies. Intrigue me? Jago Moon? What a crazy notion to entertain, even remotely.
If anything, I loathe him – the one with the arrogant stance of one who thinks the world owes him a living. OK, maybe I don’t actuallyloathehim. Maybe I feel a smidgen of pity for someone who can’t seem to form any kind of successful attachment to anyone. There’s got to be a reason why someone becomes a loner. And a drinker.
Not that the locals, as friendly as they’ve become over the weeks, are volunteering any gossip, mind. I know absolutely nothing about him. Just like I know nothing about my family, save the fact that I’m a part of something irreparably broken.
‘What did Stephen say when you told him?’
Just the fly in my champagne. ‘I haven’t told him yet.’
‘Ah.’
Ahis right.
‘Are you afraid of his reaction? Or the MIL’s?’
‘I’m not afraid of anyone, Maisie. I’ll tell him tonight.’
