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* * *
There were lots of things Edie wanted to say but didn’t. She couldn’t bear to see Amelia get hurt again by her so-called husband. What sort of man walked away from his marriage and ignored calls from his heartbroken wife? Then just arrived and snapped his fingers for her to go running.
Amelia sighed. ‘Look, I know what you’re probably thinking, but he’s had a hard time of things lately. He said there was stuff he had to deal with at work, which wasn’t helping his frame of mind, and he couldn’t think straight. I have to believe the nice man that I married is still in there, and he’s shown me a glimpse of that . . . I don’t want to look back and think that I didn’t try hard enough. I don’t want to look back and think what if . . .’
‘Only you can decide, Amelia. I just know that we will all be sorry to say goodbye. Me especially, but Fergus too . . .’
‘I know.’ She wiped away a tear. ‘He’s been a good friend to me and I thought there was something more between us. But I think I got that wrong too. I seem to be making a mess of everything at the moment, Edie.’
‘Oh, love.’ Edie drew her into a gentle embrace.
‘I’ll miss everyone. Cano and Naza and Thea and Grant. Edie, I can’t bear the thought of saying goodbye to them. I feel awful and cowardly, but will you explain for me?’
Edie nodded, against her better judgement. ‘They will be gutted not to see you before you go but I’m sure they’ll understand. You’ve made good friends here. Doris, on the other hand . . .’ Edie shook her head.
Amelia laughed and then shrugged reluctantly. ‘I will write to them all properly.’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Cano! I said I would help him out when Naza goes to the mainland next month . . .’
‘Don’t worry, he will understand.’
Amelia shook her head in despair. ‘It’s a lot more complicated than that, Edie. The night of the fair . . . Fergus and I kissed and I thought we had a connection. Then his girlfriend arrived.’
‘Don’t worry about any of that. Fergus is a big boy. This is about you and what you want.’
‘Edie, I promise to keep in touch with you. I will never forget your kindness and support.’
‘When are you leaving?’
‘Any minute. Declan is picking me up.’
Edie gulped. ‘So soon?’
‘I’m sorry. He’s booked on the ferry. He’s booked flights to London.’
Edie raised an eyebrow. ‘Did he presume he would win you back?’
Amelia grimaced. ‘I have tidied the cabin . . . and left it ready for your first guests. Now the website is up and running, all you need to do is decide when you want to make dates available and I can still help with that remotely.’
‘Okay,’ said Edie. The thought of anyone living in the garden other than Amelia was not appealing. She cleared her throat. ‘Are you absolutely sure about this?’
Amelia didn’t answer, then was distracted by her phone beeping. ‘It’s him. He’s just leaving the hotel.’
‘What about Fergus?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Aren’t you going to say goodbye?’
‘I’m sure he won’t notice I’m gone.’
* * *
The truth was, she couldn’t face seeing him, it would be too hard. She’d been kidding herself that she and Fergus could have a future together. They both had too many issues and too much baggage — and she had a husband.
Edie put a supportive hand on Amelia’s arm. ‘You are sure about this?’ she asked again.
Amelia went quiet and couldn’t quite meet Edie’s eyes as she shrugged. ‘I think so.’
The doorbell rang. ‘That will be Declan.’
