‘Alice made me go to the doctor for tests, and she married me in secret before I’d even got the results back. We both thought it was going to be bad news, and we didn’t want to waste time.’
‘Had the cancer returned?’
Jamie sighed, leaning back in the chair. He focused on the silver star hanging in the window. ‘No. It turned out to be a harmless cyst.’
‘That must have been a huge relief.’
‘Yes, but we were married, and Alice told me it didn’t matter as long as her family never found out. We never spoke of divorce. We never talked about the marriage at all. It was that much of a secret, it kind of disappeared. We always knew, but neither of us brought it up again. It was just a bucket list thing after all, not a real marriage.’
‘And now?’
‘I just shouted it at Lizzie.’
Will sighed. ‘Ah, I see.’
‘Alice and I had that one day where we made the world go away. It was just the two of us all day. All night. We lied to each other, we lied to ourselves. A day of pretending. It was madness, but it was ours. Just for that one moment, we shared more than we ever had before or since, and we’ve been through a lot together, but not like that day. It was special.’ Jamie rolled back tears. ‘Nothing about my life ever feels normal.’
Will leaned forward, offering sympathy in his smile. ‘There’s no such thing as normal, mate. Everyone’s got their shit going on. We just do the best we can with what cards we’ve been dealt. You’re only human, and the whole cancer thing messed with you. What you and Alice did, well, that’s between you two. And if you chose to stay married, then maybe there’s a reason for that. One neither of you will admit out loud.’
Jamie stared out the window, wishing he could turn back time and keep his big mouth shut.
Will stood. ‘How about we go see Alice now, and you can apologize? Make things right.’
‘She won’t want to see me. She’ll be too upset.’
‘I think you should at least try.’
Perhaps Will was right. What good was running off going to do? He just hoped Lizzie had gone home because he really didn’t want to have to deal with her as well.
Jamie followed Will to the door. ‘Am I stopping you from doing something here?’
‘No, I was about to head home. I was having a tidy after the evening meals. Samuel had only just left when I spotted you outside.’
‘I didn’t know where to go. I just felt like running and never stopping.’
‘Yeah, life gets you like that sometimes.’ Will locked the door behind them. ‘Best to face problems though. They get sorted that way.’
Jamie wasn’t so sure, but he walked with Will around the corner to Seaview.
Lizzie and Alice’s voices could be heard from the end of the pathway, causing the two men to come to a halt.
Will raised a hand. ‘Wait here while I see if Alice is ready to talk to you.’
Jamie thought that was for the best too. He sat on the wall, staring across the road at the darkness of the sea.
‘How could you?’ came Alice’s distraught voice.
Jamie stood as he turned to see her standing in the open doorway. ‘I’m so sorry.’ What else could he say?
‘Go away, Jamie.’
Will came out and walked to the end of the path. ‘Go and wait by my truck. I’ll just pick up some of your things.’
With his head dipped, Jamie went back to the café where Will’s dark pickup truck was parked. No doubt his friend would bring more than an overnight bag. Alice was probably clearing out all of his belongings this very minute.
It didn’t take Will long to return. He had a single holdall with him.
‘Did Alice say anything to you?’ Jamie asked, climbing in the vehicle.
