‘All makes sense now, Mum,’ said Lizzie. ‘All these years and no boyfriends except once, and I’ve not got it in me to talk about Alan right now.’ She waggled a hand at Alice. ‘See what you’ve done to yourself. You could have had a lovely life with a man, but this was hanging over you, wasn’t it? Holding you back.’
In some ways, Alice knew that to be true so didn’t have much of an argument. There had been times when she’d thought about moving on with her life, which was why she tried to have a relationship with Alan for all of seven months, but it never felt right in her heart. She knew she was tied to Jamie, with or without the bucket-list marriage. If she didn’t have such a bond with him, she’d never have stayed in contact with him while he was locked away, bucket-list marriage or not.
Benny yawned. ‘I’m going to bed.’ He turned to look at Alice. ‘And just so you know, I don’t have a problem with Jamie. I think he’s nice, and from what I saw, he makes you happy.’
Alice smiled and said goodnight, losing her warmth as soon as she saw her mum’s glare. ‘Benny and Jamie get along.’
Lizzie folded her arms, getting comfortable on the sofa. ‘At least that’s one thing I don’t have to worry about.’
‘You don’t have to worry about anything, Mum. Nothing’s changed except you now know about the marriage. Jamie will still rebuild his life, I’ll still be here making the best of the B&B, and we’ll all just get on with our lives the way we’d planned.’
‘Don’t make it sound like it’s not complicated.’
‘You’re the only one complicating things, Mum.’
Lizzie shook her head. ‘This isn’t normal, love. The way you are with him. The way you’ve always been, then doing something daft like having a bucket-list wedding when he wasn’t even dying. How do you expect anyone to understand you?’
She had never expected anyone to understand the way she was with Jamie. She’d faced many questions about him over the years.
‘You’ve got to calm down, Liz,’ said Luna. ‘The past is done. Alice is a grown woman now and—’
‘And not much has changed with her when it comes to Jamie Stark.’
‘We’re not hurting anyone, Mum.’
Lizzie turned to her. ‘You hurt me, girlie. I’m your mother and you weren’t even going to tell me you married someone.’
‘Only because I knew how you’d react.’
Lizzie blew out a sarcastic laugh. ‘At least I know the truth of why he came here.’ She circled a finger in the air. ‘Got his half of this place now, hasn’t he? You do realize that, don’t you? As your husband, if you divorce or you die, he gets his home back.’
‘I made a will, leaving everything to Benny.’
Luna sat up. ‘I don’t know what the law is like with these things, but would Jamie have that much of a say if they didn’t consummate the marriage? I mean, she only married him to do him a favour. It’s not like they made itthatreal. She could get an annulment, then I’m sure the business would be safe.’
Alice felt her cheeks heat, and she was glad Benny was in bed.
Lizzie sighed loudly. ‘Oh, you didn’t, did you?’ She shook her head in disbelief. ‘She slept with him, Mum.’
Luna’s eyes widened. ‘Ooh, you are just full of secrets, aren’t you, Alice Dipple-Stark?’
Avoiding all eyes wasn’t doing much for Alice, and her wedding night wasn’t something she wished to discuss with her mum and nan.
Being in Jamie’s arms beneath the covers that night was the most magical thing that had ever happened to her, and even though she knew it was just to make their wedding real, of sorts, for him, she had held on to the moment so dearly, pulling it out of its box each time she needed comfort.
Alice inhaled slowly. ‘I get that this upset you, I really do. But in all honesty — everything else is none of your business. The B&B is secure in my name and will go to Benny to do whatever he wants with when I’m gone. As for Jamie, he has his own plans for his life. We got married, and yes, we had sex — so what? We were grown-ups. We’re different people now, and we’re just trying to live a normal and peaceful life.’
‘Tell me why you won’t divorce him?’ Lizzie asked so quietly, Alice barely heard.
‘He’s never asked for one.’
Lizzie looked her directly in the eyes. ‘Why haven’t you asked for one?’
‘I don’t want one. I’m happy how I am.’
‘But you don’t have a proper marriage, love.’ Lizzie’s tone was calmer now. Gentle.
‘It’s not really something I pour my energy into, Mum. I’ve got this place and Benny to concentrate on. I don’t think about marriage.’
