It took a moment for her to catch her breath.
‘On the train back.’
Between the heaving bodies of the second wave of partygoers, Ally could see lit-up windows and glimpses of Christmas trees flashing by. What was she thinking? What if Pete actually wanted to break up with her but only felt right about doing it face to face?Stop!she scolded herself. Even if that were true, she’d have to face it head on, one way or the other.
* * *
Clip-clopping in her now-thoroughly-pinching boots along the street towards The Owl’s Nest, she was aware she was freezing, as neither her minidress nor lace ankle boots were geared towards this weather. Oh please, don’t let me be making a fool of myself again, she prayed while pulling her long coat around her. She could see that the grille was up. Just then the door opened and a familiar figure peered out.
‘Hi,’ she volunteered in the absence of any better ideas.
‘Hi.’ He stepped back to allow her into the warmth of the café.
Don’t, she warned herself .?.?. Let him explain himself but do not be a pushover. Even if every fibre of her body wanted him to pull her into his arms.
‘Look, Ally, I know how that must’ve looked, but all I can say is that it wasn’t that. What I said to you yesterday evening .?.?. I meant it.’
‘Oh God, Pete, then why does it all seem so bloody complicated?’
‘Because it is complicated.’ He paused and seemed to be gathering his thoughts. ‘That’s why Tanya was here. It turns out she’s been in touch with Tony – it seems she’s the only one who has.’
‘Your partner Tony? Wow, so .?.?.’
‘Apparently, he’s been holed up on his boat in a remote Turkish port on the Aegean for the last few months, so he’s had plenty of time to think.’
‘Kind of sounds like paradise.’
‘Yeah, but that’s not how it’s turned out. He’s felt totally isolated .?.?. remorseful. She says he’s wanted to find a way back but didn’t know how. Couldn’t face me.’
‘That’s hardly surprising. D’you think you could ever trust him .?.?. or even forgive him?’
Pete leaned against the counter and folded his arms. This wasn’t quite the conversation Ally had expected.
‘On certain conditions. He says he’s going to pay me back .?.?. although I think our estimates of what that means may differ,’ he said with a wry expression.
‘Are you serious? That’s incredible. It means all of this nightmare is over .?.?. well, potentially.’
‘Yeah, let’s see if it happens.’
‘So .?.?. Tanya? Be honest with me, I can take it. You two stillseem pretty close and I get that, but if that’s true, please don’t involve me.’
Immediately, his laid-back demeanour changed. ‘No .?.?. no .?.?. I’ve known – we’ve both known for a long time we weren’t right. She was originally in love with Tony but, of course, he kept messing her around, so she’d confide in me and .?.?. well, I suppose she saw me as Mr Steady. God, when I think of it.’
‘Right, well sounds like it’s not quite over between them .?.?.’
‘To be honest I’m not sure it ever really was.’
‘Nice.’ Ally was beginning to feel thoroughly pissed off on Pete’s behalf.
‘Anyhow, apparently she’s going to Spain for Christmas with the two boys and he’s going to sail up to meet with them.’
Ally couldn’t help giving a rueful laugh. ‘On his yacht? I can’t help feeling like he’s coming out of this pretty well, for a fraudster. So, dare I ask .?.?. When is he going to pay you back – or is that a rude question?’
‘Tomorrow, apparently. At least, that’s the promise.’
‘Oh my God, Pete, this is incredible.’ She held up crossed fingers.
‘Come here .?.?.’ He stepped towards her, took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. Then, scooping Patsy up under his arm, he led her up the dusty, creaking steps to the high, bare room, illuminated by the city lights, where a medium-sized tent was placed in the centre. It was like living on a traffic island, she thought.
