Called it.
We both say hello and Joe smiles.
That smile.
It’s not Hailey’s smile. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that smile once already tonight. Nooo... it couldn’t be. I look from Joe to Hailey, then back again.
Hailey sighs, sets her drink on the bar, and turns to Joe. “Why don’t you go sit by the fire? I’ll be over in a sec.”
He glances at me and Jerry, eyes narrowing like he knows he’s being ushered out of the way so we can talk but does as Hailey asks.
As soon as he’s out of earshot, I ask the question on the tip of my tongue. “He looks a lot like you.” I hesitate, knowing I’m probably overstepping, but curiosity forces the words out. “But I’m guessing he gets that smile from his dad?”
I feel Jerry’s stare burning into me from the side, but I ignore him.
Hailey regards me coolly, and just as I’m about to apologise for being fucking nosy, she curses softly. “Yes he does. Joe’s smile is all Vic.”
Even though I had an inkling, her answer still takes me by surprise. “So you two were together?” I know she’s married to Charlotte now, and I try and do that maths in my head, but three pints in, I’m struggling.
“It was after you and he got together if that’s what you’re trying to work out. We were married, but we weren’t together long.” She smiles as she looks over at where Joe’s sat by the fire, engrossed in his phone. “Just long enough to get him and realise we were better off as friends.”
“You never mentioned that when we were chatting the other day.” I try to wrap my head around the fact that Vic does indeed have kids, like I’d wondered. Well,akid at least. I still don’t know if he’s got a partner, but I don’t ask. “Just like you didn’t mention that he was coming to visit, either.”
Her eyes twinkle with amusement or mischief, I can’t tell which. “We were busy. It must’ve slipped my mind.”
“Mhmm.” My gaze drifts behind her. Vic clearly isn’t with them anymore and I wonder where he’s gone. Surely, he didn’t drop Joe off and then go back to wherever he lives? The thought stops me cold, and I don’t realise I’m frowning until Hailey speaks again.
“He hasn’t left,” she says, then takes a sip of her water before adding, “Charlotte took him to get settled in at the family lodge.”
“He’s staying a while then?” I try to sound like I’m just being polite, but pretty sure I fail, judging by Jerry’s smirk.
“Till just after Christmas.” She rubs a hand over her belly. “Char asked him to come up earlier to babysit me while she’s away.” She rolls her eyes as she says it, but I’d be the same in Char’s shoes. Although I’m not sure I’d want my partner’s ex to stay with them.
“You two still close then?” In my experience, divorce doesn’t leave many people on good terms.
Hailey laughs though, smile bright. “He’s my best friend.”
Oh. That, I wasn’t expecting.
“Anyway, I need to go keep my son company and sit down. I’m knackered.” She disappears before I can ask the million questions on the tip of my tongue, and it’s probably for the best. Vic will be gone in a month, and then I can put him back in the box labelledmy pastand move on.
I’m still thinkingabout Vic as I leave the pub and Jerry drops me off at home.
“You all right?” Jerry asks as he pulls up outside my house. He’s sober since he’s the designated driver tonight and he taps his fingers on the steering wheel, looking at me like he’s got more to say.
I don’t really want to have this conversation, but Jerry’s one of my best friends. I don’t talk about my brief time in London much, and with first, Hailey’s appearance here, and now, Vic’s, I’m not surprised he’s curious.
Rubbing a hand over my jaw, I know I have to give him something. Well, I don’thaveto, but I want to. “It’s just a bit strange seeing them both again after so long.”
“Yeah, I bet.” He shifts in his seat to face me. “I feel like I’ve seen Vic somewhere before. Hailey too, before she introduced herself.”
I groan and let my head fall back against the seat, knowing once I explain why that is, he’ll jump to conclusions. “There’s a photo on the board in my kitchen.”
He frowns for a few seconds, obviously trying to remember, and then his eyes light up. “The one in the pub.”
“Yep. They’re both in it, along with a few others I knew back then.”
“Hmm.” He sits back in his seat, fingers still tapping away. “That’s the only photo I’ve ever seen from when you lived in London.”
