‘One that at least has got your attention. I know that you desperately wanted Gavin to be “the one”, but did he really make you happy, in a spending the rest of your lives together way?’
‘I was happy when I was with him.’
‘But you were also worried. I know you were.’
Jules nodded.
‘Maybe.’
‘More than maybe.’
‘I miss him.’
Carrie clasped her hands tighter, despite the fact that Jules’s tears were falling on to them.
‘I wonder if you’re crying for the relationship that you thought you were going to have, rather than the one you actually did.’
Jules took a gulp of air.
‘I thought…’ she gasped. ‘I really thought…’
‘I know you did and, believe me, I wanted it almost as much as you did, but it’s not the end of the world. I know it feels like it right now, but it’s not. I’m testament to that. Coming here is the best thing you could have done. I promise you. This place will make the world seem a better place and one day you will meet someone who is wonderful and loyal and funny and makes you realise that true love is worth waiting for. But you need to start trusting yourself, caring for yourself, honouring yourself.’
‘I don’t know how to do that.’
‘Which is why I’m here. To help you.’
‘To boss me about, you mean,’ Jules said, wiping her eyes.
‘That, too.’
‘Okay, Miss Bossy Boots. Where do I start on this journey into my newfound self.’
Carrie smiled.
‘By drinking your coffee which now has a nice bug floating in it and then we’re going to walk the maze.’
‘Apt,’ Jules said.
‘I think so,’ said Carrie.
And Jules fished the bug out of her drink and thought that Carrie made it all sound so simple, even though love and guilt and shame and the human mind were far from that. But she’d go through the motions just to please her friend. Who knew, they might even have the teeniest tiniest beneficial effect?
‘Are you an interloper?’
The voice came from behind a camellia bush and made her jump.
‘I don’t think so. Are you The Major?’
The man stepped into full view wearing a navy blazer, blue shirt and striped tie in spite of the heat of the day. Jules felt warm just looking at him.
‘I might be. Who’s asking?’
‘Jules.’
He tilted his head to one side and studied her.
‘That rings a bell.’
