‘No.’ She shook her head, losing her balance when she did so, steadying herself against the tree trunk. ‘It’s more than that, and you know it.’
‘Look.’ I took a step forward, lowering my voice. When she’d yelled I’d caught the whiff of alcoholic fumes, and realized that her eyes weren’t glassy from tears alone. ‘You’ve clearly been drinking and your emotions are running high. This isn’t the time or the place to discuss this. Go home. We can talk when you’re sober.’
‘Don’t tell me what to do,’ she said angrily, her words slurring.
‘Jack.’ Taylor put her hand on my arm.
Hannah glared at it venomously. I’d never seen this side of her before, and I didn’t like it.
‘Get your hands off him,’ she spat at Taylor.
Taylor stiffened, but didn’t move her hand.
‘OK, I wasn’t going to get involved, but enough is enough,’ Taylor said firmly. ‘You two have history; I get that. But you need to listen to what Jack is saying to you, because he really couldn’t be any clearer. As far as he’s concerned, you’re a friend. That’s it. And honestly? You’re still lucky he sees you as that, the way you’re carrying on. Now have some dignity, and walk away.’
Hannah blinked at her, taken aback. Her eyes flicked to mine. ‘Are you going to let her talk to me like that?’
‘She’s right,’ I replied. ‘You need to get it through your head that nothing is ever going to happen between us. And not just because of Taylor. I don’t see you like that, Hannah. I’m sorry, but I just don’t.’
She looked around with wide eyes, seeing the small crowd that had gathered. ‘But I need you, Jack. I don’t know how I’ll cope without you.’
‘I’m sorry,’ I told her, feeling my chest heavy with the words I knew I needed to say. ‘But I can’t be the one you lean on any more. I’ll always be your friend, and as your friend I’m telling you that you need to go home to your family, and lay off the alcohol. It’s not helping you heal.’
Hannah stared at me, her face impassive, her blinks exaggeratedly slow as she swayed on her feet.
‘Go fuck yourself,’ she said. Then she turned and stumbled away across the green in the direction of the restaurant. I started to walk after her, until Taylor put a hand gently on my arm.
‘Let her go,’ she said. ‘Anything we say now is just going to inflame the situation. Hopefully she’ll sleep it off and see things differently in the morning.’
‘I’ll go,’ Fiona said, hurrying off after Hannah.
‘Are you OK?’ Taylor asked me softly.
I nodded, sighing heavily. ‘Yeah, I’m OK. I hate seeing her like this, and I can’t help but wonder if I’ve made things worse since Alex died, by always being there for her. She’s come to rely on me too much, and maybe that gave her the wrong idea.’
She reached up and touched my cheek. ‘No, this isn’t your fault. You were just trying to be a good friend.’
‘I promised Alex.’
‘I know. But sometimes a bit of tough love is the only thing that works with some people. Who knows, this might be what it takes for her to realize she needs help and to see a counsellor.’
‘God, I hope so. I want to help but I think I’m doing more damage than good. I knew she relied on me but not to this extent. I thought when I moved out she’d realize nothing was ever going to happen between us.’
Taylor smiled. ‘I can’t blame her for holding out hope. You’re a bit of a catch.’
‘You’re not so bad yourself,’ I murmured, smiling, before leaning down to kiss her.
‘Jack.’ Fiona was back, sounding worried. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have a bit of a situation.’
We broke apart. ‘What is it?’
She stood close by, wringing her hands, her forehead fretted. ‘I tried to take her keys, but she’s strong, stronger than she looks anyway. And fast.’
‘Hannah?’
‘Yes. She took her car. Peeled off into the night.’
‘Heading where?’
