This was his fault. He’d done exactly what he’d been so determined to never do.
He had hurt Sophie.
He didn’t even know if she’d read this last part of the blog yet and he was too afraid to ask.
How could she not blame him as much as he was blaming himself?
And that was the other thing he’d been determined to never allow to happen again.
He’d hurt himself.
He’d broken the vow he’d made when he’d gone to the cemetery for a private farewell to Tom Baxter. When he’d lost everything. Tom. Hannah. Sophie. When he felt more abandoned and more lost than he ever had in his entire life. The vow to never let himself be in a position ever again where being so close to someone put him at risk of having his heart torn out. Having to suffer a pain that he knew could well come too close to being fatal.
Luc had only survived that kind of pain because he’d discovered a new purpose in life, to try and help kids like he’d once been himself.
Tom’s legacy. He would never forget the feeling of hearing Sophie tell him how proud Tom would be and seeing the truth of her own pride shining in her eyes.
He had to save the dream if he was going to have any chance of somehow mitigating the pain that was, once again, rushing into his life like an emotional tsunami. He had to do it for himself. For Tom.
And, most of all, for Sophie.
22
It has everything a story needs, does it not? The kind of tropes that belong in a blockbuster novel, or perhaps a steamy soap opera.
Rags to riches, unrequited love, tragedy to triumph.
Secrets…
There are only two people on earth who know the real truth.
I’m betting that those secrets will stay buried forever but, if you – like me – find it impossible not to use your own imagination, let me know what you think in the comments…
‘Oh, non…’ Tilly was shaking her head as she saw what was on Sophie’s computer screen. ‘Sophie… you’ve got to stop doing this.’
‘I know.’ Sophie got to her feet to greet Tilly with a kiss on each cheek. ‘But it’s the comments now. There’s a whole new avalanche this morning. This is so much worse than last time.’
She watched Tilly put down the satchel she used as a handbag and move towards the desk, reaching for the mouse to scroll the seemingly endless contributions people were adding to the post.
To Sophie, this felt like a circle was closing. The online onslaught after Zara’s wedding had marked the entrance of Luc into her life again and what was happening now seemed to be marking his exit.
How could they possibly be together after this? What kind of future could they have with this elephant in the room with them? Their relationship would die a slow death, just like her friendship with Hannah had, because it was just too hard to be with someone who was such a big part of the memories and who could, even inadvertently, stir up the feelings of not being a person anyone would choose to be around.
It could never be dismissed, either. Or forgotten. Like the best lies, there was an element of truth in Raven Vale’s nasty suggestions.
Therewereonly two people who knew the real truth.
Secretshadbeen kept. The glimpses, through the vitriol being unleashed online, of how it looked to the people on the outside reminded Sophie of every dark thought she’d ever had herself.
Thanks for the warning. That Sophie Spencer is the last person I’d want planning my wedding. Talk about bad juju!!
I adore that cemetery. Where is it? I need to go and lie there under a full moon…
It’s the sister I feel sorry for. She lost the two men she loved that night. Bet she wishes she never met Sophie Spencer.
Can’t believe anyone would marry their dead fiancé’s best friend, let alone the ex-fiancé of your best friend. OMG. It really is a soap opera.
Great work, Raven. You’ve got a beady, birdie eye for the dark, slimy stuff. Keep it up!
