‘That’s the thing: he hasn’t. He clearly doesn’t care.’
‘That’s your assumption. Maybe he’s working out in his head what to say. Being brutally honest, love and lust do sit in a different stable and I’m sure he’s feeling as wretched as you. I mean, look at you. You’re a lot to give up, Sabrina Swift.’
Sabrina sighed. ‘Yes, but if you love someone, surely you don’t even think about getting intimate with someone else.’ Sabrina waved her hand in dismissal. ‘No, Belle. I won’t get over this. Trust is so important to me. The number of indecent proposals I used to get and could have taken… Even when I was a bit tipsy, well, I managed to say no. And I said no because I loved and respected that man.’ She made a groaning noise, and her face contorted. ‘I’m so confused!’
‘I’m not defending him, Sabrina. But three years is a long time to be with someone, and maybe if you had a conversation with him and heard all the facts from the horse’s mouth, it might be easier to move on whether you took him back or not.’
‘The facts are that he shagged someone whilst engaged to somebody else. I think it would be a unanimous guilty verdict from the jury, don’t you?’ Sabrina bashed down an imaginary gavel. ‘Extenuating circumstances, your honour, too much Guinness and a huge fucking ego.’ She blew her nose loudly. ‘I’ve also told my agent that I don’t want to do be inPrancing on Ice, as well.’
‘OK.’ Belle nodded. ‘How did they take that?’
‘She, Caroline…went ape shit, which I knew she would as it was a big deal for her– literally. But she’s not the one who was going to be catapulted around the ice wearing sharp blades on her feet and no helmet.’ Sabrina paused. ‘Actually, that sounds like an exact description of my life at the moment.’ Belle stuck her bottom lip out in sympathy. ‘She also thinks its career suicide me taking too much time out of the public eye.’ Sabrina sighed. ‘I’ll talk to her when she calms down. Which, knowing Caroline, could take a while.’
‘I understand your logic, but do you not maybe think throwing yourself into something else might take your mind off everything else that’s going on?’
‘With throwing being the operative word, there.’
‘Ha! Yes, sorry, I didn’t think.’
‘Well, there is actually something else…’
Belle looked quizzical. ‘Go on.’
‘I had a wonderful time in Hartmouth yesterday. You said I’d love the vibe of it, and I really did. What a beautiful place, so full of life and history and the backdrop of the sea, and the whole community around the ferry and the market was captivating. I was only there hours, and I could feel something that I couldn’t really put my finger on. Maybe it was because I felt a sense of belonging, even though I know no one. Anyway, Star, one of the stallholders, was just a delight and well… I ended up viewing a market unit that had become free.’
‘Oh, my goodness. Why on earth…?’
‘I had no intention of doing it, but I literally bumped into the guy doing the show around as he stepped outside looking for the intended lessee, and threw coffee all down him.’
‘Oh, shit!’
‘Yes, he was a moody bastard, but a handsome moody bastard. Talking of lust, I do have to say that despite all the feelings of distress whirring around in me, he did stir up some sort of carnal desire. Anyway, the unit is as cute as he is and it’s only up for a three-month rent.’
‘Don’t tell me you’re going for it? How exciting!’
‘I told him the Jilly lie. I mean, I couldn’t tell him who I really was and you’re going to laugh but I didn’t say my last name was Valentine but Dickens.’ Sabrina pointed to her chest and laughed. ‘Meet Jilly Dickens, Ferry Lane Market stall holder extraordinaire– or soon to be, maybe.’
‘Dickens? Where did that come from?’
‘A random copy ofA Christmas Carolthat was lying on the floor. It used to be a second-hand books and records stall. Here!’ she lifted the worn book from her bedside table.
Belle laughed out loud. ‘That’s hilarious.’
‘Even more funny is when he asked what I would be selling, I clocked the book again and said, “everything Christmas”. I’ll sell general gifts too, but he seemed happy with that.’
‘I love everything about this, Sabrina. Oh my God, a Christmas gift store in the market, I already can’t wait to see what you are going to fill it with.’
Sabrina laughed at her new friend’s enthusiasm. ‘Ooh, whilst I remember, I got you and Isaac some goodies from the market. Remind me to pack them up before you go.’
‘Aw, you didn’t need to do that.’
‘I really did. You two have been so amazing and so generous since the minute I arrived.’
‘That’s very kind, but come on, spill the tea: are you taking it– the market unit, I mean? Please say you are– then I have three more months of you. But what about your soap role?’
‘I am in prison until next year, so that’s OK.’
Belle goggled at her. ‘Your life is extraordinary.’
