Bea wondered whether he really wanted to do this in public but it seemed so. ‘Because your father passed away?’ Her voice softened. She’d always been fond of his father, a successful businessman but more importantly a genuine, kind man who was completely devoted to his family and would never have dreamed of committing any kind of infidelity.
‘It’s been difficult for me.’
Bea couldn’t believe what she was hearing. There were no words that she could muster up so she looked down at the envelope. It contained a letter from her previous employer, accepting her resignation.
‘You’ve resigned.’
Bea noticed how he’d swiftly changed the conversation so that she was the one on the hot seat. He had a habit of doing that.
‘I have, and feel so much better for it.’
‘I should leave you all to it,’ Nolan said, edging towards the door. ‘I’ll go and take a walk on the jetty.’
Once Nolan was outside, Emmie was the first to speak. ‘We’ve been worried about you. I let Carl know where you were when I heard about your accident last night. He’s really sorry for what he’s done. He’s been a part of the family for such a long time. Surely you two can work it out so you can come home?’
Bea’s jaw dropped wide open. Speechless didn’t come close. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. These two were standing in front of her assuming she had no self-worth and was a weak woman who couldn’t live without a two-timing rat in her life.
‘I’ve made a mistake, I’m only human.’ He couldn’t even look her in the eye. He was shuffling from side to side.
If this was his pitch to win her back it had already gone down like a lead balloon.
‘I will never take you back, Carl.’
‘But we have a good life together. We’ve known each other since school. It was me and you, for ever. Against all odds. Come on, Bea. Come home. I’m sure the supermarket will give you your job back.’
‘I don’t want my job back. I have a job and a place to live here.’
‘But it’s only for a few weeks. I know you’ve extended your holiday but you’re coming back, right?’ Emmie stared at Bea.
Carl put his hand out towards her. ‘Look, I know it’s been tough and that’s all my doing. Please just come home and we can sort this out. You belong with us. You like routine and being surrounded by what you know. You don’t really want all this, do you?’
There were those words again. The words he always used to try and manipulate her into doing what he wanted her to do.
Just at that moment some customers walked through the door, followed by Nolan, who took his place behind the counter. He mouthed ‘sorry’ towards her.
‘We’re staying at Starcross Manor for a couple of nights, if you want to talk.’ Carl walked towards the door and waited outside for Emmie.
Carl had a confidence about him that suggested he thought Bea would go and see him, but she knew that in the last week she’d come to see that the only person you can rely on is yourself. Everything is figureoutable. It’s like a super power … figureoutable. Bea didn’t even know if that was a word, but she liked it.
Emmie hadn’t moved.
‘What were you thinking, bringing him here?’ Bea’s voice was low as she looked at her sister.
‘We’re allowed to be worried about you. He still cares for you and wants to care for you. This isn’t where you belong.’
Bea felt exasperated. Once again, Emmie was telling her what was best for her. ‘Do you know what I’ve learned since arriving here?’ She didn’t give Emmie a chance to answer. ‘That nothing in life is that complicated. Things change, people change and nothing is ever set in stone. I may not know what my career path is but on a personal front I know how I want to be treated, the main quality being honesty from the person who is meant to be my partner.’ Bea pushed herself up on her crutches. ‘I do appreciate you were worried about me, but I’m okay. I really am.’ Bea pointed her crutch towards the door. ‘It’s a nice walk along the river path, through the village and back towards Starcross Manor.’
‘Please let me say this,’ said Emmie, as they walked towards the door. ‘All this is just a holiday. You aren’t thinking straight. Don’t go throwing everything away on a romantic notion that life is hunky-dory here and you’re going to fall madly in love and live happily ever after, because it’s too soon. You’re on the rebound.’
‘I’m just living in the moment,’ replied Bea. ‘I’ll drop you a text later.’
Watching Emmie and Carl walk away up the path, Bea heaved a sigh of relief, but Emmie’s words were still whirling around in her head. Was this just a holiday and was she still hoping that Nolan would stick around? For the few days that Nolan was gone she’d thought about him non-stop, checking the river every morning as soon as she woke up to see if The Hemingway had returned. Whether she liked it or not, Emmie had planted a tiny nugget of doubt in Bea’s mind.
What if she was right?
Carl had been Bea’s whole world and she didn’t really know life without him. With Carl she knew exactly what she was getting, but the life she could potentially create for herself in Heartcross now would be a magical mystery tour. Bea had to work out whether she was brave enough to buy a ticket for the unknown.
ChapterEighteen
