Florrie could sense he was holding back. He looked like he wanted to say something but he didn’t.
‘So tell me what to think. Because what I think is that after being on an extreme high for two weeks you let me crash to the ground without so much as a parachute to soften the landing. One minute we’re wrapped up in each other’s arms, sleeping under the stars, and the next it’s in the newspaper that you’re all set to marry your childhood sweetheart that I knew nothing about.’
‘I can see now why you blocked me.’
Florrie could feel the frustration rising inside her. She was getting nowhere. Maybe he’d decided it was no good raking over the past as it wouldn’t achieve anything. All they would do was end up in another argument. But she couldn’t just let it be. There was still something niggling away at her. Why couldn’t he just be straight with her? He had at least apologised. Maybe that was all she could ask for. Maybe this was just something Florrie had to let go of.
‘Why are you here, Tom? Why make your visit to Heartcross now and not sooner?’ she asked, not taking her eyes off him. ‘You must have opened that box from your grandfather and found out about Ada years ago.’
‘Because the opportunity to increase awareness of my grandfather’s foundation came up, and it felt like a sign that I should finally come and see the place he was so fond of. I didn’t know whether you still lived in this area, but I admit that I was hoping you did.’
As much as Florrie wanted to believe every word that was coming out of his mouth, Tom was still technically the enemy, and it was clear that there was more going on at Rose Cottage than met the eye – but she just couldn’t work out what that ‘more’ was.
Florrie wasn’t ready to let him off lightly. ‘I heard that Sophia is speaking at the event and is a huge part of your grandfather’s charity.’
There was a fleeting flash of surprise on Tom’s face that she would know that. ‘Yes, our families have always been close.’
They sat in an awkward silence for a moment.
‘I saw you,’ she shared.
‘Saw me what? When?’
‘I saw you outside the church arguing with your father.’ She watched his eyes flicker as the words registered. ‘It sounded like it didn’t end well,’ Florrie said, wanting to make sure he knew that she knew exactly what his father’s parting words had been. ‘I think you’ve played me, Tom. Do you deny it?’
‘Florrie, I can’t talk about this.’
‘Can’t or won’t? Why don’t you want this conversation? What exactly are you hiding? Shall I tell you what I think?’
Tom’s eyes were downcast as he looked up from under his fringe. ‘I’ve got a feeling you’re going to tell me whether I want you to or not.’
Florrie kept her voice calm. ‘I think you’re weak and a player.’ She had his full attention now. ‘I also think you knew you were leaving uni to go and work for your father and deliberately didn’t tell me, because you wanted one last fling before you were forced to take over the family business and settle down with your childhood sweetheart. Then, to add insult to injury, you come back into my life eight years later and have the audacity to ask me to trust you, even though you knew you were taking my aunt’s home and business away from me and destroying everything she worked for.’
‘It’s just not true.’
‘I heard your father. “Make them trust you.” Those were his words.’
‘You think you have it all worked out, but you haven’t.’
‘Do you know how infuriating this conversation is? You’re telling me nothing yet expecting me to be okay with that.’ She got up to leave but Tom reached out to grab her hand. Florrie pulled away.
‘I know it seems you have no reason to trust me but I need you to just hang in there for a little while longer. Please,’ Tom pleaded. ‘Please sit and finish your drink.’
Florrie hesitated for a moment before finally sitting back down. What did she have to lose?
‘I’m here because my grandfather meant the world to me even though I was young when he passed away. I have the fondest memories of him and, from what I understand, a lot of other people do too. In the past few years, I’ve become increasingly interested in his legacy and charity work, and it’s something I want to continue in tribute to him. Part of that was coming here to make connections and accept Flynn’s charitable award.’
‘That all sounds very commendable but it’s not sitting right with me. I told you, I heard what your father said.’
‘Things are never as black and white as they seem.’ Tom blew out a breath and looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. ‘Believe me when I say I do know the difference between right and wrong and what effect it can have on people.’
Florrie thought about interjecting here but she didn’t want to antagonise Tom just now. He was finally talking and she didn’t want to stop him.
‘Yes, I’m privileged in the sense of having a flash car and a company handed to me on a platter, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. It’s not that easy being me. What I’m missing is a family and love.’ Tom looked at her. ‘Just by sitting here and hearing you talk about her I can see the love you have for your great-aunt Ada. On the day of her funeral the church was packed because she was well loved – a kind and genuine person, according to my grandfather. Whereas I’d be surprised if anyone at all will be at my father’s funeral. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a good word said about him.’
Florrie was taken aback. He seemed to be genuinely hurting. ‘I’ve been very lucky. No matter what we faced, Ada and I always had each other and that’s what mattered.’
‘That’s something I’m realising. There’s no love lost between me and my father. The only love he has is for success and money. Yes, I’ve followed in his footsteps, but believe me, it’s not been my choice…’
