‘I thought I was in control, but now I feel like I’ve let myself down.’
The swirling feelings of being sexy and desired had now turned into ones of shame and embarrassment.
‘Why?’
‘Because he made it pretty clear it was a one-off and he didn’t want more. I suppose I got caught up in the moment, the romance of it all, and blurred my own boundaries. To be honest, I think I was hoping I could change his mind and he’d wake up this morning telling me he wanted me.’
‘There’s no point dwelling on it.’ Pete hesitated. ‘Sam is a good guy. We probably have far more in common than he’ll ever know, which is why I can say with some confidence that he’s likely just protecting his heart.’
‘Anything you would like to share?’
Pete shook his head.
Verity knew that in Sam’s case it probably had something to do with how things had ended with Alice. As for Pete, she decided against questioning him further. If he didn’t want to talk about his past that was his right.
‘Come on, next burrow.’ Pete pointed.
* * *
Four hours later they called it a day. The sun was beating down and they’d covered a lot of ground.
‘Not bad, only thirteen bites today,’ Verity said as she looked down at her hand.
Pete smiled. ‘Not one bite for me.’ They walked back towards Cliff Top Cottage.
‘Are you sure you’re okay handing over Jimmy for me?’
‘If I’m applying for the job with Cooper and sticking around, I’m going to have to face Sam often. I might as well get the first meeting over and done with sooner rather than later.’
‘You’ve made up your mind then?’
‘You’ve convinced me that I have nothing to lose. Do I really want to go back to a street where I look out of the window before I venture outside, and I constantly dread bumping into the ex? Absolutely not.’ Verity rolled her eyes.
‘You don’t need to feel any dread here,’ said Pete, kindly. ‘You can stand here and look around you for as long as you like.’
Verity did exactly that, frustrated to find that that feeling of dread had transferred to Sam.
‘Do you know what I see?’
‘What?’ asked Verity.
‘Someone who has triumphed in difficult circumstances. You can now do what you want, when you want, and that includes moving halfway across the country. My guess is that nothing has changed in his life, other than the woman on his arm, but everything has changed in yours, and for the better. Don’t look back, just look forward.’
‘You’re right, Pete. Whatever the consequences of last night’s antics, I’m excited about the possibility of staying here. Someone up there has saved me from a mundane, boring life and delivered me new possibilities and choices that I’m actually eager to embrace.’
‘Apply for the job. I think you’ve made the right decision.’
‘I will, and when I hand over Jimmy, I’m going to hold my head up high and be professional.’
‘You’ve got this.’
‘In fact, I’ll take my laptop and apply for the job whilst I’m there. Then, later this afternoon, I’m going to call in to the bookshop and see if Amelia would like to do something tonight if she’s not working.’
Pete smiled. ‘Don’t let the buggers get you down.’ He waved as he headed towards his cottage.
Talking to Pete had helped. He reminded Verity of her granddad, whose advice she had always valued. Hearing her phone ring in her pocket, she looked at the screen. It was Ava.
‘Afternoon!’ Verity answered as she unlocked the van and slid open the door.
