‘It would make it a lot easier for me.’
Verity took the plunge. ‘Is this anything to do with Alice?’
‘How do you know about Alice?’
‘No one has been speaking out of turn. I like you and so I asked Amelia and Clemmie whether you had a girlfriend. They mentioned Alice in passing but didn’t give any details. Are you still in love with her?’
‘I’m not in love with Alice.’
‘Because I see before me a gorgeous, successful man who deserves to be loved.’
Sam was quiet for a second and, as Verity watched, blinked back tears. ‘It’s not quite as simple as that.’
‘Tell me then. Help me to understand what exactly is going on here.’
‘Everyone leaves me,’ he blurted. ‘I’m a bad omen. No one sticks around.’
Verity narrowed her eyes. ‘Do you mean Alice?’
‘My grandfather, my mother, my father, Alice. I’m all alone in the world. Everyone leaves sooner or later and I just can’t go through it all again.’
‘Do you mean with me?’
Sam nodded. ‘The second I saw you outside that greasy spoon there was something about you. I hoped we would be on the same ferry and I searched high and low for you.’
‘You did?’ Verity was secretly chuffed.
‘I did. And then when you turned up here I couldn’t believe it. It felt like maybe we were meant to keep finding one another. But experience has taught me that eventually everyone leaves. I’m never enough.’ Sam’s voice faltered and Verity reached over and took his hand.
‘You are enough. Everyone on this island loves you, and hopefully, now the truth is out about your grandfather’s death, you’ll have a bit of closure and the weight will be lifted.’
‘There was a lot to take in, but I definitely don’t feel any animosity towards Pete, anymore.’
‘That’s good. I genuinely believe Pete wants to be here for you, just like I do. Sam, I have no intention of leaving.’
‘But you will. You’ll go back home just like?—’
‘Alice?’ Verity finished his sentence. ‘Is that what happened? Will you tell me about Alice?’
Sam took a breath. ‘Alice was here on holiday, I didn’t even notice her at first but she began to eat at the restaurant night after night. She flirted and everywhere I went she turned up. Cutting a long story short, we fell in love and Alice decided she was going to stay on the island. She said it was so different from the hustle and bustle of the city where she lived, and she loved the fact that everyone knew everyone and we were such a close-knit community. Of course, we talked about the future, about making a life together and starting a family. It was the first time I ever began to think I was a part of something, and that I’d found someone who wasn’t going to abandon me as everyone had before. It was hard to let myself be vulnerable – and then it all came crashing down.’
‘What happened?’
‘On February 29th, Alice had gathered everyone on the bay. I finished my shift at The Sea Glass Restaurant, and walked along the jetty wondering why all the islanders were congregated on the sand. There was a massive cheer when everyone saw me, and from the middle of the crowd appeared Alice, with a microphone in her hand. Then, in front of all my friends and neighbours, she asked me to marry her. I said yes. I was the happiest man alive. Cora and Dan had arranged a fireworks display and we had drinks on the beach. The whole island danced and celebrated until the early hours. I thought that was it, my luck was changing, but a week later she was gone.’
‘Gone? Where did she go?’
‘She left me a note – she couldn’t even tell me herself – saying that Puffin Island and I weren’t enough for her. She wanted to travel and see the world and wasn’t ready for marriage yet. But it was she who asked me! I can’t even begin to tell you how humiliated I was. I had to go and tell everyone she’d left and the engagement was off. I just don’t understand how someone could change their mind so quickly.’ Sam briefly closed his eyes. ‘It’s one of the reasons I got a dog, because at least they love you for who you are and don’t let you down.’
‘Have you spoken to anyone about this?’
‘Do you mean a therapist?’ Sam shook his head. ‘Men cope.’
‘I’m going to stop you right there. Men need to talk. You’re just as human as I am, and it really helped me to talk to someone objective when I was going through my separation. It’s a safe space and it’s good to get things off your chest. Try it. Give it a go.’
Sam nodded.
‘And we aren’t all like Alice, you know.’
