‘Don’t you mean Rose’s? I’ve been changed by them, and by this special place and the people. You have, too. Despite everything, I think you’re more giving than you were before.’
‘I’d like to think so, despite the hurt I’ve caused. You’re being generous.’ Ariel stepped back, breaking the connection between them. Straightening her spine, she visibly gathered her emotions, wiping her face with her sleeve and taking a deep breath. ‘Speaking of. I’m doing well with the paintings and want to donate to the restoration fund. I know we’ve joint debts to pay off, but we can agree how to deal with those. This feels more important. Send me the bank details?’ Pausing, she smoothed her hand over their marble island countertop, as if memorising the texture. ‘I’ll leave tonight. I won’t be able to face everyone tomorrow. But let them know about the money, and that I said goodbye? I’ll send a removals firm for my stuff at some point.’
‘I will.’ Gilly spoke from between numb lips. This was really happening. The wheels she’d set in motion were carrying Ariel away from her, all too quickly. ‘I won’t be able to immediately,but at some point, I’ll buy you out of this place. Rent the second bedroom to a lodger?—’
‘I don’t want to think about all that yet. Can you please go out?’ Ariel interrupted tearfully. ‘I want to pack a few things and can’t with you here. It’ll be too difficult.’
‘O-of course,’ Gilly replied, throat aching. ‘I’ll go down to the village.’
In that moment, she understood why Peace Cottage was so apt for them. Sometimes you had to make peace with the fact some people were better apart, than together. You had to make peace with the way things were meant to be.
Sliding her feet back into her flats and opening the front door, she stopped and gazed at Ariel, taking in the tumbling brown hair and heart-shaped face. Knowing without question this was the last time they’d see each other. ‘I’m sorry it’s ending like this. I-I wish you all the best. I’ll go to Kirsten’s.’
Her ex-fiancée turned her anguished face away, sliding the diamond and emerald engagement ring off her finger and placing it on the counter with a clink. ‘I’m sorry too, for hurting you. I hope you’ll be happy too. Goodbye, Gee.’
‘Bye, Ariel.’ With tears streaming down her face, she backed into the hallway, the slam of the door holding a horrible finality.
When she returned two hours later, emotionally wrung out and a little drunk, the picture was hanging on the lounge wall with its glass restored as if it had never been broken. Slumping on the sofa with a slightly hysterical laugh, she buried her tear-reddened face in the cushion. If she did get a lodger for the second bedroom at some point, they were in for a surprise. She only hoped it would make for more harmonious living arrangements.
CHAPTER 37
Albie
Choose Kindness, Every Day
The morning dawned dazzling and warm as they readied Little Beaubrook for the community event. Members of the association raced around getting everything set up, hoping the gorgeous weather would hold and hundreds of visitors would descend on this sunny, summer Saturday. Albie, clutching Colin’s lead, stood in his cottage doorway admiring the action in a perspiration-inducing green velvet three-piece suit with a tie covered in yellow primroses. Everyone was smiling, simultaneously happy and harassed as Kirsten bustled around with a clipboard barking orders, red hair in a low plait and looking stunning in an ankle-length white dress.
Clover joined him, resplendent in a sapphire twinset which brought out her sparkling eyes, matched only by the jewels around her throat. Seeing who he was watching, she spoke from the corner of her mouth, ‘Think she’s trying to subliminally communicate something about weddings to Harley?’
Albie chortled. ‘Don’t know, but he’s been following her instructions with an indulgent expression all morning.’ He pointed to where their site manager was setting up numerous chairs and tables from the school along the centre of the main road in the manner of a street party.
‘Ah, it’s splendid seeing young people in love, isn’t it?’
Albie turned to her. ‘Is it only the young who can be in love?’
Eyes sharpening, she pursed her lips. ‘The kind of passionate, wilful, reckless love they fall into, yes, that we had with our respective spouses. But I think there’s a different kind of love when you’re older. Maybe it won’t burn with passion, but it’s full of gentle companionship, joy and togetherness.’
He paused, before raising her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to her delicate liver-spotted skin, which spoke of a life well-lived. Eyes twinkling, he teased, ‘Who says we can’t have passion at our age?’
Giggling girlishly at his remark and seeing the scarlet roses framing the top of the doorframe deepen in colour, she bestowed a firm kiss on his lips. ‘Alright, Al, I stand corrected.’ Colin gave a woof of jealousy, and they drew apart, laughing. ‘It’s like having a demanding toddler,’ she tutted, before leaning down to pat the puppy’s head.
‘It certainly is.’ Sobering, he asked, ‘Do you feel like you’re betraying your late husband?’
She straightened and slid her arm around his waist. ‘No. Feel like you’re betraying Rose?’
‘No, not anymore,’ he replied, feeling more settled after several nights spent talking, accompanied with champagne by candlelight. Waving a hand at the numerous activities being undertaken by his neighbours, he exclaimed, ‘I think she’d be happy for me, and delighted by all of this.’
‘Good. And lots of people will come today, I’m sure of it.’
‘I hope so. But, even if they don’t, I’m still proud of, and so grateful for, the community we’ve built. A shame we’ve only managed to finish three of the cottages so far.’
‘The rest will follow.’ Clover rested her head on his shoulder. ‘And what we’ve achieved…’
‘Is still wonderful,’ Albie finished huskily.
‘Yes.’ After a moment, she straightened. ‘Right. What needs doing? We can’t stand here slacking, we’ll give OAPs a bad name.’
‘Perish the thought. Let’s go ask.’ Holding hands, with Colin skipping along beside them, they made their way down the cottage path and out through the gate. He frowned, seeing Gilly’s pallid face from across the road, where she was assembling the stage area with help from one of Clover’s friends, a man who’d been a roadie in a previous career. Albie had a suspicion Ariel wouldn’t be in attendance today.
