“No,” I say strongly. “Celeste might not have brought out the best in me, but I didn’t stand up for you. I belittled our friendship in front of everyone. I was a dick. I shouldn’t have done that and I’m sorry.”
I clench my jaw, recalling the hurt on Charley’s face and how his eyes had dimmed.
It was my eighteenth birthday party and the engagement party for myself and Celeste. It was a huge event, which had been planned by our parents for months. No expense was spared. There was a huge marquee erected on the lawn, with a bar, food and a string quartet. Everything was decorated with balloons and flowers. It could have been the bloody wedding itself for all the effort that went into it. Of course that meant everyone was invited. It was the society event of the summer in our county. Charley hadn’t wanted to come, but I’d persuaded him that it wouldn’t be the same without him. I hardly got to see him, though. I was kept busy, surrounded by Celeste and her family, her friends, even my school friends. Charley only knew my mother and Immy apart from myself, and every time I looked over at him, he seemed more withdrawn. I remember it was late, I’d drunk too much and needed some air as myhead felt fuzzy. I left the dance floor and walked outside, Celeste hanging on to my arm. A few of our friends followed us out.
“Oh look, it’s your pet,” she said when she spied Charley sitting on the edge of the fountain. “You won’t be able to follow him around like a puppy dog any more,” she directed at Charley.
“Is that what you think of me?” Charley asked, rising and squaring up to me.
“It’s kinda true. I call and you come running.” I shrugged. Charley’s face went hard and his eyes became flint.
“I’d rather be a dog than a fucking puppet. That’s all you are. A puppet for your father, this place. You’ll soon be one for her as well.” He gestured towards Celeste, unwilling to say her name.
“You have no idea what it’s like,” I ground out.
“No, I don’t. I never will. I’m not good enough to mix with your friends, am I?” He stared at me and the friends who were arranged around us. I hadn’t introduced him to anyone.
“C’mon, Gabriel, let’s go dance. Leave the dog outside where he belongs.” Celeste pulled me away. As I reached the entrance to the marquee I looked back. Charley’s face was closed down and his eyes were dull.
I’d only seen Charley once more after that night, until last week. I’d gone to Pete’s garage where he was working on a car.
“About the other night,” I started, but Charley cut in.
“I think you were right. Celeste was right. It’s about time we both grew up, isn’t it?”
“But what about our plans?”
“Childhood dreams. We’re adults now and you made it perfectly clear we live very different lives.”
He turned his back on me and returned to fixing the car. I was dragged to the villa on a family holiday the next day. By the time I got back Charley had left the village and Pete wouldn’t tell me where he’d gone. I knew I’d messed up our friendship, but then I was busy with uni... and then my father died.
“I’m sorry too,” Charley says. “I know you came to apologise, but I wouldn’t listen. I didn’t want your apologies back then. I wanted to push you away, prove that it was true and our lives were too different to allow any friendship to exist.”
“I’ll accept your apology if you accept mine,” I say and Charley grins. I match it, my smile stretching my face until my cheeks hurt.
“For what it’s worth, I never thought Celeste was good enough for you. You deserve someone much better and I hope you find them,” Charley says. I want to say I have, but I don’t. I just keep smiling at him. For now I’m content to just have him back in my life.
We reach Manchester and Charley helps me navigate the busy streets to the block where his flat is. It’s quite sparse, like he hadn’t really made his mark on it in the two years he’d been here. Almost like it was just temporary. He directs Alfie and Milly to move out the few pieces of furniture he wants to take, including his lovely Eames chair and footstool. He sets me onto kitchen appliances and the few items of food and utensils he has in the cupboards while he packs up his clothes. It all takes us a couple of hours. I offer Alfie and Milly their choice of food, so of course they opt for burgers. Charley shows us to a great place that isn’t one of the usual fast food chains. Once we’re back on the roadhe falls asleep while I drive, and I steal quick looks at him while watching the road. He looks peaceful, his hair just falling over his eyes, and I regret that I’m too far to brush it away. I’m glad we managed to clear the air, though. I haven’t felt so happy in a long time. Probably not in the last ten years.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHARLEY
It takes me a few minutes to recall where I am when I wake up. As I stare up at the unfamiliar ceiling with old wooden beams, it all comes back to me and I smile. I lie in bed for a few minutes, content to let the realisation of what’s happened in just a few days wash over me.
The first thing I notice is the lack of dread, that heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach and the vise round my chest that makes breathing difficult. Instead I inhale a lungful of clean country air. I know I have a lot to do, and that brings its own nervousness; however, this is the bubbling of enthusiasm rather than fear and I can’t stay in bed any longer. I’m actually excited to go to work. I actually laugh out loud at the thought as I rise, unwilling to stay in bed any longer. I shower quickly and make some toast.
I haven’t set up my coffee machine yet or bought pods, so I add them to a grocery list I’ve started. I’ll have to go shopping later. Thankfully the staffroom at the centre has a machine that makes excellent coffee, so I set off, making the decision to walk.
The morning is glorious, the sun is shining, and the spring air fragrant, as if it’s decided my first proper week here should start well. It does feel like a fresh start. Every mile we got further away from Manchester, the lighter I felt, like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Talking to Gabriel had also been worthwhile. I’d thought long and hard about bringing up Celeste, but I feel like I’ve just got my friend back and I didn’t want anything left hanging between us. Clearing the air and finally getting the chance to apologise, and hearing Gabriel’s apology, feels like another chance at a fresh start for us, or rather a reset on our friendship, dialling it back to when life was easier and we thought our future was stretching out in front of us.
I turn at the sound of an engine behind me and see a UTV. Kirsty’s driving with Andrés and Simon squashed in beside her. They come to a stop.
“Morning. How’s the cottage?” Kirsty asks.
“So far so good, and thank you all again for your help last night.”
When we returned with the horsebox they came to help, Kirsty bringing her wife Alexa. They all made short work of unpacking and moving my furniture into the cottage. Gabriel ordered pizza, and when it arrived, Andrés invited us all next door to his and Simon’s cottage. Alexa brought some beers and we sat around eating and chatting. Then Andrés played the piano, a skill I had no idea he had, and he was very good. I don’t feel like I’ve only got Gabriel back. I think I might have found four new friends as well, and I went to sleep with my heart full. Now, seeing them again, I can’t help grinning.
