Sarah’s face fell. She also knew what this meant.
‘Are we really never going to see each other again?’ Sarah said. ‘Are you not even going to come back to visit Jess and Theo?’
‘I think it’ll be too difficult,’ I said.
‘What about my book launch? Surely you’ll come to that?’
‘I…’
I was desperate to say yes. More than she knew. But imagine if her new boyfriend was there too?
That’d be too much to bear.
‘I finished my book by the way!’ Sarah jumped in, sparing me the need to reply.
‘That’s fantastic!’ A wide grin spread across my face. ‘Congrats!’
‘Thanks! Well, it’s notfinished, finished. Just the main outline, but it’s pretty detailed.’
‘Can I read it?’ I asked. I knew we were supposed to be having a clean break, but I still wanted to be there for Sarah. And emailing would be easier than seeing her in person.
‘You won’t have time! You’ll be too busy travelling.’
‘I’llmaketime. It’s important,’ I said firmly, meaning every word. ‘We’re going somewhere pretty remote in northern Spain for a week, so phone reception will be patchy, but I could send you feedback in say, ten days, once we’re back to civilisation in Bilbao. Would that work?’
‘That’d be brilliant! I’d really appreciate it. Especially because I’m still not sure about the ending.’
‘No worries. I’ll look at it and give you my thoughts.’
‘Try to be kind!’
‘I will. But I’ll have to be honest too.’
‘Yeah, course.’ I nodded. ‘I’ll email it in the morning, once I’ve checked over it again. Okay?’
‘Perfect.’
The last song ended, and we were left standing in silence, with just the disco lights illuminating the beach.
Jess and Theo had ‘retired’ hours ago and there were only a handful of guests still here, but in truth, when Sarah was in front of me, everyone else was invisible.
A lump formed in my throat.
This was so hard.
‘I…’ Sarah broke the silence. ‘I guess I should get going. I’m opening the library tomorrow, so I’ve got an early start. Glenda, Jane and Jackson are gonna clear up here. Thanks again for everything. Especially for the incredible memories. I’ll never forget you, Benjamin Buttface.’
Tears filled her eyes and I felt myself welling up too.
‘And I’ll never forget you, Jeffries. Come here.’
I leant down, pressed my lips on hers, then kissed her like my life depended on it.
It took all of my strength to pull away.
‘Want me to walk you back to the B&B?’ I asked.
‘No, it’s only across the road, but thank you. Bye.’
