‘No,’ Brooke said, hardly daring to look at him. ‘I did, though. I saw it, and I was so angry that I decided to hitch a lift with Lee Hardwick and confront Kirsty and this man at your home. Well, you know what happened after that.’
Danny stared at the three of them, trying his best to absorb what they were telling him, then slowly he turned to Brooke.
‘All this time and you never told me. Eighteen years and not once did you think to mention that my wife had been having an affair.’
‘I’m so sorry, Danny,’ Brooke sobbed. ‘I only did what I thought was best.’
‘And as if that wasn’t enough, you tried to stop her from telling me when she finally had the decency to own up.’
‘Danny,’ Rory said, ‘that’s not fair. Brooke was trying to make Kirsty see sense. She did it for you!’
‘Is he blaming Brooke?’ Kirsty asked incredulously. ‘Danny, did you hear what I said?Ihad the affair. I cheated on you. Brooke did nothing except try to help you, and if you can’t see why she’d do that then you’re a very stupid man.’
Danny gazed at Brooke, who was standing with one arm rubbing the other in a gesture of anxiety. She looked anguished and broken and desperately fragile.
Kirsty was right. Hehadbeen a very stupid man. And he’d been in denial for way too long.
‘I – I need to get out of here,’ he gasped as realisation hit him like a ton of bricks.
‘Danny, wait!’ Rory shouted and Brooke lunged for his arm, but thankfully missed.
He ran down the stairs and through the shop, not stopping until he’d reached the village green. Then he sank down onto the grass and covered his face with his hands.
‘You can run as far as you like,’ came a voice behind him, ‘but I’ll only run with you.’ Danny looked up angrily as Rory dropped onto the grass beside him. ‘Come on, Danny, don’t look at me like that. It’s time you and I had a proper talk.’
30
BROOKE
‘Doesn’t The Quicken Tree look beautiful?’ Polly said with a happy sigh. She hooked her arm around Brooke’s shoulders. ‘All these lovely lights and the banners! They’ve done a grand job.’
‘It’s looking swell,’ Harmony agreed. ‘I always did love fairy lights.’
‘You know what I love about you?’ Polly told her. ‘You’re this big Hollywood star and you must have been to all these fancy places, but you never seem to look down on Rowan Vale. Sometimes I think our little village must feel like a film set to you. Not real. Hollywood was your real life, and it must feel like a million miles from here.’
Harmony smiled. ‘Believe me, there was nothing “real life” about Hollywood. And never underestimate the value of a small town and a close community. I wish I’d realised how much they were worth before it was too late.’
‘Except it’s not too late, love, because you have all those things here and now,’ Polly told her. ‘Don’t Callie and Brodie look happy?’ She nodded over to where the engaged couple were chatting with Lawrie and Walter. ‘There’s a good turnout, too, even if it has started raining.’
She was right. Many of the villagers had made their way to the inn, intent on celebrating with the happy couple. Brooke had never seen The Quicken Tree so busy, even on the odd occasion when she’d dropped into the Thursday night pub quiz.
The ghosts were out in force, too. Ronnie and Bill were standing nearby, clearly on their best behaviour. Quintus Severus was standing a few feet away from them, his eyes roaming the room, which explained their meekness.
Isaac was acting the part of the jovial landlord, even though he couldn’t actually serve drinks or – well anything, really. The ghosts never pointed that out, though, giving their friend due respect for all the world as if he was still in charge of The Quicken Tree.
Shona had baked the most beautiful cake which everyone had admired, and the table was groaning with delicious looking food from the Blitz Bakery. The ghosts had all hovered around the table inhaling the scent of the most divine salads, nibbles, sandwiches, pastries and sweets that looked far too good to eat, even though they’d all admitted they’d like to give it a jolly good go.
All in all, everyone was having a very good time. Well, almost everyone.
Polly gave Brooke a thoughtful look. ‘You’re very quiet. Is it nerves?’
‘Aw, honey, have you got stage fright?’ Harmony asked. ‘I know all about that. But hey, you don’t have to worry. It’s us guys who are singing the lead parts that should be scared. Speaking of which, where’s that cute guy of yours?’
‘That’s a point,’ Polly said, looking around. ‘WhereisDanny?’
‘I don’t think he’s here yet,’ Brooke said. ‘I’m sure he will be soon though, don’t worry. I’ll just go outside and see if he’s on his way.’
Polly and Harmony nodded and started walking towards a very nervous-looking Aubrey, who was being reassured and soothed by Agnes and a clearly overexcited Florence.
