They leaned against each other, laughing through their tears.
‘You know,’ Danny said after a moment, ‘all those years with Kirsty, all I wanted was to live in a beautiful village in the countryside, be part of a community that cared about us, and come home to a woman I loved who loved me in return. And all this time I’ve had it. I just didn’t notice.’
Brooke nodded. ‘Well, now we know, and you know what’s even better? We’ve got the rest of our afterlives to enjoy it.’
Danny stroked her straw-like hair, and she winced.
‘I know. It’s awful.’
‘No it isn’t.’ He smiled. ‘It’s cute. It’s part of who you are, and I love it, just like I love you.’
If Brooke’s heart had been beating, she was pretty sure it would have stopped as Danny leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. She’d waited so long to feel his lips on hers and now it was actually happening she could hardly believe it.
‘I love you so much, Danny,’ she murmured when he finally pulled away from her.
He put his arm around her. ‘Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home.’
31
I watched Brooke walking out of the function room. Judging by the way her arm was placed I guessed she was hand in hand with Danny. The brightness in her eyes and her joyful expression told me that, somehow, they’d made up, and I felt a weight lifting from my shoulders at the thought. At least someone would get their happy ending tonight.
I glanced over at Rory as I’d done so many times during the performance. He’d been watching the singers with a look of tearful pride, and I wished I’d been able to hear Danny sing, too. He’d always had a wonderful voice. Unlike poor Brooke, I thought, wincing mentally. Unfortunately for me, hers was the only ghostly voice I’d been able to pick up, so the song hadn’t sounded quite as brilliant to me as it probably had to everyone else.
I wondered now if I should just go upstairs and pack. There seemed little point in staying around, did there? Rory was talking to someone now – a couple of the villagers who’d no doubt heard he was Danny’s brother and wanted to introduce themselves.
Feeling lonelier than I ever had, I decided to step outside into the night air. I didn’t want to be around people at that moment, and I couldn’t face our room just now.
Outside it was raining, but the rain was gentle – as if it knew I couldn’t take any more harshness and was being as kind as it possibly could to me. Behind me, fairy lights twinkled around the windows of the inn and a banner congratulated Callie and Brodie on their engagement.
A new relationship in its early stages, when anything and everything seemed possible. I hoped Callie and Brodie managed to hang on to the love they felt for each other now. There was no better feeling than being in love, but no worse feeling than when that love died. I wouldn’t wish it on them, or anyone.
In my hand, my mobile phone vibrated to tell me I had a message. I’d forgotten I was holding it. I’d only brought it down with me to pay for drinks at the bar. I glanced at it, my stomach churning in case the message was from Rory.
It was.
Rory
Can we talk now?
I didn’t know what to say. I wrapped my arms around my waist and gazed up at the dark skies. What was there to talk about really?
Another vibration.
Rory
Is that a no?
I shivered and, after a moment’s hesitation, tapped out a reply.
Kirsty
I’ve gone for a walk.
Sorry, Rory. I can’t face another showdown tonight. I’ve had enough for today, I really have.
Suddenly arms went around my waist and I jumped, terrified, until a familiar voice murmured in my ear, ‘Well, you didn’t get very far, did you?’
I turned to face him, my heart thudding. ‘I just needed some space.’
