‘Liv, is everything all right?’ asked Pat. ‘You look a little peaky. Is it hay fever? Mine’s terrible at this time of year.’
Seb pulled out a chair beside me and tried to catch my eye. ‘Liv? What’s wrong?’
I hiccupped and fought back tears. ‘There’s something I need to tell you all.’
One by one, my friends pulled out chairs and sat down. A stray balloon bumped its way across the table and Maggie knocked itto the floor. The celebratory atmosphere of moments ago had been replaced by a thick air of tension.
‘I…’ Unable to speak, I took a deep breath and lifted my wine glass to my lips with shaking hands. ‘I’m so sorry everyone, but I’m afraid Bertie and I are leaving Lowen Farm.’
‘What?’ Harry jumped up, knocking her wine glass over and sending sticky liquid rolling across the table. Maggie grabbed a tissue from her pocket and began mopping up the mess. ‘Leaving? Why? The project is only just getting started. Aren’t you happy here?’
‘Harry, I’ve been happier here than at any time in my life.’
‘Then why go?’ Seb’s voice was hard, cold, his body rigid as he stared down at the table.
‘I have to consider what’s in Bertie’s best interests.’
‘And staying here isn’t?’ asked Pat, his voice catching.
‘My husband has asked if I’ll give our marriage another try. It’s the right thing for Bertie.’
‘Couldn’t he move in here with you?’ asked Stephan. ‘You could take on an extra room, so you have more space.’
I almost laughed at the thought of Rob moving into Lowen Farm. Almost, but not quite. ‘My husband has rented a house on the estate where we used to live.’
‘I can’t believe you’re doing this,’ said Harry, her voice quiet, her hands shaking. ‘There’s got to be more to it.’ She stared at me, but I avoided her gaze.
‘There’s nothing more to it than wanting to create a proper family for Bertie. It’s for the best, I’m sure of it.’
Seb pushed his chair back and stormed out of the room.
‘I’ll go after him,’ said Harry.
‘When do you leave?’ asked Maggie.
‘My in-laws are coming to fetch us on Sunday morning.’
‘Sunday? But that’s only three days away.’
‘I know. I’m sorry.’ I ran out of the dining room and up the stairs to my bedroom. Railing against the cruelty of life, I took my anger out against my pillow, thumping it with my fists as hot, angry tears streamed down my cheeks.
Half an hour later, a knock came on my bedroom door. I opened it to find Harry, her cheeks flushed and her own eyes red-rimmed. ‘Can I come in?’
I stood aside to let her pass. She walked through the room and sat down on Bertie’s bed. ‘I’m sorry,’ I said, sitting down on my own.
‘Liv, you owe me the truth.’
‘I’ve told you the truth.’
‘No, you haven’t. You’ve been acting strangely for a couple of weeks now. There’s more to your leaving that you’re not telling me. Why won’t you trust me?’
I played with the corner of the duvet cover, twisting and folding it between my fingers.
‘Liv? Talk to me.’
‘I can’t.’
‘You’re scaring me, Liv. What’s going on?’
