Chapter 35
‘Got everything, Trace?’
‘Yeah, think so, let’s go.’ She put the overnight bags in the boot and slammed it shut, then got into the passenger’s side.
They were setting off to visit Tracy’s parents in Lancashire. She couldn’t wait to see them. It had been a few weeks since both their parents had come to visit them in their new home. Now it was Gary and Tracy’s turn to return to Preston. Her emotions were mixed: part of her wanted to go back, and another didn’t. Settling down for the journey, Tracy turned to Gary. He was staring straight ahead, focusing on the road.
‘How do you feel?’
Gary turned briefly. ‘What, going to Preston, you mean?’ Tracy nodded. ‘Fine. Looking forward to it.’
‘Doesn’t it bother you, you know, the way we left? I mean, those letters, we never found out who sent them.’
Gary sighed. ‘To be honest Tracy, I don’t think it was some random stranger. I think it was someone we knew.’
‘One of our friends?’ asked Tracy in alarm. Then the image of Sharon’s scornful face came into her mind. Could it have been her? No, surely she wouldn’t have stooped so low. ‘Who?’
Gary shrugged. ‘Could have been any one of them, judging by their behaviour towards the end. Once we announced we were leaving, I suddenly became aware of just who was actually a true friend.’ His eyes clouded over with the memory.
‘Do you ever wish we hadn’t won the money?’
She had, truth be told. Tracy had been happy with her life: working in the care home, living with Gary in what she thought was a happy community. Winning the lottery had changed everything, but not Gary, thank God.
‘No,’ he replied with conviction. ‘I hated my job. I liked the people, but not having to work those long hours stacking freezers.’
Tracy had no idea he had been that unhappy at work and she started to feel guilty. On reflection, Gary was so much happier now. She smiled to herself, picturing him in the garden the other day, directing where the hot tub was to go like an excited child. That night, after it had been installed, they christened it, sitting amongst the bubbles, drinking wine under a moonlit sky. Tracy had lit candles and they had chatted and giggled until the early hours. It was one of the fondest memories she had had since moving there.
Within a couple of hours, the familiar signs started to appear, uplifting her spirits. Squinting, she could just about make out Blackpool Tower way in the distance to the left of the motorway. Driving further north, they passed the green rolling hills, gradually merging into built-up towns, until they reached the junction taking them into the city of Preston.
‘St Walburge’s steeple.’ Gary pointed out the iconic church, towering above the city skyline. The sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
‘Shall we go past our old house?’ Tracy looked for Gary’s reaction. He paused.
‘I don’t think so.’ He was anxious not to upset Tracy and feared a trip down memory lane may just do that. ‘What’s the point?’ He turned to look at her.
‘You’re probably right.’ She stared out of the side window. Feeling he had deflated her a little, he quickly changed the subject.
‘Let’s go for chips and eat them in Avenham Park, like we used to. We’ve plenty of time.’
Her face lit up. ‘Let’s!’
