I’m too stunned to do anything but blink.
Lando raises an eyebrow. ‘However memorable that night was for me, I don’t come out of it very well. I really hope what happened between us didn’t harm any other relationship or person you were involved with. I’m seriously sorry that due to my own arrogance and in selfish pursuit of my own ends, I overlooked and misread your situation. I know this has been unacknowledged for the last nine years, but my sense of shame is still very real. Had we been in contact earlier, I would have apologised sooner.’
I’m too shocked by what he’s said to form words. It’s also obvious that he has overlaid everything that happened with his own interpretation and is filled with remorse for all the wrong reasons.
He’s tapping his hand on the rail. ‘I’m sorry this apology has been so long in coming. Texting is fine for most things, but this had to be said face to face.’ He gives a shrug. ‘It’s probably best if we don’t revisit this again.’
‘What, never?’
‘Why would we? It’s ancient history for both of us.’ He reaches out and squeezes my arm. ‘That’s it. Thanks for hearing me out.’ His hands are wavering around my elbows, then he pushes them firmly into his pockets. ‘After what happened with the last hug, I’d better not risk another.’
He’s already down the steps and I watch him making his way along the waterline and try to take in what just happened.
Then it hits me what I’ve colluded with, and I run to the steps and shout.
‘Lando! Come back! She’s yours!’ I wave my arms and yell after him. ‘Lando, Nemmie’s yours! She’s yours…’ Then I hurl myself down the steps and run after him, still calling, with Angel lolloping along beside me.
Lando doesn’t turn around, and by the time I come to a breathless standstill a hundred yards along the sand, he’s disappeared behind the net lofts along the harbour’s edge.
I’m still murmuring ‘she’s yours, Lando’, but the wind whips away my words, and the seagulls wheel overhead, unbothered.
16
Brides by the Sea, St Aidan, Cornwall
Lace, bows and whistleblowers
Thursday
The next afternoon the bridal room is free so Tia and I shut ourselves away to work on a new reel we’re calling ‘Incarnations’. Tia is wearing a plain strapless silk sheath, and our idea is to show how a bride can create a dress that’s completely unique by customising it with her own extras.
To start with I film Tia walking towards me in the plain dress, then with each successive transformation we make I film her again. Once I merge the clips, the reel will show Tia in an endless walk across the screen with the same dress restyled in lots of different ways.
An hour in Tia is reading down the list, ticking off the ones we’ve covered.
‘Okay, so we’ve done the spaghetti straps, the ruched straps, and the straps from gathered tulle tied in bows on the shoulders, and all the different bows on the back.’
I carry on. ‘We’ve done the sleeve variations, and the long gloves too.’
Tia takes a sheer chiffon top off a hanger and slips it over her head. ‘So while you’re doing up the buttons on this top for me, tell me properly what happened with Lando yesterday.’
I shake my head. ‘I’m still struggling to believe it myself. He’s convinced himself Nemmie has nothing to do with him.’ I’m trying to put my finger on what was strange. ‘He’s far too polite to talk over people, but yesterday I couldn’t get a word in.’
Tia’s shaking her head. ‘And you ended up running along the beach shouting after him?’
‘I didn’t catch him. I even knocked on his door on the way home, too, but he wasn’t there, and his car had gone.’
Tia considers. ‘At least you know where you stand now.’
I blow out a breath. ‘I can’t grumble; I had nine years to say my piece, and I chose not to. But it is very Lando to turn up and rewrite every assumption I’ve ever made.’ I pat her back. ‘You’re all done. If you’re ready to do your walk, I’ll get my phone.’
Tia pulls me into a hug. ‘Looking at it another way, he’s just handed you your “get out of jail free” card.’
I watch her walking under the sparkle of the chandelier. ‘I won’t be taking it. Whether he accepts it or not, he’s got to know the truth.’ I smile. ‘For the next shot, a really long floaty veil would look amazing.’
‘Good thinking.’ She lets me film her as she is, then adds a veil, shakes it out behind her and heads off again. ‘What time are the girls coming?’
I look at my phone as I start to film. ‘Any time now. Mum’s dropping them straight from school. It’s so good of Jess to let them have bridesmaids’ dresses from here for your wedding.’
