Alex leapt back as if scalded. “Sorry. God. So, so sorry.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Pippa wiped at her mouth.
“I wanted you to remember how it used to be,” he said defensively. “I thought … if I reminded you, maybe—”
“What, one kiss would undo the horrible damage you did?” Pippa felt sick.
Alex’s head shook. “No, no, that’s not what I mean, you know that.” He raked his hands through his hair. “Are you sure you know exactly what you’re saying no to? What you’re throwing away.”
“WhatI’mthrowing away?” she echoed furiously. “We have nothingleftto throw away! You made sure of that. You broke what we had,youdid, not me, and we can’t go back. Not ever.” Pippa couldn’t bear to hear any more. She had to tell Alex about Wolfie, if only to make her point absolutely clear. But Alex had turned ashen, and he looked like he was about to vomit. “What is it?”
“The business is failing.” His voice was so low Pippa thought she’d misheard.
“What?”
“The retail park. I’m struggling.” He ran a hand over his face, hair dishevelled. “I’m losing money hand over fist.”
The irony was too much. Could it be that just as his project failed, Alex had realised what he’d lost when he left her? She wondered if his desire to win her back was rooted in the need to restore his fortunes, and fury gave way to a bleak pity.
“That’s not what Finn said,” Pippa remarked acidly. “Does your family know?”
Alex grabbed her hands. “No. Please, Pip, if you could—”
“Stop.” Pippa shook her head. “Just. Stop.” There was silence for a few long moments. A large truck rolled past, and fair volunteers hailed the driver with waves and laughter. As Alex wilted before her, his chest heaving with emotion, Pippa thought of Wolfie and felt free. She couldn’t share Alex’s misfortune as it was no longer her own. She took a deep breath. “Alex. I’m genuinely sorry things didn’t turn out the way you wanted.” She gestured around her. “But you made your choice, and now I’ve made mine.”
He lifted a tear-soaked face. “Pip—”
“No.” Pippa took a step back, then another. “If you want to stop helping us with the fair that’s fine. Feel free to leave. But don’t for a second think I’m ever taking you back.” She allowed herself to look upon him properly, just briefly, to allow the significance of the moment to sink in. “Goodbye, Alex.”
And with that, Pippa turned her back on the man who had once been her entire world and strode away. As she walked, she looked out across the Green then checked her phone. No word from Wolfie. She sent a text to see where he was, but he didn’t reply. He must be on the road still, she thought, and decided to check in with Mae.
As she crossed the car park, Grantham emerged from the pub.
“Hire company said they’ll be sending someone over to collect the paint machine,” he said.
“Great,” Pippa said. “Mae in there?”
“Yes, on the phone.” Grantham peered around her. “Wolfie not with you?”
“He’s on his way.” A warm glow spread through Pippa’s chest. “Wants to volunteer his skills.”
“I thought he was here already.” Grantham frowned. “I mean, I saw his car.”
“You did?” Pippa couldn’t see him anywhere.
“Yes, he was parking up just as you were speaking to Alex,” Grantham said. “I’m surprised you didn’t see him; he wasn’t far from you.”
Pippa gazed to the part of the green where she and Alex had been. Wolfie’s car wasn’t parked anywhere nearby. “Are you sure it was him?”
“Completely.” Grantham shrugged. “I wonder why he didn’t stay?”
A sick feeling began to develop in Pippa’s gut. She could guess. If he’d shown up just as Alex was throwing himself at her, Wolfie may well have got the wrong impression. In fact, given how vulnerable he was when it came to his emotions, Pippa could almost guarantee it. “I need to get back to Squires,” she choked.
Grantham regarded her with wise eyes. “Got something you want to tell me?”
“No.” Pippa checked her phone; no reply from Wolfie still. There wasn’t time to brief Grantham on their relationship. “I mean, not now.” She scurried back to her car, all thoughts of fair prep dismissed.
You back yet?She messaged Wolfie again, keeping one eye on the screen as she buckled herself in. No answer even as she gunned the engine. Grantham knocked on the window and she wound it down.
