Pippa looked from one friend to the other. ‘Told her what?’
Hayley looked up into Pippa’s wide eyes. ‘Oliver’s been back for six months, but I didn’t think you’d be interested. It was only a childhood romance you had...’ her brow drew together unsure, ‘...wasn’t it?’
Mina shook her head. ‘No. I’ve told you over the years how much Pippa liked Oliver, Hayley.’ She turned from Hayley and looked up at Pippa. ‘He broke your heart didn’t he Pip? That’s why you’ve never been able to settle into a relationship with anyone else, isn’t it?.’
Pippa’s jaw dropped open and she put her hands on her hips. ‘I can’t believe my love life has beenyourtopic of conversation in my absence.’
Hayley winked up at Pippa. ‘We have to have some entertainment. This village is a ghost of its former self. Remember how nice it was when we were kids?’
Pippa shook her head. ‘Never mind that. I want to know why you didn’t tell me Oliver was back?’
‘Why? You live in Ireland now, anyway. You barely come back and see your family, let alone your best friends. I can’t see how the knowledge of him being here would benefit you in any way.’ Mina’s voice trembled, unable to hide the hurt she was feeling.
Pippa sat on the bench seat next to Mina and slid her arm around her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry, Mina.’ She looked across at Hayley and extended her hand to her other friend. ‘I’m sorry, girls. You know my reasons for moving away to Ireland.’
Hayley reached across and took it. ‘Yes, we know. We understood the motivation for the sudden move. We just miss you is all.’
‘I miss you, too. Sorry for my little outburst. I think the pressure is getting to me.’
‘Pressure? Of working so close to your ex?’ winked Hayley.
Pippa laughed. ‘What is it with all this winking? Trouble is with you girls, you know me too well.’
Mina’s mouth dropped open and she gasped. ‘So there is still a flame burning?’
‘More like blazing...but I’ve got stiff competition.’ Pippa steered her gaze towards Ava.
Mina and Hayley’s eyes followed. ‘Really? She has nothing on you. You are a natural beauty. She has more of a fake tan and blonde from a bottle of peroxide sort of beauty.’
Pippa’s head snatched around to look at her friends again. ‘So you’re admitting she’s beautiful?’
Hayley shrugged. ‘There’s no denying she’s attractive, but I don’t think she’s Oliver’s type.’
‘How do you know what his type is? He’s been gone for years.’
‘Well, he dated you didn’t he?’
‘And then dumped me...all because of stupid name calling.’
Mina grimaced. ‘So you know about the name calling now? Did Oliver tell you?’
Pippa’s mouth dropped open. ‘Have you known about it all these years?’ Pippa couldn’t stop herself from snapping.
Hayley held her hands up in a surrender position. ‘Hey! We tried to stop it, and we did a good job too with the girls, but you know what boys are like at that age.’
Pippa shook her head and dropped her face in her hands. ‘Sorry girls for biting your heads off again. I just have a lot on my mind at the moment.’
Mina rubbed the small of her back. ‘You know we are always here for you, Pip.’
She dropped her hands and nodded with a smile. ‘I know.’
Metal clinking against glass drew everyone’s attention. Pippa turned to the bar to see her father banging a soon against a wine glass. ‘Can I get everyone’s attention please!’ Pippa shot a glance towards Morgan, but she looked dumbfounded. ‘I’d like to thank you all for coming here today. Because there are so many locals in here today, I thought I’d make an announcement...’
