‘He’ll regret it for the rest of his life if he sells,’ he’d told Layla anxiously. ‘He’s grieving. Now isn’t the time to make such big decisions.’
‘If he wants to sell, let him sell,’ she’d replied. ‘It’s only a pub.’
‘It’s not only a pub! It’s our home. It’s been my home and my dad’s home since we were born. Grandma and Grandad lived there, and their parents before them. He’s not thinking straight, that’s the truth of it.’
‘Well,’ she’d replied with a shrug, ‘it’s up to him, isn’t it? Nothing you can do about it.’
But Sam knew he couldn’t let his dad make such a terrible mistake. He’d tried his best to continue working as a bricklayer while also running the pub, covering as many shifts as he could and organising bar staff to the best of his ability.
It didn’t take long for him to see that he couldn’t go on that way for much longer, and with his father showing no signs of wanting to go back to work, Sam had realised he had a big decision to make.
When he’d told Layla that he was going to give up his job and flat and move in with his dad to keep the pub running, she’d been incensed.
‘Are you serious? You’ve got a good job and a decent place to live, and you’re going to chuck it all away to bury yourself in that dead-end village? Your dad doesn’t want the bloody pub, Sam, so what does it matter? What are you trying to prove?’
‘I’m not trying to prove anything,’ he’d said hotly. ‘I know my dad, okay? I know that when he comes out the other side of this grieving process he’s going to be devastated if he’s given away the one place that he and Mum loved with all their hearts. Right now, he’s not thinking clearly. It’s all too raw for him?—’
‘It’s been a year!’
Sam could hardly believe the scornful tone of her voice. ‘You think that’s long enough to grieve for the love of your life?’
‘Oh, come on! I’m not saying it’s not hard. Of course it is. But by now he should be back to normal. No one grieves for that long. He’s just wallowing.’
He could hardly believe she was saying such a hurtful thing. His dad was in pain, and Sam couldn’t bear it. He’d do anything to make things easier for him, even if that meant sacrificing his home and his job.
At least his boss, Luke, had understood.
‘I can’t say I won’t miss you. You’re a great bricky. More than that, you’re my best mate. It will be weird going to work without you every day.’
‘I know. It will be weird for me, too. But I have to do this for Dad’s sake. Maybe it won’t be for long. Maybe he’ll be back behind the bar in a few months.’
Luke had nodded, his eyes troubled. ‘But you know I can’t keep the job open for you, don’t you? I have work coming out of my ears. I’ll need a new bricklayer, Sam.’
‘I know. I understand that.’
‘If I could help?—’
‘It’s okay, honestly.’ Sam had held up his hands to quieten his friend’s anxious assurances. ‘I knew the situation when I made the decision. I still think it’s the right one.’
‘Yeah, well…’ Luke had sighed sadly as he rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I understand that, but we had plans. We’d talked about a partnership, remember?’
‘I know.’ Sam didn’t know what to say and there was a long silence.
‘Sorry, Sam. Guilt-tripping you isn’t very fair. This can’t be helped. You must do what’s best for you and your family. I hope it all works out for you, mate.’
So Sam had given up the keys to his flat and moved back to The North Star, and he’d been living and working there full-time ever since.
Just three weeks after he’d arrived in Kelsea Sands, Layla had told him their relationship was over.
‘I don’t see the point now you’re so far away,’ she’d explained casually.
‘It’s twenty minutes by car!’
‘Yes, well.’ She’d shrugged. ‘You’re going to be stuck behind the bar every day and night and what am I supposed to do? Sit in a corner and play dominoes? I don’t think so. It’s been nice, Sam. Fun. But I think it’s time we called it a day, don’t you?’
‘If that’s how you feel…’
‘It is. No hard feelings?’ She’d held out a hand for him to shake, and he’d stared at it in disbelief, trying to process this unexpected turn of events and how his warm-hearted, fun-loving girlfriend could suddenly sound so cold and uncaring. It was like their relationship had meant nothing to her.
