“I’ve been talking to her and a travel agent all afternoon, trying to work something out, but there’s nothing we can do. She’s not going to make it back in time for the wedding.”
Nova let out a low moan.
“I’m sorry,” Craig said, his voice softening.
Nova’s knees wobbled and she sunk down to the ground. Her mum wasn’t going to be at her wedding: wouldn’t be there to help her get ready or walk her down the aisle, or to make a speech. She was going to have to do it all alone.
“Do you want to cancel the wedding?” Craig asked.
“We can’t just because of Mum.”
“I don’t mean because of your mum, I mean because of you.” She heard him take a deep breath. “Yesterday, I asked if you still wanted to get married and you promised me you did. And this morning, you swore you’d stay out of trouble; but look at you now.”
“I meant what I said, Craig; I do want to get married. I just really wanted to save my job and the community center as well, and I thought by coming down here today I could do that.”
“And have you?”
Nova swallowed. “No. Michael claims he doesn’t have the money, so we’re back at square one.”
“This is what I mean, Nova. You’ve let your search for this stolen money completely take over your life, to the point you’re missing your own wedding rehearsal.”
“It’s over now. I’ll stop trying to find the money.”
“No, that’s not enough.” Craig paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was quiet. “I thought this job would be a good thing for you. After everything that happened with Declan, I thought it would help rebuild your confidence, but I was wrong. Clearly you’re still traumatized by that attack and you’re not ready to be back at work, especially not in a similar environment.”
“That’s not true, I love this job.”
“Sure, but it’s just five months in and you’re once again breaking all the rules and repeatedly putting yourself at risk. This is not normal behavior.”
“So, what are you saying?”
“I know your career is important to you, but you need to take a proper break. Allow yourself to grieve for your dad and get over your attack.”
Nova stifled a sigh; she really wasn’t in the mood to have this conversation right now. “You know I’ll go stir crazy if I don’t work. I’ve always had a job, and being a youth worker is such a big part of who I am.”
“I know, and I think you need time to work out who you areasidefrom your job.”
“Please can we talk about this after the wedding, Craig? I’ve had a hell of a day, and I really want to just get home and get some sleep, otherwise I’ll look like a zombie bride tomorrow.”
“No. I’m sorry, but I can’t keep doing this, Nova. I want to marry you tomorrow, I really do. But if that’s going to happen, I need you to promise that you’ll resign.”
“What? You’re kidding me, right? You can’t seriously—”
“I’m deadly serious. Your job at the community center has caused nothing but problems over the past few months. If you want to getmarried tomorrow, I need to know you’re willing to prioritize our relationship, and your own damn safety, by resigning.”
“You can’t ask me to give up my career, that’s completely unreasonable. I’m not some child who needs your permission to leave the house.”
“Then stop bloody acting like one. Now please just come home.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Arthur
I t took Ash and Dan half an hour to construct a makeshift bridge across the gap in the path, and another forty minutes to help everyone safely back up the cliff. Arthur watched the boys chatting and laughing as they worked, and couldn’t help but feel a little proud of the part he’d played in bringing them together. It was exactly what Esi would have done if she were here.
By the time they all made it to the top it was almost five p.m., and clear that Nova was never going to get back to St. Tredock in time for her wedding rehearsal.
“I’m sorry this all took so much longer than expected,” Arthur said to her, as they reconvened at the car. “Was your fiancé understanding about the whole thing?”
