Laughing, Gaby replied to Harry’s message. The thumbs up and relieved face emojis he sent back made her laugh all the more.
While Jill finished arranging the flowers her friends had brought her, Gaby carried the bag of bird seed out into the front garden and topped up the feeders so her aunt could enjoy the theatre of the feathery visitors in the morning. It was fully dark outside now, and she stood for a moment looking up at the bright moon in the night sky. Even with the streetlamps throwing light everywhere, the moon and stars still seemed impossibly bright and lovely.
A twinkle of movement overhead made her blink and for a moment she thought she was seeing yet another shooting star. Instead, she realised it was the reflection of a satellite as it passed high up above the earth.
The twinkling arc still looked mesmerising as it swept off into the distance.
As Gaby looked up at the velvet night sky and the crisp crescent moon, she finally allowed her mind to return to that moment outside the Sweet Treats café when she’d run into Peter Bailey.
Her head filled with an image of him with his dark good looks and devastating smile and piercing blue eyes that twinkled like the stars in the night sky. During the hours that had passed since their encounter, she’d refused to let herself think about him because it would only have left her distracted, which was hardly ideal when she’d volunteered to work at Harry Goodwin’s hotel for the afternoon.
But now, with that responsibility dispatched, she could let her mind wander freely to that astonishing moment when Peter had appeared before her as she’d hurried out of the café.
With just one look, he’d made her feel like she was seventeen again and the rush of that feeling was so sweet and delicious she could almost taste it in her mouth.
Peter had asked her to have a drink with him. Her rush to join Harry Goodwin in his car so they could leave for the hotel meant she’d been able to avoid saying yes to Peter’s offer right there and then.
She wanted to say yes. But she couldn’t help wondering if it was really such a good idea.
When she returned to the kitchen, Gaby stored the bag of bird seed in the cupboard and then leaned against the counter where Jill was putting the finishing touches to her floral arrangements.
“Can I ask you something, Aunt Jill?” she said.
“You can ask me anything,” Jill replied with a smile.
“Do you remember when I stayed here with you that summer all those years ago, I spent a lot of time with a boy, Peter Bailey?”
Jill looked thoughtful for a moment. “I certainly remember you spent time with a boy, but I can’t say I remember the boy particularly well. It was a long time ago. Why do you ask?”
“I ran into him today when I was buying our cakes from that bakery café place you sent me to.”
Jill’s expression lifted. “Well, how lovely. That must’ve been a nice surprise. Did you two catch up?”
“Not exactly. I was leaving in a rush with Harry Goodwin to help out at the hotel and there wasn’t time for much more than a quick hello. Which is probably why Peter asked if I’d like to get together for a drink.”
“That sounds like a fine idea.”
“Do you really think so?”
Jill looked confused. “Why wouldn’t I? I’m sure you’d enjoy catching up for old times’ sake.”
“That’s what Peter said.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
Gaby knew it sounded ridiculous even before the words left her mouth. “Seeing him again reminded me of how much we liked each other during that summer we spent together and how close we were back then. I think he was my first true love, Aunt Jill. And maybe it’s better to leave those memories in the past where they belong instead of… tainting them.”
Jill looked even more confused now. “Why on earth would your memories be tainted if you two caught up again after all these years?”
“Because…” How could she explain it? She scarcely understood herself what she was trying to explain. “Well, because he looked pretty amazing, Aunt Jill. He’s even more handsome now than he was back when we were kids. And… what if I make a fool of myself?”
Jill’s exasperated expression only deepened. “Honestly, I have no idea what you’re talking about, Gaby. You are a smart, sophisticated, successful woman who has travelled the world and who has, I have no doubt, had plenty of wonderful relationships and exciting love affairs over the years. I doubt you have anything to fear from having a drink with a man you knew as a boy fifteen years ago, no matter how handsome he is now and no matter how you felt about him back then. You’re worrying over nothing.”
“Do you think so?”
“Iknowso. It’s a drink with an old romantic interest from your past. Go and enjoy it.”
Gaby frowned, knowing she should follow her aunt’s advice and not overthink this. It was just a drink and some friendly conversation with someone she knew a long time ago.
