Page 50 of You Were Always the One

‘There’s no need. It was probably something I ate.’ She managed a weak smile. ‘I just need to lie down.’

I watched her go over to the bed again. ‘I might go to the party,’ I hedged. There was someone I wanted to see, who owned property in the Balearics. They were another part of the world we had yet to tick off, and this might even lead to some work there. ‘Just for an hour. If you’re sure you’ll be OK?’ I went on. ‘I’ll let them know you won’t be coming.’

Skye closed her eyes. ‘OK.’

It was reasonable, wasn’t it? If Skye was sleeping, there wasn’t anything I could do. As I made my way to the beach, I could hear the music. Then as I reached the sand, I saw the crowd that had gathered. One drink turned to several, against a backdrop of one of the most glorious sunsets I’d ever seen.

The guy I was hoping to see hadn’t turned up when four hours later, I stumbled back to our room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Skye looked terrible.

‘Where have you been?’ Her voice shook. ‘I feel really bad. I think I need to see a doctor.’

‘Shit.’ Going over, I crouched down in front of her. ‘I’m so sorry. I don’t know where the time went.’

‘Can you call someone?’ Her skin glistened with sweat as she got up and went to the bathroom again.

Skye had food poisoning, the doctor said after giving her something to stop her being sick. Over the next couple of days, I stayed with her, doing my best to look after her while slowly her strength came back.

It was about a week after that we had the conversation I was dreading.

‘I can’t do this any more.’ Skye’s eyes were filled with tears. ‘We’re living like we’re on a perpetual gap year – with no responsibilities.’

‘We can change,’ I said quickly. ‘We can get a place, if that’s what you want.’

But she shook her head. ‘It isn’t that simple. I know it isn’t what you want.’ Her eyes were filled with tears. ‘Maybe we’ve reached the end of the road.’ Reaching out, she touched my face. ‘It’s been the most glorious road, and I wouldn’t change a day of it.’ She hesitated. ‘I just don’t think I can do this any more.’

I felt lightheaded; as though the air had been knocked out of me. ‘You’ve decided.’ I gazed at her in disbelief. Skye couldn’t do this. We were each other’s biggest love story. But we weren’t, were we? If she was doing this. ‘When are you leaving?’

‘In a couple of days. I’m going to stay somewhere else until I go.’ She swallowed. ‘You’ll be fine, Monty. In time, you’ll find someone who wants the same as you.’ She paused. ‘I really hope you do.’

She got up and picked up her rucksack, standing there for a moment. ‘I guess I should probably go.’

Shock hit me. ‘What, now?’

‘There’s no point in me staying.’ A tear rolled down her cheek.

I watched her head towards the door.

17

RIGGS

I stare at what I’ve just written, because this is me and Holly all over again. The single moment that held the biggest mistake of my life.

Well, this is where it changes. Monty won’t let her go. He can’t. He has to do whatever it takes to make her stay.

18

HOLLY

Miles and I have reached the biggest impasse of our marriage, one that grips us tightly between the reality of his diagnosis and a marriage we both know is over. Any attempts to discuss the future together spiral us nowhere. They are also pointless, I can’t help thinking, when what lies ahead is life changing. In the end we agree to put us aside until his surgery is over.

The day before, I finish work early and drive him to the hospital.

‘I’d rather you didn’t come in,’ he says as I park in the car park. ‘I’ll let you know when I’m back in the ward.’ His coldness is breathtaking. But as he gets out of the car, he loses his balance.

‘Let me help you,’ I say quietly. ‘Please.’

For once, he lets me. We make our way slowly to his ward as it strikes me his surgery is none too soon, that his symptoms are fast becoming more visible.