Page 66 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

Like Dennis, I had also made myself vulnerable. I’d let my mind run away with me to a future with him. Maybe even a family and there were times when my daydreams would show me the two of us strolling hand in hand along the beach, our children running ahead, splashing in the waves and squealing with joy. When Craig smashed into our lives, he also smashed my hopes and dreams, but now I’d had some time to think, and I’d realised that maybe they could still come true.

I started to frantically throw things into my case. I needed to go back to Driftwood Bay. I would find Dennis and tell him I loved him. Tell him that we did have a future together.

‘Dan!’ I yelled. ‘Dan! We have to go. Now!’

There was no response. He must have gone out.

I was mumbling away to myself. ‘Why didn’t I just hang around and listen to what he had to say? You’re a fool, Nancy. Come on, get yourself sorted out and get back out there and go get your man!’

As I shoved everything into my case, the other gold envelope somehow flipped off the bedside table and landed right in my eyeline. It felt like someone was telling me I had to read it right then. The universe was sending me a message for sure.

I ripped open the envelope and my heart sank as I read it.

Nancy,

I’ve tried to get you to speak to me. God knows I’ve tried. With you being such a lover of words, I hoped that these letters would be enough to bring you back to me but sadly it seems that I was wrong. I’ve tracked down a beautiful edition ofRomeo and Julietand I’ve left it at Nan’s house for you tocollect as soon as you are ready to return. I hope you like it. I hope that one day you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me but that every time you look at this book, you might think of me and a little bit of your heart will remind you of what we had, which, to me, was very special.

I’m going back to London tomorrow. I wanted you to know. At least this way, you can return to the bay and get on with your life, which you clearly don’t want to do while I’m still around. I hope that if I return at some point to see Nan, and we bump into each other, that you will speak to me. That we can eventually be friends. I can’t imagine being here without you and being here with you ignoring me is even worse. This week has been awful. I’m constantly looking for you, around every corner, in every shop. I’ve sat on the doorstep of the bookshop every morning, for hours on end, in the hope that you’ll come back, but sadly, as your mum keeps on telling me, you have chosen to stay away.

It’s not fair of me to keep you away so I’m going to go instead. Take myself out of the equation. And let you be free to return.

I’m truly sorry that things have worked out this way. I’ve never regretted anything more in my life.

Please know, Nancy, that you have meant more to me than anyone else ever in my life. I’ve never found it easy to love, but you made it easy for me. You took me with all my flaws and accepted me for who I am. You allowed me to be just me and I finally worked out that I was enough for someone. You never wanted me to be anything more. And for the first time in my life, I liked who I was. And I felt free from the past.

You showed me the things that had been missing from my life that I didn’t even know were missing. You showed me how it feels to be truly loved.

I have loved being with you here in Driftwood Bay. You’ve taught me more about life and about myself in the last fewweeks than I ever thought possible and for that I am truly grateful.

My life will never be the same.

I hope that in time, the memories you have of our time together are not awful. I hope that eventually you remember them as I do. Amazing. Fabulous. Enjoyable. Fun. Joyful. Funny. Hilarious. Sexy. Incredible. Beautiful. Special. Memorable. There are some more words for you. I know you love them but they clearly just weren’t enough for me to find the way back into your heart.

I will never forget you, Nancy. You are the most special person I’ve ever met. I was never looking for love yet I found it.

A huge, massive, incredible love that made anything seem possible.

But then I was a massive fuckwit and threw it all away.

I’m sorry.

I LOVE YOU!

It’s time for you to go home now.

Yours forever, Dennie xxx

I ran into the lounge. There was a note on the coffee table to say that Mum and Dan had gone for a walk in the woods. I was still in my pyjamas but stuck my coat and wellies on and headed out to try to find them. They could be anywhere. I shouted their names as loud as I could, and my heart soared when I heard their voices shouting back.

‘Mum, when did you pick these letters up?’

‘Erm, let me think. Well, I was at work all day and I’d been to Driftwood Manor and got chatting to lovely Samantha…’

‘Mum, quick! When?’

‘All right, Nancy. There’s no need to shout. I picked them up late last night. Your dad fixed the car this morning because it wouldn’t start. Bloody flat battery. You can tell winter is here.’

‘So this last one’s only a day old then?’

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