Page 7 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

‘Stop the bloody car, Damon!’ Adrenalin surged around her body and a feeling of utter fearlessness took over.

‘But we’re in the middle of nowhere.’

‘To you maybe, but to me it’s just a couple of miles from home and within easy walking distance.’ Her chest was heaving, her pulse whooshing in her ears.

‘Have you gone crazy?’

‘If you don’t slow down, I’ll jump out.’ Anoushka called his bluff, reaching for the door handle; he’d do anything rather than risk her causing damage to his precious car.

Damon brought the vehicle to an abrupt halt, pulling on the handbrake as he turned to look at her, his face distorted with disbelief. ‘So are you going to tell me what the bloody hell’s got into you? You’re behaving like a mad woman.’

She took a fortifying breath, swallowing hard to steady her nerves. She could hardly believe what was about to spill from her mouth. ‘We’re done, Damon. We’re not right for each other. That’s it.’ She shrugged. ‘It’s taken me a long time to realise it, but I have now—’

‘What?’ He glared at her, his face blanching as he pushed his fingers into his hair.

‘You heard what I said.’ Her stomach was churning, a feeling of nausea rising at the back of her throat.

‘You can’t seriously be telling me we’re over?’

She nodded. ‘Yes, I am.’ This felt seriously surreal.

‘You’re crazy. You don’t know what you’re talking about.’ He laughed scornfully.

‘I think you’ll find I know exactly what I’m talking about. We’re over, Damon, we shouldn’t have lasted this long; I’m amazed we have. I don’t want to be with you anymore and now I just want to get out of the car and walk home. I need some fresh air.’ She went to open the door but he grabbed her arm.

‘I don’t know what the hell’s got into you, but I daresay it’s got something to do with that family of yours pouring poison into your ears. They’ve never liked me. But let me tell you this, you’ve been batting way above your league going out with me. Everyone knows that – your country-bumpkin family included, that’s why they don’t like me; they’re intimidated by my success, by my lifestyle.’

Anoushka stopped herself from snorting with disbelief just in time; it wouldn’t help to infuriate him any more right now. She listened in silence, aware of her heart leaping wildly in her chest. There was so much she wanted to say to him, but now wasn’t the time; she needed to get away from him as quickly as possible without inflaming his anger any further.

‘You’ll be crawling back when you’ve come to your senses.’ He let go of her arm and she scrambled out of the car. ‘But don’t think I’ll want you then. You’ve blown it!’ He revved the engine angrily and she looked back to see him shooting off along the road with a roar, giving her a final reminder of just what a turkey he was.

6

Anoushka strode towards the bridle path that led down to Lytell Stangdale, checking her mobile as she went. She’d had a text from Kristy asking if she was okay; she’d obviously picked up on Anoushka’s anxiety earlier. With her hands shaking thanks to the adrenalin that was still pumping around her body, she fired off a quick reply, telling her friend she was fine and that she’d fill her in on everything later. She could only imagine Kristy’s response.

She slid her phone into the back pocket of her jeans, her eyes landing on Brogan. Cupping her hands around her mouth, she shouted, ‘Brogan!’ The breeze, always strong up on the rigg, whipped her words away as soon as they left her mouth. A brace of nearby pheasants flew off, cackling vociferously at being disturbed while a handful of rabbits shot off in all directions, their white tails bobbing amongst the brown foliage of the heather. She tried again, only louder this time. ‘Brogan!’

Brogan turned to look in her direction and Anoushka waved. ‘Wait up.’ Anoushka hurried towards her friend who started heading back up the track. The path was muddy in parts and she was glad she’d opted for her sturdy biker boots rather than the white plimsolls she’d almost worn.

Soon, the two friends were face-to-face, both short of breath and rosy-cheeked. The four panting black Labradors, who all knew Anoushka well, greeted her enthusiastically, pink tongues lolling from their mouths.

‘You okay?’ Brogan asked, giving a concerned smile.

‘I’m fine… well, I am now.’ The fresh air was making Anoushka’s cheeks sting. Wayward strands of hair had escaped from her plait and were now blowing around her face. She swiped them away with her fingertips and gave a watery smile.

Brogan frowned. ‘Well, that sounds ominous. Want to join me walking these renegades? You can tell me all about what’s been troubling you.’ Her expression brightened. ‘And you can join me for a cuppa after if you like? I picked up some of Lucy’s chocolate-dipped flapjacks from the village shop; freshly baked this morning.’

‘Sounds good.’ Anoushka was reluctant to head straight home and to the questions that would follow her early return. She bent to ruffle the ears of Zander and Livvie Gillespie’s Labrador. ‘Now then, Alf, you’re a lovely lad, aren’t you?’ Alf wagged his tail happily. ‘Here, let me take a couple of leads,’ she said to Brogan.

‘You can have Alf, but watch Murphy, he’s a bugger for pulling.’

* * *

The walkover and done with, the two friends were sitting at the table in the warmth of the little kitchen at Pond Farm, the dogs having been deposited in the extension just off it, where they were now curled up, sleeping contentedly. Brogan would drop them off at their respective homes later, after her chat with Anoushka.

Brogan released a low whistle when Anoushka had finished sharing her experiences with Damon. She’d told her everything this time – no more holding back thanks to some misplaced loyalty to him. And though she’d cried as she was telling her, they weren’t tears of regret, they were overwhelming tears of relief.

‘Wowzers! I always thought he was an arse, but he sounds like a right controlling dickhead,’ Brogan said.

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