Page 9 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

Once inside, things had been little better, with Damon’s father Eric, picking and criticising his son’s every move, mocking him to Anoushka, encouraging her to join in, which she managed to avoid, though not without some difficulty. Eric seemed to be getting a huge power-trip out of belittling Damon who appeared to have shrunk in his father’s presence. The situation had made her feel dreadfully uncomfortable, and had left Damon subdued and snappier than usual for days after.

‘Well, that explains a hell of a lot, though it doesn’t excuse it, mind. And my opinion of Damon still remains the same; you’re still way better off without him,’ Brogan said firmly.

‘I agree. I still can’t believe how good it feels to be free of him. I know it might sound bonkers, but the sheer relief has made me feel so much… lighter, for want of a better word.’ She looked at her friend and laughed.

‘It doesn’t sound bonkers at all. So…’ Brogan, laughed too, a mischievous twinkle appearing in her eyes. ‘…dare I ask, where this leaves things with a certain drop-dead gorgeous, Irish singer?’

‘No! You dare not! No way! Don’t even go there!’ Anoushka’s heart leapt at the thought of Gabe. ‘I intend to have some time being single. Actually, make that averylongtime. Nope, actually, let’s make it alifetime. The last thing I need is to get involved with anyone, least of all someone whose life is under the media spotlight, not to mention the great, long list of glamorous exes he has to his name. No, that’s so not for me.’ Her mind might be saying that, but her heart was telling her a whole different story if the way it upped its speed when she was around him was anything to go by. It had been that way right from the start, but her head had point-blank refused to listen. And, somewhere along the line, she’d ended up with Damon.

‘I’m not so sure the “someone” you refer to would agree.’ Brogan gave a cheeky waggle of her eyebrows, making Anoushka giggle.

‘Well, I’m afraid he doesn’t have much choice. It’d be a case out of the frying pan and into the fire.’

‘Yes, but what a sizzling-hot fire it would be with gorgeous Gabe and his flames of passion. It’d be worth it even if it didn’t last.’

‘You’re wicked.’

‘Given half the chance,’ Brogan said, and they hooted with laughter.

7

Just over an hour later, Anoushka was making her way along the track towards Lytell Stangdale, still feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Yes, her emotions were a little raw, but now there was no trace of the ball of tension that had taken up residence in her stomach when she’d left the house earlier that afternoon. It spoke volumes; she hadn’t expected to feel so free, for her soul to feel so much lighter as quickly as this. Breaking up with Damon had been, without question, the right thing to do. Her only regret was that she hadn’t done it sooner.

She strode on, her mind now clear to savour the early signs of a moorland spring; lapwings dipping and diving over the heather, their distinctive “peewit” cries interspersed with the shrill call of the curlews. Above, the blue sky stretched out like a sheet of sun-bleached linen, punctuated by fluffy white clouds idling their way along. The air was filled with the pungent aroma of slurry, thanks to Molly’s partner, Camm, over at Withrin Hill Farm who was spreading fertilizer over one of their fields, the muted hum of his tractor reverberating around the dale – the smell of slurry was something else Damon hated about the countryside.

In the distance, Anoushka spotted a lone walker heading towards her, a black Labrador trotting along jauntily beside him. Her heart gave a sudden lilt. She’d recognise those broad shoulders and that easy lope anywhere: Gabe Dublin.

Before long, he was standing in front of her. ‘Well, hello there, Noushka. It’s good to see you again, though aren’t you heading in the wrong direction?’ He flashed his trademark smile. ‘Thought you were headed over to Middleton,’ he said as Bob pulled on his lead, eager to get to her.

‘Change of plan,’ she said, smiling back, bending to fuss Bob whose tail was wagging so hard you could beat eggs with it.

Ah, sure.’ Gabe nodded, his smile faltering as his eyes ran over her face, taking in the tell-tale signs she’d been crying. ‘And are you okay?’ he asked softly.

She nodded. ‘I’m fine, thanks.’ She didn’t feel ready to tell him about Damon. ‘Just fancied some fresh air, I’ve got a few things I need to straighten out in my mind.’

He paused a moment as if contemplating her words. ‘Right.’ He pushed his smile back up. ‘Well, if you ever you need to talk, you know where I am. My sisters tell me I’m a pretty good listener; I’ve a willing ear. Having five of them – that’s sisters, not ears – I’ve done a whole load of listening in my time, I can tell you.’ His smile widened; he was clearly trying to lighten the moment, make her feel better.

‘Thanks, Gabe. I’ll bear that in mind.’ She couldn’t help but chuckle at his joke.

‘I’ll be sticking around for a couple of weeks, so just holler if you need me.’

Holler if you need me.At this very moment, the thought that she very much needed him burst into her mind, taking her completely by surprise. To feel his arms around her, feel the warmth of being pressed against his chest. She felt her cheeks flame.What are you thinking, woman?She glanced at the floor, hoping he hadn’t noticed.Best keep those wayward thoughts to yourself.She was aware of him looking at her but kept her eyes rooted very firmly to a small puddle on the path.

‘And if it’s that fecking eejit that’s got you all upset, then he doesn’t deserve you, that’s all I can say.’ He sounded suddenly angry.

She shook her head. ‘It’s not… I’m fine… it’s just… just a bad day. I’ve got a bit of a headache, that’s all. I’ll be right as rain after my walk.’ She wasn’t lying about the headache that was now squeezing at her temples.

‘Okay.’ He didn’t look convinced.

‘I’d best get home,’ she said, giving him a quick smile.

‘I meant what I said, Noushka. I’m here for you if you need me.’ He reached across and touched her arm, the simple gesture creating a frisson between them she hadn’t expected, nor was she ready to deal with.

‘Oh!’ Their eyes locked for a moment and she quickly looked away.Don’t even go there!‘Right, well, I’ll see you later. Bye, Bob.’ She bent to pat the Labrador before slipping by Gabe and making her way along the track.

‘Bye, Noushka,’ Gabe said softly, watching her as she went.

‘What is going on with me?’ she said out loud when Gabe was well out of earshot. She rubbed her face briskly. ‘Why am I even feeling this way about Gabe when I’ve only just broken up with Damon not five-minutes since?’Well, apart from the obvious, i.e. he’s drop-dead gorgeous, has a fabulous personality and is kind to the old ladies in the village. Not to mention the way his jeans hug that cute backside of his. Oh, and the fact that you’re well suited and you might just be a teensy-weensy bit in love with him. Simple. As. That, said a little voice. ‘Arghh! I’m not listening!’ she said, upping her pace and making her way back to the village. But pushing the annoying little voice out of her mind was proving easier said than done.

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