Page 76 of Teacakes & Tangos
Lois made a petulant face. ‘For heaven’s sake keep your wig on! It was just a suggestion.’ And she grabbed a bottle of juice from the fridge and flounced out of the kitchen.
*****
I woke with my alarm the next morning over at the stables, to find Rory already showered and ready to leave for a meeting.
‘Early start today?’
‘Yes. I’ll have to get going. I’ve got a meeting with a potential client. Better not be late.’ He leaned down to kiss me. ‘Drive safely and phone me when you get to Roz’s house, okay?’
‘I will.’ I gave him a tight little smile.
I’d been really hoping to get to the bottom of what he and Lois were up to over dinner that night. But it would have to wait now, which was so frustrating. But Roz needed me...
I’d been tempted to talk to him about it last night but I’d arrived at the stables late and we were both tired. And I was worried that if we started to talk about things at going on for midnight, I might end up in no fit state to drive all the way up to Lancashire the following morning. Because what if Rory had been remembering what being with Lois had been like, compared to being with me? Lois was exciting and unpredictable in her relationships, while I was more of a ‘steady Eddie’ and probably boring by comparison.
No, the chat would have to wait until I was back and we could sit down and I’d brace myself for the truth...
An hour later, I set off, my heart heavy with uncertainty about my future.
This should have been such a fabulous time in my life.
The dance centre seemed to have been an instant success if the numbers attending the classes were anything to go by. There was always the worry that the early interest would die off, of course, but we were working hard on social media and through local advertising to keep up the momentum, so hopefully Magic of Dance would be here for a long time.
But while business was booming, for now at least, my love life was in danger of doing quite the opposite. The thought of losing Rory was too much to bear, and tears welled up, blurring my vision. I brushed them away, trying not to think about what life would be like without him. Yes, I’d survive. But after knowing what it felt like to love and be loved by such a wonderful man like Rory, my life would be truly colourless...
Stop it!
I took a deep breath and gave myself a silent talking-to.
If I let myself think the worst, I’d end up in a soggy mess when I arrived and I’d be no use at all to Roz then. So I wouldn’t think about Rory and Lois at that B&B. (Of course, that was like someone telling me not to picture a white elephant...)
I arrived in Lytham St Anne’s nearly five hours later, feeling completely exhausted but determined to put on a smile for Roz’s sake.
*****
I’d thought Roz would be a weepy mess herself when she opened the door. But she looked a lot brighter than I was expecting.
Her blue eyes sparkled and her smile was wide as she welcomed me with a big hug. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you, Clara. I can’t believe you’ve driven all this way to help me. Did I sound dreadful on the phone?’
‘You did.’ I hugged her tightly back. ‘You sounded so desperately sad that I had to come up and be your shoulder to cry on.’
‘Well, thank you. It’s wonderful that you’re here.’ She ushered me into the kitchen.
‘So Tommy’s really left?’ I asked, sensing that the house was empty.
‘Sorry?’
‘Tommy?’
‘Oh, yes. That scumbag. Yes, he moved in with his ex almost a month ago now.’
A month ago?
The way she’d told me about it on the phone, I’d assumed Tommy had only just gone.
Roz grinned. ‘Good riddance to bad rubbish! I’m far better off without him. Although I’m looking forward to getting back to Surrey.’
‘So how are you?’ I asked anxiously, wondering if her appearance of cheeriness was just a front.
