Page 90 of A Colourful Country Escape
‘But you honestly don’t even know what Ben was up to. You haven’t spoken to him.’
‘Don’t you think I haven’t thought about that?’ And she had; more than she could bear to remember. Picking apart each tiny clue and trying to piece them back together in every Technicolored outcome.
‘So? Why don’t you just call him? I thought he was the one who was crap at communicating. Has it rubbed off on you?’
The skin on the back of Lexie’s neck began to prickle; the thought of speaking to Ben terrified her. What would he say? ‘Yes, you were all right for a fumble, but I’m running off with the classy woman now.’ Or maybe ‘I hate you for lying on your CV and never mentioning you could have gone to jail, you big fakey fraud.’ Urgh. It was almost easier not knowing. At least that way she could cling to a secret hope.
Sky clicked her fingers in front of Lexie’s face. ‘Out loud, please. I can tell you’re thinking something. Your face looks kind of in pain.’
‘Thanks.’ There was something else. Dare she even say it? She blew out a puff of air and began. ‘The point is that, despite everything, I was willing to believe he’d shake me off in a flash in favour of someone with better prospects – so I still don’t really value myself.’
‘Ooh, deep.’ Sky leaned in.
‘When push comes to shove, I somehow don’t think I’m worthy of him. And until I jump that last hurdle, I don’t even want to hear his version of events. If I’m not strong enough for it, it will probably crush me.’
Sky clapped her hands. ‘So, like, you want a makeover?’
‘No, not a bloody makeover! Whatever I decide to do, I’ll be doing it dressed as me. It’s my courage which needs shoring up. My self-belief. I need to be a woman standing on her own two feet, trusting her own decisions and making her own money.’
‘Cool! So what are we going to do?’
Lexie scratched her head. ‘Hmm, no idea. But we have wine, banoffee pie and plenty of days to mull it over. The answers will come.’
‘And then you’ll fight to get Ben back?’
‘Urgh, stop it! I mean, if he was getting it on with Cynthia he can piss right off. I just need to think about me right now. In fact, us.’ She pointed between herself and Sky.
Sky clinked her glass against Lexie’s. ‘Us!’ She looked over Lexie’s shoulder. ‘Although I think that farmer wants a word.’
Chapter 45
‘I’ll get paidandget to take home leftover pies and sausage rolls!’ Sky said with glee as they stumbled arm in arm along the lane towards the heart of the village. ‘Thank God for all my experience working in Greggs.’
Lexie and Sky had just left their new local pub – two half-drunk women with quarter of a plan. They’d spoken to Farmer Humphrey, as he was affectionately known, and he hadn’t even been that scary. He’d offered to tow them out of his fallow field, but something about that little village and its hug of a pub told Lexie she wanted to hang around for a bit longer. Just a bit.
Farmer H was happy for them to stay on his field in the short term, if Sky would do a few shifts in his farm shop in the village to cover for a sick employee.
‘Three weeks you worked in Greggs,’ said Lexie, giggling. ‘Although you are a meat-product connoisseur.’
‘It was four! And at least you’re smiling again.’ Sky dug her in the ribs. ‘I hate seeing you with a face like a slapped donkey.’
‘Slapped arse! As in bottom, not horse-type creature.’
Sky screwed up her nose. ‘But why would a face look like a bottom? Anyway, it’s good you’re taking a break from sulking. It was getting so dull.’
‘Well, excuse me for taking a moment to mourn the death of my relationship. Just because you’ve forgotten yours already.’
‘I mourned on the train! After I’d caught up with Facebook. And I watchedBridget Jones, didn’t I? That was enough tears for Billy-Dickface.’
‘True.’ Lexie shrugged.
The rest of their time in the Traveller’s Rest had been equally fruitful. The barman, Jimmy, who’d turned out to be the landlord, had agreed to let the girls charge their electricals, use the pub’s water and grab a few free meals in exchange for Lexie helping with their social media while they were sticking around. So sticking around was what they would do, for a while at least. The village of Springhope would hopefully be the springboardthat the Summers sisters needed. To spring them who knew where.
‘Here!’ said Lexie, pointing to the cutest little shop. The window was festooned with bunting, a bit like Lexie had in Penny before the poor camper van met her metal-crushing maker. Behind the glass were gorgeous displays of upcycled furniture painted in cosy colours and decorated with pretty sweeps of stencil art. The shop was called Amy’s Inspiration. Lexie liked the name.
‘Hey there, I’m Amy!’ said the bubbly young shop owner as they bustled through the door. She was wearing paint-splattered overalls like the ones Lexie used to borrow from Tom, and Lexie felt jealous in a good way as she saw her painting up an old sideboard in the most beautiful shade of teal. ‘Feel free to browse or give me a shout if you want anything.’
‘Will do,’ said Lexie, instantly warming to her.
