Page 87 of Christmas at Sturcombe Bay
“Jess . . .” He took a step towards her. “You were in love with me. We were getting married this weekend.”
“And am I glad that’s not happening!”
“Are you saying you don’t love me anymore? Can you really say that?”
“Watch my lips.” She could sense Paul standing a few paces behind her.
Glenn shook his head in disbelief, reaching out to grasp her shoulders. “Jess, please, don’t say it’s over . . .”
“Let me go.” Her voice would have etched steel. “Don’t touch me.”
“Jess, I still love you. And I can’t believe you don’t love me, not after everything we’ve been to each other.”
“Let. Me. Go.”
“Jess . . .”
There was a note of anger creeping into his voice, and she felt Paul move up beside her. “I believe you heard the lady.” He spoke slowly and clearly. “She would like you to let her go.”
Glenn blinked at him as though he hadn’t even noticed him before. “Who the fuck are you?” he demanded belligerently.
“I’m a friend of Jess’s.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, she’s my fiancée, so butt out.”
“I amnotyour fiancée.” Jess could feel the tears of anger stinging her eyes, and blinked them back fiercely. “I haven’t been since the moment I saw those dick pics on your phone.”
“She’s not your fiancée.”
Paul’s voice was quiet and calm, and for a moment that seemed to work. Glenn stepped back, but then abruptly swung his fist. If Paul’s reactions hadn’t been lightning quick it might have connected, but he missed by inches.
“Hey, stop!” Jess pushed herself between them. “Glenn, stop it this minute. If you think hitting Paul . . .”
“It’s okay, Jess.” Paul drew her safely back out of the way. “He isn’t going to try that again. Are you?”
Glenn was still glaring at Paul and for a moment it looked as though he would. Neil was hovering behind them anxiously, though he couldn’t do much if it came to a proper fight — he was nearer sixty than fifty.
The stand-off lasted for several long seconds, but then Glenn broke the stare, shaking his head and uncurling his fist.
“Look, Jess, can we just talk?” The force had drained from his voice. “Five minutes? Please.”
She hesitated, then sighed. “Okay. Five minutes, and that’s it.” She turned to Paul. “Thank you, Paul. Goodnight.”
“I can wait?” he offered.
“That isn’t necessary. I’ll be fine. Goodnight.”
He didn’t argue with her, but she suspected that he would wait anyway. She watched as he nodded to Neil, and walked out of the front door.
* * *
The night air was sharp with frost. Paul thrust his hands deep into his pockets and strolled over to the low wall along the front of the car park. He sat down, well in the shadow of a large horse chestnut that grew in the corner.
It would be better if the guy didn’t see him when he came out — he didn’t want to provoke another fight.
He was a good-looking dude, and the black leather motorbike trousers and heavy leather jacket made him look like something out of a Marvel comic.
From what Jess had told him he knew that their relationship had ended badly, but if he was here to plead with her to go back to him what would she do? They’d been together for five years . . .
