Page 55 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
‘No. I was convinced that if he could do it once, he woulddo it again. So I hardened my heart and refused to weaken. And eventually, hegave up trying.’
‘But you regretted it? Sending him away?’
‘Oh, yes. My life would have been so very different if Icould have found it in my heart to give Geoff another chance. I had thepotential for great happiness, right there in my hands, but I threw it all awaybecause I couldn’t forgive my husband that one transgression.’
We gaze out to sea in silence for a moment.
‘It’s lovely here, isn’t it?’ Emerald’s tone is brighter.‘And those kiddies playing so happily on the beach are enough to raise anyone’sspirits, don’t you think?’
‘I do.’
‘You know, Jaz, I live less than thirty miles from here, andyet I’ve only visited once before, a long time ago.’ She gives her head alittle shake, as if she’s annoyed at herself. ‘I didn’t know what I wasmissing.’
I nod in agreement. ‘It’s lovely here. And by the way, thankyou.’
Her brows rise. ‘What for?’
I smile. ‘For listening to me waffling on. And for giving mea lot to think about.’
She leans forward, resting her hand on my wrist. ‘Yourfuture happiness depends on what you do now, my dear. So don’t make any rashdecisions you might regret.’ She laughs apologetically, looking suddenly muchyounger. ‘And that’s enough of my words of wisdom!’
*****
I walk back along the promenade, deep in thought.
Sitting on a bench in the sunshine, I pull out my phone.
‘Harry? We need to talk.’
Ruby
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Hudson and Joanna are arriving back at lunchtime on Friday,the eve of the solstice, and by mid-morning, I’m in the kitchen, surveying thebuffet I’ve prepared for Hudson’s return: quiche, cold meats and pickles, and otherinteresting nibbles such as olives and posh crisps.
(No, I didn’t rise early and cook up a storm. A quick tripto the marvellous delicatessen here, and Bob’s your uncle!)
It’s so good to see his face when he finally walks in,despite the fact that he’s looking shattered. He pulls me against him in thekitchen and we kiss, long and lingeringly, until he finally suggests wecontinue this upstairs...
‘Just freshening up,’ I call happily, heading for thebathroom. ‘Coffee breath.’
‘Hadn’t noticed!’
I clean my teeth and zhuzh my hair a bit in the mirror.‘I’ve missed you,’ I call happily, ‘although I don’t suppose you’ve had thetime to missme.’
No reply.
He’d better not be on that bloody phone already!
I head through to join him in the bedroom.
And he’s lying face down on the bed, snoring gently.
Laughing softly, I survey him fondly, my heart squeezingwith emotion. His mouth is open and every time he breathes out, his lipsreverberate. Gently, I push a strand of dark hair from his eyes. Hudson neversleeps during the day. He must be absolutely knackered. This job he’s workingon is obviously stressing him out no end.
I retire from the room, closing the door softly so as not towake him, then I head downstairs to put the buffet in the fridge.
A while later, putting the rubbish in the bin round the sideof the cottage, I hear noises from the lane. It sounds as if there’s anargument going on. Curious, I peer over the gate. The man in the black car isparked in his usual spot, and Joanna is bending and shouting angrily at himthrough the passenger seat window.
