* * *
‘So tell me all about Conwenna Cove!’ Amanda said as she filled two glasses with Prosecco, then passed one to Eve.
Eve took a sip of the cool, crisp wine, enjoying the way the bubbles tickled her lips. She tucked her legs beneath her on the sofa and leaned back. ‘Not much to tell really.’
‘Eve Carpenter, you’re a big fat liar! I can see the difference in you. It’s amazing! Was Aunt Mary’s cooking really that good, or was it the sea air? Or did someone else in Conwenna make this difference?’
Eve smiled. ‘It was good to get away and I do feel a lot better. I would’ve stayed on longer but Darryl called and said we needed to get things settled here. That’s why I came back.’
‘You’re evading my question.’ Amanda pushed up her sleeves and turned on the sofa to face Eve.
Eve took another sip of her wine. ‘You’re staying over, right?’
Amanda nodded. ‘I told the family that they could cope without me for a night, and as I left, I swear I heard them whispering that they were going to get pizza delivered. As if they can’t do that when I’m there!’ She shrugged. ‘Anyone would think I rule over my brood with an iron fist and that my husband is completely hen-pecked.’
Eve shook her head. ‘I know he’s not. He just adores you.’
‘I’m lucky.’ Amanda nodded. ‘But what about you? Did you meet someone?’
‘My aunt has a tenant in the cottage adjoining hers.’ Eve looked into her glass as her cheeks warmed.
‘I knew it!’ Amanda bounced on the sofa. ‘And?’
‘And he’s … well, he’s lovely.’
‘Lovely how? Come on, Eve. I’m an old married woman. Let me live vicariously through you for a moment!’
Eve laughed. ‘You have everything, Amanda. You do not want to live my complicated life, believe me.’
‘Oh honey.’ Amanda squeezed her hand. ‘I know you’ve been through it, but to see you looking so well after I’ve been so worried about you means the world to me.’
‘I know. Thank you. I don’t know how I’d have managed without you.’
‘So? At least give me his name.’
‘It’s Jack.’ Eve sipped her wine. ‘He’s thirty-six. He has dark brown hair and the biggest, darkest eyes. Sometimes I gaze into them and I just …’ She bit her lip. ‘Nope. I can’t do it. I feel silly talking about it. I shouldn’t be falling for anyone.’
‘That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, Eve. You have every right to be happy, and this Jack, he sounds like a good one.’
‘He is a good man, Amanda. He’s warm, sensitive, caring and helpful. That’s not very romantic-sounding, but I had a panic attack when we went into Conwenna one evening and he knew exactly what to do. I guess it’s because he’s been through so much himself.’
‘Why? What happened to him?’
‘He’s an ex-marine. He was injured in the line of duty in Afghanistan.’
‘A marine?’ Amanda’s eyes widened.
‘Yes.’
‘Is he … I mean, I don’t want to sound crass, but is he fit?’
Eve nodded. ‘But that’s not what draws me to him. It’s just him, you know? Who he is. He’s so deep and so understanding.’
Amanda nodded. ‘How does he feel about you?’
Eve paused and took a deep breath. ‘I think he cares. I mean, I feel a bit like a teenager because we’ve only known each other for such a short time, but it’s like I know him. Does that make sense?’
‘It absolutely does!’ Amanda drained her glass. ‘But what will you do? Your job is here, and your house, although,’ she eyed the empty shelves and nodded at the dining room, ‘it looks like that’s going to change.’
‘We’ve agreed to sell the house. I can’t rattle around here any longer and Darryl needs closure. We both do.’
‘That makes sense. So what about work?’
‘I’m not sure yet, but I have some more time to get my head around it all. Sometimes I’m convinced I need to resign, and other times I panic because it’s all I’ve ever known.’
‘You’re a fantastic head teacher, Eve, and it would be a massive loss to the school and the profession if you left. But only you can decide what you need. If you feel better after half-term, come back and we’ll all be thrilled. Well, except for Donovan, that is.’ She pulled a face. ‘But if you decide otherwise, then bloody good for you!’
‘Thank you.’ Eve shuffled closer to Amanda and opened her arms. They hugged for a moment, then she leaned back to meet her friend’s eyes. ‘Things are clearer than they’ve been in a long time. I’m not fully there yet, wherever there is, but I’m getting there.’ She giggled, aware of how confusing her words were.
‘You’ll get there, Eve, I don’t doubt it. Now let’s have a refill, because it’s not often that I get a night off, and I’ve a thirst for more!’
Amanda filled their glasses again then clinked hers against Eve’s. ‘To the future, my friend! May it bring you whatever your heart desires. Especially if that includes a gorgeous ex-marine with a sensitive side.’
Eve smiled then drank to the toast, silently wishing Jack and Gabe a restful weekend. She wondered if they were out walking now, and if they were thinking about her as much as she was about them.
Chapter 22
‘Oh. Morning.’ Eve peered around the front door at Darryl. Outside, it was already bright and warm and the light made her eyes sting.
‘Wow! Rough night?’ Darryl asked as she let him in to the hallway.
She tightened her dressing gown belt and folded her arms over her chest. ‘Not exactly rough; more like a lot of fun, but Prosecco has a lot to answer for.’
‘As do I! Sorry.’ Amanda came down the stairs, fully dressed and looking as fresh as if she’d just returned from a spa weekend. ‘Hi, Darryl, good to see you again. How’re you doing?’
Darryl shook her hand. ‘Not bad, thanks. You?’
‘I’m good. Just glad to see this one looking a bit better.’ She nodded at Eve.
‘Me too. Well … she was looking better until you filled her with too much wine.’ He laughed and Amanda joined in.
‘Oh thanks very much, you two, let’s all laugh at Eve’s expense. I just can’t drink much, all right?’
‘It’s because you’re so tiny!’ Amanda held her thumb and forefinger a centimetre apart.
‘I’ve put on weight.’
‘You have a bit, but there’s a way to go.’ Amanda smiled. ‘Who’s for coffee?’
‘Please,’ Darryl replied.
She headed for the kitchen, leaving the two of them standing in the hall.
‘I’ll just jump in the shower and freshen up, if you don’t mind. Sorry I’m not ready; I overslept because of Princess Pours-a-lot in there.’ Eve gestured at the kitchen.
‘Of course. No rush,’ Darryl said. ‘I could do with that coffee anyway.’
‘Won’t be long!’ Eve headed up the stairs.
As she showered, she thought back through the previous evening. Amanda had opened two bottles of wine, or was it three? Eve had lost count as the warm Prosecco buzz had settled in and relaxed her. She’d told her friend all about Conwenna, Aunt Mary and Edward and their wedding, as well as Gabe and how drawn she’d been to him. Talking about Gabe and then Jack had made them seem so real. When she’d been in Conwenna, they’d been real enough, but as the days had passed since her return, they’d taken on a kind of haziness, as if they’d been part of a lovely dream she’d once had. But describing them to Amanda had brought home to her how grateful she was to know them. It had also made her miss them even more. And she’d wanted to call Jack; even thought about it …
She froze.
Shit!
She had called Jack. When she’d crawled up the stairs to bed, too tipsy to walk, she’d found her mobile on her bedside table and pressed dial.
Gah!
What had she said? She couldn’t remember him answering. But she’d heard his voice. His lovely so
ft voice. Ah! She’d left him a message.
Oh bloody hell!
She suspected that she’d get fragments of memories throughout the day, that the hours to come would be filled with cringing as she experienced flashbacks.
Damn Amanda and her Prosecco!
Once she’d dried herself and wrapped a towel around her hair, she went into her bedroom and checked the recent calls on her phone.
Ten?
Ten calls to Jack’s number. Had she left ten messages?
Heat washed over her and her armpits prickled.
‘I am never drinking again,’ she vowed, as she dressed and combed her hair.
But as she stared at her reflection in the mirror, she caught sight of something there, twinkling in her eyes. It wasn’t fear or panic.
It was mischief.
* * *
Jack sat on the sand and pulled his mobile out of his pocket. He’d left it in the shed last night by mistake, and when he’d gone out there this morning, the battery was dead. He’d plugged it in and let it charge for a while, and as the battery filled with life, the phone kept buzzing. Each time he checked the screen, there was another alert from voicemail.
When it finally fell silent, he saw that he’d missed ten calls from Eve. His heart had sunk and he’d been struck by panic. What if she’d needed him? What if she was hurt?
He had tried to ring her back but his signal had started playing up, like in one of those awful nightmares, so he’d gone round to Mary’s to see if she knew what was wrong. She told him before he had a chance to ask that she’d had a lovely text from Eve during the night telling her how much she loved her and Conwenna Cove. It had come through in the early hours, so, she’d said with a smile, she suspected that Eve might have been a bit squiffy.
Jack had released the breath he’d been holding. Eve was all right. That was good. He couldn’t have borne it if she’d been hurt or afraid. He wanted to be there for her; to care for her and to protect her.
Shit!
He really did. He wanted to be the one she came home to, that she looked to for support, that she cuddled up to at night.
He’d accepted a cup of tea and some toast from Mary then taken the dogs down to the cove so he could get some air and thinking time. Which was why he was sitting on the sand with his phone out. The signal arcs were full now, so he should be able to access his voicemail.
And he could listen to Eve’s messages.
But he was anxious. What if she had rung to tell him that she was reconciling with her ex? It could have happened. She’d come to Conwenna all mixed up, but going back to Bristol and the life she had there, she might have been swept back into it and now, this very moment, she could be lying in Darryl’s arms.
His body tensed and his hands curled into fists. The thought of anyone else holding Eve was unbearable. Even if it was her husband.
But she’d said things were over between them. She’d said she’d be back.
Hadn’t she?
He uncurled his hands and smoothed the dogs’ silky heads. They both flashed him a glance then turned back to gaze at the sea. Harry and Clio were warm and contented and Jack wished he could be as relaxed as they were; that he didn’t have this terrible churning in his guts as he thought of the woman he adored.
Adored …
He was in deep.
It was better to listen to the messages and get this over with; no sense delaying any longer. He wouldn’t run away from this; he wasn’t a coward. He’d rather feel the pain now than spend his life wondering.
He swiped the screen of his mobile then raised it to his ear.
Time stood still. The sound of the gulls circling overhead dimmed, the waves froze mid-roll and the sporadic white clouds paused in the bright blue sky.
Then he started to laugh, a great heaving sound that began deep inside him and bubbled insistently out of his mouth, until his eyes were wet and his stomach muscles ached.
Each message grew more and more insistent and more drunkenly sincere. Each message carved out a passage across his heart. And each message made him long to see Eve Carpenter again, as soon as possible.
Because now he knew.
* * *
‘That’s the last of it,’ Darryl said as he closed the doors of the van and pushed his hands into his pockets. ‘I’ll drop the bab … I mean the things off at that greyhound charity shop on the way.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want to keep any of it?’ Eve asked as she peered at him from under her hand. The sun was making her eyes water and her head still throbbed dully with a hangover.
‘I’m sure. No point hanging on to the past, is there?’
‘No.’
‘If things had been different and the twins had … I suspect we’d have kept some of their baby things for sentimental reasons and given whatever wasn’t needed to charity. So this is kind of the same. Just sadder.’ He looked back at the house. ‘When’s the sign going up?’
‘Monday. The estate agents all gave similar estimates, so I went with the first one. She’s certain we’ll get an offer soon; said the catchment area alone will sell the house.’
‘And what will you do then?’
‘I’m still not entirely certain. The sale could take a while to go through, especially if the buyers are in a chain, but I’ve had some thoughts about how I might progress. Time to move on and all that.’
‘Keep in touch?’
‘Of course. We’ve the divorce to finalize as well as the finances.’
‘No, Eve. I just mean, stay in touch. Let me know how you are, what you decide to do and so on. I don’t want to make life hard for you or to hang around like a bad smell.’ He flashed a small smile. ‘But we do have a past and I would like to know that you’re safe and well.’
‘Same here.’ She swallowed hard. This was more difficult than she’d anticipated. Their marriage hadn’t been right, she was certain about it now, but even so they had shared a life for a while and been through some difficult times. Whatever happened from here on, they would always have a shared past, and nothing would change that for either of them. But they were heading in different directions now, and hopefully this time they’d both find happiness.
Darryl opened his arms and Eve walked into his embrace. They hugged for a moment then he released her. ‘Take care now.’
‘You too. Hope it works out for you with …’
Darryl nodded. ‘Early days. Not counting my chickens.’ He tapped the side of his nose. ‘Speak soon!’
He climbed into the van, then started the engine. Eve stood at the edge of the driveway and watched as he drove away, feeling a strange mixture of sadness and hope. She had managed to leave things on a positive note with her ex-husband. The house was cleared out, their belongings divided, and the divorce would be finalized within weeks, since neither of them would contest anything.
They really were closing a door.
She jumped as arms encircled her and she turned to find Amanda standing beside her. ‘You okay, chick?’
She nodded. ‘Just about.’
‘Good. Kettle’s on.’
‘Great idea. I’m parched.’
‘Me too. All that wine dehydrated me terribly. Good thing I didn’t try to drive home this morning; not worth the risk. I’d still have been over the limit.’
They headed into the house.
‘Amanda?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Did you do that deliberately so you could stay here while Darryl moved his things out?’
‘What, me? Come up with such a devious plan so I’d be here if my best friend was in need?’ She shook her head. ‘Never!’ Then she winked.
‘Thank you.’
Amanda waved at her. ‘Now where d’you keep the biscuits?’
Chapter 23
Eve sauntered around the supermarket. The comforting aromas of freshly baked bread and fresh fruit and vegetables lifted her spirits. The smells reminded her of Aunt Mary’s house and how happy she had always been th
ere. As she picked up a bag of lemons, she pictured the first lemon drizzle cake she’d made and the following culinary disasters that Jack had helped her to clean up. It seemed such a long time ago now.
She’d thought about ringing him again to try to find out what she’d said in her messages – all ten of them – but just the idea made her cringe. She’d recalled snippets of what she’d said and had flashbacks of emotions, but the Prosecco haze had, perhaps thankfully, kept most of her drunken messages from her.
Jack had sent her a brief text teasing her about no doubt having a hangover and to say that he hoped she was getting on okay and that Gabe sent his love. Eve had found it reassuring and was grateful that he hadn’t asked any questions, so she hadn’t felt under pressure to provide him with answers. That was typical of how thoughtful he was. He knew she needed some space to sort out her life, but he also clearly wanted her to know that she was still in his thoughts.
‘Well hello there!’ A sing-song voice snapped her out of her musing and a shiver ran down her spine.
I know who that is …
She turned slowly and took a deep breath.
‘Hello, Donovan.’
It was a school day and just gone one p.m. She shouldn’t be at risk of bumping into anyone from work. What was he doing out and about?
‘I didn’t expect to see you looking so well, Eve. My, my …’ He ran his eyes from her head to her feet and back again in such a way that Eve felt instantly uncomfortable.
‘I’m … I’m certainly feeling a bit better.’
‘Yesssss!’ He dragged out the sound between his teeth and Eve was reminded of a snake hissing. ‘Does this mean you’ll be joining us back at school soon? Tomorrow, perhaps?’ He ran a finger over one perfectly groomed brow, then rested his hands on his hips.
‘Not yet, no.’ Eve felt perspiration pop out on her upper lip and her heart began to thud.
‘Not yet? Oh but Eve, we all miss you so much.’ The way he said it made Eve certain that he didn’t miss her at all, and that he was in fact enjoying her absence immensely.
Summer at Conwenna Cove Page 23