‘A million times better.’
Georgia’s reaction – and that of everyone else – made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, but that familiar stab of guilt was there too. Georgia and I had been so close, always doing so much together, and I’d moved away without even discussing it with her. I should never have done that but leaving had been the only thing I could think of to do at the time to not only save myself but to save her because I was so angry with everyone. It had already lost me my husband and I’d been terrified that it might lose me my sister too.
9
I’d intended on driving back to Newcastle first thing on Friday morning but I was still buzzing from meeting Oliver and Rosie at the quiz and the possibility of working on Willowdale Hall. When Georgia suggested breakfast at The White Willow before I hit the road, I accepted without hesitation.
‘You’re thinking about Willowdale Hall, aren’t you?’ she said after we’d placed our orders. ‘I can tell because your eyes are shining and you haven’t stopped smiling all morning.’
My smile widened. ‘Tell me it wasn’t a dream.’
‘It was real.’
‘I’m trying not to get my hopes up as I’m sure they’ll want to talk to other conservation architects, but we’re talking Willowdale Hall here. How long have I been obsessed with that place?’
‘Only for forever. Remember when you built a replica of the hall out of Lego?’
‘I still have it in a box somewhere, although I think it might be in several pieces now. I’ve got stacks of drawings too.’
I’d filled so many sketch pads with drawings of the outside from different angles, imagining the parts that weren’t in photographs. For some of my interior designs, I’d returned the hall to how I’d imagined it would have been in its heyday and, in others, I’d modernised it into a variety of alternative uses including a luxury hotel, a spa, a hospital and a school. I looked forward to hearing about the vision Oliver and Rosie had for its future, particularly as it sounded like they intended on living there themselves. A dual-purpose design would be interesting to work on.
‘If you get the job – which Iknowyou will – how will it impact on your other projects?’ Georgia asked.
‘It shouldn’t be a problem as I’ve always juggled my workload.’
‘And what about moving back here when most of your projects are in the north-east?’
‘Are you trying to put me off?’ I asked, my tone teasing.
‘No! Never! Just being practical.’
‘It’ll be fine. I covered the north-east when I lived here before – just means further to travel when I’m needed on site.’
‘I’m beyond excited you’re coming home, but…’ A shadow crossed Georgia’s face, stirring the butterflies in my stomach.
I shook my head. ‘I don’t want to talk about Flynn.’
Our drinks arrived, pausing our conversation, but Georgia clearly wasn’t ready to let it go.
‘The last thing I want to do is make you doubt your decision to return, but have you thought about what you’ll say when you see him?’
‘I don’t intend on seeing him.’
‘Maybe not intentionally, but you’re bound to bump into him at some point, probably sooner rather than later.’
I stirred my latte, keeping my eyes down, but Georgia gripped onto my hand, stopping me from moving.
‘Mel! Please look at me.’
I raised my eyes, sighing heavily.
‘You won’t be able to avoid him forever. This isn’t a big place.’
‘I don’t want to think about it,’ I muttered, feeling like a petulant child. ‘I mean it, Georgia. Conversation’s over.’
But as I drove back to Newcastle, seeing Flynn again was all I could think about. I pictured his dark curls, the tenderness in his green eyes and his dazzling smile. And then I pictured the hurt and confusion when I left and I shook my head, trying to dislodge it from my mind. I hated that I’d hurt him when he was already in pain but, if I’d stayed, I’d have only hurt him more.
* * *
