He nodded, waiting for me to continue.
‘But if I do, if we become proper friends, and I end up spending more time with your family, it feels wrong to keep carrying this secret.’
Gabe took a long, slow breath. ‘I understand.’
‘It’s your secret to tell, so if you don’t want it shared, then I’ll make my excuses to Pip and fly home tomorrow.’
‘It’s not a secret that I was married before. Plenty of people knew Nellie, after all. I’m not ashamed of that, or of you being here. But there was a fair bit of ill feeling. Mostly due to misunderstandings, assumptions, and the like. I wouldn’t want people putting any of that on you. Or questioning why you’re here now.’
‘Why would they question it?’
‘It is a little odd, my ex-wife’s child turning up and staying with my daughter.’
‘But I didn’t know who she was. I didn’t even know you existed until two days before I came here. It was Pip who offered me the room at Lily’s.’
‘I know that. But not everybody else does. The reaction might not be what you’re hoping for.’
I sat back, perturbed.
‘I suppose our deciding factor will be how serious you are about Pip.’
‘Oh?’
‘Are you prepared to chance causing upset, if it means you can stay?’
‘Do you think Pip will be upset?’
‘Maybe a little, at first. Maybe not, if we can explain it to him carefully. That it was me who insisted on you not telling him.’
I thought about it. Fobbing Pip off with a lie, getting on the plane back home and carrying on as before, never knowing what might have happened if I’d stayed.
Or revealing the truth, and risking him wanting nothing to do with me because of it.
One of those options meant my friendship with Pip would definitely end, along with the possibility of anything more.
The other one meant I had a chance, at least.
A chance of a new life, on this island that I was growing to love.
A new life, with Pip, who I loved even more.
‘Will it cause trouble for you?’
Gabe gave a rueful smile. ‘Nothing I’m not willing and able to handle. Ah, love. It can’t have been easy, losing your mother, no other family to support you, or answer your questions about her. Then the bombshell that she had a secret husband, a hidden past. Whether you stay or not, the least you deserve is the opportunity to tell Pip the truth, share who you really are with him. Let’s do it. Only, not on Iris and Hugh’s big day. And I’ll speak with Rosemary first, if you don’t mind.’
We left the kitchen, although Gabe paused as we reached the corner leading to the Old Barn, impulsively pulling me into a hug.
‘I hope you know how very much I loved your mother,’ he said, voice rough with emotion. ‘I meant every word I said, and I’m so sorry that she’s no longer with us. Whatever happens next, I’m grateful to have had a chance to meet you, and I hope we get plenty of opportunities to share more about what a blessing it was to have known and loved her.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Come on, then, I believe my son would very much like to invite you to dance.’
31
‘Ah, there you are,’ Pip said, his face lighting up as Gabe and I approached a table full of Hawkins family members. ‘The band’s just taking a cider break, but Jack was hoping you’d join us in a line dance once they’re finished.’
‘Great.’ While my bones were heavy with exhaustion, I was fizzing with adrenaline and anticipation, and there was no way I was turning down the chance to dance with Pip again.
