‘Maybe you should. But let’s not dwell on the past.’
‘Well, that’s a thought. Might be a hard habit to break. But you’re right, I do need to focus on the future.’ She paused and then almost whispered, ‘Emma, you won’t tell the others about my past, will you.’
‘Others? You mean the staff at the Rosemont.’
Heather nodded and Emma put her hand over hers. ‘I know you must find it difficult, but you can trust me. And, no, I’m not going to go tittle-tattling back to the staff at the hotel. I wouldn’t even if I had anyone to tittle-tattle back to.’
‘But you’re great friends with the crowd, aren’t you?’
‘Not really. I’ve been out with them a few times. And I really like Jenny in HR. But apart from that, they’re really only work colleagues. I wouldn’t call them friends.’
‘And what about Nick? He was always drooling over you like a little lost puppy dog.’
‘Ah, yes, Nick. He’s the one who won’t take no for an answer, even though I’ve made it perfectly clear that nothing is ever going to happen between us.’
‘I thought you liked him.’
‘I was lonely and I wanted some friends. Jay was always far too busy, especially when he got involved with the competition. And, yes, I admit, like you, I was jealous. He shut me out of his life, celebrated his successes with his fellow competitors and made me feel like I didn’t count. So I ended it and that’s why I’m living at the Rosemont.’
‘But you’re still in love with him?’
Emma nodded and felt herself well up.
‘And are you sure it really is over between you? From what you’ve said, it sounds as though there might still be a chance for you two.’
‘I don’t know. His work will always come first.’
‘And you’re pretty work-driven from what I can see.’
‘I am, but it’s not just that.’
‘What is it, then?’
Emma stared into the depths of her wine glass. ‘Okay, this is going to sound silly, but I felt like he didn’t love me enough. He made me feel like I didn’t matter, and I loved him so much that I couldn’t cope with that.’
‘We all need to feel as though we matter,’ Heather said.
‘He kept saying he’d change, that he’d try harder, but he never did. And besides, if he had really loved me he wouldn’t have had to try so hard. That’s why I can’t go back to him. I can’t risk getting hurt like that again.’
To Emma’s surprise, Heather burst out laughing. ‘We’re more similar than I ever expected.’
Emma smiled back. ‘Maybe you’re right.’
‘And yet, you’re prepared to give me a second chance, someone you don’t even like, but you’re not prepared to do that for the man you love.’
‘That’s because I have too much to lose if I do give him another chance.’
‘Looks to me like you’ve lost everything already. So in that respect you don’t have anything to lose.’
‘It’s not that simple.’
‘Then make it simple. Give him a chance to talk to you. You might find that he loves you more than you think he does.’
‘That does make sense, I suppose. I still value him as a friend.’
‘There you go, then. Practise what you preach and take the opportunity.’
Emma nodded. ‘Maybe.’
