The weather was definitely cooler, and daylight hours were becoming noticeably shorter. It had only been a week since she had arrived home from Skye, but it already felt like months for Juliette. She had placed her new painting over the fireplace and had purposefully searched up Lewis Capaldi’s songs on the internet. Why she was torturing herself, she wasn’t sure, but since Millie had gone home, she’d wondered if her friend was right about the fact that she wanted a relationship with Reid. She’d been trying to make herself believe that she didn’t, but the more she tried, the less convinced she actually was.
After countless occasions of picking up the phone and dialling Reid’s number only to hang up, she eventually let it ring long enough for it to go to voicemail. She was partly relieved and partly disappointed at only hearing his voice telling her to leave a message.
‘H-hi, Reid, it’s… it’s me, Jules. I just wanted to check that Evin is safe and that you’re okay. And I wanted to thank you for the beautiful painting. It’s…’ A lump lodged in her throat. ‘It’s wonderful. It has pride of place on the wall above my mantel. I can’t stop looking at it. It reminds me of… well, you and happier times, I suppose. Anyway, that was all I wanted to say, so I’ll go now. But thank you again. I’d love to hear how Evin is. And Chewie,’ she added with a small smile. ‘Bye for now. Take care of yourself,’ she whispered and then hit the end-call button.
It was only a matter of days until she would be back at the university. Back to real life. Skye was already becoming a distant memory, regardless of how many times she revisited it in her mind. As she slept, she dreamed about being at the museum, happy amongst the displays and Tiffany lamps; smiling as she chatted to visitors with excited expressions. Glancing out of the window to see friendly faces passing by. She woke feeling happy and excited, only to realise she was hundreds of miles away and all alone.
Dexter had stayed with their parents for longer than he’d originally anticipated, and she missed him too. Millie was loved up and loving life in Notting Hill with Harry. Dexter had been right; he was a great guy. They had made a brief visit and he had treated them to dinner. He was good fun, just what Millie needed. Caitlin was keeping in regular touch but thankfully seemed to be avoiding the elephant in the room: Reid.
‘Grace is loving reading Harry Potter. I’m so glad you encouraged her to give it a go. I’m tasked with making a themed birthday cake, so I’ve been trawling the internet for ideas. I’m thinking I’ll go with the sorting hat. I mean, I’m a baker, how hard can it be?’
‘Mmhmm. Yes.’
‘I think she’d quite like a Hermione cloak and wand for her birthday, but she hasn’t mentioned it yet, so I’m not sure what to do really.’
‘Mmm.’
‘I suppose I could do a bog-standard round cake and just put some icing figures on the top. What do you think?’
‘Hmm.’
‘Yes, and I thought I’d hire the whole movie cast to come and deliver it by hand. Maybe get some owls to carry in a banner that saysHappy Birthday, Grace.’
‘Mmm, great idea.’
‘Jules, where are you?’
‘Sorry?’
‘You’re not listening.’
‘Iam. Cake… Harry Potter… and…stuff.’
‘And the movie cast?’
‘What about them?’
‘Yep, not listening at all.’
Juliette sighed deeply and rubbed at the crease in her forehead. ‘I’m so sorry. I’m just… My mind’s all over the place.’
‘And your heart?’
‘Back on Skye, I think,’ she admitted.
‘I’m so sorry you’re feeling that way, Jules. But maybe that’s your subconscious telling you it’s time for a change?’
‘Even if it is, I have no clue what to do. I loved my job before… well, before the Lifeboat House. And now nothing compares to it.’
‘Oh, yes, I meant to mention…’ She hesitated. ‘It’s sold.’
Juliette’s stomach dropped and she sat up straight. ‘Oh. Who bought it?’
‘No one knows for sure. But there’s a rumour that it’s someone from down south. But there’s been lots of coming and going, so I’m guessing we’ll find out soon. I’m so sorry it’s not you.’ She wasn’t the only one.
‘It wasn’t meant to be.’ Juliette hoped that one day those words would sink in and she’d believe them. But the fact was, she’d kicked herself on many occasions for not making further enquiries.
Too late now.
