‘Not so much as a diving board over a pool,’ Finn said, shaking his head. ‘It scarred me for life.’
‘Oh Finn, you’re such a drama queen.’ Titus reached over and caressed Finn’s cheek, and a moment passed between them that made Edith’s heart thud. What must it be like to be loved that much? To know that someone else had your back and always would do? Her vision blurred, so she blinked hard and turned togaze out of the window at the beautiful gardens that were a balm for the soul.
She watched as two small birds fluttered around on the grass, clearly watching something that was too small for her to see from here. They pecked at it then fluttered their wings again. She realised they were likely after an insect, deciding if they could take it or not. Deciding whether they were brave enough to eat it. Just like people, they had to weigh up if the risk was worth it. Titus and Finn had decided it was, and she admired them for it. She didn’t think she’d ever be brave enough to take a risk that involved her heart again.
‘OK then,’ Ellie said as she approached the table. ‘It’s time for Round 2.’ She set down some more plates and explained what was on each one, then they started tasting again. Peach and raspberry, peanut butter and chocolate, cherry and lemon. They were all delicious and Edith savoured each bite before washing it down with coffee.
‘So what do you think?’ Ellie asked, looking at Finn and Titus.
They frowned and looked around the table again.
‘I still love the elderflower one,’ Finn said.
‘It is nice. But I’m a sucker for chocolate.’ Titus pointed at the chocolate fudge cake. ‘What do you think?’ He directed the question at Edith and Wyatt.
‘If it was my wedding,’ Wyatt said, ‘I’d go for the chocolate fudge cake.’
‘Ifit wasyourwedding,’ Edith said, anger bubbling in her gut. ‘But it’s not, is it?’
Wyatt’s eyes widened slightly. ‘I know that, Edith.’ He gave a weak laugh that lit something inside her, and she glared at him. How dare he speak to her as if she was stupid? Yes, she had been stupid to trust him all those years ago, but she’d had no reason not to. He had told her he loved her and wanted to be with her, and she had loved him and… and…
Now he was mocking her?
‘No, because you’re probably one of those men who doesn’t want to get married, aren’t you? The type who makes a woman fall in love and believe you’ve got her back and then ups and leaves. The type who—’ To her horror, her eyes filled with tears and her voice cracked.
No, don’t weaken now. Be strong. Anger makes you strong. Harness that angerand stay strong, Edith!
‘The t-type who kisses a woman tenderly then catches his flight home, lets her believe he’ll be back for her soon and then… he’s never seen again.’ She leapt to her feet and hooked her bag over her shoulder. ‘That is until he accidentally bumps into her because a mutual friend is getting married.’
She pushed her chair under the table and then it hit her what she’d done. She was here for work, and she’d just freaked out in front of her clients, who were also friends.
Looking at Finn and Titus, she dug her nails into her palms. ‘I am incredibly sorry. That was very unprofessional of me. I… I can’t explain my behaviour other than to say that Wyatt here just… triggered something in me. I-I’m sorry. If you decide you don’t want my help with the wedding, I’ll understand. I’m going to go now because I can’t stay here… I need some air. Goodluck with the cakes. I’m sure that whatever you choose will be perfect.’
She flashed a regretful smile at Finn and Titus, then at Ellie, who was standing next to the table, staring hard at the floor as if she didn’t know where to look.
‘Sorry, Ellie. Sorry everyone.’
Turning on her wedges, Edith marched out of the café, out of the gardens and onto the road that led down to the village. And now she let the tears flow down her cheeks. What on earth was that? What had she done? Ruining her career was not a good move at all! She was always so professional and together, had been for years, and then Wyatt came back into her world, and she fell apart. Why had she let him affect her like that? Why?
She was sobbing so loudly she didn’t hear footsteps behind her until someone caught her arm. She swung around, expecting to see Ellie or Finn.
‘What do you want?’ she said when she saw Wyatt. ‘Haven’t you done enough?’
‘Edith… I don’t understand. What’s wrong?’ he asked, still holding her arm as if he was afraid that she’d flee like a frightened animal.
‘What’s wrong?’ She shouted now. ‘Do you have no idea what’s wrong? Really?’
She knew she must look a state, but she didn’t care. Years of being composed and calm and rebuilding her life after Wyatt had destroyed it had taken their toll. Now the door had opened on those emotions, and she knew she couldn’t control them.
‘Edith, I’m sorry for how I behaved when I went back to the States. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought you’d be better off without me.’
‘Did you? Or did you just find someone better? Someone to fit the lifestyle you wanted? Someone who wasn’t… who wasn’t…’ Her knees buckled, but he still had her arm, and so he pulled her against him and kept her on her feet. ‘Who wasn’t m-me…’
In his arms, against his broad chest, she cried until her throat was raw and her eyes stung. And he held her tight in the way he used to do when she believed in him and believed in them. When she’d thought they had a future together and that he would always have her back. He’d been her lover, yes, but also her best friend, and that was the biggest loss of all. She’d believed in their future, and it had been a bright one, and then he’d abandoned her.
When she felt she could stand unaided, she pressed a hand against his chest and stepped backwards, rooted around in her bag for a tissue. Her cheeks were wet, her nose snotty. She felt spent, depleted, all out.
‘I am so sorry that I hurt you like that,’ he said. ‘Can I take you home and make sure you get there safely? Please?’
