Page 8 of Always on My Mind

It was their story that drove Tessa to see the psychic—or, past life regressionist—in the first place. Unfortunately, it was what she feared all along. That Jamie was the person her soul was tied to. But Jamie was no longer an option. She wondered if she could find the happiness Billie and Ethan had, or was shecondemned to a life alone by refusing Jamie? Was everyone seeking out their soulmates from times gone by? Or did some people choose a partner regardless of anything from the past?

“I’ve got noise canceling headphones, y’know,” Tessa said.

“Tess.”

“Alright, alright, I understand. Newlywed bliss and all that.”

Billie hesitated for a long moment. “You know. . . if you need a loan, Ethan and I can—”

“No,” Tessa cut her off. “I know he’s a footballer and money’s no object for you, but I couldn’t accept it.”

“There’s no shame in asking for help, Tess.”

“Aye, I know. And seeing as I’m not asking, there’s especially no shame in it.”

“Tessa.”

“If that day ever comes, Billie, you’ll be the first to know. But I grew up in Derry. I know how to get by.” She paused for a beat, then whimpered. “Fuck, Billie, what if I have to move back to Derry?”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“Promise?”

“Cross my heart.”

Tessa took a deep breath. “Good. Because you know what’s in Derry, don’t you?”

“No, what?”

“Fucking nothing, that’s what! Just a bunch of other poor, Catholic girls with nothing to do all day and no prospects and—”

“Tessa, calm down! I won’t let that happen, I swear.”

She sniffled. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Bills.”

“I know. And I owe you my marriage, so I’m here for anything you need, yeah?”

“Understood.”

A male voice sounded from Billie’s end, with a Southern drawl that Tessa would have recognized from anywhere. Ethan musthave gotten back from training. She knew that was the case when Billie let out a girlish laugh that only Ethan was capable of drawing from her.

“Sorry?” Billie suddenly asked.

“I haven’t said anything,” Tessa answered.

“I—” Billie stifled another giggle and scolded Ethan. “Sorry, was there anything else?”

“The last interview might be better,” Tessa said. “Name’s Niamh, so there’s a pretty good chance she’s Irish.”

Billie said some other muffled thing to Ethan. “Oh, really?”

“Could be from the Republic, though.”

“Would that be a bad thing? I mean—Ethan!”

Tessa huffed. “Sweet, suffering Jesus, go ride your husband already!”

“You sure?”

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