Page 102 of A Secret Escape

“Yes. And if your dad is happy with her, then I think that’s good too.”

Zoe shifted the weight of the bag. “Do you wish you’d never married him?”

There had been moments when she wished that, but now she thought differently.

“We had many happy years, and just because we’ve both moved on doesn’t make those years worth less. It was a different phase of our lives, that’s all. And now this is a new phase.”

“I worry about leaving you alone on the weekends. Gramma and Nanna Peg want to sign you up to a dating app.”

Milly thought about Brendan. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

“I just want you to be happy, Mum.”

Maybe itwastime to be more open. “Well, it’s funny you should say that, because I just may have gone on a date while you were staying with your dad and Avery this weekend.”

Zoe gasped. “You did? Who with?”

“I’m going to tell you all about it another time or Nanna Peg will come out here searching for those biscuits herself.”

“Okay, but answer me one question. What did you wear?”

Milly laughed. She definitely should be sharing more of her life with her daughter. “A dress that Nicole found tucked at the back of my wardrobe. And a pair of shoes that gave me a blister.” Milly headed back toward the house, Zoe next to her looking decidedly more cheerful.

She poached some salmon and made a light salad for supper, and by the time they all went to bed, Connie was looking a lot better.

Milly was settling down to sleep when a message pinged on her phone.

It was from Brendan.

Joel updated me. I’m here if you need me so call.

She replied with a thank you and a row of kisses, and then deleted two of the kisses in case it was too much.

Then she lay back and smiled into the darkness. She wasn’t going to call, but she was pleased that he’d suggested it.

And suddenly she felt lighter, as if the world had opened up in front of her. Her mother was going to be okay, things were good with Nicole, and she was finally in a better place about her own situation. Putting her marriage to Richard firmly in the past and letting go of all the regrets and questions she’d had left her feeling free.

She thought about the date she’d had with Brendan. The fun they’d had.

She wished now that she’d gone with him to his cabin. Next time, she would. And she was determined there would be a next time.

She went to sleep smiling, and that feeling of contentment lasted until her phone woke her the following morning.

It was Joel.

“Hi.” Milly’s voice was groggy from sleep. “Everything okay?”

“Not exactly. I’m calling to warn you not to come near Forest Nest.”

“What?” She sat up and rubbed her eyes. “I was going to drop Zoe at school and then come straight over. What has happened?”

“There are photographers everywhere. Mostly men with cameras. They’re swarming all over the boathouse.”

Milly’s stomach dropped. “Nicole—”

“Fortunately she stayed over with me last night. I went into work early this morning and saw a man with a long lens in the bushes. Then another group arrived. We have a problem.”

Milly registered briefly that Nicole had stayed the night with Joel, then pushed it out of her mind. She’d think about that later. There were more urgent things to deal with.

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