Page 98 of A Secret Escape

Milly was still looking at her mother. “You were put in a horrible situation. I’m sorry I didn’t immediately see that. I wish you’d told me at the time.”

This time Nicole was determined not to duck any of the issues. “Because then you and Richard might still be together.”

“No.” Milly turned her head to look at her. “Because then you wouldn’t have had to carry the weight of what you heard on your own. We could have figured it out together, the way we always used to figure things out together. But I can see why you were afraid to tell me.”

Nicole glanced quickly at Connie, wondering if they were disturbing her, but she was still asleep.

“I felt as if it was my fault. That he’d left because I’d given him that ultimatum. I wanted to be there for you because you were at your lowest point, but after what I’d said to him I felt like a hypocrite.”

“That wasn’t my lowest point,” Milly said. “My lowest point was when I realized that as well as losing my husband, I’d lost my best friend.”

Nicole kept hold of her hand. “You didn’t lose me, but I didn’t know how to make things right. And then my life blew up, and I had no one else to turn to. And the fact that you met me at the station that night and brought me back to the boathouse and gave me a safe place to stay confirmed what I’d always known. That you are a one-in-a-million friend.”

The room was silent, but in the distance they heard the shriek of an ambulance siren. Nicole wondered who was in the ambulance. Someone’s loved one. Someone’s friend. Someone else whose life had probably changed in an instant.

“I wasn’t a one-in-a-million friend,” Milly said softly. “Yes, I picked you up, but I was determined to keep some distance. I was cold toward you.”

“I assumed you didn’t need me anymore. That you’d coped fine without me.”

“I wasn’t fine. And I did need you, but I was hurt and trying to protect myself. You’d shown that you didn’t need me, so I was determined not to need you either. And the more distant I was, the more afraid you were of telling me the truth. I made everything harder, and I’m sorry.”

The apology was unexpected.

“I should have told you the truth the night I arrived here, but I couldn’t bear the thought of what that might do to us. I messed up.”

“So did I. What you needed when I picked you up that night was a great big hug, and I didn’t give you one.” Milly sighed. “Friendship can be hard, can’t it? I never knew that when we were young. It all seemed straightforward.”

“Yes.”

“Can we just forget it and move on?”

Nicole felt a surge of overwhelming relief. “Yes. I really want that.” She felt Milly’s hand tighten on hers.

“This is going to sound weird, but I’m almost glad your life blew up or maybe we wouldn’t be here together now.”

“I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way.”

“Thank you for coming to the hospital. That means a lot.”

Before Nicole could answer, the door opened, and Joel appeared carrying two cups of coffee.

“Look who I found loitering in the waiting room.” He propped the door open with his foot and Nanna Peg walked in with Zoe by her side.

Milly stood up and gave Zoe a hug. “You should be getting ready for school!”

“There’s no way I’m going to school while Gramma is in hospital.” Zoe clung to her mother. “Is she going to be okay?”

“The doctors say she’s going to be fine.”

“Can I stay?” Zoe pulled away. “I want to be here with you.”

Milly nodded. “Yes. I’ll call the school and explain.”

Milly’s attention was fixed on Zoe, and it was Nicole who noticed the look on Nanna Peg’s face.

She moved her chair next to the bed. “Sit down, Nanna Peg.”

Nanna Peg sank onto the chair gratefully just as Connie opened her eyes.

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