Page 32 of An Island in the Sun

Raff strode past her, his voice breaking through her worry. ‘He’s not here, Tabitha.’

She glanced up and down the road. A car flashed by and then a van in the other direction, but no sign of Fudge, just the grey tarmac edged by grasses. The desperate worry turned into tears that she’d been bottling up all morning. The situation with Fudge had well and truly tipped her over the edge.

Raff took her elbow and led her away from the road and back onto the lane.

‘It’ll be okay.’

‘You don’t know that,’ she said through sobs.

Raff put his arms around her and hugged her tightly. She didn’t immediately pull away. The feel of being encircled by him was soothing as her chest heaved against his, her tears dampening his T-shirt. It felt safe in his arms and comforting, even if he was the cause of her upset. Perhaps it was physical contact she longed for, rather than an emotional connection with someone. If anything, coupled with the situation leading to her break-up with Lewis, the last couple of days had proven that emotions were a pain in the backside.

Although the hug was needed, she knew that Raff was everything she should avoid. The events of the past couple of years had shown her she was better off on her own; it was easier and simpler to only rely on herself. And if she was craving human contact, then Elspeth’s offer to stay with them was there. The company of her sister and brother-in-law, along with big squishy hugs from her cute-as-a-button nieces, would do her a world of good – not the attention of the strapping six-foot, tattooed, easy-on-the-eye but unpredictable and mysterious man who held her in his arms.

Tabitha wriggled free from his embrace and wiped away her tears. She looked up at Raff and tried to keep her voice steady. ‘I don’t know what’s happened between you and your parents and I don’t really care, because, whatever it is, it’s not my problem. I’m going to have to tell them the truth, though. They need to know that Fudge is missing and they need to know how and why it happened, which means I’m telling them about you.’

Raff looked far from happy, but he didn’t argue.

‘Let me at least come back with you and we can call them together,’ he suggested.

‘No, you’re not coming back.’ Another tear slid down Tabitha’s face. ‘You’ve done enough. I have an incredibly difficult call to make to your parents and you won’t be any help. You need to leave for good this time.’

‘Honestly, Tabitha, I’m so sorry.’ Raff reached out and touched her arm. ‘I was drunk and wasn’t thinking…’

‘No, you didn’t think. Everything you’ve done since breaking in that night has been for yourself. You’re utterly selfish.’

She’d been drawn in by him and the barriers she’d put up around her heart had come down a little with his company, yet he’d completely betrayed her trust. And now, with poor Fudge missing, he’d put her in an impossible position with the whole house sit, not to mention the parents he was estranged from.

Without another word, Tabitha walked away, leaving Raff at the top of the lane. She didn’t look back and only unclenched her fists once she rounded the corner and knew she was out of sight. It was done, whatever thing they’d briefly had going on was over.

The villa came into view. Part of her had hoped to see Fudge sitting outside the gate waiting for her, but, of course, he wasn’t. Another sob caught in her throat, while the feeling of dread that at best he was lost, at worst… She couldn’t begin to contemplate that. Her chest hurt at the thought of having to break the news to Cordelia about her ‘baby’.

‘Tabitha!’ The voice was faint but recognisable.

Tabitha swung round and backtracked to where the lane that led to Julie and Anton’s house converged with Rufus and Cordelia’s. Julie was jogging up the lane, waving her arms wildly.

14

‘Are you looking for Fudge?’ Julie called as she slowed down. ‘He’s at mine!’

Sheer relief flooded through Tabitha at Julie’s words. Her heart still pounded, but the feeling of horror at having lost Cordelia’s beloved dog dissipated. She glanced back to where she’d left Raff at the top of the lane to tell him the good news, but he’d already gone. She bit her lip. It was his fault that Fudge had escaped to begin with; it was good that he was out of her life.

Without wasting any more time thinking about him, Tabitha jogged down the lane to meet Julie.

‘I’m so glad I saw you,’ Julie said breathlessly as she stopped in front of Tabitha. ‘Fudge was in our garden. I have no idea how he got there.’

‘Is he okay?’

‘He seems to have hurt his paw, but other than that he’s fine, just looking rather sorry for himself.’ Julie frowned as she caught her breath and looked at Tabitha properly. ‘More importantly, are you okay?’

‘I am now.’ Tabitha could imagine what a hot mess she must look. A feeling of wanting to laugh and cry at the same time overwhelmed her. ‘I’ve been so worried, looking for him everywhere.’

Julie placed a cool hand on her arm. ‘Well, it’s all okay now,’ she said soothingly. ‘Come on, he’ll be pleased to see you.’

With her heart still fluttering, Tabitha followed Julie down the lane to her house. It was smaller than Rufus and Cordelia’s but built with a similar stone. Julie opened the front door and ushered her inside, through to the modest open-plan living area.

At the sight of Fudge lying on Julie’s wooden floor licking his paw, Tabitha slumped to her knees and snuggled against his warm, soft fur. She kissed the top of his head and gently hugged him to her. ‘You gave me such a fright.’ She pulled away slightly and tickled beneath his chin. The way he looked up at her made her heart melt. She never wanted to feel that awful worried-sick feeling ever again.

‘He’s been constantly licking his front right paw and hobbled his way in,’ Julie said, ‘so I think he’s hurt it on something. Might be worth getting a vet to check him over.’

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