Page 31 of Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital

‘Oh I forgot to bring the biscuits in, I’ll go and get them.’ Albert moved to stand up, grimacing suddenly and putting a hand on his back, where the pain clearly was.

‘Are you okay?’ Amy was up on her feet immediately and Albert nodded.

‘Just the blasted sciatica. All those years as a farrier was bound to take a toll in the end.’

‘Let me put some of this ibuprofen gel on for you.’ Amy was already opening the tube that had been left on the side table by his chair, not giving him the chance to protest.

‘And I’ll grab the biscuits.’ Lijah got to his feet too, not wanting to cause Albert any embarrassment by sitting opposite and watching him having the gel applied.

‘They’re on the kitchen table.’

The biscuit tin was hand decorated with tiny painted flowers and, like the rest of the house, it was clearly well used, but still beautiful. Lijah took his time before going back into the living room, only returning when he heard Amy say that she was going to the bathroom to wash her hands, which he knew meant she had finished.

‘This is beautiful Albie, did you paint it?’ Lijah handed the tin to the older man, but Albert shook his head.

‘No, Millie did.’ He must have noticed the questioning look on Lijah’s face. He knew Albert didn’t have any children, and he’d already said his late wife’s name was Lizzie.

‘She’s the one that got away, isn’t that what you youngsters say?’ Albert had a wistful look on his face, and he didn’t wait for Lijah to answer. ‘I did some work on her father’s estate and we fell in love, but she was from a wealthy family and I was a farm hand. Her parents had arranged for her to get engaged to another landowner’s son. She said she’d run away with me, but I was scared she’d regret it. So I left before I had to witness her getting engaged, even though it nearly killed me to go. I trained to be a farrier as far away as I could get, up in Yorkshire. I only came back to Cornwall after I married Lizzie and we bought this place. Millie made the tin for me when I still worked for her father, bringing it down each day to the fields where I was working, with some cake or biscuits in it. That’s how I knew she liked me. I took it with me when I decided to stop working for her father, and I’ve kept it ever since.’

‘Have you ever tried to find her?’ Lijah couldn’t stop himself from asking, and Albert laughed.

‘Life isn’t one those romance novels, at least that’s what I told Millie.’ The mirth slid off Albert’s face and he suddenly looked bereft. ‘There’s a chance Lizzie will get a reunion with her Brian, but it’s not going to happen for me and Millie. Not here and not up there, because I let her go. I should have taken the chance to be with her when she gave it to me, because one thing I’ve learnt in life is that failing is better than giving up before you even start. Don’t let any opportunities that come your way pass you by, lad, that’d be my advice.’

‘What are you two gossiping about?’ Amy smiled as she came back into the room.

‘Life, love and missed opportunities.’ Lijah looked directly as her as he spoke, but she quickly turned towards Albert.

‘Sounds like you two are bonding already. Have you thought any more about rehoming a cat or dog, Albie? Caroline said you’ve been considering it?’ Her change of subject was as swift as it was complete, and she clearly had no intention of talking about missed opportunities. That would have gone against the rules. Despite avoiding some subjects, the conversation flowed easily and the three of them talked about pretty much everything else, the next hour flying by.

‘So what’s the verdict then, lad? Will you be coming back to see me again, or was once enough for you?’ Albert asked the question as he saw them to the door.

‘Oh, I’ll be back, if you’ll have me?’ Lijah smiled. ‘I’ve had a great time.’

‘Of course I’ll have you.’ Albert looked genuinely delighted. ‘I’ve not got many friends left these days.’

‘Me neither. So, it sounds like we’re a match made in heaven.’ Lijah hadn’t meant to admit that out loud, and he’d seen the look that had crossed Amy’s face in response. He knew what was coming, as soon as they were back in the car together.

‘What did you mean about not having many friends? Whenever I see pictures of you, you’re surrounded by people.’ She kept her eyes fixed on the road and he was thankful for that, but there was no point in lying to Amy, she’d always been able to see right through him.

‘I’m talking about proper friends. Most of the people who call themselves my friends have no clue who the real me is. I’m grateful to have Nick.’ It would have been so easy for him to tell Amy how grateful he was to have her too, but that would have crossed another line she’d written in the sand. Amy wasn’t his any more, not in the way he wanted her to be. She was looking at him intently now, though, her eyes locking with his as she spoke.

‘Is that why you came back to Port Kara?’

‘Partly. I just wanted to be somewhere that didn’t feel fake and now I don’t know if I can face going back to living how I was before. But everything changes and when Claire moves away, a huge part of what made Port Kara home will go with her. I suppose I should have realised you can’t recapture the past, no matter how much you might want to.’

‘I suppose not.’ He’d only repeated the same thing she’d said to him, when she’d told him why they needed to take it a day at a time, but her voice was small as she continued. ‘So you’re definitely not staying?’

‘I still don’t know, I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I need to decide, because it’s not fair on Nick. I can’t end his career by letting him hang around waiting for me, just because I’m not sure if I want to carry on with mine.’ Lijah sighed. ‘Although I’ve barely seen him since he started seeing Dolly. So, who knows, maybe his heart will end up in Port Kara even if mine doesn’t. Although I’m hoping it will.’

‘Lijah.’ There was a warning note in her voice that told him he was pushing it too far. He almost told her he couldn’t do this; he couldn’t keep his emotions in check the way she wanted him to, because it felt like the last ten years hadn’t happened when he was around her. But there was a good chance she might push him away altogether if he did that, and what Albie had said had really hit home; he didn’t want to let any opportunities pass him by. Suddenly he was certain, whatever else he decided about his future, he wanted Amy to be a part of it. Except he’d told her that before, and he’d still chosen his career over her, instead of staying in Port Kara and fighting for what they had.

Lijah knew why she’d ended things back then, because she thought it was best for his career, and he suspected she’d do it again for the same reasons, unless he proved to her, beyond all doubt, that it wasn’t what he wanted. He couldn’t just come out and say it. He had to prove it to her and that was going to take time. For the first time since she’d set the rules, he could see the value of taking things day by day. He wasn’t going to ignore Albie’s advice and let this second chance pass him by, but he couldn’t risk trying to rush things with Amy either. Instead he held up his hands, acknowledging that what he’d said could be construed as breaking her rules and offered up an apology.

‘Sorry, it’s just that days like today make me realise what really matters. I don’t think I could have had an afternoon like we’ve had with Albie anywhere but here.’

‘I’m so glad it worked out between the two of you and if it gives you another reason to stay in Port Kara, I’m not going to complain.’ She touched his hand, her mask slipping again for a moment, before she took her hand away again, changing the radio station toAbsolute 80s. The sound of Spandau Ballet’s ‘True’ instantly filled the air.

‘This was another song your mum loved, wasn’t it?’

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