Page 44 of A Seaside Escape
Pulling her hood up, Mallory announced, ‘I think I might head over to the holiday cottage and see Renee and the family.’
‘Okay, I’ll walk with you.’ Greg smiled. ‘I have a free day today and I intend to do bugger all but relax and maybe read a book.’ He gasped and put a hand over his mouth dramatically, making Mallory giggle.
They clipped their dogs back onto their leads and headed briskly in the direction of the cottages as the rain gained intensity and the drops became larger and more determined to soak them through.
Greg looked pensive as if there was something he needed to say. Suddenly he stopped and gently took her arm. She turned to look at him. The rain was now pouring down and his lack of hood or hat meant that his wet, dark hair looked black. He swept it back out of his face as raindrops dripped off the end of his nose. He took a deep breath and after a pause said, ‘I have to say something. Please just let me speak and don’t say anything, okay?’
Narrowing her eyes, Mallory said a hesitant, ‘Oooh-kay.’ She frowned at his urgency. Not knowing exactly what to expect, she worried in case he was about to declare his undying love or something ridiculous.
‘Mallory, you and I didn’t get off the best start, we both know that. I feel that now, though, we’re friends, good friends?’ He nodded at her, clearly needing affirmation. She nodded in acknowledgement. ‘Seeing you look so happy last night made me feel amazing. Knowing I had a part in it. You know? But I think I may have given you the wrong impression. I know for a fact you felt uncomfortable at one point when I caught your eye… in the last song?’
Mallory knew exactly what he was getting at, but couldn’t speak for fear of saying the wrong thing.
After another pause, Greg continued, ‘Now, I want you to know that I put your friendship above anything… I would never want to jeopardise that. If I made you feel uncomfortable by the way I looked at you then I am so, so sorry. I just… you know… I sometimes get caught up in the meaning of a song… but it didn’t mean anything.’ He ran his hand through his wet hair again, but his actions were futile as the weight of the water was simply dragging it straight back over his face. ‘Like I said before, I’m crap at this friends business. And if I’m completely honest, and I think I should be, I do find you attractive. But there areso manyreasons why I can’t and won’t even bother to dwell on that fact. So please don’t worry. Do you understand what I’m waffling on about?’
Mallory chewed her lip and scrunched her brow. Confusion invaded her mind. She was wondering how the hell he had just dived into her head and read her thoughts without her feeling a thing.
The rain continued to hammer down. Greg was soaked but didn’t seem to care. ‘Basically, what I’m trying to say is that, if we’d met under different circumstances, if we were closer in age, if we weren’t both so broken, if I was braver, if you evenremotelyfound me attractive, then maybe things would be different. But I know that things are how they are. We’re friends and that’s enough. Please promise me that you won’t start to withdraw and avoid me for fear of hurting me or doing… saying the wrong thing. I’m a big boy. I can handle it. I’m happy to be just friends.’
Suddenly Mallory felt awash with emotion and had the desperate urge to hug him. He had just given her the biggest gift; the gift of real friendship – no strings attached. She needed him so much to be a part of her life but could offer him no more. He had looked into her soul and known that and had relieved her of her burden. He found her attractive, and if she was honest, she thought him attractive too. But there was a difference between seeing the beauty in someone and wanting to do something about it. Evidently, they were on the same page.
She threw caution to the wind and embraced the soaked man in front of her, knowing that he wouldn’t read into the gesture after all. He returned her embrace, this time without awkwardness. They said their goodbyes and as Greg headed for home, Mallory set off in the direction of the cottage where Sam’s family were staying.
*
Renee opened the door to the rental cottage and pulled Mallory into her arms. ‘Mallory, sweetheart. How lovely to see you.’
Cara came to join in the hug as Ryan bounced baby Dylan around on his hip.
Mallory smiled, a heavy weight having been lifted from her shoulders. ‘It’s great to see you all too. I had no idea you were coming. It was such a wonderful surprise.’
‘Well, we knew it was your thirtieth birthday and wanted to come over to celebrate with you, but didn’t want to intrude. Anyway, when we received Greg’s call we accepted his invitation without giving it a moment’s thought.’
So, it was true, Greg had done all the inviting.So sweet, Mallory smiled to herself.
‘He’s quite the character isn’t he?’ Renee stated rather than questioned, smiling at Mallory.
‘Yes, he is a good friend. He’s been so helpful since I moved here.’ Mallory wanted Renee to understand that friendship is all it was.
Renee hugged her again. ‘Yes, he seems to care a lot about you which is so reassuring, especially knowing that everyone else you care about is so far away. It must be good to know he’s there for you.’
Ryan stood. ‘I’m going to go and put Dylan down for his nap and then we can all catch up properly.’ He walked through the large one-story building towards the bedrooms.
‘Tea, Mallory? And perhaps a slice of this delicious carrot cake that the owners of the cottage left for our arrival?’
Mallory smiled. She hadn’t realised that Colin and Christine owned the cottage, but the signature carrot cake made the fact apparent.
‘Oh yum. Yes please,’ Mallory accepted enthusiastically and Renee disappeared into the kitchen.
Fiddling with the hem of her top, Cara touched Mallory’s arm. ‘So, Mallory, how are you doing really?’
Mallory placed her hand over Cara’s. ‘I’m getting there, you know?’
‘Are you lonely here? I mean, I know there’s Greg but it’s not the same as having Josie or Brad close by.’
Mallory smiled. ‘No, you’re right. But everyone has been so warm and welcoming that I’m beginning to feel like I belong.’
Cara smiled. ‘I’m so glad to hear that. But if ever you want to talk, I’m only a phone call away. Never mind the time difference, okay?’
