Page 45 of A Seaside Escape
‘Thank you, Cara. That means such a lot.’
Mallory spent a couple of hours catching up with the Buchanans, reassuring them that she wasn’t falling to pieces and that she was eating and getting out of the house. The fact that they cared so deeply for her, even though she and Sam had never actually married, filled her heart to the brim. She was glad to have them in her life and regardless of what happened in the future she would always consider them her own family.
When Mallory and Ruby left to head home the rain had eased and Mallory was eager to chat to Josie. She needed to apologise for her stern behaviour towards her best friend and to tell her that everything was okay with her and Greg.
When she arrived home she gave Josie a blow-by-blow account of her conversation with him and Josie listened intently.
Josie scrunched her face. ‘Why is he so hung up on the age thing?’ she asked. ‘It’s seven or eight years. You’re both adults. Age isnotan issue.’
Mallory felt frustrated at this response. ‘That’sallyou got from everything I just said?’
Josie blushed. ‘Well, I’m just saying. Age doesn’t matter.’
‘No, Josie, age doesn’t matter butlovedoes! And I don’tloveGreg, so it’s a moot point. I’m still in love with Sam so can we just stop talking about Greg now?’
‘Yes, yes I know that. I’m just saying it’s not like he’s an old man and you’re a teenager. That’s all I meant.’
‘I get your point, now can you just drop it?’ Mallory snapped but immediately was filled with regret. She was grateful that people cared enough to worry but she was beginning to feel like everyone was wrapping her in cotton wool and trying to protect her from life – she didn’t need that.
Josie held up her hands. ‘It’s dropped. I just think he’s lied to you about his feelings. But it’s okay that he has them. And if you had feelings for him at some point in the future—’
‘For goodness sake, Josie, I won’t ever have feelings for Greg, so shut up!’
Realising that her emotion-filled reactions were fuelling everyone’s worry, she made her excuses and went to her room for a lie down. For the first time ever, she actuallywantedto be alone. She wanted everyone to go and just leave her be. She sobbed into her pillow for a while.
Sometime later she awoke to gentle knocking on her bedroom door. She must have cried herself to sleep.
Sitting up, she croakily called, ‘Come in.’
Josie sheepishly walked into the room. She hesitated and then shook her head. Walking towards her, she sat on the edge of the bed.
She rubbed Mallory’s arm. ‘Hey, you.’ She smiled. ‘Are you okay?’ Her expression was once more filled with concern.
Mallory’s heart twinged. ‘I’m as well as can be expected given the circumstances.’
Josie nodded. ‘Well, Brad and I have packed our things; we’ll head home after dinner. Brad’s made us a curry and it smells fab.’
Mallory sighed. ‘Josie, you don’t have to go tonight, that’s silly. You were supposed to go tomorrow. I’m sorry for being so grumpy.’
Josie squeezed Mallory’s hand. ‘No, no, it’s fine. I shouldn’t have interfered. I’m just worried about you getting hurt. You’re my best friend in the world and we’ve been through so much. I just don’t feel like I can help you with all this and it gets to me.’
‘I know you only mean well. I just feel like everyone is worrying too much about me and my relationships andthatgets to me,’ Mallory explained.
‘Lovey, no one is worryingtoo much. We all know how special your relationship with Sam was and how happy he made you. But we just don’t want you to give up on loving someone in the future.’
‘Well, that has to be in my own time.Ihave to decide if and when that’s going to happen.’
Josie nodded. ‘Yes, you’re right. Give me a hug and come and eat.’
The two friends had made their peace and the curry was enticing them downstairs. Just as Josie had suggested the food was delicious and the atmosphere lightened as they chatted over their meal.
Brad and Josie had stuck to their decision to set off home after dinner, meaning they could travel home at night when the roads were quieter and they could both then work on Monday. But as Mallory waved them off she was needled by guilt for their early departure.
*
On Monday morning, Mallory received a visit from Renee and Cara whilst Ryan took Dylan for a walk. Both women looked distracted and shared several awkward glances. Mallory made tea and placed the tray on her beautiful gnarled wood coffee table catching Renee and Cara whispering when she turned around.
Mallory was intrigued. ‘What’s going on with you two?’
