Page 80 of Dreaming Under An Island Skye
‘I’m so glad you’re happy, my lovely. It’s about time.’
‘It bloody is!’ She laughed. ‘Now, chill out and enjoy the last few days you have there. Let the breeze take you where it will.’
32
Later that evening, Juliette sat beside Reid on his sofa tapping her foot to ‘Payphone’ by Maroon 5 playing in the background, Millie’s encouraging words ringing in her mind. Kendric was nowhere to be seen and, judging by Reid’s state of mind, nothing had been said. Reid had showered, eaten and looked a little brighter. His whole demeanour was more positive, and it was encouraging to see. A few days earlier, she’d taken him a couple of books to read – comedies that had made her laugh out loud and that she felt perhaps he might like too. She’d been right.
‘That one about the doctor, good grief, I almost needed stitches I laughed so much. It felt really good.’
She loved to see him smiling. ‘I’m so glad you liked it. I know some parts were a bit gory, but the laughs outweigh the yukky stuff.’
‘Oh, absolutely. It really cheered me up.’ He nudged her with his shoulder. ‘You have a real talent for that too, cheering me up.’
She picked at an invisible thread on her sleeve and shrugged. She also had atalentfor keeping secrets that would crush him. ‘Oh, I wouldn’t call it that. I just know books worked for me.’
‘Itisa talent though, Jules. You read people so well. You readmeso well.’
His comments gave her a warm and fuzzy feeling; a feeling she hadn’t felt in too long. He was quite chatty and was evidently having a much better day despite the café being sold. Although she did wonder if that’swhyhe was so relaxed. Perhaps it was because he could now close that chapter of his life and move on.
‘Why do you keep coming round? I’m not exactly scintillating company,’ Reid asked as they sat drinking tea.
‘Because knowing you’re not alone is a huge thing during the low times. I found that people just being there for me was a great help. So, I suppose I’m trying to be that for you.’
He smiled but shook his head. ‘But…why? I mean… you’re going home soon. I don’t get it. And you could be spending time with Caitlin, Morag, anyone else. Instead, you’re here with old crabbit pants, drinking tea when you could be out dancing at The Coxswain, drinking wine and enjoying yourself.’
She turned in her seat. ‘Iamenjoying myself. Because, believe it or not, I want to spend time withyou.’ She realised the weight of her words and quickly added, ‘It’s what friends do. And I understand what you’re going through.’
‘Well, I hope you know how much I appreciate your friendship.’ He smiled and glanced down, his flushed cheeks a clear sign of embarrassment as he reached for her hand.
She tried not to acknowledge how nice his hand felt around hers again and how much she’d missed it since the last time. ‘I can’t believe how fast my time here has gone.’
‘I know. And to think I almost spoiled the chances of you running the museum when you’re a natural. You’ve fitted right in. I just wish…’ He shook his head as if stopping himself. ‘Well, I’m so glad it all worked out in the end.’
As Juliette contemplated his words, she wanted to say,This doesn’t have to be the end, but she couldn’t bring herself to let the words form.
The opening bars of ‘Someone You Loved’ by Lewis Capaldi began in the background and he went on to sing about heartbreak and the pain of loss.
She inhaled a shaky breath as she met Reid’s intense gaze. ‘I’m glad it worked out too.’
The powerful lyrics of the song seemed fitting somehow, and she tried to block them out as Reid brushed the hair from her cheek. ‘It’s a shame that the timing isn’t better really, isn’t it?’ He paused and contemplated his next words. ‘You see… I was drawn to you early on when you arrived, after I’d got over myself.’ He smiled. ‘I didn’t like the fact that I was attracted to you, obviously. The last thing I wanted was to risk being hurt again. But you’re different. And, of course, Ric is so damned good-looking, so when he turned up, I resigned myself to the fact that you wouldn’t be interested in me, anyway. But now… I see how you are with him and I know that, unlike other women, you’re unimpressed by all the glamour.’ He paused and smoothed his thumb across the skin on the back of her hand and she wondered if his self-deprecation was another result of his ex-wife’s treatment of him. ‘But… I guess me and you… well, it’s just not meant to be, eh? Regardless of the paternity test results, I’m going to be moving away to be nearer to Evin – he’s still my boy, no matter what – and you’re going home.’
She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up his hand.
‘You don’t need to say anything; I know you don’t want a relationship withanyonejust now… But what gets to me is who knows what might have been? If the timing had been different… If our stars had been aligned. If I hadn’t been such a huge mess of a man.’ He smiled, but the sadness behind his eyes was clear and her throat tightened.
He glanced at her lips with longing and she wanted to give in. He’d got it so wrong. Shewasattracted to him. Had been for a while. But there were so many things stopping her. Mostly guilt. And then, there was the fear of letting someone get close to her again. But hearing him say howhefelt made her want to admit her own feelings. Although he’d already said the timing was wrong. And he was right about that.
She reached up and touched his cheek. ‘You’re not a mess of a man, Reid. Far from it. You’re passionate, loyal, kind… incredibly handsome.’ She smiled as his eyes lit up. ‘I’ve been so scared to let go, and even more afraid of betraying Laurie. But how I feel about you is changing things. You should know that I—’
There was a loud crash as the door bashed into the wall when it was flung open. ‘Dad, I’vehadto come home.’ Evin was out of breath, his voice high-pitched, showing his distress. ‘I saw Leanna outside Grace’s. I know what’s going on. I know about itall. I know you’ve sold Grandma’s café too! How could youdothat? Why haven’t you told me anything?’ His attention snapped to Juliette and he flung himself at her. ‘Has my dad told you that they’re making me move away? Has he? Has he told you that I don’t want to go and live with Mum? It’s not fair. I don’t want to go and leave my friends behind. Not when I’ve only just got them. And she won’t let me take Chewie. She says he’s messy and smelly, but he’s not. She’swrong. He’s lovely and he’s my best friend and Ihateher! I’ve told Leanna I hate her too and I’ll run away. I won’t go with Mum and that doaty bawbag man. I won’t!’ The young boy was distraught and sobbing. It broke Juliette’s heart to see him like that.
Reid reached out and pulled Evin into his arms. ‘Come here, son. Don’t cry, eh? Please, don’t cry. I’m sorry I’ve let you down. I’m so,sosorry.’
Juliette watched as Reid tried his best to console his boy. It was a heart-breaking scene to behold. After everything they’d both been through, this seemed like the ultimate cruelty. She stood and mouthed the words, ‘I’ll go.’
Reid nodded and gave her a pained smile before closing his eyes and burying his face in his son’s mop of dark hair.
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