Page 85 of Under A Sicilian Sky
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When Ruby arrived at the Lifeboat House Museum, the closed sign was on the door, so she knocked and was greeted moments later by Jules, who hugged her.
‘I can’t believe you’re leaving so soon. I’m so sad.’
Ruby reciprocated the hug. ‘I know. But I need to get back to real life. Things are nearly dealt with and I have things I need to do back in New York.’
Jules pulled away and fixed her gaze on Ruby. ‘What’s really happened? I know we don’t know each other that well, but… I get the feeling things aren’t right.’
Ruby sighed. ‘I’d rather not talk about it.’
Jules nodded. ‘Okay. But please know that you can trust me and Caitlin. Whatever you say will go no further. I know you’ve been messed around by people in the past, but we’re not like that. We consider you a friend. And we care about you.’
Caitlin walked through the door. ‘Hey, gals, sorry I took so long. I was waiting on a batch of scones to come out the oven. So, you’re leaving?’ She frowned and pulled Ruby into a hug.
‘Yes, it feels like the right time.’
Caitlin held Ruby at arm’s-length. ‘And what’s caused this sudden decision?’
Jules eyed her too and Ruby huffed. ‘Good grief, it’s like being with Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes at the same bloody time.’
‘Can I be Sherlock?’ Caitlin asked Jules.
Jules shrugged. ‘I suppose.’ They both turned their attention back on Ruby and Jules said, ‘Come on, spill the beans. You know you’ll feel better if you do. I’ve made a pot of tea and I’ve brought chairs round.’ She pointed to a makeshift picnic area.
Caitlin held up a bag. ‘I’ve brought shortbread.’
Ruby followed the girls, and they sat around the small table Jules had placed behind one of the displays. She took a deep breath. ‘Okay, but please don’t say anything to anyone. Especially not Mitch.’
The two other women shared a glance.
‘You have our word,’ Caitlin told her.
Ruby stared at the tea in her mug. ‘So… last night, Mitch and I shared a moment on the way home from the ceilidh. We… we kissed.’
Jules grinned and said, ‘I knew it.’
‘Yes, but it didn’t end there,’ Ruby informed them with a deep sigh.
‘Come on, woman, let us live vicariously. He’s bloody gorgeous,’ Caitlin chuckled.
‘I used to think so,’ Ruby whispered. ‘But… to cut a long story short, we ended up in bed together.’ She lifted her chin and found her two friends grinning at her. ‘Don’t expect a happy ending to this story. You’ll be sorely disappointed.’
Jules frowned. ‘But he clearly adores you. What can possibly be wrong?’
‘For starters, he’d already told me he didn’t see a future for us because of my career. He wants no part of being famous and fears that a life with me would shove him into unwanted notoriety. And, don’t get me wrong, I knew that before we…’
Caitlin scoffed. ‘That’s bollocks! If he cares for you, then he’ll make it bloody work. What a cop-out.’ She crossed her arms over her chest.
Ruby shook her head. ‘No, he was totally sincere about it. And I could never ask anyone to sacrifice a peaceful life for one like mine. You only have to remember what’s happened to me to know that being famous is hard, but being famous and hated worldwide on the internet is definitely no way to live. I did understand. He was so… caring and sweet.’ Her chin trembled. ‘He said he had real feelings for me, and I believed him. I said the same. I’ve been attracted to him physically since I first saw him, but the more I’ve got to know him, I think… I think I was falling for him.’
Jules leaned over and squeezed her hand. ‘Hey, he’ll come around. I’m sure he will.’
Ruby snapped her gaze up to Jules. ‘No. I don’t want him to. Not now.’ She angrily swiped at the tears trickling down her face.
Caitlin narrowed her eyes. ‘Shit, what did he do?’
Ruby closed her eyes and in her mind’s eye she could see the images again. ‘I took him a drink this morning and… he was…’ She sobbed. ‘He was in bed with Shelby, naked.’
