Page 86 of Under A Sicilian Sky
‘Bloody hell!’ ‘Shit!’ her two friends cried in unison.
‘What a rat!’ Jules said, her eyes wide and filled with anger.
‘Total shithead,’ was Caitlin’s comment.
Ruby nodded. ‘I feel like such an idiot. I’m sick of trusting people and finding out they’ve lied to me… or betrayed me. It’s happening way too often. But I thought, and believed, Mitch was different.’
‘How the hell did he explain himself?’ Jules asked.
‘He didn’t. I didn’t give him the chance. I closed the door and left before either of them woke. They have no idea I saw them.’
‘But youaregoing to confront them before you go, aren’t you? You can’t leave it like this. He needs to know that you know he’s a bawbag!’ Caitlin exclaimed.
Ruby had played that scenario over and over in head. She’d thought about his answers and each was too painful to actually hear him say. ‘No. I can’t. I just want to leave and let it be over. Please, you have to promise me, both of you. You can’t say a word. Promise me.’
The other two friends shared a look and then turned their attention back to Ruby and nodded simultaneously. ‘Of course. We won’t say a thing. But I wish you’d change your mind. About saying something and about leaving.’
Ruby smiled. ‘Thank you. But I can’t. I need to move on. I mean… I knew he wasn’t offering a relationship.’ She shrugged.
‘Yes, but to jump into bed with another woman right after being with you. That’s just plain disgusting. He needs to keep his dobber in his bloody pants.’ Caitlin huffed indignantly.
‘That’s as maybe. But one of these days I will learn. Some men just can’t be trusted,’ Ruby said with a heavy heart. ‘I will have the beautiful dress dry-cleaned and sent back to you, Caitlin, and, Jules, I will drop your shoes off before I go.’
The two friends shared a glance. ‘We’ve decided you should keep them. As a reminder of the two wee dafties you met here in Glentorrin.’
Ruby’s chin trembled. ‘You two are just wonderful. I hope you know that. I’m going to miss you so very much.’
The women stood and shared a final hug and Jules told her, ‘Not as much as we’re going to miss you.’
33
Ruby decided to take a slow and steady walk back to Glentorrin House, thinking about the short but wonderful time she’d had in the beautiful little island village. She waved to Morag, who was stacking shelves just inside the shop, and she stood at the barrier around the inlet watching the ripples on the water. Spring was in the air now; the temperature was higher than it had been, and flowers had begun to bud. Easter was fast approaching and many of the windows had displays of chicks and bunnies. And there was a poster in the window of the shop advertising a village egg hunt. Ruby envied the residents of the village who would be here to witness Glentorrin in its full summer bloom. There would be the Highland games and the talent show she had heard about, plus more ceilidh dancing. She would miss it all.
With one final deep inhalation of the salty, fresh air, she turned and reluctantly made her way back to the house. Shelby was nowhere to be seen, but Dougie was waiting in the kitchen.
‘Hi, hen, I’ve ordered us a taxi. Mitch left a note to say he’d been called away, so I haven’t had time to say anything about us leaving. Are you going to leave him a note?’
She thought about it for a moment. What could she say?Sorry but you betrayed me so I’m running away? Have a nice life and enjoy shagging my so-called assistant for the last few days she’s here?
She shook her head. ‘Would you mind scribbling something down for me while I go get my bags? Just say I’ve been called back on urgent agency business.’ She shrugged.
Dougie frowned. ‘Aye, if you’re sure.’
She smiled. ‘I’m sure. Thanks. I won’t be a minute.’
Up in her cosy, pretty room, she glanced around one last time. She stepped into the adjoining room, where she had danced, unbeknownst to her at the time, to an enraptured audience of one. She remembered the song she had chosen and closed her eyes for a moment as she realised how apt the lyrics to ‘Heading West’ were for her current situation. A familiar stinging needled at her eyes again, so she hurriedly turned her back and closed the door. She grabbed her cases and carried them down the stairs to the hallway.
‘Ready?’ Dougie asked. ‘Taxi’s here.’
She inhaled a shaking breath and nodded. ‘Ready.’
Dougie took her cases from her hand and carried them out to the waiting Range Rover with its blacked-out windows. She was relieved that Shelby hadn’t made an appearance to say goodbye; she couldn’t stomach the fake concern a moment longer.
She put her keys on the hook by the door, left the house, and walked down to the car.
Dougie held the door open for her. ‘I’ll sit in the front, Ruby. Give you some privacy.’ He gave her a sad smile. Clearly, he knew something was amiss, but she was grateful for his professionalism and the fact he didn’t pry. She couldn’t have coped with having to make excuses, and the truth was too hard to repeat.
They reached the airport and Dougie escorted her to the check-in desk. The clerk recognised her and asked for an autograph, so she obliged. When the same clerk asked for a photograph, Dougie stepped in and said that they weren’t able to do that.
