Page 121 of The Winter of Second Chances
‘He came in when you were speaking to Max. He opened the door to the hall and then seemed to change his mind.’
Annie’s stomach plummeted.
‘Did he say anything?’
‘No, he just said he’d come back later. I asked him about Alfred, and he said he’s settled in and seemed happy enough. He left in kind of a hurry, so I assumed he’d forgotten something.’
Or just seen me in Max’s arms, Annie thought.
Annie waited for John to come back to the cafe, in the hopes that Gemma was right and he’d just forgotten something and would come bowling back in any minute. But her realist side knew Johnthoughthe’d witnessed a reconciliation between her and Max, and the day rolled by without hide or hair of him. She wanted to message John and tell him he’d been mistaken, but what if he came back saying he’d never even considered that? Then she would look stupid,andshe would have planted the idea in his head! Eventually she could stand it no longer and messaged him as though the whole Max thing had never happened.
Gemma said you popped by. She said Alfred’s fine, want to expand on that? How did he seem when you left him? Come and see me, I have big news! Don’t want to do it over the phone. Xxx
She got a reply – much later than she would have liked.
Yes, Alfred seemed fine. It’s a big change but I’m hopeful he’ll see it’s the best thing for him. I said maybe in time he could get a place of his own in Willow Bay, rent somewhere. I’d help him with deposits and stuff. Anyway, fingers crossed. Big news? I’ll try and get down when I have time. X
She noted the one kiss, as well as thewhen I have time.That wasn’t good. She recognised a brush off when she saw one. She was going to have to face this head on.
Just so you know, Annie messaged back.What you saw, in the hall, isn’t what you thought you saw. xx
She didn’t get an answer.
Annie spent most of the following day wrestling with herself. She desperately wanted to call John and tell him that she was in a position to buy Saltwater Nook, but her pride kept pulling her finger away from tapping on his name each time she got out her phone to see if he’d messaged. Needless to say, neither of them had suggested tandem reading last night.
‘What is with you?’ asked Gemma.
‘Oh, nothing. I’m just worried about Alfred and stewing about John.’
‘You’ve not heard from John then?’
‘Not since yesterday.’
‘Have you messaged him since?
‘Certainly not!’
Gemma rolled her eyes.
‘Anyone heard how Alfred’s getting on?’ asked Maeve, strolling in with Podrick panting along at her side. ‘I know it’s the best thing for him and all that but it’s a blow for me. I could really use his help chopping some wood. I say wood, it’s more like a whole tree. Lost a yew tree last year in a storm and I’ve had it drying in one of the outbuildings. He’s jolly good company too. Doesn’t talk unless he’s got something worth saying.’
Annie and Gemma furnished her with as much as they knew.
‘John not been down today?’ she asked, looking around as if he might be lurking in a corner somewhere.
‘Not today,’ said Annie.
‘Oh,’ said Maeve. ‘I thought John pretty much had a foot in the Nook at all times these days.’
Gemma shot a look at Annie, which didn’t go unnoticed by Maeve.
‘What’s going on there then?’ she asked. ‘Had a tiff?’
‘No, no, nothing like that. Maybe a little misunderstanding,’ said Annie.
‘Well, you want to sort it out then. John’s the kind of chap you want on your side. Good man. Bit like a bull in a china shop sometimes but who am I to talk!’
At five o’clock the next evening, Annie messaged the group.
