Page 104 of Merrily Ever After
‘Very girly, I know, but it’s a happy colour to live with,’ she insisted. She took the star from him and hung it on the tree. ‘Which makes it very welcoming to come home to.’
He liberated another bauble from its tissue paper and placed it near the top. ‘That might be where we’re going wrong; I think our landlord painted ours raincloud grey. It couldn’t be any less feminine.’
‘That’s largely down to the tenants, not the walls.’ Emily laughed, delving into the crate for more baubles. ‘Your house is the testosterone capital of Derbyshire.’
She’d been to Will’s house earlier in the week and met his two housemates, who were perfectly welcoming and great fun, but there was no doubting that the house lacked a feminine touch.
She could feel his gaze on her as they continued their task. ‘What are you thinking?’
‘That your last boyfriend must have been an idiot,’ he answered, ‘but that I’m glad because it meant you were single when we met.’
Her heart thumped. ‘I could say the same about you. I’m gladyouwere single.’
He rubbed a hand through his hair. ‘Have been for two years. Although that relationship wasn’t ever serious. My last proper relationship endedsixyears ago.’
‘What? A good-looking guy like you?’ she said, surprised.
‘Hard to believe, I know,’ he said with a grin. ‘But it took me a long time to get over her.’
Emily felt a stab of hurt on his behalf and reached for his hand. ‘Oh Will, I’m sorry. What happened?’
‘Her name was Kaia. She was a professional surfer – she travelled all over the world and so did I when we were together.’ He pulled a face. ‘But when my grandad became ill, I moved back to care for him, and she didn’t want to come. Not many opportunities for surfing in Derbyshire, so we broke up.’
Emily saw the sadness in his eyes and her heart melted for him. He had given up a life he had loved and lost his girlfriend at the same time. And then to lose his only relative to Alzheimer’s.
‘What a tough time that must have been for you.’
‘C’est la vie.’ He shrugged amiably. ‘You see someone’s real personality come out when the chips are down, and the truth was that she loved surfing more than she loved me. I’m over it now.’
‘Good,’ Emily said firmly. ‘Because it was her loss. So how did you earn a living when you were travelling?’
‘I’ve always been an occupational therapist, but back then I worked for an agency rather than directly for the health service, so I could pick my hours. I’d work a ridiculousnumber of shifts and once I’d saved up enough, off I’d go until the money ran out.’
‘Wow.’ Emily was impressed. ‘That sounds amazing.’
He looked at her enquiringly. ‘Do you think?’
She nodded. ‘I love that ethos of working just enough to fund your passion. It’s the best of both worlds.’
Will looked thoughtful. ‘I’ve been thinking about it more and more recently. About how to get more surfing into my life. I get a lot of job satisfaction from working with clients, but surfing is my first love; I miss the sea when I’m here.’
‘I’ve been thinking too,’ she said. ‘Meeting Merry and learning how she started her own business has inspired me. She just went for it; turned a hobby into a business. I’ve never felt brave enough to do anything like that.’
‘And now you do?’
Emily wrinkled her nose. ‘I’ve been offered a permanent contract at the school and I’m really grateful for that, but it doesn’t set my world on fire, you know?’
‘I get it,’ he said, nodding. ‘And what does?’
‘Vintage clothes,’ she replied instantly, surprising herself. But it was obvious now she thought about it. Finding something pre-loved and beautiful was what gave her a buzz. So far, she’d only bought – for herself. But maybe she could buyandsell? ‘But there are a million people already doing that with more experience.’
He shrugged. ‘So get experience. There you go, your first New Year’s resolution.’
She laughed. ‘You make it sound so easy. What about you? Go surfing more, I guess?’
‘It’s probably a crazy idea,’ said Will tentatively. ‘But I’d love to set up a charity for kids to teach them to surf. Focusing on kids who’ve had a tough start in life, maybeyoung carers. I don’t know. It might not work, but it’s what I’d like to do.’
Emily felt a fluttering in her stomach; this man had such a big heart, such generosity of spirit. ‘You’d be brilliant at that.’
