Page 91 of Someone to Love Tracy Corbett

‘Talking of Zac—’

Megan pressed her finger against Beth’s lips. ‘Not now.’

Her sister could hardly expect to remain silent on the topic of her bigamy forever. The wedding was tomorrow. ‘You can’t keep changing the subject,’ Beth said, dislodging Megan’s finger.

‘Of course I can.’ Megan flashed her a wide smile. ‘I’m the bride, it’s my prerogative. And besides, we have more important things to talk about, like our mother kissing the best man last night.’ Megan’s laughter bounced off the stone walls.

Beth groaned. ‘I’m regretting ever telling you.’

‘Why? It’s funny.’

‘It’s not funny, it’s humiliating.’ The shock of finding her mother glued to Matt’s face was as raw this morning as it had been last night. It was like being punched in the gut – a hammer blow she was still recovering from.

Megan gave her a searching look. ‘Humiliating for who?’

Beth went in search of a shawl. The wind was still swirling a gale outside, rattling the leaded windows and sweeping through the draughty museum. ‘Well… everyone. I mean, what was she thinking?’

‘That she’d like to kiss a hunky man? And why not? Good for her, I say.’

Beth yanked the lace shawl off the hanger. ‘No, not good for her. Or anyone else, for that matter.’

‘The poor woman has been dumped. Her self-esteem is at rock-bottom, why shouldn’t she have a bit of fun with an inappropriate man?’

Beth struggled to untangle the shawl. ‘So you admit he’s inappropriate?’

Megan sighed. ‘Well, I doubt she’ll marry him, but I don’t think that’s the point.’ She came over and took the shawl from Beth. ‘Don’t you want Mum to be happy? Isn’t it a good thing for her to be getting over Dad and exploring other romantic options?’

‘Not with Matt.’

Megan smiled. ‘Ah, so it’s not the principle you object to, it’s the man himself.’ She unravelled the shawl and draped it around Beth’s shoulders. ‘Why shouldn’t Mum fool around with Matt Hardy? He’s handsome, sexy. A firefighter, for Christ’s sake. Why shouldn’t she indulge?’ Megan tied the shawl. ‘Unless, of course, there’s a reason why he’s off limits? Say, for instance… if you had the hots for him yourself?’

Beth scoffed and avoided eye contact.

Megan’s hands rested on Beth’s shoulders, a mischievous glint in her eye. ‘You like him, don’t you?’

‘So what if I do?’ Beth gazed at the wooden flooring, embarrassed to admit her feelings. ‘He kissed my mother. That kind of kills any attraction.’

Megan gently shook her shoulders. ‘Oh, please, it was completely one-sided, and you know it. I love our mother, but she’s a terrible drunk. He wouldn’t have stood a chance.’ Her sister tugged on the shawl, forcing Beth’s attention away from the floor. ‘Have you kissed? Been out on a date? Hooked up? Spill.’

‘A couple of kisses, nothing else.’

‘Oooo…’ Megan jumped up and down like an excited child. ‘And…?’

‘And nothing. I came to my senses both times and put an end to it.’

Megan stopped jumping. ‘Why?’

‘You know my track record.’ Breaking free from her sister, Beth went over to an upturned beer barrel and sat down, removing the dainty period shoes so she could rub her aching feet. ‘I’m a disaster when it comes to men, I can’t trust my instincts.’

Megan followed her. ‘Nonsense. There’s nothing wrong with your instincts.’

‘My dating history would indicate otherwise.’ She went in search of her trainers in the changing area.

‘Things didn’t work out with Hughie, because first loves rarely do,’ Megan said, perching on the beer barrel. ‘The relationship ran its course and fizzled out. It happens. That’s life.’

Beth re-emerged from the changing area, carrying her white trainers, their colour dulled from her previous encounter with Bodmin Moor. ‘What about Owen? You can’t tell me that just fizzled out. The man lied to me.’

‘Exactly,helied, Beth. He pretended to be someone he wasn’t and behaved like a complete jerk. That’s on him, not you. You did nothing wrong.’

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