Page 7 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

‘Me too.’

‘Right.’

There was a beat of silence in which Jack shuffled his feet awkwardly. As he looked up again, he saw it. Sparkling on her ring finger. A small but perfect diamond set in a gold band. The corridor seemed to shrink around them and he put a hand on the wall to steady himself.

Following his gaze, she said, ‘Oh. Um… I’m—’

‘Engaged?’ His voice emerged as a squeak, so he coughed then tried again. ‘You’re engaged?’

‘Yes. Ava proposed on our holiday in Bali.’

He watched her face as she spoke, her features so familiar, the small scar on her chin from falling off her bike when she was six, the way her one eyebrow was slightly higher than the other, the white, blonde hairs at her hairline that darkened when she perspired. Her lips were soft and pink, her front teeth slightly too big for her small mouth so she looked like she was constantly pouting. He’d thought it was cute, adorable, sexy. Once upon a time.

And then she’d turned his world upside down by cheating on him with another woman. A GP she’d met on a job one day.

‘It’s been two years, Jack,’ she said, dragging him back to the corridor.

He noticed that she’d put some weight on; her hips rounder, her face fuller. It suited her.

‘I know,’ he said. He’d felt every day of it.

‘We have to move on.’

‘I know,’ he repeated. ‘We are.’

‘Are you… seeing anyone?’

He licked his lips. Should he lie? ‘It’s complicated,’ he said, the reply making him think about Lucy Chenery, something that instantly confused him. He’d met the woman once and now he was thinking about her as… as what? A potential new love? A friend? A life partner? He didn’t even know her and yet… when their hands had touched he’d felt something he knew he hadn’t imagined. She was beautiful and yet there was more to it. Lucy Chenery was someone he wanted to get to know better.

‘I’m happy for you, Jack. I can see in your eyes that you’ve found someone special. I know I’ve said it before, but I really am so sorry about what happened when we split up. Sorry for how it ended the way it did. It was messy and I never meant to hurt you, but I was confused and… It took a lot for me to admit how I was feeling.’

‘There’s no blame here, Kelly. I’ll always care about you, but I know that what we had wasn’t… what you wanted. If it had been right then you wouldn’t have been so drawn to Ava. She’s your person and it’s good that you found her.’ He exhaled slowly, knowing that he meant every word. He hadn’t meant it the first time he’d said it to his reflection in the bedroom mirror. Or the second or third times. He’d been hurt and angry, wishing for a way to ease his pain, but he’d told himself that in time, he’d be able to mean it. Now, at last, he really did.

‘Thank you, Jack.’ She rubbed at the diamond ring with her thumb as if checking it was still there.

‘When and where are you getting married?’

‘In Bath… Where Ava grew up. On Christmas Eve. Then we’re honeymooning in Italy.’

So soon!‘I’m sure it will be amazing.’

‘I hope so.’ She laughed but it sounded fake, a desperate attempt to lighten the mood.

Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, Jack smiled. ‘I wish you both all the best for the future. Take care of yourself, Kelly. I’m sure I’ll see you around.’

He went to walk away but she caught his arm. ‘One more thing. We… We’re moving to Bath after the honeymoon. I’ve got an interview with the South Western Ambulance Service and I’ve been told my chances look good because of my experience. So you might not see me again… not after Christmas anyway.’ A tiny line appeared between her brows and her eyes shone. This was hard for her too. Even if she hadn’t loved him the way he’d wanted her to, she had cared for him; they had meant something to each other once.

‘You’re a brilliant paramedic and they’ll be lucky to have you.’ He knew how good she was because that was how they’d met; they’d been partnered together early on in their careers, worked side by side on jobs both rewarding and traumatic, had supported each other when things had been tough as well as been each other’s cheerleaders. Whatever had happened, Kelly had been his friend and a valuable part of his life and his job. That time would never be erased.

‘Thanks, Jack.’

On impulse, he opened his arms and they hugged. She was familiar and yet strange. She smelt the same and yet different. She was his past and had helped him become the man he was today.

‘Bye, Jack.’

‘Bye, Kelly.’

This time, she walked away, and he stood watching her go. When she’d disappeared around the corner of the corridor, he turned and headed for the doors and the chilly Monday morning air.

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