It Started with a Secret: The feel-good novel of the year, from the bestselling author of MAYBE THIS TIME by Jill Mansell

Author:Jill Mansell [Mansell, Jill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2020-01-22T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 25

It was about the least romantic place for a reunion, but that didn’t matter at all. The sky was grey, rain was falling steadily over Bristol Parkway and the car park was full of grim-faced people hurrying from their cars into the shelter of the station. But when Wyatt caught sight of Penny, he felt his heart lift like a helium balloon. There she was, wearing a lemon-yellow raincoat and pale pink pumps, and carrying a navy umbrella covered in multicoloured cats and dogs. It was like one of those Disney moments when the sun comes out, flowers open and woodland creatures burst into song.

Oh it was so good to see her again.

He waved and pulled into the short-stay section of the car park, and Penny splashed her way through the puddles, hauling her purple overnight case behind her. She’d caught the train from Walsall to Bristol, he’d driven here from London, and now they’d be making the rest of the journey down to Cornwall together.

Wyatt jumped out of the car. For a split second they both hesitated, then Penny threw herself into his arms and he swung her round. ‘Look at you,’ he cried. ‘It’s so good to see you again!’

‘Same! I can’t believe it!’ She was beaming, her umbrella tumbling to the wet tarmac. ‘I did wonder if it’d feel weird or awkward, even just for a few seconds, but it doesn’t at all. Not even a tiny bit.’

‘It doesn’t feel awkward,’ Wyatt agreed. ‘It feels right.’

And it did. He thought he must be the happiest man at this train station. When they’d finally stopped grinning at each other like idiots, he reached for her case and lifted it into the boot of the car alongside his own.

‘Louis Vuitton.’ Penny nodded at his case, then pointed to hers. ‘Primark.’

‘Yours looks fine.’ He rolled up her umbrella. ‘I like this too.’

‘So do I. It makes people smile.’

As did she. Wyatt said, ‘Hopefully we won’t need it for the wedding.’

‘We won’t. The weather’s clearing from the west. By the time we reach Cornwall, it’s going to be sunny and fabulous.’

‘And did you bring along your CDs?’

Penny gave him a how could you? look and pulled them out of her shoulder bag. ‘Of course! I’ll even let you choose the first one.’

Whenever they’d travelled by car, they had loved to sing along to Penny’s music collection.

‘Well, why don’t we start with Les Miserables?’ Wyatt opened the passenger door for her with a flourish. ‘Seeing as it’s your favourite.’

They chatted and sang their way down the motorway. The rain stopped, and as Penny had promised, the sun came out. By 4.30 they’d reached St Carys and were checking into the Mariscombe House Hotel, which was thankfully living up to its excellent online reputation.

‘I’ve never been here before.’ Penny was gazing at the view. ‘But I love it already.’

A passing waitress said cheerfully, ‘Ah, this place has magical powers. Once you’re under its spell, you’ll never want to leave.’

They unpacked in their separate rooms and met up again downstairs.

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