Starting Over at the Little Cornish Beach House by Nancy Barone

Author:Nancy Barone [Barone, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Head of Zeus

11

Somebody You Loved

The next day, Henry and I arrive at the beach house at the same moment.

‘Hey…’ he says as he jumps out of his Jeep.

‘Hi,’ I say back with a smile.

There is something new to him, something… fresh and charming. He looks as if he’s in a great mood. I, too, have to admit that it’s a good day, and it can only get better. After all, I don’t see how it could get any worse.

We are barely through the door when a car comes into view of the long drive. A car I’ve never seen before. This is a private road, and we have no appointments today. Could it finally be my window casings man? God knows how long I’ve been waiting for him to show.

Henry glances at me and I shrug as the car finally comes to a stop and out steps… Gabe. Here, in the flesh, wearing his usual skinny jeans and one of his rock T-shirts. Precisely the Led Zeppelin one I’d given him on our very first month-aversary.

I can’t believe I’m standing opposite him and actually keeping it together. He certainly is, by the looks of him. Only he’s thinner. More gaunt, with the look of sleepless nights, I notice as he shoves his shades up over his head and plants his huge baby blues on me. And I stop mid-step as my legs turn to water and the air in my lungs wooshes out so loudly I’m sure they can hear me all around the house over the din of the power tools.

‘Faith, hi,’ he says. ‘Henry—’

Henry glances at me uncertainly, but I can barely breathe, let alone speak. ‘Hello, Gabe. What brings you here?’

‘Sorry, I, er, meant to come sooner.’

Total silence. Even the work in the background seems to have stopped.

‘Faith,’ he reprises. ‘I didn’t think you’d be here, after you said that you weren’t working on the job. It’s good to see you. You look great. Fantastic, in fact.’

‘What are you doing here?’ I blurt.

Gabe stuffs his hands into his pockets, his eyes darting around as he lets out an attempt at a chuckle. ‘I’ve got a house sale to take care of.’

‘Have you, now?’ Henry snorts.

‘Can we… talk, for a minute, Faith? Henry, would you mind?’

I can feel Henry hesitate, and I make the decision for him. ‘I mind,’ I say. ‘Unless it’s about business, I’m not in the least interested.’

Gabe turns to look at Henry.

‘You heard her,’ Henry says.

Gabe nods and sighs. ‘Right. Well, then, can I at least come in and fetch my Gibson? I need her.’

It takes all the effort I have to not snort at his words. I need her. Once upon a time he would have said that about me. But now is now and it’s no longer the truth.

I shrug, a huge knot forming in my throat. ‘It’s your home. Go ahead.’

‘Right then,’ he says, eyeing us as he brushes past me, his arm grazing mine, and I close my eyes in agony at the contact.

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