Where the River Ends by Jacqui Penn

Author:Jacqui Penn [Penn, Jacqui]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

Minutes later, they walked towards the town, neither one speaking. Gio broke the silence. ‘Where do you fancy going?’

‘I don’t mind.’

‘So why were you home alone?’

‘Simon’s taken the children to their grandparents for the weekend. What’s this about, Gio?’

He shook his head. ‘I’m going crazy. It’s been like going back in time, to when I left. I can’t stop thinking about you… I know you’re getting married. I know it’s wrong of me and I just have to get over it, but I can’t… Not without at least telling you… You must think I’m mad!’

Her heart lurched while her mind whirled. ‘No. I don’t think you’re mad.’ She daren’t tell him she felt the same. How could she be that disloyal to Simon and the children? Nellie’s words flooded back, it’s not about other people. But it was! How could she let them all down? She couldn’t be that uncaring and cruel. She had to be strong. ‘I’m getting married. I love Simon, and his children, I couldn’t hurt them.’

They strolled on through the town, past several pubs and made no attempt to stop.

‘So are you saying that you feel you have to go ahead with the wedding? Does that mean you do have feelings for me?’

She hesitated. ‘Yes, but—’

‘I just ask that you think about it… about us… what your true feelings are.’ He stopped walking and put his hand over his eyes. ‘I feel like my heart is being wrenched out. I love you, Sophia. I should have told you back then. Tristan was my best friend, and I felt guilty. I didn’t want to lose you both. I know exactly what you mean about letting people down, but sometimes you have to think of yourself and what you want.’ He slowly lowered his hand to look at her.

Her immediate instinct was to embrace him. To tell him she knew; she knew because she’d loved him too. How her heart had sunk to see his empty flat and know he wasn’t coming back. Now he stood, looking into her eyes, waiting. She should fall into his arms and hold him close. She should be honest, at least with herself. How would she live with herself if she gave in? Simon and the children had already had enough heartbreak. ‘I love you, too. I feel the same, but I’m not someone who can break promises and hearts. We’ve lived without each other all this time, and been happy. If we hadn’t seen each other at the beach that day, we’d still be happy. Gio, I’m sorry.’ She turned away.

He grabbed her arm. ‘Don’t Sophia. Please, at least think about us. Look, let’s go for a drink and talk about this. I’m going out of my mind. I’ve tried keeping it together, but I’m incapable.’

What he said hit a nerve. If they talked through things, they’d realise how pathetic and weak they were both behaving. For god’s sake, they were adults!

She nodded. ‘Let’s go for a drink. We need to get this sorted.

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