‘So, you going to call him, or what?’ Cassie asked, passing her a coffee and getting into bed next to her. ‘Eugh, I hope you changed your sheets!’ She wrinkled her nose in pretend disgust.
‘Cass, your sheets are that cruddy they’d drag themselves to the washing machine if they could. Of course I changed them. You changed yours?’
Cassie looked embarrassed and Maria nudged her. ‘You haven’t! Really?’
Cass, housework?
‘Yeah, well – they stank of Australian beefcake, so I kind of had no choice. Anyway, we’re not talking about me, are we? Did you ring Mark or not?’
‘Ring him? I’m trying to forget he exists altogether to be honest. It’s never going to go anywhere, and it’s probably a fake number anyway. He probably doesn’t even remember my name, let alone our night together.’
‘Was it worth remembering?’ Cassie teased, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. This was rewarded by another jab to the ribs, nearly making her spill her coffee.
‘Hey! Your clean sheets, remember! Just ring the number, then you’ll know for sure, get a date on the go. You don’t have to bloody marry…’
Cass stopped and winced. Maria sank down into the sheets a bit, the weight of the pain in her chest blindsiding her again. A wave of fresh pain. Each time it felt like she’d been hit by a truck, but at least the trucks were getting a bit smaller. More midsized van, less Optimus Prime. It was disbelief she felt now. She still couldn’t get her head around the fact that the man she had agreed to marry had turned out to be a cheating bastard who’d left her crying at the altar wearing a stupid pouffy dress while he went on their honeymoon with his girlfriend. Even saying it out loud to herself didn’t make it real.
‘I’m really sorry, Maria. I didn’t mean to say that, really. I’m an ass, you know that. I just want you to stop moping. You’re so stressed with the business, it’s not good for you. I can help you, lend you some cash, you know that.’
Maria was already shaking her head. ‘No way. It was a good business before, it will be again. I can get this going, once things blow over. I just have to get the electrics fixed and get through winter. I can move in above the shop.’
‘No way,’ Cass retorted. ‘You’re staying right here. I know what you’ll be like on your own, working and stressing 24/7. Besides, I like you being here. Stay with me.’
Maria smiled at her friend. She had to admit, she didn’t fancy living on her own. She could foresee too many nights, Bridget Jones-style, listening to sad songs, eating her body weight in cheesecake and getting far too tiddly.
‘Okay, but only if you try to keep things a bit tidier. The Australian has set a standard now.’
Cassie blushed and Maria’s eyes boggled.
‘Oh my God! I know why you changed your sheets! You’re seeing him again, aren’t you! What was he called, Terence, Tubby?’
‘Tucker.’ Cassie’s cheeks burst into colour. ‘His name is Tucker and, yes, he did demand I have lunch with him.’
‘Oh my God, you like him!’ Maria squealed and Cassie jumped out of bed, running towards her room.
‘Nooo, I bloody don’t!’
Maria dumped her cup and ran after her in her nightshirt. ‘Yes, you do! Cassie and Tucker, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s—’
‘No!’ Cassie screeched, trying to slam her bedroom door. Maria body-slammed her and the pair ended up on the floor. Maria tickled Cassie, just like she had when they were kids.
‘Tell me, or I won’t stop!’
‘No, no, gerrrooofff!’ Cassie giggled, squirming to get away. Maria tickled harder.
‘Okaaayyy! I like him! Satisfied?’
Maria laughed her head off. ‘Well, I never! Cass likes a boy!’
Cass lay on the floor, breathing hard. ‘I know, I’m doomed. We haven’t even slept together since. He says he wants to date.’
Maria lay down next to her, and they both stared at each other.
‘I’m sorry you’re so sad, Mar. I won’t date him if it’ll upset you. He’ll probably run a mile soon enough anyway.’
‘Don’t you dare. You’re going on that date. I’m okay.’
Cassie said nothing.
‘I will be okay. One day. I’m… I’m working on it.’
Cassie scowled. ‘I can still arrange for him to disappear, you know. My colleagues defend some pretty shady types. They could rip off his toenails and stick things to his testicles.’
Maria giggled. ‘It’s okay. I think I just have to realise for myself that I didn’t know him. I won’t make that mistake again.’
‘And Mark?’ she asked. Maria thought of the man she had spent the night with. Hardly the best start to a relationship.
‘It was a mistake. I needed comfort, and he was there. I’m not proud of it, so soon after Darcy, but it’s done now. I don’t need to call him.’
Cassie nodded. ‘Okay, I’ll get rid of his number then, eh?’
‘Take it, did you?’
Cassie gave her a ‘my bad’ look.
‘I may have kept it in a safe place in case you needed it.’
Maria laughed. ‘Trust you. Bin it. I’m okay on my own for now.’
Cassie put her hand into Maria’s, squeezing it gently.
‘You’ll never be on your own, kid.’
Maria squeezed her back. ‘It could be worse,’ she quipped. ‘I could be a messy bugger about to go on a date with a neat freak with a weird back tattoo.’
Cassie put her arm over her face. ‘You haven’t seen the one on his arse.’
Cassie’s horrified groan had Maria laughing all the way to Happy Ever After, where James was waiting.
***
Lynn was staring wide-eyed, her mouth gaping open. Maria motioned to her from across the room.
‘Lynn!’ she stage-whispered. ‘Stop it!’
Lynn jolted, looking at Maria sheepishly. ‘Sorry, I can’t help it,’ she giggled, pretending to drool.
Maria shook her head at her, and Lynn dipped her head. She went back to scanning the Westfield Weekly’s announcements. James was humming to himself in the background, halfway up a ladder in a white vest top and work trousers. He was changing a light in the ceiling and sweating a little. Actually, a lot. The guy had walked in like he was dressed for the Arctic, but now he looked more like Magic Mike. Maria had even found herself wishing for an angle grinder and welding mask to magically appear.
Maria looked at all the births and deaths, scanning for people she knew, and made a few notes on the pad next to her. When local babies were born, she always sent a congratulations card with a discount voucher for her services. It worked well for getting suit orders, dresses for church, even the odd wedding booking. The funeral notices were few and far between in a close community like this, so that was just to check no one she knew and liked had passed. She sent cards if they’d known her or her mother. Her mother always did it, every week without fail, and Maria had just carried on. The engagement announcements were next. They were the gold. She loved reading about people preparing to spend their lives together. They made a whole feature of it in the paper, complete with photos and backstories. Her mother used to say it was like reading love stories, with the endings yet to be written. She made a note of them all, relieved she didn’t know any of them. She would send them all cards, with a business card offering her wedding services. She needed to get at least one booking for wedding season, if only to recoup the cost of the rewiring and keep the business afloat for another season. After that, she had no idea. She felt so stressed when she thought of everything Darcy’s actions had cost her. It never failed to make her feel desperate when she thought of him. Lynn was looking over her shoulder at James again.
‘Lynn!’ she said a little sharply, making her friend jump. ‘How about, since you’re not busy, you go and get us some breakfast and coffee? James, bacon roll and a coffee?’
James stepped down from his ladder, lifting up his vest top to wipe at his brow. Maria could hear Lynn gasp behind her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty.
‘That’d be great – I haven’t had breakfast yet. I’ll buy, you ladies get what you like. A bacon roll and a white coffee for me.’
She was just about to decline his kind offer when the door opened. Maria had barely turned to look when Lynn was out of her seat and pointing to the door.
‘Oh no, sonny Jim, you can get out.’
Her voice was calm, collected even, but something in it made Maria freeze. She looked at the person in the doorway and blinked. Once. Twice. She resisted the urge to rub her eyes. For a beat, no one said anything. Maria turned to face him, James just next to her.
‘You heard her, I’m busy.’
Darcy was dressed in one of his best casual outfits. He was tanned and looked good. Rested, aside from a slight darkening around the eyes. Probably from late nights playing honeymoon with her stand-in. He had on a pair of designer dark blue jeans, a pair of smart brogues and a cream sweater. He had had his hair cut, a little shorter than usual. Obviously not that heartbroken then. He hasn’t suffered at all, Maria. Make him leave.
‘You need to leave, now.’
Lynn stepped forward, making a shooing movement with her hands as though he was a stray cat that had wandered in. It made Maria think of the town goose they had been menaced by before he eventually found a mate. The little bugger had terrorised the shops and businesses for weeks, looking for a female. There had even been regular headlines about him in the local paper. She wondered who was watching this exchange now, and what they would say. The business was barely hanging on. Was he here to end it completely?
Darcy stepped forward, sidestepping Lynn and holding his hands out to her, palms down as if he was trying to get her to stay still.
It was then she found her anger. Lynn was moving towards him, and Maria turned to her.
‘Lynn, you go and get breakfast, please.’ She took the money from James’s hand, giving him a quick nod of thanks. He was turned to Darcy though, a questioning frown on his face. The poor guy, he really was having the worst time ever working here.
‘But—’ Lynn tried, but Maria cut her off.
‘Please Lynn,’ she said, holding out the money. Lynn nodded, and came and took it, squeezing her hand as she did so. She glared at Darcy on her way out, and Darcy dipped his head.
‘Why have you got your hands out like that? Scared I’ll run or something?’ She spat the words out, crossing her arms to stop him from seeing her shaking hands. She felt sick, shaky. He needed to leave, now.
‘Can we talk?’ he asked, one of his sickly-sweet smiles plastered across his chops. ‘In private.’
He looked over her shoulder at James, and Maria realised he was still standing there, right by her side. She could have hugged him for not going back to work. She was pretty sure she was going to pass out, so at least she had him to catch her. A concussion wasn’t going to improve her week.
‘No, we can’t. You can leave,’ she boomed, jabbing a shaking finger at him before thrusting it back under her side. ‘Now. You have nearly closed me down already. I don’t want you anywhere near my shop.’
‘What?’ he said, looking crestfallen. He looked at James again. ‘Listen, sir, we have business to discuss. Could you please leave?’
Maria clenched her jaw. He was still as polite as ever, thinking he could command people like he always did. She looked at James, and he was looking down at her. She pleaded with him with her eyes to stay. He nodded, just once, a barely there movement, and Maria let out the breath she was holding. James looked across at Darcy and, taking a step forward, put his arm around Maria. Maria sank into his warmth.
‘I don’t think Maria has anything to say to you, and she has asked you to leave.’
Darcy snorted. ‘Really?’
‘Really,’ James said, pulling Maria in closer to his side. She felt his arm slide down hers, his fingers caress her own, and his hand wrap around hers. She held it tight, and James gave her a reassuring squeeze. ‘Now leave, or we’ll have a problem. I don’t think you want that.’
Darcy stood open-mouthed for a moment, looking from one to the other, before composing himself. He nodded slowly, looking straight at Maria.
‘Listen, I’ll call you. Tonight. I know you’re upset, but I can explain. I know we can sort this out. I’m not with anyone, the same as you aren’t.’ He glowered at James as he said it, but James didn’t flinch. Darcy moved to the door. ‘I love you, Maria.’
He left then, and James and Maria stood staring at the door, watching him getting into his car and driving away. Neither of them moved at first, watching till the car drove out of sight.
‘I’m so sorry…’
James turned her and pulled her in for a hug. She froze for a second before wrapping her arms around his back and returning his embrace.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked, speaking into her hair.
‘I’m fine,’ she said into his chest, catching a whiff of his aftershave. He smelt nice. Comforting. Getting awkward now, Mar. This is the electrician, remember? She pulled away, but he didn’t let her go completely, putting his hands around her face.
‘Are you sure? You look really pale.’ He was looking her up and down, his face a picture of concern. She pulled away, clearing her throat nervously. The poor bloke. He was only here to fix her electrics, and he’d been dragged into all this. ‘Do you want me to call someone?’
Lynn bounded through the door then, a bag of food and tray of takeaway coffees in hand. She looked around the shop, putting the stuff on her desk. She looked at the pair of them, looking awkwardly back at her.
‘He left? Are you okay?’
Maria felt both sets of eyes on her so she headed to the bag on the desk, pulling out the sandwiches.
‘Food’s ready,’ she trilled as best she could. ‘Let’s eat. It’s done now, and we all have work to do.’
Lynn nodded slowly and took a seat at her desk, taking a sandwich from Maria. James came and got his food, and Maria motioned for him to sit in the spare chair near her workstation. All three of them sat eating in companionable silence. She knew James was looking at her with concern, and Lynn was pretending to read a magazine at her desk as she ate.
She ripped into her own sandwich, her anger and adrenaline fuelling her sudden hunger. She swallowed a mouthful of delicious bacon and bread.
‘Thank you, James,’ she said softly. ‘Thank you both for being there. He won’t come here again.’
‘Are you sure?’ James asked, a look of doubt on his face, along with a blob of brown sauce. Maria chuckled and passed him a tissue from the box on her desk. ‘He sounded pretty determined. He an ex?’
Maria nodded. ‘Yep, he’s my ex. I will make it clear he’s not welcome.’
James nodded, wiping his mouth. ‘What did you mean about the business? Are you struggling because of him?’
Lynn made a ‘humpf’ sound and covered it unsuccessfully with a delicate fake cough. ‘Yes, in a way, and he needs to leave well enough alone now. Next time he comes, I shall get my sweeping brush.’
James looked at Maria, eyebrows raised in mock terror, making her giggle again.
‘I take it this is a recent break-up?’ James asked. ‘My sister is going through one at the minute. I don’t envy you, but for what it’s worth, you’re doing well.’
Maria smiled at him. ‘Thanks. It’s a lie, but thanks. I appreciate it. I just want to concentrate on work now and get through to the wedding season. If I can get any bookings.’
James nodded. ‘Okay, well I’d better get back to work then, get this shop up and running. If you need any help though, if he shows up, let me know.’ He threw his sandwich wrapper into the bin and wiped his hands.
‘Thanks.’
She looked across at Lynn, and she was leaning on her hands open-mouthed at James as he walked into the back. As he passed Maria, he put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring pat and a squeeze. Lynn nearly burst into flames in her chair.
‘Isn’t he lovely,’ she breathed. ‘Did Darcy see him?’
Maria put her finger to her lips and walked over to Lynn.
‘Yes, he saw him all right. It was weird actually, he kind of held my hand.’
‘He did what!’ Lynn shouted. ‘What a total ba—’
‘Not Darcy!’ Maria whispered, shutting her up. ‘James. He helped me, told him to leave.’
Lynn put her hand over her heart, smiling like a loon. ‘That’s wonderful. Oh, I wish I’d seen his face.’
Maria didn’t answer, just sank to the floor, replaying the look on Darcy’s face. He’d said he still loved her. He’d even made a dig about knowing she wasn’t with James. He’d said something about being single too.
‘What do you think he wanted?’ she asked Lynn. ‘Why come here? Why would he want to talk?’
Lynn shook her head, her expression pulled into a sad montage of itself. ‘I really don’t know, my darling. Really, I don’t, but you can’t let him in. You’re doing so well. I don’t want you to go backwards. Your mother would be proud. She’d give him a good smack too.’
Maria nodded, smiling at the thought. She was holding it together, just. If you didn’t count the drunken one-night stand, or the drawer full of unsent letters to Darcy at Cassie’s cottage. Or the zillions of scenarios she had run through in her head, reasons why Darcy had left her at the altar. She had considered everything from alien abduction to his being the next James Bond. None of which explained why he’d been on holiday with another woman, though. Or why he’d just shown up here. The only thing that added up was that Darcy was a snivelling coward. Either way, her heart was broken. She wasn’t about to let him run over the tiny pieces that were scattered on the floor. Not again.
That night, as she lay in bed, having enjoyed an early bath and book while Cassie was working late, she heard her phone ring at the side of her bed. Sticking her hand out of her blanket fort, she saw his number come up on her display. She had already had Cassie delete it and every trace of him from her phone. It was odd seeing his digits flash across the screen. So different from when he was stored as hubby-to-be. She ended the call, opening the text screen and tapping out a quick message before he tried to ring again.
Don’t call me again. I am not interested in anything you have to say. Stay away from me.
She read the text back to herself, feeling the sting of her own words. She hit send and slammed the phone back on the nightstand. It buzzed back immediately, and started to ring again. Reaching out, she held down the off button and shoved it into her drawer. It landed in among all the unsent hurt and venom and anger in her written notes. She turned over and cried herself to sleep.