by Sarah Hope
‘No, of course I won’t. Try to enjoy yourself and if you change your mind and you want to stay then give me a call, okay?’
Nodding, Ellis accepted Molly’s hug before following Lauren out to the car.
Swallowing hard, Molly stood in the doorway and watched as Trevor bundled the rucksacks into the boot. This was always the most difficult time, waving them off. It didn’t get any easier, it was still the same bitter pill it was when Trevor had first started having them overnight.
LAYING THE SEWING PATTERNS back in the box, Molly reached for her mobile on the first ring. It was probably Ellis. ‘Hi.’
‘Molly.’
Trevor. It was Trevor. Slumping her shoulders, she leant against the shelf behind her, the box she was unpacking by her left knee. ‘Are the kids okay?’
‘They’re fine, actually. More than fine. Jessica’s niece and nephew, Max and Freya, have come over for a sleepover and they’re having a really fun time.’
‘Great, that’s good then.’ Shifting on the hard floor, Molly brought her knees towards her chest.
‘So Ellis doesn’t need you coming to rescue him.’
Closing her eyes momentarily, Molly took a deep breath in. He didn’t have to speak to her like this, not with that tone. He had no right. They weren’t even together anymore. Not that he should have spoken to her like that when they were married anyway. ‘I wasn’t ‘rescuing’ him as you put it. We spoke about this.’
‘Yes, well, whatever. He’s fine. You don’t need to come and get him, he wants to stay.’
‘That’s good then. That’s what I wanted, and half expected would happen, but the way he was feeling before he went with you, he needed to know that he had that option.’
‘They might live with you the majority of the time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have as much right over them. They’re still my children.’
Narrowing her eyes, Molly stared at the shelf opposite. When had she ever suggested otherwise? ‘I never said anything against that, I simply told you that Ellis was a bit nervous about going over after what Jessica had said to him and how you had both treated them. That’s why I gave him the option of coming back. I wasn’t undermining you. I was acting in the best interests of our children. You’d have done the same.’
‘Well, he’s fine. I’ve got to go now. Bye.’
Placing her mobile on the floor next to her, Molly pinched the bridge of her nose. And that was one of the reasons she didn’t miss him. Yes, it had ultimately been his decision to leave her, but there were so many aspects of his personality that if she’d not been so focused on keeping her family together may have given her reason to walk first.
Pulling herself to standing, Molly carefully kicked the half-empty box of patterns closer to the shelf and made her way upstairs. They could wait until morning. She just needed to put the TV on and block out her life for a while. There were reasons why people split up. There had been for her and Trevor, and there definitely was for Richie and Diane. Maybe she shouldn’t have put things on the back burner with him. Maybe she should have trusted Richie’s judgement.
Shaking her head, she flicked the kettle on. She’d done the right thing. Possibly. Anyway, at least this way she’d know for certain that she hadn’t stood in the way of Marissa getting her family back together.
Turning her back on the kettle she pressed her index fingers against her temples. It didn’t matter anyway. She’d done it now. She’d told him it was over.
Chapter Twenty Four
Glancing down at her phone and back to the empty shop, Molly picked it up. ‘Hi, Bea. Long time, no hear.’
‘Hey, girl! I know, I know. I’ve been an absolutely rubbish friend.’
‘Don’t worry. How’s everything with you?’ Bea had always been the same, one minute calling and meeting regularly, the next disappearing completely. It used to annoy her, but now she figured it was just Bea being Bea.
‘Crazy. Completely crazy. I got that promotion I told you about, remember?’
Promotion? How could she have forgotten? Perching on the stool behind the counter, Molly kept her eyes fixed on the door, ready to hang up if a customer walked in. Now it was her turn to feel like the rubbish friend. ‘I’m so sorry, I meant to ring and ask you how the interview went.’
‘No worries, you’ve had a lot going on too. What with opening the shop? How’s that going? Are you turning over a profit yet?’
‘It’s going really well, actually. The village had a fete a couple of weeks ago and that’s been bringing in new customers.’
‘That’s great!’
‘Thanks.’
‘You’re welcome. I’m proud of you, Molly.’
Molly smiled. ‘Have you been drinking?’
‘Maybe a smidge. Sooo, tell me...’
‘Tell you what?’ She could clearly hear the clink of glass on glass as Bea refilled her drink. ‘How come you’re drinking so early? It’s only three o’clock?’
‘Ahh, but it’s a Saturday.’
‘It’s still only three o’clock.’
‘I know. I’ve just finished schmoozing a client for lunch and they barely touched the wine, I thought it’d be rude to leave it.’
‘You’re still at the restaurant? And you’re working on a Saturday?’ Molly shook her head. Their worlds were so far apart it was surreal.
‘Anyway. Tell me.’
‘Tell you what?’
‘About our policeman friend. What was his name? Ralph?’
‘Ralph? Richie. His name is Richie and there’s nothing to tell.’ Looking down at the counter, she picked up a pen and began doodling on the notepad.
‘Now I know you’re lying.’
Molly flared her nostrils and began drawing a flower, the stem first and two leaves.
‘Tell me.’
‘There really is nothing to tell.’ One petal.
‘Molly, if I hadn’t been drinking I’d be jumping in the car. What’s happened?’
Another petal. It was no good, Bea would just keep pushing until she told her. ‘Okay. We were seeing each other for a bit, but only a bit. We got together at the dance after the village fete so it literally only lasted less than two weeks.’
‘You’ve split up? Already? I thought he was a keeper.’
‘He insulted us and complained about your car being parked an inch over his mother’s driveway. Not to mention that he almost arrested me for speeding.’
‘Umm, I guess he was a bit spikey but there was definitely electricity between you both. So, tell me more.’
‘There’s nothing to tell. His ex basically told me he was cheating on her with me.’
‘Seriously? Wow, I hadn’t seen that one coming and I’m usually such a good judge of character.’
Molly grimaced.
‘I am. I told you Trevor was a prat from the moment you met him.’
‘With your track record, I really don’t think you can say you’re a good judge of character.’
‘Maybe not for me, although my darling hubby is lovely. But for you, I always get your men right, don’t I? I really didn’t see Richie as being a cheat though.’
‘He’s not. I spoke to him about it, and he told me she was lying. She then came to speak to me again and admitted she’d lied but she thinks she has a chance of getting back with him and doesn’t want me swaying his decision.’
‘So you’ve broken up with him? For her? Why? Why? Why?’
Molly shifted on the hard stool. It’s not that simple. They have a daughter together and the breakup has really affected her, and Jessica upset Ellis and... you won’t understand. You’ve not been part of a broken family.’
‘Damn right I don’t understand. You’ve met someone and by the sounds of your voice you really like him and he wants to be with you, but you broke it off?’
Pinching the top of her nose, Molly wished the headache creeping in would disappear. ‘It’s not that simple.’
‘It sounds pretty simple to me. Look, I can’t come tonight, but next Sat
urday me and you are going to go out. Properly out. Out for drinks and a dance.’
‘No, I’m too old for that. Plus, I’ve got the kids next weekend.’
‘You are not too old. And I’ll sort the kids. My parents are having my two because Stuart is away with work so they can have yours too. And before you say anything, you know how much they love Lauren and Ellis.’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Look, I’ve got to go now, the waiter is hovering with the bill but I’ll text you the details during the week.’
‘No, I...’ Too late, she was gone. Great, so now Molly would have to come up with some excuse or other why she couldn’t go drinking with Bea next weekend.
Placing her phone back on the counter, she checked the time. It was just gone three. If the last few weekends were anything to go by, then today was unusually quiet. Maybe it was the nice weather.
Of course, it was the river festival in the next village along. Everyone would be there. Looking across at the pile of orders she’d packaged up earlier, she grabbed a bag and bundled them in. She had planned to close up early and run to the post office, but she might as well do it now. Plus, she really needed to buy some pain killers if she had any hope of avoiding this headache turning into a migraine.
Picking the bag up, she smiled. It felt quite heavy and the bulging seams were proof that her idea of offering a range of stock online was working.
TILTING HER HEAD BACK, Molly placed the headache tablet on her tongue and took a sip of water before swallowing. Putting the bottle back into the cup holder by the gear stick, she pulled her seatbelt around her. The parcels would be safely on their way soon and so hopefully would her headache.
She looked across at the bag thrown on the passenger’s seat. With a pizza and some ice cream, she had all she needed for an evening slumped in front of the TV. Just what she needed.
Hearing a noise from behind, she twisted her neck and looked behind her. Great, it looked as though a couple had decided it was the perfect spot for a row. Did she start the car which would hopefully shift them or sit and wait until they’d finished?
Placing her hands on the steering wheel, Molly looked ahead. A low fence ran around the perimeter of the car park, partitioning it from the high street ahead. Taking another sip of water, she rested the bottle against the steering wheel. The river festival must have taken the crowds from here too. Only a smattering of people weaved from shop to shop down the cobbled High Street, noticeably less than on a normal day.
Rubbing her eyes, she squinted ahead of her. A woman stepped down from a shop doorway and looked in her bags. Yes, it was her. It was Diane. She would recognise the high heels and sunglasses anywhere. Should she go and tell her she had walked away from Richie? She didn’t particularly want to speak to her again, but now she’d seen her, she probably should go and mention it. Tell her she now had free rein to get Richie back.
Pulling the sun visor down, Molly glanced in the small mirror and tucked her hair behind her ears. She knew she shouldn’t care what Diane thought of her, but with the large shadows under her eyes, she also didn’t want it to be glaringly obvious how upset she was over breaking up with Richie.
Shaking her head, she shrugged. She’d have to go now, or else she’d lose her. Stepping out of the car, Molly put her hand up to wave and called across the road, ‘Diane! Hold...’
Lowering her hand, she squinted against the sunlight. Diane wasn’t on her own. A man, tall with a dark shock of hair, had followed her out of the shop. Molly watched as he walked in step with Diane before putting his arm around her shoulder. Maybe it was Diane’s brother?
Shielding her eyes with her left hand, Molly frowned as Diane turned around and kissed him on the lips before slipping her hand in his as they made their way further up the High Street.
Opening the car door again, Molly slipped back behind the steering wheel, her hands gripping the black leather firmly. It didn’t make any sense. Why would Diane want to get back with Richie if she was already seeing someone? Was she planning on cheating on him again?
Pulling her seatbelt on, Molly turned the key in the ignition. Whatever Diane was playing at, Molly had well and truly been taken for a fool. Why had she believed her? She’d known Diane was an accomplished liar. Richie was a policeman, and Diane had still managed to lie to him for years. Why had Molly thought she could tell truth from lie when he hadn’t been able to?
Crunching the gear stick into reverse, Molly watched as the couple behind her looked across before rolling their eyes and moving out of the way. She couldn’t wait for them any longer. She needed to get home.
HOLDING HER NOW COLD mug of coffee in her hands, Molly continued to stare out of the kitchen window. The red-bellied robin that had begun to visit the large oak tree in the garden behind continued his chirping whilst bouncing up and down on the window ledge oblivious to the whir of thoughts going through Molly’s head.
How could she have been so naïve? She’d literally only been trying to do the best thing for Marissa, and Richie. She’d thought she had been doing the right thing.
Taking a sip of the cold bitter liquid, Molly grimaced and swallowed.
She should go over and try to explain things to Richie, shouldn’t she? He might see why she had reacted the way she had and forgive her. He should do, shouldn’t he? He should understand why she had walked away from him.
Turning, she placed the mug down on the work surface with such force that the brown liquid ran down the sides of the ceramic. She should go and speak to him. She should explain how wrong she’d got it, that she should have realised that every couple split up for a reason and that was no different between her and Trevor as it was Richie and Diane. She should have realised that Diane couldn’t be trusted.
She had no idea what game Diane was playing or attempting to play but she was sure that’s what it was now, just a game, or maybe a way to try to stop Richie being happy with anyone else.
She shook her head. Picking up her mobile, she shoved it in the back pocket of her jeans and made her way downstairs. There was no time like the present.
TAKING A DEEP BREATH, Molly tapped on the door again. Maybe Richie was out. Maybe she should just go back to Bramble Patch and carry on refilling the shelves.
Turning, she pulled her cardigan tighter around her against the evening’s gentle breeze and walked back past his motorbike and car back onto the path.
‘Hey, Molly.’
Twisting around, Molly looked behind her at Richie standing in his doorway, a towel wrapped around his middle.
‘Sorry, I was in the shower.’
‘That’s okay. If you’re busy, don’t worry. I can come back another time.’
‘No, it’s fine. Here, come in. I’ll just run and get some clothes on and then I’ll be with you.’
Nodding, Molly made her way back down the drive and stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind her.
‘SORRY ABOUT THAT. EVERYTHING okay? Can I get you a drink?’ Coming back down the stairs, this time dressed in dark blue jeans and a grey t-shirt, Richie rubbed a towel over his hair before hanging it on the bannister.
‘No, I’m fine thanks. I just wanted a quick word, if you’ve got time.’
‘Yes, of course. Come through to the kitchen. Marissa’s upstairs as you can probably guess from the noise of her latest favourite band.’
Following him into the kitchen, Molly stood against the counter and watched him switch the kettle on.
‘Are you sure you don’t want a drink?’
‘Honestly, I’m fine.’ Waving his offer away, Molly fiddled with the hem of her cardigan and cleared her throat. ‘I just wanted to apologise for the way I’ve been recently. I just thought I was doing the right thing.’
‘I get it. I can’t pretend that I’m not hurt, but I get why you did what you did.’ Ignoring the kettle as it clicked off, Richie leant against the work surface and ran his fingers through his hair. ‘I really get it and I respect you for your decision
. It’s not what I wanted. I really thought we had a real chance of making things work, but I get why you can’t.’
Nodding slowly, Molly glanced down at her feet before looking back up at him. ‘That’s the thing, I saw her, Diane, again this afternoon.’
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Richie tilted his head. ‘I’m sorry, Molly. I can’t do this. Not again. I understand why you can’t be in a relationship with me. I get that, and I respect you for making that decision, but I really don’t want to hear what else she’s been saying. I’m not with her for a reason and I don’t need to still be dealing with her issues. I’m sorry. I’d like to still be friends though.’
Looking down, Molly hoped the fierce heat racing across the back of her neck wouldn’t reach her face. She got it. She understood where he was coming from, but it didn’t make it any easier for her. ‘Okay, I understand. I had come over to apologise and to tell you I realised that I shouldn’t have listened to her in the first place, but I get it. You just want to be friends.’ Nodding, Molly bit down on her bottom lip and made her way back through the hallway to the front door.
‘Molly, I... wait...’
‘Its fine, Richie. I just need to get back now.’ Slipping through the front door again, she closed it carefully but purposefully behind her. As she made her way back up the driveway and onto the street, she kept her eyes down, focusing on the path beneath her feet. She didn’t blame him. She really didn’t. She’d probably react the same way if he had believed Trevor over her. It was her own fault, she shouldn’t have listened to Diane – she’d known what she was like from what Richie had said about her before.
Glancing around quickly, she checked that no one was about before pulling the sleeves of her cardigan over her fingers and wiping her eyes. She’d brought this on herself. She didn’t deserve to find a partner, to find someone to be happy with. Richie had been the first person she’d felt remotely comfortable and happy with in years, and now she’d pressed the too familiar self-destruct button. She deserved to be alone.
