Ava passed Rory and Gail’s wedding cake, now cut into pieces, unrecognisable as the beautiful thing it once was, and pushed open the door, a blast of cold air hitting her. She stepped away from the village hall, recalling how Rory had messed up booking the venue. Gail had been so upset that her big day would take place in a pathetic village hall. It was as though he’d done it on purpose.
Ava took off her heels, and the thrum of music faded as she ran across the cold ground, the wind whipping her hair, icy rain stinging her cheeks. It was so much colder than earlier.
She stopped, picking up the sound of voices on the village green some distance away, making out the shape of two people sitting on a bench.
‘Mum wouldn’t want this, Dad. You’re going to kill yourself.’ It was Justin, sounding distraught, and Ava felt a pang of pity for him. They’d been so close at first, lost souls looking out for each other.
‘You’re hardly one to judge, son,’ came the reply from the figure now rising and staggering away.
‘It wasn’t your fault, Dad. The only thing to blame for her death is fucking cancer,’ Justin cried after him, before burying his head in his hands.
Ava continued across the car park, darkness covering her like a cloak. She could hear the sea crashing against the shoreline in the near distance, calling to her like a friend. She would go there, to the sea – her favourite place.
She was about to move on, when she heard the slap of heavy footsteps behind her. Before she could turn, a strong hand gripped her shoulder.
‘Maxen,’ she said as she twisted round, and made out his face in the darkness.
‘I saw you dash out of the hall. Are you OK?’ he said. ‘You looked upset.’
‘I’m fine. I need air, that’s all.’
‘I’ll keep you company, if you like.’ His eyes shone glassy in the moonlight, but she couldn’t read them.
‘I’m OK, honestly. The fresh air will do me good.’ She stepped out onto the road, but he was soon beside her, too close.
‘I’ll walk with you, shall I?’
‘No! Honestly, I’d rather be alone,’ she said, picking up speed. ‘But thank you.’
‘Well, it’s up to you,’ he said, keeping up with her. ‘But it’s so lonely out here. And there are some right weirdoes about. People do the most awful things, Ava. People you least suspect.’
‘I’ll be fine once I’m on the beach. Nobody will be down there this time of night.’ Her voice cracked as she spoke. ‘I want to be alone for a while, Maxen. Please.’
‘You deserve so much better,’ he said. ‘That’s what my dad says.’
‘Your dad is a kind man.’
‘Yes, yes he is.’ He slowed, and she kept going, glancing over her shoulder to see he was being swallowed by the darkness. Almost out of sight.
‘I saw Gail has the bracelet now,’ he called after her. ‘I’m angry about that.’
‘What?’ She stopped and twisted round. She couldn’t see him, but he was there. ‘What do you mean now?’
‘I left it for you,’ he said. ‘I covered you with your coat to keep you warm.’
Panic pumped through her, and her heart began to race. ‘You left the bracelet that night?’ she cried. ‘It was you?’
‘Yes,’ he called. ‘I took it from Rory on his stag party. I wanted you to have it.’
‘It was you?’ she cried, taking off, sprinting, her feet scraping on the rough ground. ‘Oh my God, it was you.’
‘No. Don’t go. The bracelet was meant to make you happy,’ he called after her, his words haunting her as she ran. She’d accused Rory. Argued with Gail. Ruined their wedding day. She needed to put things right. Turn back. But her legs carried her away into the night, her head spinning with confusion. She’d felt so sure it was Rory who’d attacked her.
‘Ava wait, please,’ Maxen cried, as she continued to put distance between them, her chest breathless as she headed for the sea, her eyes streaming with tears.