Nathan stood firm, hands deep in pockets, his brow lined in a deep frown. ‘I’m sorry, Leona, but I want us to finish.’
The smile slowly melted from Leona’s face. ‘Finish what?’
Nathan cupped his hand over his eyebrows, briefly closing his eyes. He wanted this over with. He wanted her out. ‘This. Us. I’m sorry. But I don’t want to see you anymore.’ He realised how cruel the words sounded, but he could not find better ones. He had no point of reference, because in his world people were direct and to the point. But she was staring at him now; her eyes brimming with tears as she waited for an explanation. Nathan cleared his throat. ‘I need some space. I want to be on my own.’
Leona stared, open-mouthed, her chin trembling as the words slowly rose from her throat. ‘I don’t understand. Is this some kind of joke?’ Then she nodded, quickly wiping away the tears that were beginning to form. ‘It is, isn’t it? It’s some weird joke. Is this how you do it in your family?’ She laughed, but it was a hollow sound, and Nathan knew she was fooling herself.
‘How we do what? he asked, wishing she’d just leave.
‘Propose, of course; that’s what you brought me here for, isn’t it?’
Nathan pulled in a terse breath. Just what had Mum being saying to her? ‘I don’t know where you got that idea from, but it wasn’t from me. I’ve no intention of proposing to anyone. Right now I just want to be single.’
Leona pulled a tissue from her clutch bag and began to dab the mascara-stained trails running down her cheeks. ‘No, that’s not true. Frances said that we were going to get married, that we could have kids of our own.’ Intermittent sobs bounced between her words.
Nathan stepped back, distancing himself from the source of his irritation. His anger rose like hot steam searching for release. ‘You know what I’m sick of? Everyone telling me what to do. You, Lenny, Mum, all plotting what’s best. I never made you any promises.’
Leona opened her mouth to speak, and he raised his hand for silence.
‘I can see you’re not listening so I’ll make it really simple. We had a bit of fun together, but that’s as far as it goes. I think it’s about time you left.’
‘You bastard,’ Leona sniffed. ‘You just used me, just like all the others.’
‘Well, maybe if you didn’t make yourself so available there wouldn’t be such a long list. Now get out.’ He regretted the words as soon as he uttered them, but they had the desired effect. Most men would get a slap on the face for such a derogatory comment, but his reputation ensured he would remain untouched.
Turning on her heel, Leona slammed the heavy oak door as she left. Nathan wished he could have handled it differently and had hoped they could have parted on better terms. But cruel words came easily, whereas heartfelt ones had to be dug around for in the darkness of his soul – in places only Ruby could reach. His family had been whispering promises that were not theirs to keep, all for their own selfish needs. He would deal with them later. He would send Leona some flowers, try to apologise for his unkind words. But now he needed to get his life back on track. Without his family’s interference.