As I pack up the last of my things, I think about my meeting with Karen earlier today. It was the right thing to do. I know that, and the relief in her eyes told me I had done the right thing.
Smiling to myself, I reach for my phone and scroll through the photos. As the image flashes on the screen, I feel my heart harden. Yes, it was the right thing to do.
As I look at the photo I’ve always had of Eddie and myself, I see the likeness. Eddie was clean shaven; Tom has a beard. Eddie’s hair was shorter and his expression more confident. His arm is around my shoulders and I can see the watch glinting at the camera. Then I see the same shirt that I saw Tom wearing on the day of the barbecue, and I smile to myself. Yes, Tom was Eddie, he always was. I always had this photograph, and I lied to Karen. I wanted to see if Tom regained his memory after that night he was attacked. I knew one day he would recognise me and it would all come out. Then things happened, and it ceased to matter anymore.
The key turns in the lock and I look up with a smile on my face that quickly fades when I see the expression on his face. As he heads inside, I feel the nerves flutter inside as Harry sits down wearily and says, “I couldn’t tell her.”
Moving across, I kneel before him and take his hands in mine. “I understand.”
Shaking his head, he says tightly, “I need to know what happened with Tina, Isabel.”
I feel my face fall and know she told him. I suppose I knew it would come out, but I didn’t want anything to spoil what was growing so fast between us.
I move to the seat on the other side facing him and say sadly, “Tina had a few too many drinks. It wasn’t unusual because she was hurting so badly. I just wanted to be her friend, you know, to make things a little better for her. We had a lovely evening, and I told her I wanted to head home when she suggested a wine bar. Instead, she offered to make me a coffee at her house and I didn’t think it would matter as I was dropping her off, anyway. Well, she was so sad and I didn’t want to leave her, so I agreed to stay the night.”
I almost can’t look at Harry’s face as I whisper, “I slept with her because I felt sorry for her. I didn’t mean it to happen, and when I woke up, I was mortified. I’ve never kissed another woman, and I didn’t want to. The trouble is, Tina was quite forceful, and I didn’t feel as if I had a choice.”
Harry shouts, “She forced you?”
Wincing, I shake my head. “Sort of. I was so afraid because she was the only friend I had. I didn’t want her to push me away, so well - I just let her.”
I start to cry and Harry crosses the room and takes me in his arms, stroking the back of my head as he pulls me close. “It’s ok, darling, I’m sorry to ask.”
I lean against him for support and he whispers, “I understand. It must have been difficult for you and I want you to know I still love you.”
Leaning back, I say roughly, “It was before you and I, well… you know.”
He smiles sweetly. “It’s fine. You don’t have to say another word. It explains a lot though.”
“What?”
“The reason why you wanted to move in with me so quickly and change your phone. You know, you could have told me you were going sick to escape from my ex. I would have helped if I’d known.”
Burying my face in his chest, I feel my heart racing as I say softly, “I’m sorry, Harry, I should have told you. No more secrets from now on.”
He lowers his lips to mine and says gruffly, “I love you Isabel.”
My eyes fill with happy tears as I whisper, “I love you too, Harry.”
As we kiss, I feel as if I’ve made it home at last. Everything that’s happened in the last year, with Eddie, Tom, Karen and Tina, has led me to this point. Harry and I have a future together in Milton Keynes and Jamie too. I love him like my own son and we will do everything we can to make a happy home for him. I feel a little guilty about Tina but all is fair in love and war and she didn’t deserve Harry. She had her chance, and she blew it, and I was only too happy to take him away from her.
As I pull away, Harry smiles lovingly. “You know, I can’t wait to start my life with you.”
Nodding, I pat my stomach and say in a whisper, “When will you tell Tina about the baby?”
He pulls me close and says softly, “When she’s better and able to deal with it. Now isn’t the time, which is why it’s best we move away.”
“But Jamie?”
He shakes his head sadly. “We will have to keep it from him for a few months. I don’t like doing it, but I’m not going to make things worse until she gets better. It’s a difficult one.”
Then he smiles and says brightly, “Anyway, we will deal with that when we have to. What we need now is food and an early night. We have an early start tomorrow and I can’t wait to leave this place.”
As I head to the kitchen, I have a huge smile on my face. Yes, it won’t be an easy ride but we will take the journey as a team. I didn’t intend to steal Harry, but fate had a hand in it and here we are. Tina will be fine once the dust settles and she gets used to the idea. Jamie will have a brother or sister and belong to two families who love him very much.
As I stir the pot, I hum a happy tune. Family, after all, is everything.