Miles knotted his tie and ran a hand over it to ensure it was straight. He’d chosen a light grey suit for this wedding. Somehow it didn’t feel right to wear the same black one he’d worn to Vivien’s funeral.
It had been less than a week since the burglary and Miles was sure Stella wouldn’t be in the mood to go, but he’d promised he would and she hadn’t told him otherwise. He was meeting her at the shop at eight-thirty to ensure they had plenty of time to get to Oxford for the ceremony at one o’clock. He shrugged his jacket up onto his shoulders, tucked his wallet and keys into his pockets and made his way out.
As he turned the corner he could see Stella through the large glass windows of the shop. She was wearing a fitted pale blue dress the same colour as the sea, with a lace edging that finished just above the knee. Nude high heels showed off her shapely legs – legs he’d never imagined she had in the jeans she usually wore – and her hourglass figure was shown off to perfection. Her hair was loosely piled on top of her head with tendrils framing her face and though her make-up was minimal, she looked amazing. She didn’t need much to accentuate her pretty features and yet, she was entirely herself. Kiera had always worn make-up like a mask, hiding her true self. Stella looked up at him as he pushed open the door.
‘Hey, Stella. Are you ready to go?’
‘Yes, I think so.’ Her eyes widened a fraction as they ran over him and he nervously flattened his tie again, hoping she approved. ‘Frank is at Lexi’s for the day. I’ve got a card with a gift voucher in – unoriginal I know, but I couldn’t think what else to get them and I didn’t want to take something from the shop in case it seemed a bit weird or boastful. So, I’ve got my bag with my money, keys and make-up. Yep, I think we’re all set.’ She gave him a half smile but her voice lacked its usual enthusiasm. Not surprising given everything she was going through. The fact that she was smiling at all was a miracle.
‘I get the feeling you’re not looking forward to this.’
‘I’m not really. But it’s too late to pull out now.’
‘You could blame the burglary.’ Worried he sounded like he was trying to get out of it, Miles added, ‘I mean – I’m happy to go still, just, you know, if you didn’t want to.’
‘If I was going to use that as an excuse I should have done it days ago. Never mind. We’ve got our glad rags on now so we might as well go. And you can drink all the free beer. Knowing Isaac’s parents it’ll definitely be a free bar.’ With a slick of pale pink lipgloss, Stella’s smile was even more dazzling.
‘So who’s Isaac?’ Miles asked and she froze, slowly turning back to face him.
‘Sorry, didn’t I tell you? It’s umm, it’s my ex-husband’s wedding.’
‘Your ex-husband?’ Astounded she’d agreed to go at all, Miles rearranged his shocked features. Before, his surprise had often come across as judgemental and he didn’t want to slip back into old habits. If Kiera suddenly invited him to something there’s no way he’d go. It just showed Stella’s kind nature and incredible strength of character. ‘Wow.’
She hesitated, fiddling with her handbag. ‘Are we still okay to go? I know it seems weird and I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before, I just—’
‘You just thought that being the pompous idiot I’ve made myself out to be I’d have a tantrum and refuse?’ Miles watched a range of emotions pass over Stella’s face from fear to amazement, to a wry and extremely pretty smile. He’d hit the nail on the head. ‘I won’t lie, I am surprised. I’d find it difficult attending my ex’s anything, let alone her wedding. But then, if Kiera invited me to something it would only be out of spite.’
‘Isaac’s not like that,’ she assured him, cocking her head slightly to one side. ‘He’d never think to do such a thing. I’m sure he’s invited me to show there are no hard feelings and that he wants us to be friends. He’s a nice man, really.’
Miles wanted to ask what had happened between them but was afraid of pushing his luck and asking too personal a question. He popped his hands into his pockets. ‘Well, you’re a much nicer person than I am.’
‘I don’t think that’s true,’ Stella replied and a strangely loaded atmosphere descended.
As the blush rose up Stella’s face and Miles warmed from the compliment, she dropped her eyes and led the way out, locking the door behind her. Miles followed to the car, unused to being the passenger. As they drove past the shop on their way out of town, he caught Stella glance at the door to the holiday lets and read the concern in her face.
‘Have you heard anything more from the family?’
She sighed. ‘Yes, I got a letter from their solicitors about two days after they left telling me I was being sued for five thousand pounds.’
He flinched. ‘Five thousand pounds? How can they possibly claim so much?’
Stella’s hands shifted on the wheel. ‘A grand for the money he says he had in the bedside cabinet, another for the possessions that were damaged – kids’ toys and stuff though they didn’t bring much with them – and the rest is emotional damage to him, his wife, the nanny and the children.’
‘Emotional damage?’ Miles’s voice dripped with derision. ‘Those kids were completely fine.’
‘I don’t know. I suppose shock can take some time to come out, can’t it.’ She shrugged. ‘It is what it is. I’m going to have to stump it up and hope the insurance company pays me back. They’re demanding the money pretty quickly.’
‘But that’s nonsense.’
‘The insurance company said it’s going to take a while to get sorted. There’s the police investigation, and I can’t prove who left the door unlocked. They said it’s my decision if I settle or not.’ She glanced out of the window again. ‘I’ll really miss Swallowtail Bay if I have to leave.’
Miles’s face shot to Stella’s. He didn’t want her to leave either, especially under such circumstances. It just wasn’t fair. A red flag began to wave in Miles’s brain but he couldn’t pin down exactly why. It must have been the reference to Stella leaving. He hadn’t realised the burglary could cost her everything. As this was probably the last thing Stella wanted to discuss today, he changed the topic to something lighter.
They made great time to Oxford, listening to the radio, discussing music and films and discovering they actually had a fair amount in common. As they pulled up onto the gravel parking area in front of the church, Stella seemed to hesitate.
‘It’ll be okay,’ Miles said. ‘They don’t know about the burglary, do they? And you don’t have to tell them. Just pretend it hasn’t happened and try and enjoy yourself.’
‘Okay,’ Stella said, taking a deep breath. ‘Let’s go then.’
The church was big and grand, much larger than the small sweet one they had buried Vivien in at Swallowtail Bay, and full of people. The familiar pull of home filled Miles. No matter how pretty somewhere was, it wasn’t a patch on his and Stella’s hometown. Miles saw an older couple in the front pew scowl and whisper to each other. He took them to be the ex-husband’s parents. After fiddling with his cravat, the ex-husband made his way towards them.
‘Isaac, you look fabulous. Congratulations,’ Stella said, holding out her hand.
For a second Isaac stared at her, then he took her hand and pulled her in and kissed her cheek. ‘Stella, you look lovely. I’m so glad you could make it.’ Something about the way he spoke with such unbridled joy and enthusiasm made Miles think of a giant puppy. ‘And who’s this?’
‘This is my friend Miles.’
‘Congratulations,’ said Miles, shaking Isaac’s hand too. ‘I hope your day is everything you want it to be.’ From the corner of his eye he caught Stella’s cheeky smile.
‘Ellie should be here any minute. Unless she’s jilted me – which I really hope she hasn’t.’
There was something very warm about Isaac’s easy, friendly manner and he could see that Stella was right. Isaac hadn’t invited her to make a petty point about how his life had moved on – something Kiera would do – he was genuinely pleased she was there to share this moment with him.
‘I’m sure she hasn’t,’ replied Stella. ‘I see your parents have spotted me.’ Miles followed her gaze, as did Isaac, to the two sneering faces he’d spotted before.
‘Just ignore them, Stella,’ Isaac said. ‘You know what they’re like.’
‘Do they approve of Ellie?’ There was no jealousy in her voice, only a slight teasing.
‘They do,’ he said reluctantly. ‘Sorry.’
‘That’s okay. I wish you both every happiness.’
Isaac took her hands in his. ‘Thank you, Stella. That means so much to me. We shared such a huge part of each other’s lives, I’d hate for us to not to be friends.’
‘Me too.’
Miles couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Recalling Kiera’s theatrical farewell, he couldn’t imagine her ever being so gracious, but Stella seemed the type of person who brought out the best in people. It wasn’t surprising her first husband had been a nice man. However it had ended, they were clearly both okay about it.
‘I need to get back up front, but you guys take a seat. I’m so happy you could make it, Stella,’ he said again, giving her another kiss on the cheek. ‘And nice to meet you, Miles.’ Isaac disappeared, almost breaking into a run he was so excited.
‘He seems nice,’ Miles said, as they edged their way along a pew to the end. Stella’s hand brushed against his and the warmth and softness of her skin kindled a tingling that ran up to his chest. From the quick glance she gave him, he wondered if she’d felt it too.
‘He is. He’s a good man and I’m happy for him.’
Miles stared at her. ‘You really are, aren’t you?’
‘I really am,’ Stella replied as if she had only just realised it herself. ‘When I think about it we did just grow apart. I want him to be happy. Don’t you want Kiera to be happy wherever she is?’
Miles thought for a moment and realisation dawned. ‘I do actually. But, weren’t you hurt when it ended?’
‘Very.’ She admitted it so openly that Miles had to stop his mouth dropping open. ‘And angry. And I felt rejected. But I’ve come to realise that sometimes things don’t work out the way you think they should and I do like my life in Swallowtail Bay.’ A sudden sadness washed over her features that Miles could tell had nothing to do with the wedding and everything to do with the shop, the burglary and the horrible family suing her for a ridiculous sum of money. Yet again there was a red flag flying somewhere in his brain, telling him he’d forgotten something or made a mistake, but he couldn’t place why. ‘Do you ever think about Kiera?’
‘Sometimes. I’ve kind of trained myself that once something is done I don’t think about it again.’
‘Does it work?’
He thought of the shop and how hard he’d found it to let go. ‘No. Not always.’ The grin that spread over Stella’s face was cheeky and Miles mirrored it.
Everyone stood up and the bride entered. She was a pretty girl though not as pretty as Stella, and she looked a bit meringue-like in the large poufy dress, but then every bride should wear what she wants on her wedding day. The service was long, very long, and he and Stella glanced at each other from time to time, repressing a smile. Neither of them sang the hymns and when Miles first noticed he leaned in and whispered, ‘You’re not singing.’
‘Neither are you,’ Stella teased.
‘But you were singing in the car.’
‘Car karaoke is one thing, but hymns are out of my vocal range. Too high. What’s your excuse?’
‘Tone deaf.’ And Stella’s eyes sparkled as she silently mouthed the words.
Before long they were making their way to the wedding reception being held at an enormous farmhouse on the outskirts of Oxford. A jazz quartet were playing as they arrived and waiters and waitresses were handing out glasses of orange juice or champagne. Fairy lights hung from the white walls giving everything a soft, pretty glow. White tablecloths covered the tables and everywhere were rather extravagant displays of pink flowers.
‘Which table do you think we’re on?’ asked Miles, taking an orange juice for himself and handing one to Stella.
‘Somewhere near the back I’m sure.’ Again there was no bitterness in her voice. In fact, Stella sounded like she was actually enjoying herself. Miles looked around.
‘Have you noticed there aren’t any children?’
‘Aren’t there?’
‘No. I think that’s such a shame. I love seeing kids at weddings all overexcited and dancing like idiots. It makes me feel better about my dance moves.’
Stella laughed and sipped her orange juice. ‘I won’t drag you up to the dance floor so you don’t have to worry.’
‘Good.’ They moved to the side to let some other people through and again his body touched Stella’s. Being close to her made him hyper-aware of everything he was doing but she didn’t immediately move away. When she did he had a sudden urge to take her hand and pull it back. ‘Do you mind if I have a beer or two with dinner? I’m happy not to drink if you prefer.’
‘Of course I don’t mind.’ Where Stella’s hair was piled onto her head, Miles could see the full beauty of her profile. He found himself thinking about kissing her long, graceful neck and hoped he wasn’t blushing, turning his attention away to the monstrously huge flower display next to him. ‘You’re doing me such a big favour, please enjoy yourself.’
‘I am enjoying myself actually. You’re not bad company.’
‘Neither are you,’ she joked.
‘Are you surprised?’ He wasn’t sure he was going to like the answer but he’d asked now, and trusted Stella would at least be honest with him.
She hesitated. ‘A little.’
A prickle of shame stung the back of his neck and he reached a hand back to quell it. ‘I was awful to you when you arrived and I’m embarrassed by how I behaved. I am sorry for being such an arse.’ Stella’s glass stilled in mid-air. She clearly hadn’t expected such an apology from him. He wanted her to see what he was really like, not the self-indulgent man he’d been before. Feeling embarrassed, he motioned to the seating chart. ‘We’d better take our seats. I think they’re arriving soon.’
Along with the other guests they found their table and sat down. Miles was next to a large woman in an enormous fuchsia dress and matching feathery fascinator, the colour of which matched the blobs of blusher on her cheeks. Her name was Fiona and she had more lipstick on her teeth than on her lips but had a kind and happy face. Stella was next to an old man called Jack with receding, slick-backed grey hair.
‘Are you with the bride or groom?’ asked the woman, swatting away a bright pink feather that bounced back and tapped her on the nose.
‘Groom,’ Miles answered, glancing at Stella. She was chatting away to the old man, making him laugh as though they were old friends. She really did have a way with people, such an easy, unassuming manner.
‘I’m with the bride,’ Fiona said. ‘She’s my goddaughter. Don’t you think she looks gorgeous?’
‘She looks lovely,’ Miles replied, politely. She was pretty but he wouldn’t go so far as to say gorgeous.
The woman poured herself a large glass of white wine from the bottles in the middle of the table. ‘This is Isaac’s second marriage, you know. He’s divorced. Don’t know why it didn’t work out but sometimes things just don’t, do they?’
From the corner of his eye Miles saw Stella’s back stiffen then relax as Fiona passed no judgement.
‘I don’t know about you young ’uns, but I’m absolutely starving,’ said Jack, taking a bread roll from the basket in the centre of the table and cutting it open.
‘I’m quite hungry too,’ said Stella, smiling at everyone.
‘And are you with the groom’s side too?’ asked Fiona.
Miles caught the mischievous twinkle in Stella’s eyes as she replied. ‘Yes, I’m Isaac’s ex-wife.’
Fiona coughed as her wine went down the wrong way. She grabbed her napkin and wiped at her mouth. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you before.’ Her cheeks blazed even redder under the pink blush. ‘He’s always spoken very highly of you.’
‘We’re still friends,’ Stella admitted taking a bread roll herself and giving Fiona a disarming smile. ‘He’s a lovely man and I’m very happy for him and Ellie. Like you say, sometimes things don’t work out but it’s fine, really. He looks incredibly happy – and Ellie too.’
‘Well that’s lovely of you, dear. Not all marriages end so amicably.’
‘When I left my first wife,’ said Jack, ‘I came home to find all my stuff in bin bags out in the street. Same with the second actually.’
Miles glanced at Stella and she flashed her eyes at him.
‘I’m here on my own,’ replied Fiona a note of sadness in her voice. ‘I wasn’t sure about coming. I don’t much like going to things on my own, but since my Ken passed away, I have to or I’d never leave the house.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ said Miles.
‘Thank you. The worst thing is,’ Fiona continued, ‘you don’t have anyone to dance with, do you? And there’s nothing worse than sitting out all night.’
‘Well, maybe you’ll have a dance with me later?’ asked Miles. Stella’s head spun towards him. Even though he wasn’t really much of a dancer, Fiona seemed a nice lady and he wanted her to enjoy herself.
The meal was served and, unusually, conversation flowed easily. Any time there was a lull Stella would ask a question and everyone would soon be talking again, sharing memories, experiences or jokes. She had a natural flair for putting people at their ease and seemed genuinely interested in whoever she was talking to, listening intently to what they had to say. At his networking events everyone was out to speak to the right people and say the right thing. Eyes would flit about the room and there would be a lot of polite nodding, but Stella’s eyes never wavered from the person in front of her and she remembered everything they said. It was such a unique quality. Miles had the sneaking suspicion that Isaac had been a fool to let her go.
After the meal, the music started and the first dance began. As ‘I Believe in a Thing called Love,’ by The Darkness started up, Isaac and Ellie went from refined, almost shy man and wife to two idiots rocking out on the dance floor, imploring their friends to come and join them. Guests flocked up, laughing and joking, and soon heads were bobbing up and down. Stella and Miles stood up but didn’t move from their table. Near the end of the song she leaned in to Miles. ‘I did not expect that!’
‘Me neither.’ The way her eyes sparkled when she smiled made them seem bigger, browner and deeper, and he had to draw his gaze away.
‘They look so happy.’
Unable to read her tone, Miles turned to her. ‘Are you okay?’
Stella’s eyes met his but there were no tears, and no pity or disappointment in her face. ‘I’m totally fine. I’m really, really happy for them.’
A round of applause started with whoops and whistles following. The music changed to something orchestral and Isaac danced with his mum while Ellie danced with her dad. Couples joined them, swaying to and fro.
‘Oh, look at that,’ said Fiona, putting a hand over her heart. ‘Isn’t that lovely?’
‘Would you like to dance?’ asked Miles and Fiona’s puffy cheeks rounded as she grinned.
‘I very much would, young man.’ Seeing Stella approve of his actions made him feel ten feet tall.
‘Well,’ said Jack. ‘If that young man is dancing with you, Fiona, then perhaps the lovely Stella would like to dance with me?’
‘I’d be delighted,’ she replied, pushing her chair back. ‘But just so you know, I’m not interested in being wife number three.’
‘Number three?’ Jack look confused. ‘I’m on the lookout for number five now, sweetheart.’
Stella and Miles laughed as everyone went to the dance floor. He might have been imagining it, but he was sure that as he and Fiona turned and twirled, Stella watched him from time to time.
The evening wore on and while Stella sipped her tonic water, giggling with the other guests at the table, Miles saw Isaac and his new wife making their way around the room. His stomach tightened a little as they approached. Stella’s evening had been nice so far; he didn’t want it to go south now.
‘Stella,’ said Isaac. ‘I want to introduce you to Ellie.’ Ellie gave a timid smile.
Stella stood up and kissed Isaac on the cheek then held out her hand to Ellie. ‘I would give you a kiss on the cheek too but I wouldn’t want to ruin your lovely make-up.’
Ellie instantly relaxed and the tight smile loosened to something more genuine. ‘Most of it’s sliding off my face from all the dancing anyway.’
Stella really did have a gift when it came to people. She gently pecked Ellie’s cheek and stood back surveying them both. ‘You look beautiful, Ellie, and your dress is stunning.’
‘Doesn’t she look amazing?’ said Isaac, gazing lovingly at his new wife.
‘I’m really very happy for you both,’ said Stella. ‘This is my friend Miles.’
‘How do you do?’ Miles replied, shaking Ellie’s hand. ‘Can I buy you both a drink?’
‘Oh, no, I’ve had bucket loads already,’ said Ellie.
‘Me too,’ added Isaac. ‘I should probably drink some water or something before I fall asleep. I’d be in big trouble then and not just with Ellie.’
‘No, your mum and dad would go bananas. I hope you’ve had a lovely time?’ Ellie’s eyes flitted between them.
Miles said, ‘We have. It’s been lovely. Your godmother has been wonderful company.’
‘Aunty Fi? Really? Not everyone says that. And how was Great-Uncle Jack?’
‘He’s been lovely,’ Stella replied. ‘He’s quite a character.’
‘That’s a nice way of describing him. Isaac’s parents hate him with a passion. I had to put him as far away from them as I could.’
‘They can be quite … firm in their views, can’t they?’ said Stella.
‘God, yes. But for Isaac’s sake I’ll put up with it.’
Stella smiled as Ellie’s cheeks coloured. She suddenly looked down at her empty glass, probably worrying she had said the wrong thing.
‘That was a great choice for your first dance,’ said Miles, steering the conversation to something more neutral. ‘Really good fun.’
‘Thanks,’ said Isaac. ‘It was Ellie’s choice actually.’
‘I wanted something I wouldn’t cry to.’
‘It was brilliant,’ said Stella. She reached behind her and took the white envelope from the table. ‘I’ve got you both a card and a gift voucher-thing. I know that’s not very original, but I didn’t know what you wanted.’
‘That’s really kind of you,’ said Ellie, taking the card. ‘We didn’t expect you to get us anything. Isaac was so worried you wouldn’t come.’
‘Really?’ She turned to Isaac.
He shuffled his feet. ‘Well, you know.’
Stella gave his hand a squeeze. ‘Idiot.’
‘That’s what I told him,’ said Ellie. ‘He’s always said such lovely things about you. I’m really happy I got to meet you.’
‘I’m really sorry,’ said Stella, ‘but we need to get going soon. We’ve got quite a long drive back.’
Isaac nodded. ‘Of course. But perhaps you’d think about coming and staying one weekend? Have you visited Oxford before, Miles?’
‘Once or twice for work, but I’ve never had the pleasure of relaxing and enjoying the sights.’
‘Then you must come and visit. I know where all the best pubs are.’
‘That sounds great,’ Miles replied, glancing at Stella. He wasn’t really sure what he should be saying as they weren’t a couple but replying as if they were felt strangely right and Stella hadn’t stopped him. Isaac and Ellie made their farewells and continued around the room talking to everyone. ‘Do we really have to go or is that an excuse?’ asked Miles.
‘We really do actually. It’s already ten o’clock.’
‘Really?’ Miles checked his own watch even though he knew Stella wasn’t lying, then felt like an idiot for doing so. ‘I never realised it was that late.’
‘It’s been a lovely evening, hasn’t it?’
Before he could stop himself, he said, ‘Time for one last dance?’
‘Sure.’
Miles took Stella’s hand and led her to the dance floor as a slow song came on. At first he was pleased because slow ones were easier to dance to, you just rocked a bit and shuffled around in a circle – even he could manage that. But as he took Stella into his arms and held her close his whole body filled with longing. His hand sat gently in the curve of her waist as if it had been designed to go there by some Cupid-like creator and after a moment her body moved closer to his, pulled by an invisible force. The gap between them disintegrated to nothing.
As she was nearly as tall as him their mouths were dangerously close together and he wanted more than anything to kiss her perfect pale pink lips. He could smell her perfume, and when she raised her eyes to his, their brilliance and clarity penetrated right through to his heart. With a gentle sway their lips brushed, sending a shockwave through his body, and in that instant he decided to kiss her. She didn’t pull away and the kiss they shared was tender and sweet. Had they been alone he’d never have stopped, but as the music came back into his ears he remembered where they were and, unsure if Stella would want something like this to happen so publicly, he didn’t try to kiss her again and just held her until the end of the song.
From the way her eyes dropped and she bit her lip, the pale colour of her cheeks flooding with pink, he could tell she was embarrassed. He too felt like the shy teenage boy he’d once been and chose to keep quiet, seeing if she mentioned it first. When she didn’t and they went back to the table, his insides squirmed around like someone had put them in a washing machine.
They said goodbye to Fiona and Jack, Stella being her normal cheerful self, and made their way to the car. Without the bright sunshine, the evening had turned chilly and Stella shivered a little in the cool breeze.
‘Did you want my jacket?’ asked Miles, thankful for a chance to speak and break the silence that was enveloping them now they were alone.
‘No thanks. I’ll be fine once we’ve got the heater on in the car.’
As he watched the streetlights fly by, remembering the kiss that now felt so monumental, as if it changed everything for him, he realised how much he’d misjudged Stella. He’d made assumptions about her that weren’t true and he felt the weight of that guilt as from the corner of his eye he studied her beautiful face. He wanted to know what she thought of the kiss – the incredible kiss – and drew the subject back to the wedding in the hope that it would come up. ‘How was all that for you? The wedding,’ he added quickly, not wanting to be too obvious.
‘It was fun. I had a …’ She hesitated and Miles’s chest tightened with apprehension. ‘… A nice time.’
Was she talking about the kiss? he wondered. He hoped she was. ‘What actually happened between you and Isaac, if you don’t mind me asking?’
Stella glanced over and gave him a smile. ‘We just grew apart over time. Luckily, he didn’t do anything awful like cheat on me. He and Ellie didn’t get together until after we split. He was decent and told me he had feelings for someone else before acting on them.’
‘Not like Kiera then,’ Miles commented, watching the rhythmic glow of the streetlights through the windscreen.
‘She cheated on you?’
‘Yes, with Jay.’ He could feel Stella’s eyes on him but he didn’t turn. He didn’t want her to pity him, and what’s more, he knew the inescapable moment was coming when he’d have to tell her about Jay. It was going to be hard, it would ruin her evening, add stress on top of everything else she had going on, and it would hurt her, something he’d do anything to avoid. Even though he’d tried to quash the rumours someone might still say something and if she found out he’d known and not told her she’d never trust him again. He couldn’t abide the thought of that. He wanted Stella to respect him as much as he respected her. A stone-like dread settled on his chest.
‘Jay Adams?’
Miles nodded. ‘It was when they were doing her website. I don’t know if they slept together since, but …’ He paused gathering his courage. He had to do it but he’d worked so hard to put that smile on her face, he didn’t want to wipe it off. ‘Stella, I’m sorry. I found out that they were both lying, saying you slept with Jay, and that’s when it all came out. That was when I ended it—’
‘Wait, what?’ Stella’s head spun to look at him then shot back to the road. ‘He was saying I’d slept with him?’
‘Yes, I’m sorry.’
‘You knew?’ Her voice grew stronger with controlled anger, even though her eyes remained on the motorway. Miles knew he deserved it. ‘Kiera and he concocted this plan to discredit me and I’m afraid you got caught up in it.’
‘Me? Why?’
‘Kiera wanted me to leave Swallowtail Bay. I think she and Jay were going to leak it that I started the rumours so I’d be embarrassed and leave town. It’s a small place and people would boycott any shop I owned if they thought that I’d done something like that. I’m truly sorry, Stella. I’ve been doing everything I can to stop the rumours. Letting people know Jay isn’t a reliable man. I didn’t know how to tell you. I’m sure no one believes him.’
‘So everyone thinks I’m a slapper?’ Stella said angrily. ‘Well, that explains my whispering customers the other day.’
Bloody gossipers. ‘People who know you will know you’re not. I don’t think you are,’ he added, hoping it would help a little. He wanted to tell her how much that kiss had meant to him, the feelings it had stirred. ‘I’m so sorry you got caught up in this.’
‘And I thought he was nice.’ Stella shook her head, incredulously. ‘I’m so stupid.’
‘No, you’re not,’ Miles said firmly. ‘People don’t know what Jay’s really like. They never have.’
‘What do you mean?’ Though she was still looking forward he could see her brow rucked up in confusion.
Miles ran a hand through his hair, resting his elbow on the windowsill of the car door and his forehead in his hand. ‘Jay likes to show the world this image of a nice guy, but he’s not. He’s petty and small-minded. Ever since we were kids he used to love getting one over on people, especially me.’ He paused again, summoning up his courage. As painful as it was to talk about he wanted Stella to know everything. At least then, if she never spoke to him again he’d have no regrets. ‘I used to have bad acne as a teenager – he used to call me pizza face.’
‘That’s horrible.’ The genuine disgust on Stella’s face made him feel justified in disliking Jay.
‘It gets worse. Once he and his mates made out they were finally going to stop teasing me and be my friends and … when I met them they wedgied me and told me I was repulsive and should wear a bag over my head.’ The deep emotional scar smarted again and he swallowed down the pain. ‘Luckily I had Vivien.’
She glanced over. ‘At the funeral it seemed you were close.’
‘My parents worked long hours and even though I was old enough to be left alone, sometimes I came home so demoralised from the teasing, I’d nip next door and sit chatting with her. She always listened.’ She’d been an unlikely audience for him, but her sage advice and kooky outlook had taught him it was good to be different. ‘Jay used to steal my girlfriends, if I was ever lucky enough to get one and he used to tease me for pronouncing my t’s properly – calling me posh and Little Lord Fauntleroy.’
‘I’m sorry, Miles. Jay had it the other way around when he talked to me.’ From her expression she must have expected him to be cross but he just gave a resigned shake of the head.
‘I’m not surprised.’
‘He said you used to tease him for being common. Making fun because he didn’t pronounce his t’s properly.’
‘I didn’t. I promise.’ He willed her to look at him and when she did those same clear, perceptive eyes were warm and understanding.
‘I believe you. It looks like he’s screwed us both over.’
‘As we got older it seemed to die down, though we never really liked each other. I guess sleeping with Kiera was a final way of getting to me.’
Stella sighed with a devastating tiredness. ‘This is all such a fuck-up, isn’t it? Why is life always so complicated?’
Miles started at her swearing. He hadn’t heard her swear before and with such vehemence either. He hoped against hope she wasn’t referring to their kiss. A moment he found himself wanting to repeat again and again and again. ‘Did you want me to speak to Jay for you? I didn’t confront him directly when I first heard, I’ll be honest. I didn’t really know what to do. But I should have. I’m sorry.’
‘No, it’s fine. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll be speaking to him myself and giving him a piece of my mind.’ The anger died from her voice and she sighed again as her shoulders slumped down. ‘I might as well just sell up anyway.’
‘Why would you say that?’ said Miles. ‘The business is doing well, isn’t it?’
‘With Jay telling the town I’m an easy lay and people gossiping about me, and the horrid family suing me, I really don’t see the point in going on. I can’t afford to pay them five thousand pounds. Not unless they agree to me paying in instalments.’
‘You shouldn’t be paying anything at all. Not until they can prove you left the door open. It must have been them.’ Miles thoughts shifted. Something about what he’d said was ricocheting around his head and suddenly he remembered.
Replaying that afternoon in his mind, he recalled the nanny chatting him up and his brusque rebuttal that had immediately changed her attitude. Though he’d walked away he’d assumed she’d closed the front door before charging into the car and telling off the two boys, but when he thought back, he hadn’t actually heard it close. It always made a slight thump and a click when the lock connected – he remembered from all the times he’d viewed the property. What if it hadn’t closed and been left ajar?
A sudden coldness washed over him but his palms and the back of his neck felt clammy. He swallowed hard as he realised what had happened. It was his fault. Oh shit. He glanced at Stella from the corner of his eye. Fuck, fuck, fuckety, fuck, fuck. Kiera had told Jay to lie because of him and now the family were suing her for the robbery when that was his fault too. How the hell was he ever going to put this right? If she found out she’d never speak to him again and the thought of that left an empty, hollow feeling in his soul.
Miles bit his fingernails. He hadn’t bitten them in ages. Stella was special and had stirred something meaningful within him and he couldn’t, or rather, wouldn’t, let that go. He had to find a way of putting this right.
‘Don’t even think about selling up,’ he said to Stella. ‘We’ll think of something.’
This time she pulled her eyes away from the road, and pain and disappointment were etched on her face. ‘I wish I could believe you. But unless you know something I don’t, the whole thing seems pretty pointless to me.’
Miles bit his nail once more, his jaw firmly set. This problem was of his making and he needed to solve it. There had to be a way out of this mess and it was up to him to find it.