Читать книгу Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow - Jessica Redland - Страница 19

The house was in darkness when I got back to Whitsborough Bay. Dad had left a note to say he’d gone out for a drink with one of his colleagues. Mum was presumably still at Auntie Louise’s.

I’d phoned Chloe several times across the day but it rang once each time then went to voicemail. I wondered if she’d blocked me and a quick search online suggested she probably had. Had it really come to that? Bridesmaid to blocked in the space of one day.

Chloe and James would be heading to Mauritius for their honeymoon tomorrow and I couldn’t let them go without trying to sort things out with Chloe. After making myself some dinner, I walked round to their house, hoping the face-to-face approach would work.

My heart raced as I rang the bell. Please let her hear me out.

Auntie Louise answered the door, laughing at something, but the smile immediately slipped from her face when she saw me.

‘Hi, Auntie Louise. Could I speak to Chloe, please?’

‘She doesn’t want to speak to you, Sam.’ It was a very matter-of-fact statement, completely lacking in emotion.

‘I know. She wouldn’t answer my calls and—’

‘And that should have been a big clue to just leave it.’

‘But she’s my cousin and best friend. I want to make things right. I’d really like to speak to her.’

She shook her head.

‘Please?’

Her eyes flashed at me and I knew I’d pushed it too far. ‘Are you incapable of listening? Chloe said no. I said no. Haven’t you done enough damage already? Why can’t you just leave her and James alone?’ Auntie Louise had always been kind to me so I certainly hadn’t expected such an angry outburst.

‘I’m sorry.’ The words barely came out as a whisper.

‘And so you should be. This should be the happiest time of their lives but, thanks to you, we’ve had tears and arguments all day. This is about them, not you. Just go away, Sam. Leave it alone.’ Then she slammed the door. That was me well and truly put in my place.

I slowly made my way home, pulled on my PJs and crawled under my duvet with the TV on low. What a day! It seemed like the whole world was angry with me. I was going to have to accept that there was no chance of making peace with Chloe before she went abroad and I needed to let that one go. Hopefully she’d have a relaxing time and come back willing to talk. Surely James would manage to convince her that the hug and kiss on the cheek were innocent and that he’d been the one seeking me out.

Mum’s anger was the norm so there was nothing I could do about that.

As for Mr Mickleby, I wasn’t prepared to let that one go. Most of my family didn’t want or need me but maybe he did. Maybe a few small acts of kindness could ease that loneliness and ease my guilty conscience. It was worth a try.