Page 35 of Ask Another Day

‘Oh yeah…’ his voice trailed off. She realised then he’d forgotten about her daughter. He’d forgotten about the one truly important person in her life. It was that realisation that told her she couldn’t sit here with him any longer. She didn’t make a scene, she didn’t call him out on his careless disregard for her feelings. But she did leave.

‘Sorry, Owen. I’m not feeling great. I thought I’d feel better once I got here, but…’ she trailed off, not even able to fully commit to the lie.

‘Oh, OK,’ he said, making to stand up.

Holly stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder. ‘Don’t leave early on my account. Thanks for the lessons, Owen. I wouldn’t have come this far in the water without you.’ She leant over and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, catching the corner of his mouth. With a sigh, she knew this was their goodbye.

Owen reached out to cup her face, drawing her in closer. But she pulled back, closing her eyes as his hand lingered for a couple more seconds.

‘You were my star pupil, Hols,’ he said as she eased herself off the bench.

She managed a small smile before she walked away.

*

Instead of driving straight home, Holly set her SatNav to Larpool Viaduct. Luke had messaged to say he and Rose were taking Natalie to the cinema so there was no need to rush back. As she parked up in the shadows of the towering stone arches that loomed above her, she breathed in the calm air. The River Esk was fast flowing today, and usually she’d stay far back when it was like this. But today, she noticed her heart wasn’t racing being so close to the water as it rushed past. And despite the emptiness she felt after her conversation with Owen, she’d always be grateful to him for making the water not so terrifying any more. The sun was warm and the grass dry underfoot, so she sat herself down on the bank and watched the world surge by.

*

Later that afternoon, in the quiet spell before the evening drinkers arrived, Holly spotted Rose slipping through the doors, the excitement on her face palpable, which made Holly’s heart sink. She should have just texted her from the bank below the viaduct - updated Rose about her lunch date virtually, to save her from having to talk about it out loud. But Holly had lost herself in the peace she’d found there, all thoughts of her phone forgotten. And when she’d arrived at the pub, it had been so busy that Holly had seamlessly slipped back into work mode.

‘So?’ she asked as she sat at one of the bar stools.

‘It was a train wreck,’ she blurted out.

‘No!’ Rose gasped and then covered her open mouth with her hand, muffling the sound.

‘Not only is he leaving this weekend - before my final lessons I might add - but he forgot about Natalie.’

‘He didn’t?’ she said, eyes wide.

‘He did. He wasn’t even going to tell me. Was going to text me when he’d already gone.’

‘I’m so sorry, Holly.’ Rose reached across the bar and grasped Holly’s hand.

‘Not your fault.’ She shrugged feigning a carefree reaction she didn’t feel.

‘Yes, but I feel bad because I’ve been encouraging you.’ She winced and squeezed Holly’s hand a little tighter.

‘I had some fun. More fun then I’ve had in years. Maybe that’s all I can aspire to now.’

‘No, Holly. I told you I’d find someone for you. And I will. I just need to think creatively.’

‘Give yourself the night off. I can’t face thinking about that tonight. I need to wallow in the disappointment that is my life for a bit.’

‘You going to be OK?’

‘Aren’t I always?’

‘Want me to stay over and we can get stupid drunk together?’

Holly was tempted, but she knew her future self would hate past Holly for making her deal with an early delivery with a hangover.

‘Tempting offer, but I’ve got a delivery at 6:30am tomorrow, so - rain check?’

‘Rain check.’ Rose nodded pulling Holly into a tight hug. ‘It’ll be OK, I promise.’

Holly smiled, and watched as her friend left the pub.