Page 54 of Ask Another Day

‘He loved Fleetwood Mac. Do you remember when he bought that old guitar, and tried to grow his hair long?’

‘Oh God. Mum was so embarrassed.’

‘He really thought he could be Yorkshire’s version of Lindsey,’ Holly managed to say before the laughter of the memory took hold.

Luke’s deep laughter at the reminder warmed Holly’s heart, and she let the song wash over her as Luke drove them to Hotel Victoria. She was looking forward to a different view. Other than hospital trips, and her visits to The Book Nook, she hardly left the pub now - and it was taking its toll on her. Her isolation had been self-imposed, but that didn’t make it any less damaging. Rose, Luke - even Eleanor had tried to tempt her out, but the fear of slipping on the cobbled streets had kept Holly locked away. When she had ventured out, for her date at the art class, not only had it exhausted her, but it had shredded her nerves. She was so grateful to Luke, Rose, and Lucy for keeping Natalie so busy lately. She’d make it up to them.

*

As they tucked into their traditional Yorkshire breakfast, half an hour later, Luke blew out a quick breath and set his cutlery down.

‘So, there was another reason for taking you out for brunch,’ he said as he fiddled with his fork, placing it and then moving it a few millimetres, before repeating the action.

‘Want me to guess?’ Holly offered when Luke didn’t seem to want to continue.

When he glared at her, instead of saying anything, she launched in with, ‘You’ve finally taken the plunge and taken up line dancing? No? Oh, I know. You and Rose are bored of your vanilla relationship and are going to try out the local swinging scene?’

She let her voice rise for the last few words and they hung in the quiet dining room. The couple next to them dropped their tea cups to the table in a loud clatter.

‘Holly,’ Luke hissed out, ‘that’s not funny.’

‘It’s a little bit funny,’ she countered, with a satisfied smirk.

‘No,’ he ground his teeth, ‘Rose and I are not going to try out the local swinging scene,’ he whispered.

‘Nothing wrong with it, Luke. Each to their own.’

‘It’s about Seb,’ he blurted out.

‘What about him?’ she said, trying and failing to keep the annoyance from her tone.

‘Let him back in the pub.’

‘I didn’t bar him.’ Her reply came quick - a defensive reflex.

Luke reached across the table and pulled her hands into his before he spoke. ‘You might as well have. You hurt him when you said you didn’t want him around anymore.’

‘I hurt him? That’s a bit on the nose isn’t it, Luke?’ Holly went to pull her hands away. Luke tightened his grip - not enough so she couldn’t pull away, but it was enough to know he didn’t want her to.

He shook his head. ‘I know I’m not one to talk about letting things go, but don’t you think enough time has passed? You’ve been working together for the last few years. I thought you’d both got over what happened. He’s a good guy, Holly. You need to stop punishing him.’

‘I know he is. He’s not even just a good guy - he’s great. And most of the time I can box it all away. But sometimes,’ she paused to collect herself, feeling her emotions fraying, ‘sometimes my 21st birthday doesn’t feel like years ago. Sometimes, it feels like yesterday.’

Luke nodded, but didn’t give up. He must have known his next words would do the trick - his final, winning argument.

‘Natalie misses him. She asked me if I could take her to see him.’

Holly shook her head at him, ‘That’s a low blow.’

But she let the words sink in, blowing out a long breath. He was right. Holly had already noticed, but was hoping her daughter would be able to move on.

‘Fine. I’ll message him.’

‘Or we could go to the brewery on our way home?’

‘Don’t push it. I’ll message him.’

*