Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“Grandad died when I was eighteen, then Nan when I was twenty. With both of them gone, I was homeless. They lived in a rented council house, you see, and I was given notice to leave.”
Eloise’s heart constricted. “What did you do?”
“Sofa surfed until I was able to afford a bedsit. My pay as a teaching assistant wasn’t great, and it took me a while to save up enough for a deposit to rent my own place.
It wasn’t much, but I was doing okay. And then I met Karl.
” Her expression darkened. “He was lovely at first, so kind, so sweet. I fell in love, and when he suggested I move in with him, I thought we’d be together forever.
” She drew in a shuddering breath. “But he had a temper and—” She stopped again, and Eloise could see she was struggling.
“There’s no need to say any more. I understand.”
Sarah carried on regardless, as though she needed to let it all out.
“He’s never shown any interest in Toby. He didn’t want me to have him.
I think he wanted me all to himself, and if I had a baby, he’d have to share me.
Looking back, I also think it was a power thing.
He enjoyed me being dependent on him, enjoyed being in control. ”
“Was it hard to get away?” Eloise asked. Her voice was gentle, but inside she was appalled.
“Actually, it wasn’t. I don’t think he thought I’d really leave.” Sarah grimaced. “The first time he tracked me down, it wasn’t pleasant. I moved once more, but he found me again, and that’s when I took out a restraining order against him.”
“Should you inform the police, do you think?”
“I doubt it’ll do any good. Besides, as I said, I don’t think he’ll bother me again. Not here, anyway, not after what Mitch told him. As Mitch pointed out, Karl is a bully, but like all bullies he’s a coward. He’ll never stand up to Mitch.”
Eloise said hesitantly, “What happens if he finds out that you and Mitch aren’t together?”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I’ve got enough to worry about with trying to find somewhere to live after Christmas.”
“Bart says you can stay with him as long as you need to.”
“I know, and it’s incredibly generous of him, but I need a place of my own. Besides, I don’t want to take advantage.”
Eloise totally understood. She had also been driven by the need to be self-sufficient, to not have to rely on anyone else. It was an admirable sentiment, but look where it had got her: She might be solvent, but she was lonely and now heartbroken as well.
“Take it from one who knows,” she advised. “Don’t be too proud or too self-sufficient. You might miss out on…” Eloise ground to a halt.
“A new pair of boots?” Sarah finished for her with a wry smile.
Eloise’s mouth dropped open. “You knew?”
“I guessed.” A teasing smile lit her face. “I know about you and Bart, too.”
“What about me and Bart?” Eloise was suddenly on the defensive. There was no her and Bart. Bart had made it abundantly clear there never would be.
Sarah explained, “I went to fetch Toby a drink of cordial and overheard Bart’s daughter-in-law telling Ross off.”
“You did?” Eloise couldn’t resist asking, “What did she say?”
“That it was none of his business who his father kissed, and when Ross said, “ ‘she’s a guest and he’s only known her five minutes,’ I realised they were talking about you.” She grinned. “I think it’s really sweet.”
“It’s a disaster!” Eloise shot back.
Sarah tilted her head to the side. “How so?”
Where should she begin? With the fact that he was still grieving? That she’d be gone in a little over a week? That she hadn’t felt like this in…never? That he’d looked at her with dismay on his face and guilt in his eyes?
In the face of all that, the only thing she could bring herself to say was “It’s complicated,” earning a huffed sigh and an “It always is” in response.
“There are good men out there, you know,” Eloise said, aiming to bring the conversation back to Sarah. “Mitch, for one. He likes you.”
“He feels sorry for me.”
“That’s not pity.” Eloise chuckled. “He fancies you.”
“He does not!”
“He does. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and so has Bart.”
“Have you been talking about me?”
“Of course we have! Us old folk have to amuse ourselves somehow.”
“From what I heard, I think you’re perfectly capable of amusing yourselves without my help.” Sarah made kissing noises, and when Eloise flushed, Sarah shot her a triumphant look, and even though Eloise was uncomfortable, she was glad the girl’s spirits had lifted.
“Anyway,” Sarah continued, “we only met a few days ago.”
Eloise considered her own growing predicament as she replied, “I don’t think the length of time matters.”
“It still wouldn’t work. He lives in Wales and I live in Honeycombe Bay. Or I did. I’m not sure where I’m going to be living.” She looked worried again, and Eloise cursed under her breath. She wished she could wave a magic wand and make everything right in this young woman’s life.
A thought occurred to her. “You said you work from home, making educational resources for primary school teachers. You can do that anywhere, can’t you?”
“I see where you’re going with this,” Sarah said. “Stop it. Even if Mitch does fancy me, nothing is going to happen.” Her face fell once more. “Besides, I don’t know when I’ll be able to work again—my laptop didn’t survive the fire. It’s a melted blob.”
Eloise could imagine. Fire and electronics weren’t a good combination. But it did mean there was something she could do for Sarah before she left. And she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.