Chapter Twenty-Five
Hayley
H ayley stood on tiptoes on the end of a bench, trying to attach a garland of flowers to the outside edge of the church door.
‘Be careful,’ Genevieve said. ‘We should get Finlay to do that. He’s taller. Actually, let’s get Oliver just in case Finlay falls. I don’t want him injured for the wedding.’
‘But Oliver and I are expendable, are we?’ Hayley pouted, pretending to be miffed.
‘Actually no. Maybe we shouldn’t do this.’
‘Don’t be daft. It’ll be fine, but I’ll get Oliver because I can’t reach the top.’ She hopped down off the bench and headed inside.
‘Tell Finlay to come out here too. What’s he doing in there anyway?’
Probably skiving. Hayley snuck into the cold, stone-floored vestibule. She knew flower arrangements weren’t something that would ever interest her brother. He and Oliver were probably discussing cycling or something equally irrelevant.
Sure enough, she heard his voice as soon as she got inside.
‘Why won’t you tell me who she is? Do I know her?’
Hayley froze. This didn’t sound like something she should burst in on or even listen to, but curiosity kept her rooted to the spot. She had to hear this. What woman? Had Oliver confessed what they’d been up to? Or was there another woman on the go? Hayley’s heart flickered.
‘I’m not giving you any details,’ Oliver said. ‘I don’t want any intrigue or speculation. I just wanted to get it off my chest.’
‘Well, I’ve given you my tuppence worth.’
‘Yeah, and thank you. I appreciate it. It’s just that my career has always been my priority.’
‘I get that, and it’s your choice. If you want that to be your life, then fine. But it seems to me you’re doubting yourself. I don’t get how you can just dismiss a relationship without even trying.’
‘Because I’ve seen them go wrong so many times.’
‘Only because of your job. You see the worst-case scenarios. That doesn’t mean there aren’t thousands more people out there in happy, committed relationships. I come from a family with plenty of breakups and divorces, but I still believe. If anyone should have a messed-up view of relationships, it’s me. My parents are hardly great adverts for a long, happy marriage, but that doesn’t mean I’ll turn out like that. I want to get married and be with Genevieve. If we argue, then we work things out. We don’t always agree, but we compromise and do what we can. Sure, it means letting go of some things we did when we were single, but so what? Life doesn’t stand still.’
Hayley moved her head closer to the door and heard Oliver letting out a sigh.
‘Maybe you’re right. I just don’t know how to move forward with this. I’ve only just got this job. It’s not something I can give up on so soon.’
‘What does she do? Can’t she move to London?’
‘We’ve only seen each other casually. It’s too soon for her to move in. That’s way too risky.’
‘Sometimes life involves risks. Look at me. I almost ended up in Dubai.’
‘True.’
A pause followed, and Hayley itched to know what they were doing. Maybe they were about to move this way. She didn’t want to be caught and, while the idea of sneaking off somewhere quiet to digest Oliver’s words looked quite appealing, she didn’t have the luxury of time.
‘Hey, guys.’ She bounced in, putting on her biggest smile. She focused on Finlay because when she looked at Oliver her brain received signals that sent her crazy. Inwardly, she cringed, thinking about how she’d thrown herself at him that morning, but she’d been so desperate to see him. She was letting emotion take over, and that was stupid, because he kept telling her – and everyone else – he was staying in London. She couldn’t have him, not unless she wanted to move or to try long distance.
‘We’re just coming,’ Finlay said. ‘We got talking.’
‘Genevieve wants you.’
‘On my way.’
‘And I need you.’ She turned to Oliver once Finlay had gone out.
‘Right here? And now? Isn’t that a bit risky?’ Oliver said quietly.
‘Far too risky. I need you to hang a flower garland at the front door.’
‘Wow. I thought you’d never ask.’
She folded her arms and pulled a face. ‘Well, I’m asking now, so get to it.’
He followed her out, and she showed him what she needed him to do. Watching him stretch up and hook the vine around part of the decorative door frame that jutted out was strangely hot. Perhaps it was the forearms on display. His were especially attractive, shown off by his black leather and gold watch. Or maybe it was his overall masculine shape or the woody scent he gave off as he raised his arms.
‘I have a confession to make,’ Hayley said as Oliver jumped down from the bench after hooking up the other end of the garland. He dusted his hands together.
‘Yeah? Well, you’re in the right place.’ He glanced around. ‘This is a Church of Scotland place though, so no confessional.’
‘Not that kind of confession.’ She flicked his arm.
‘No? Because I know just how naughty you can be.’
‘Indeed you do, but I also know about you.’ She raised her eyebrow.
‘Touché. So what’s the confession?’
‘I overheard you talking to Finlay.’
‘About what?’
‘About meeting a woman.’
He slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again. ‘You realise I was talking about you? I don’t have anyone else, if that’s what you’re thinking.’
‘No. I wasn’t thinking that.’
‘Then what? I don’t think I said anything I haven’t already told you.’
‘Not exactly.’ She wrapped her arms around herself. ‘But it sounded like you were considering acting on those feelings you told me you weren’t going to act on.’
‘Yes, that’s true. Of course it’s crossed my mind. I’m not an idiot. What I’ve had with you is like nothing I’ve had with anyone. Part of me is ready to give it a go. But the problem is that every part of me is living in London.’
Hayley sucked on her lip. ‘I don’t know what to say. I like London, I really do, but not to live in. It’s just not the place for me. This is my home and I don’t want to leave. My hopes, my dreams and my family are here. Moving to London would stress me out too much. I’m not made to commute and work long hours in a big city. I like being close to my mum, to Finlay and Genevieve, and working at the salon.’
‘I get that and I wouldn’t want you to be unhappy because of me. It would be totally unfair. Which leaves us back pretty much where we were before.’
‘Stalemate.’
‘Exactly.’
‘Look… I’ll think about it.’ Her heart thudded in her chest, but it was painful. Should she give up everything to chase a man who was afraid of commitment all the way to London? She loved being with him, but he didn’t want the same things as her. What if he never wanted to get married? Maybe he didn’t want kids.
‘Don’t,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t stand it if you gave everything up for me. Life has no guarantees. I’d be gutted if you moved to London and were unhappy.’
‘Do you ever…’ She swallowed, not sure if she could say the words.
‘Ever what?’
‘Ever think you would get married… have a family?’
He looked away with a sigh and shook his head. ‘I don’t know.’
She nodded and put her hand on his arm. ‘I know, and I’m pretty certain you do too.’ Letting out a long slow breath, she turned away and headed towards her family, leaving Oliver alone. She had nothing more to say to him just now.