Chapter 34 #3
Another piece of the jigsaw slotted into place.
If his boss had organised and paid for it, it would explain a lot of things like how he’d managed to secure Denbury Castle on Boxing Day and fireworks over Whitsborough Bay Castle.
His boss would have the influence and connections to have pulled in favours like that.
Why would his boss do it, though? It still didn’t make sense.
‘To be honest, Andy. I don’t really care who paid. Even if it was you, you need to understand that I didn’t ask you to do any of it. You chose those things. I wasn’t holding a gun to your head.’
‘But I wouldn’t have got your interest without it, would I?’
‘You would. Don’t get me wrong; all those things were amazing. But they were only amazing because I seemed to be experiencing them with the old Andy but he’s long-gone, isn’t he? Which means any chance of us trying again is also long-gone.’
Andy looked pale. For a fleeting moment, I thought he was genuinely gutted that he’d blown it with me because he really did care. But then he ruined it. ‘What am I going to tell my boss?’
‘About what? What is it with you and him?’
‘Didn’t you wonder how I’ve managed to get all this time off work?’
I shrugged. ‘Not really. It’s the Christmas holidays. I assumed you were on annual leave.’
‘I might have told my boss that you were my girlfriend before I went to Dubai but the distance caused us to split up. Returning to the UK meant the relationship was back on the cards but I needed to spend a lot of time with you.’
‘Might have told him or actually told him?’
He didn’t answer the question. ‘I might have said a grand gesture was needed to make it up to you.’
‘Like a balloon flight?’
He nodded. ‘And I might have said I was going to propose to you on the balloon so we’d need it to ourselves. He’s all about family and he felt really guilty that posting me to Dubai split us up so he was keen to do what he could to fix it and he organised the venue.’
I covered my eyes. ‘All these lies, Andy. What happened to you? You never used to lie and now it seems you do it as easily as breathing.’ I took my hands away and looked at him.
‘I’m done talking now. We could sit here and talk all night and I don’t think I’ll ever understand what has happened this week or why you’ve done this to me or to your poor boss. ’
He narrowed his eyes and shrugged. ‘What do you want me to say?’
‘How about, “I’m sorry, Sarah, for being a lying little shit. I’m sorry, Sarah, for coming back into your life without warning and getting you to split up with an amazing man to see if we could make it work again.
I’m sorry, Sarah, for insulting your shop, your home, and your life.
I’m sorry, Sarah, for being an ignorant, arrogant, self-centred lying pig”. ’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘You could try to sound like you mean it. It’s time you left now.’
He got to his feet, wobbled, then looked at me so coldly that a shiver ran down my spine. ‘I’ll go but answer me one thing first. I still don’t get it. Why would you throw away a great career, an exciting life in the city, and a chance to be with me for… for… this.’
‘You’ve just answered your own question, Andy. You just don’t get it. And that’s the reason why I choose all this over you. You don’t get it. You don’t get me. We don’t get each other. It’s over. Forever.’
The coldness in his eyes seemed to drop a few more degrees. ‘You say I’ve changed but you’ve changed too and not for the better. I’m not sure I even like you anymore.’
‘Fine. That makes us quits. And you can have these back.’ I swiftly removed my new earrings and unclasped my necklace before dropping them back into the bag.
He snatched it from me. ‘You know that photo of you that I said I kept in my wallet? I found it at the bottom of a crate when I was packing, discarded and forgotten. You’re not all that special, you know.
You’ve really let yourself go. I’m not sure I want a fat girlfriend showing me up. I hope your business fails.’
‘And I hope you never get promoted. Get out!’ I picked up his shoes and socks and shoved them into his arms, stormed towards the front door, and yanked it open. ‘I’m waiting.’
When I slammed the front door behind him a few moments later, I let out a shuddery deep breath and prepared myself for the floodgates to open.
But they didn’t. I was still shaking from the confrontation but the only feeling I had was relief.
Eight years of wondering ‘what if?’ had finally reached a conclusion.
Our time had been when we were at university and I’d been foolish to think that, with so much happening in both our lives, we could ever be those same people again.
Andy was right; I had changed but, unlike him, it was for the better.
He may have the right middle name but he wasn’t the Steven.
I knew who was, though. I picked up my phone to reply to Nick’s text but spotted a message from Auntie Kay.
?? Auntie Kay
I knew it! I knew Nick was your Charlie! I’m beside myself with excitement. Go get him!
?? To Auntie Kay
I will. But first I really need some sleep. It’s been a tough week xx
And now for my reply to Nick. I just hoped it would work…
?? To Nick
Andy’s gone. I’m so sorry for everything I’ve put you through. Hope we can stay friends and maybe go out for a drink soon xx