11
Heath
The Ugly Duckling pub was heaving with people all ready for quiz night. Five-pound notes had been squished into a giant vase placed at the end of the long bar, ready to be donated to the RNLI.
The Silver family had a table close to one occupied by the Walkers, who were next to the open fireplace.
Heath scanned the area, sizing up the competition. His lot were all in, except Tyler’s girlfriend, who was away working, which didn’t come as a surprise. She never seemed to be there for his little brother, but he kept quiet about it, not wanting to hurt Tyler’s feelings.
The Walkers’ table was filled with Tessie, Nate, Joey, Josh, Jake, and Anna. Tessie’s parents, Ed and Elaine, who owned the pub, were serving behind the bar, with Tessie jumping up to help out every five minutes.
The next table Heath perused was occupied by the owners of Pepper River Inn, and he wondered if they would be annoyed if he turned Rhett’s house into a BB. Tonight wasn’t the night to talk shop, but he felt the need to approach the Renshaws at some point.
Ruby was sitting with her family, except for her son, Freddy, who was the chef and on duty. And at another table was the Sheridan family from Dreamcatcher Farm.
Most of the Hadleys were at the bar, leaving Grace and Ashley guarding their spot over by the front window of the old white-washed building with its wooden beams and homely vibe.
It had been Benton’s funeral the last time Heath saw everyone together, so he was pleased that this time it was a happier occasion. Everyone looked relaxed and joyful enough, but he knew how people could hide pain and sadness behind a smile. He’d been doing it for years.
One glance at Rhett, huddled in the corner, back to the wall, looking uncomfortable, told him she was a mask-wearer as well.
She met his eyes, and he smiled before turning back to the bar to collect a tray of drinks from Ed Sparrow.
‘How’s it going up at the garden centre, Heath?’
Heath pulled on his own mask before replying to the middle-aged man. ‘All good, thanks.’ He wasn’t about to tell anyone he had bought into Rhett’s business. He hadn’t told his own family, although he was sure his mum knew. She had a sixth sense for things.
Ed’s one gold tooth in a row of perfect white beamed. ‘Good, good.’ He moved along the bar to serve someone else.
Heath grabbed the tray and exchanged pleasantries with Charlie Wallis and Jude Jackson, then he bumped into his cousin Bryce, who had opted to sit with the Hadleys, seeing how he was marrying one soon.
‘Traitor,’ Heath teased him.
Bryce raked a hand through his blond locks and grinned. ‘Hey, the Hadleys need me. I’m the only brains they’ve got.’
‘Oi, I heard that, cheeky,’ said Lexi, Bryce’s partner. She swiped his arm as she passed. ‘He’s lucky to have us.’
Heath watched his cousin plant a gentle kiss on Lexi’s cheek, and he so wished he had a life where he could go around doing things like that. There was so much love in his cousin’s eyes for Lexi, and Heath mourned the days when he was able to openly look that way at Rhett. He left them to it, giggling in each other’s arms, and finally managed to deliver his family’s drinks.
‘About time,’ scoffed Finn.
‘Did you get lost?’ asked Tyler, grabbing a cola.
Heath splayed his arms. ‘Everyone kept talking to me.’ He laughed as the large muscular arms of Nate Walker draped over his shoulders.
‘It’s the art of distraction, my friend,’ Nate said joyfully. ‘They’ll fill your head with gossip, in hope it’ll stop you from concentrating when the questions start rolling out.’
‘Skulduggery, that is,’ said Fran, standing to waggle a finger.
Nate stood back. ‘Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.’
Tessie came over to snuggle into his side, her small frame almost disappearing. ‘Is this man bothering you?’ she joked.
Nate laughed. ‘I’ll give you bothering.’ And with that, he swiped her up and tossed her over his shoulder, leading her back to their table, with Elaine shouting across the bar for him to release her daughter before they have someone’s eye out.
Tessie tidied her mass of red curls as Nate put her down, then waved over at Rhett before disappearing in between the two Reynolds brothers.
Heath took the seat by Rhett’s side, knowing their legs would touch beneath the table, as room was tight with so many of them cramped together.
Vivien swiped up the pen and paper by the tray, saving it from drowning, and placed in on top of the food menu. ‘Are we eating?’
‘I am,’ said Finn, making a show of patting his stomach.
‘How about fish and chips all round?’ suggested Fran.
Heath stood again, ready to go to the bar, seeing how everyone had agreed with Fran, but no one made a move to sort the order.
Rhett lightly placed her hand over his arm. ‘I’ll come with you.’
He figured she either needed to stretch her legs, as she hadn’t moved since she sat down, or she wanted some breathing room, as she wasn’t one for crowds.
They made their way to the end of the bar, and Heath placed their order whilst Rhett sat on a stool close to the door by the kitchen.
‘Hello, Rhett,’ said a croaky voice, making Heath turn away from Molly Hadley, serving him.
Oh no, not Josephine.
He dealt with the food order whilst keeping one ear open to the conversation behind him. Nate’s grandmother, Josephine Walker, was well known as the local fortune teller. He didn’t buy into any of that, even if a lot of what she said came true. He was, however, very interested to hear what she had to say to Rhett, because when Josephine approached, it was because she had an agenda.
What was that about marriage?
The music and chatter was muffling the old lady’s voice, and Heath could take no more not knowing. He quickly turned, putting on his best smile, and greeted beady eyes that seemed to be waiting for him.
Josephine reached up and lightly touched his cheek. Her cold and clammy touch brought a shiver down his spine, but he felt he hid it well. Rhett was chewing her bottom lip, and Bryce was in the background, giving him the thumbs-up.
‘Hello, Jo,’ he said politely, trying not to act awkward about her hand still on his face.
‘Hmm,’ she replied, then walked away.
He immediately looked at Rhett. ‘What did she say to you?’
A quirk hit her lips, and he so wanted to kiss it away. ‘Nothing.’
‘Liar.’
‘Since when did you care about what Josephine Walker has to say?’
‘Since I heard her say something about marriage.’
Rhett laughed, and it was a nice sound. He hadn’t seen her beam so brightly for a long while.
‘Tell me what she said,’ he added, giving her a gentle poke in the ribs, which made her wriggle away with another laugh.
‘She just saw us at a wedding, that’s all.’
‘Whose wedding? Ours?’
Rhett’s lips couldn’t stretch any further, showing she was that amused by his stern expression. ‘Don’t sweat it, Heath. She probably meant Willow’s.’
Heath scoffed. ‘Willow’s twenty-one. She’s far too young to get married.’
‘You were going to marry me when you were younger than that.’
It was as though time stood still, the music died, and everyone disappeared. Rhett’s smile had vanished, replaced by something resembling sorrow, possibly. He couldn’t be sure.
‘I’m sorry,’ she added, lowering her gaze to the carpet.
Sorry for what? Jilting me at the altar?
He didn’t want to ask. Maybe one day they might talk about what happened that day, but it wasn’t the time. They were supposed to be letting their hair down, forgetting life altogether, at least trying to pretend they were mates.
With a heavy heart and all sense of humour gone, Heath turned to go back to their table, but then something changed, and he couldn’t be sure what. He just went with his instincts and did something he’d not done before when things turned sour between them. He turned back, stepped forward, and took her in his arms, giving her a quick peck on the top of her bowed head.
‘Come on,’ he said casually, pulling away but keeping hold of her shoulder. ‘Our food will be at the table before us at this rate.’ He offered a small smile and waited to see her reaction.
Rhett’s lips were slightly parted, and her eyes wide, filled with uncertainty. Then she nodded and silently moved forward as he placed one hand on the small of her back.
Once they were seated again, with their thighs pressed together, he joined back in with the lively chatter, acting as though everything was perfectly normal, because that was exactly what he wanted for his life. The happy couples he could see around him, the love he had grown up witnessing, the good times he’d spent in his youth with Rhett, all placed him on a mission to make a fresh start and see if it was at all possible to finally get what he had always wanted.
He side-eyed Rhett.
Somehow, I’ll find the way back for us. The past ends here.
As though she could feel she was being watched, her head turned his way, and the smallest of smiles hit her hazel eyes, strengthening his decision.
Whatever had happened to make her leave him all those years ago belonged to a time they no longer lived in. Life was short, and there was no way he was leaving this world without having tried to win her over one more time.
If you can hear me, Dad. Help me. Do something magical. Show her a sign, because I sure as hell don’t need one. I know what I want.
The food arrived, and everyone started to tuck into the hot fluffy chips and steaming cod. Heath sprinkled over salt and vinegar, then stopped when Ned Renshaw approached their table, pinching a chip from Tyler’s plate.
‘Just wanted to invite you to our charity night at the inn. It’s at the end of July. I’ll put the details in the group chat.’ He winked at Heath. ‘Dress nice.’
‘What’s that for?’ asked Finn, mouth full of battered cod.
‘We’re doing a speed-dating night. Nothing serious. Just a bit of light-hearted fun to raise some money to help buy material for costumes for the Sandly Choir.’ He gestured across the table. ‘I know Heath’s single.’
Heath frowned as Rhett coughed into her glass of lemonade. He glanced at her before turning back to Ned.
‘Great idea,’ said Fran, before Heath could reply. ‘Heath will be there. So will Rhett and Florence.’
Florence gave a happy smile. ‘As long as it’s just for fun, because I’m so over men.’
Ned laughed. ‘I promise. No one will be expected to date for real, unless they want to, of course. We’re just setting up a fun and games speed-dating night, and the couple who matches the most will win a dinner on us up at Pepper River Inn.’
‘Sounds lovely,’ said Fran.
‘Okay,’ said Rhett, taking Heath by surprise. ‘Seeing how Fran paid for our tickets tonight, I still have my fiver in my pocket. Will that secure me a ticket with you, Ned?’
‘Yes, brilliant. I’ll see you there.’
Florence waggled a finger. ‘Me too.’
Ned smiled at the lady. ‘Great.’
All eyes turned to Heath. What could he say but yes. After all, he did ask the heavens for a sign. Maybe that was it.