Chapter Fifty-Five
As Flora walked down the high street back home to the boathouse, she was grateful for her sunglasses.
She was just about managing to hold back the tears smarting in her eyes and hoped she didn’t bump into anyone.
She felt as though her insides had been hollowed out, even though she’d tried to tell herself that the thing with Brodie wouldn’t and couldn’t last. How could it?
He was maybe being the braver one by calling things to a close now before either of them got in too deep.
She was kidding herself that she could stay in this version of her life where the days had a slower pace, and she noticed the changing colours in the loch and the light in the sky.
She needed to try and find a proper job and some kind of normal routine.
Even if that did mean a move to Aberdeen.
Brodie would never settle in the city. He belonged in Rowan Bay.
Maybe you do too, said the voice in her head.
As she let herself into the garden through the gate, she looked around at all that he had transformed.
It was amazing how changed it was compared to the tangled mess it had been at the start of the summer.
The patio looked as though it belonged in a home and gardens magazine with its quartz, glinting in the sunshine.
Everywhere she looked she was reminded of Brodie.
That day he woke her up, worried she might burn in the sun; the morning in the loch when he was concerned that she was too cold.
‘Hi, dearie.’ Her gran was standing at the back door, looking at her curiously.
‘Hi, Gran.’ Flora choked back a small sob.
‘Are you okay? You’re sounding a bit bunged up.’
Flora pulled her gaze away from her gran, looking across the garden.
‘Yes, I think I must have hay fever. It’s making my eyes water.
’ But she knew the truth. She was quietly devastated about losing something with Brodie before it had a chance to become real.
‘I’d better go and get my things organised, Gran. I’ll need to head off soon.’
‘How was Brodie?’ she asked, her brows knitting together.
Flora shrugged and kept her voice even. ‘He seems better now. Sounds like he’s been laid low by a virus. But I’m sure he’ll be back soon to finish things off here.’
Iris nodded and looked at Flora questioningly. ‘I’m just off up the high street to post a letter. I’ll be back soon. Do you need anything?’
Flora was grateful that she hadn’t asked anything else about Brodie. She wasn’t sure she could keep the smile plastered on her face for much longer. ‘No thanks. I’m all good.’
‘Okay, see you in a while, crocodile.’
Flora ran into the house, grateful it was all quiet and that the birds were asleep.
She needed some space just to gather her thoughts and herself.
But all she could think of was Brodie and the sadness she felt that whatever they had together was now over.
And the way that he had broken things off.
The reason he’d given. She hated the ache in her chest and the way her heart felt so heavy.
She really thought they’d built something special over the summer and had become so close.
Was it normal to take you to meet your sister and nephew and niece if you weren’t interested in a proper relationship?
The night they’d babysat had been wonderful and she’d seen a different and tender side to him.
She walked upstairs to her bedroom, urging herself to focus on what she needed for tomorrow’s interview.
Perhaps the fact she was going away for a few days was a good thing.
The distance between them would at least give Flora some protection while she processed what he’d said.