Chapter Forty
‘What was I thinking?’ Having arrived at Ava’s door at breakfast time, Mary sat awkwardly on the kitchen chair, her knees tucked underneath her, and her arms wrapped around her legs, while Blossom and Myrtle slept under the table.
‘That you might be happy with Gino? That the two of you are meant for each other?’
Mary looked at her, incredulous. ‘Meant for each other? How can we be? He’s from a huge family, and I’m from, well I’m not sure you can even call it a family. He’s just taken on a puppy, and he’s so . . .’
‘Lovely?’ Ava smiled. She’d expected Mary to panic at some point; she just hadn’t expected it to be the morning after Gino’s declaration.
‘Seriously, I don’t know why I came here. I’d hoped for—’
‘Someone who’d convince you you’re right to give up on this relationship before it’s even started? Well, I’m sorry, you’ve come to the wrong place. Being with someone who will care for you is what I’ve always wanted for you and, despite what you think, it’s what you deserve.’
‘Blimey, Ava, you make me sound like one of the animals I look after. I’m not injured. I’m tough. I’m a player and so is Gino. You know he’s a terrible flirt at the bar and we’ve both seen him the morning after all those late nights, doing goodness knows what.’
Ava put her toast down. ‘Hmm, we were wrong there. Not about him being a flirt, it’s part of his job’ — Ava shrugged — ‘or the late nights. He does have late nights. But the reason . . . the reason is . . .’ Ava wondered if it was OK to spill all of Gino’s secrets now the biggest was out.
‘What? What’s the reason?’
‘He’s into astronomy.’
Mary put her feet on the floor and took a moment to absorb Ava’s words. ‘Astronomy? Gino?’
‘Yes. Gino told me about it after the French night.’
Mary looked at her, discombobulated. ‘The moon and stars and stuff?’
Ava nodded.
‘Really? And that’s why he has all of those late nights?’
‘Yes. It’s fascinating really, you should—’
‘And you think he’s genuinely got feelings for me?’
Ava giggled. ‘He literally told you he wants to be with you on a banner attached to an aeroplane above the village. It seemed pretty genuine to me.’
‘I don’t know if that scares me more or less.’ Mary leaned across and took a piece of toast from Ava’s plate and bit into it. ‘Astronomy!’ She swallowed. ‘There’s obviously a lot I don’t know about him.’
‘But there’s plenty you do know. Like what a good friend he is, and how much he cares about those he loves. Maybe that’s what you’re finding a bit scary.’
‘Maybe I just can’t do this.’
Ava leaned across the table and held Mary’s hand. ‘You’re only worried because you know Gino’s special. If he weren’t, you’d already be planning your exit. But you’re not. You’re questioning if and how you can make this work.’ Releasing Mary’s hand, Ava smiled.
‘I’m questioning how I won’t stuff this up.’
‘It’s the same thing. Normally you stuff things up on purpose. This time I think you’re scared you might do it out of habit when you don’t want to. But Mary you can’t worry about past habits or the future. Now is what’s important. And the two of you, you’ll find your way. I know you will.’
Mary looked at Ava, with tears in her eyes. ‘Bugger me, Ava Flynn, when did you get so wise?’
‘Ha, I’m not sure I’m that wise. Look how things have turned out for Henry and me.’
‘Henry! Oh, my goodness!’ Mary stood up, causing both dogs to go on full alert. She checked her phone and when she saw the screen, grimaced. ‘I’ve got to go. Thank you for the chat and the toast.’ Mary made towards the door.
‘What is it? Where have you got to go?’
‘There are things . . . things I was meant to do for today and I haven’t.’ Wiggling her feet into her boots, Mary hurriedly tied the laces, despite Blossom’s best efforts to stop her.
‘Things for what? Is it the festival? Is there something I’ve missed? I checked everything last night. It’s Sunday so things are starting a little later—’
‘For the festival, yes. But nothing for you to worry about. I can’t explain now but will you meet me in the charity shop at six?’
‘At the shop? Why? I thought we’d be celebrating the end of the festival and heading to the pub by then.
’ Ava didn’t want to hang around the shop unnecessarily.
After the lead-up to the festival, the nerves of it getting underway, and the constant sense of fear that something might go wrong since it started, she was longing for a relaxing evening with her friends.
‘We will celebrate, I promise, but I have to meet you at the shop first.’
‘OK. But I’ll see you about, today, won’t I?’
‘I’m on duty for a bit this afternoon, so if I miss you, make sure you meet me at six.’
Ava went to speak, but Mary was already heading out the back door. She looked at the dogs and lifted her hands. Both Myrtle and Blossom seemed as surprised by Mary’s swift exit as Ava.