Nothing New for Sophie Drew: a heart-warming romantic comedy - Katey Lovell (best english novels for beginners .txt) 📗

“Tawna told me about Fred. I’m sorry. I know how much he meant to you. I’ve let you down so many times, but I’m here for you now. Let me help you however I can.”

When his hand slid around my waist it took me by surprise but a gush of nostalgia, along with the echoes of his words, stopped me from pushing him away. The spicy scent of his aftershave gave me a head rush, and the chatter of the surrounding crowds fuzzed in my ears.

“I still think of you all the time,” he said, whispering in my ear. His lip caught my earlobe as he added, “What we had was special, wasn’t it?”

He drew me closer, and I turned to find myself facing him. Every detail was so familiar it was as though he was in high definition. When he leant in to kiss me I unwittingly responded, the soft cushion of his lips against mine as bliss-filled as the mellow music coming from the stage. I allowed myself to float away from the harsh realities of life, unthinking and carefree, and only when Eve appeared and screamed, “I can’t believe it!” did I pull away, full of confusion.

To avoid her barrage of questions I extricated myself from Darius’s hold and focused my attention firmly on the stage. The beautiful melancholy tune was coming from a sole man sound-checking guitars for the next band. My heart sank as he looked straight at me, a pained expression on his face, as his fingers picked out a gentle melodic riff.

Max.

Chapter 22

“Aaah!”

Freshly boiled water splashed onto the back of my hand, the burning sensation stinging so much that it brought tears to my eyes. It was my own fault for not concentrating when doing the tea run. My brain repeatedly replaying the scenario all morning.

The attraction that had always been present between Darius and I was undeniable. My knees had buckled beneath me as soon as his lips had connected with mine and if it hadn’t been for his arm around my waist, the large palm of his hand firmly clutching my hip, I may well have melted on the spot.

But then there had been Max, who must have seen the kiss from his prime vantage point at the centre of the stage where he was setting up for the band. The crushed expression he’d been wearing said it all – any doubts I’d had about his feelings for me were quashed. No one would look as hurt as that if they didn’t care.

Darius had been sending me texts full of kind words and condolences ever since the festival, but I’d not replied. Not only was I confused, I was purposely faltering because time was ticking on and I still hadn’t given him an answer about the loan. I so desperately wanted to do what was right for Summer, although I was in no fit state to make big decisions. Anyway, where I’d find the money if I did decide to give it to him goodness only knew.

“Are you all right?” Jane asked, as I placed the kettle back on its stand and ran water from the cold tap over my hand. “We heard you cry out.”

“I scalded myself.” I held out my hand, showing her the blotchy marks where the water had hit. “It feels like nothing’s going right at the moment.”

“Now now, don’t be so hard on yourself. Accidents happen to the best of us, and we didn’t expect you to be here at all when we heard about poor old Fred. You shouldn’t be here if you’re not up to it, love. You’ve been in your own little world all day.”

So she’d noticed, and if Jane had, Kath and Marcie would have too.

“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” I admitted, through clenched teeth because the temperature of the water against my sensitive skin stung like hell.

“Fred was like family to you. It’s understandable that you’re going to find it hard.”

“It’s not just Fred,” I confessed, feeling terrible that I could even be thinking of anything else after such an awful event.

“Matters of the heart?” she enquired. “We did wonder why we didn’t get an update after the weekend, but didn’t like to push you for details.”

“That’s part of it,” I said, downplaying the effect the whole Darius situation had had on my productivity, “but I need to speak to Marcie about taking some time off at short notice.”

“The funeral?”

I shook my head. “I’ll need time for that but there’s something else too.”

“Ooh.” Jane grabbed a cloth from the edge of the sink and wiped the spillage from the kitchen work surface. “Planning a holiday? Getting away might be just what you need.”

“Tawna’s planned a holiday,” I corrected. “She booked herself a hen do. The trouble is we’re due to fly on Thursday, and you know how strict Marcie is about giving the full two weeks’ notice for any leave.”

“How exciting. Where are you off too, somewhere nice I hope?”

“New York.” I found myself smiling. Getting away did sound very appealing, and I’d spent half the night uploading clothes to the online sales sites to raise funds to pay Tawna back. Since there’d been no chance of me sleeping, it had seemed as good a time as any to set to work.

“How fancy! You youngsters go all out on these hen and stag dos these days. Mine was a night down the local with the girls and we thought we were posh because we had a meal as well as drinks. We’re talking thirty years ago now. It was a different time.”

“I’d have been more than happy with a night at the pub. Marcie’s going to hit the roof. She probably won’t even say yes.”

“She’ll understand. It’s not every day one of your best friends gets married. And don’t tell her I told you this, but she’s been worried about you, even before this weekend. She’ll be glad of you taking some time away