He’d go back to his normal life—he’d go out and party, eat in fancy restaurants, enjoy his expensive lifestyle and it would all be fine. Money bought happiness, right? God, he hoped so.
‘This is better for Jodie—no need for any awkward explanations.’
She bit her lip and then she nodded. ‘Thank you.’
‘I’ll go and pack. Is it better if I wait and say goodbye to Jodie or go before she’s back?’
‘I don’t know. Better to say goodbye, I think.’
Sarah ran a hand over her face, as if to wipe away the expression of worry and pain, but he’d already seen it. Again, his chest constricted at the possibility that Jodie had been hurt, had become attached to him, had built up even the smallest hope that he was the handsome prince who would carry her and her mother to a happy-ever-after. The idea darkened his very soul.
‘Right. I’ll wait until she’s back, say goodbye and go.’
Later that day he entered the kitchen, suitcase in hand, and saw the strain on Sarah’s face and the confusion on Jodie’s as she looked up at him.
It was another punch to the heart but he forced a smile to his face. ‘Hey, Jodie. How was the farm?’
‘It was really fun. But... I didn’t know you were going. I wouldn’t have gone if I’d known.’
‘It’s a last-minute thing. Business calls.’
‘But when you come back will we see you again?’
‘Jodie...’ Sarah’s voice was soft but firm. ‘I explained it to you. Ben is my boss. He was kind enough to let us stay in his house but once we leave there will be no need to see him again.’
‘But I thought we were friends.’
The words seared him; he saw Sarah wince. ‘We are friends, Jodie. But you’re going to be busy—and I’m busy too.’
Such stupid words, and Jodie dealt with them as they deserved. ‘Too busy for friends?’
The words were another hit, and one that jolted him into action. This mess was not of Jodie’s making, so he’d have to figure out a way to ease out of her life more gently.
‘Of course not. I’ll talk to your mum and we’ll work something out. Maybe I can take you out for a day?’
‘That would be good. But what about Mum? Aren’t you friends with her any more?’
‘It’s complicated.’ Such a cop-out; how had this happened? ‘But now I have a flight to catch.’
Jodie wrapped her arms around him and held on tight and something tugged at his heart. This was all too much.
‘Goodbye, Jodie.’ An effort of will kept his voice even.
But then he turned to Sarah, her brown eyes enormous in her pale face, her hair pulled loose from her ponytail now. He moved towards her, lifted a hand to touch that bright, shining mass and brush her cheek.
‘Goodbye, Sarah,’ he said, and now his voice trembled slightly, taut with regret, sadness and a bleak sense of despair.
‘Goodbye, Ben. Thanks for everything.’
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Two months later
SARAH RUBBED A hand over her face, looked in the mirror and forced herself to smile. After all, she was meant to be happy. She looked down at her phone, at the email that told her she’d been offered a new job with a retail company called Howard and Frintel—a renowned high street chain.
And she did feel happy—or if not happy, then at least satisfied...proud of herself. The problem was she wanted to tell Ben.
Not happening.