I twisted the handkerchief in my hand. ‘Yes. Well. I still feel … responsible. I drank too much to show off. I was a terrible flirt. I was –’
‘No. They were responsible.’
Nobody had ever said those words aloud to me. Even Treena’s look of sympathy had held some mute accusation. Well, if you Heather get drunk and silly with men you don’t know …
His fingers squeezed mine. A faint movement, but there it was.
‘Louisa. It wasn’t your fault.’
I cried then. Not sobbing, this time. The tears left me silently, and told me something else was leaving me. Guilt. Fear. A few other things I hadn’t yet found words for. I leant my head gently on his shoulder and he tilted his head until it rested against mine.
‘Right. Are you listening to me?’
I murmured a yes.
‘Then I’ll tell you something good,’
