32
‘How about a few cans of beer for that nice young man of yours?’ Maud asked when I went to the local shop a few days after Ben’s departure. ‘I haven’t seen him in here for a while. Is he all right?’
‘Oh, he left a week ago. He was only in Ashton Mead for a visit,’ I replied airily. I hoped she wouldn’t see my smile was forced.
That evening there was a knock on my door. For an instant I thought it was Ben, returned to apologise for his callous behaviour towards me and Poppy. Instead, I found Hannah standing on the doorstep. As soon as I saw her, I burst into tears. She came in and put her arms around me, rocking me gently, murmuring that everything would be fine.
‘I’m sorry,’ I sobbed, ‘you were right and I was wrong. I’ve been an i***t. I should have listened to you all along.’
