No Way to Say Goodbye - Anna McPartlin [93]
“We’re giving each other a little space.” She regained control of the coffee pot.
“Space?” Mia queried suspiciously.
Instantly Mary regretted her comment. Shut your mouth, Mary! “Are you here for long?” she asked, as breezily as possible.
“Not really. I was surprised to discover he was here. He never did like the countryside.”
“People change.”
“Not so much.”
Mary wasn’t enjoying her conversation with an international rock star. It was uncomfortable, as though the women were in some unspoken competition. It made her edgy, especially as, being so ordinary, she felt at a disadvantage. “Are you hungry?” she asked, for something to say rather than out of the desire to cater. Also, her auntie Sheila often said, “When in doubt, feed someone.” It made sense now, especially as Mia’s stomach refused to stop gurgling.
“No, I’m fine.” But then her stomach grumbled again and Mary’s face suggested that, unlike most, she didn’t have the good grace to ignore it. “Well, actually, I’m a little hungry.”
“Good. Do you like fish?”
“I love fish.”
“Shellfish?”
“Yes, please.”
“How about a warm scallop salad with home-made dressing and a round of fresh brown bread?”
“I’m sorry – I may dribble a little.” Mia laughed.
Mary got her to work on chopping leaves for the salad, and it was while they were preparing dinner that both women relaxed.
“Do you like blues?” Mary asked.
“I should but I don’t,” Mia admitted.
Mary checked her CD player. Rufus Wainwright was loaded directly under Ms Morissette. “Rufus Wainwright?”
“Why not?” Mia said, taking off her jacket and shaking the salad dressing.
They were halfway through their scallop salads when Mia broached the subject of Mary’s relationship with Sam. “I hope you don’t mind me asking but are you two together?” she asked.
“Seriously, we’ve only ever been friends,” Mary said.
“Yeah, that’s what we said for the entire duration of our relationship.”
“He’s here to get better,” said Mary, quickly, “nothing more.”
“He got better at home.”
“What about you – do you want him back?”
“Yes,” Mia nodded, “but I’m not stupid enough to think it will ever happen. He’s been here months and I didn’t even get a phone call. I had to find out where he was through a damn tabloid. We didn’t even officially end it. He wanted to but I begged.” She was shamefaced. “Of course, deep down, I knew it was over.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He didn’t love me… He didn’t then, he doesn’t now and won’t in the future. It’s just like I said: people don’t change that much.” She placed another forkful of salad in her mouth. “God, this is amazing!”
Mary smiled.
“You’re wondering what I’m doing here,” Mia said, when her mouth was empty.
“I suppose I am.”
“My therapist says I need closure,” Mia said, between bites.
“Oh. OK.” Americans!
They were enjoying a glass of white wine, lying on deck-chairs placed at the edge of the pier, when Mary caught sight of Ivan’s boat heading towards the shore. Ivan spotted his cousin at around the same time. His son was untangling a net.
“Chris, pass me the binoculars, son,” he said, and Chris dutifully complied. “Christ in a canoe! It’s Mia Johnson!” he yelled.
Chris grabbed the binoculars back. “Jesus!” he said, under his breath.
“Don’t swear!” Ivan said automatically.
“Holy crap!” Chris was still staring at the rock star lounging beside his aunt.
“That’s better.” Ivan took the binoculars from the boy. “Sam!”
Sam emerged from below with Justine and a flask of coffee. “I heard you,” he said, with a sigh.
Ivan had the boat tied off in record time. From their chairs, Mia and Mary watched Sam and his comrades walk the length of the pier. It was evident, despite his smile, that Sam was feeling the pressure for he was sweating excessively. Ivan was as dry as a bone and happy as a puppy, bounding towards the beautiful stranger to shake her hand and tell her how much he admired her. Mary wanted to slap him. Chris sat on the side of his aunt’s chair to prevent his knees buckling in the aftermath of Mia