Page 56 of The Clockmaker's Cottage
‘You ran away from your wedding and landed on an island where you’re stuck in a tiny cottage with the man you secretly fancied at university.’
‘I did not secretly?—’
‘You absolutely did.’
Pippa groaned. ‘Rose.’
‘This is meant to be.’
‘Don’t be daft. The timing couldn’t be worse. I’ve just ended things with Rob. I’m emotionally fragile. Possibly unstable.’
‘You detached yourself from Rob ages ago,’ Rose said gently. ‘You just took a while to admit it to yourself and everyone else.’
Pippa was quiet.
Rose softened. ‘Tell me,’ she said. ‘Do you want to bring it up tonight?’
Pippa picked at the edge of the duvet.
‘I don’t know. He hasn’t told me. What if it’s still really raw? What if he doesn’t want to talk about it? What if I make it awkward?’
‘You might,’ Rose admitted. ‘But you might not.’
‘Helpful.’
‘I’m serious, Pip. You’re both single now. You’ve always liked him and it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks– not me, not Rob, not the entire population of Britain.’
‘That’s quite a lot of people,’ Pippa muttered.
‘It’s between you and Theo,’ Rose went on. ‘No one else. If you want to ask, ask. If you don’t, don’t. But don’t talk yourself out of something just because you’re scared.’
Pippa stared at her reflection in the mirror. ‘Is it too soon?’ she asked quietly.
‘No,’ Rose said without hesitation. ‘It’s honest. There’s a difference.’
Pippa let out a breath. ‘You make everything sound so simple.’
‘That’s my gift.’ She smiled, then added, ‘You look beautiful. Go. Eat delicious food. Be charming. See what happens.’
Pippa laughed. ‘I hate that you’re probably right.’
‘I know.’
‘Right, I need to leave!’
She headed downstairs and found Theo by the hearth putting the fireguard into place. He turned at the sound of the creaky stair.
He looked at her for a second; properly looked. ‘Wow,’ he said. ‘You look lovely.’
‘Thank you.’
‘And your hair…’
‘I thought I’d get rid of the rain-limp look,’ she said, fiddling with the ends.
He leaned in a fraction, not touching her, but just close enough to catch her scent. ‘Is that… the same perfume from university? My guess is Anaïs Anaïs.’
Pippa was amazed. ‘You remember that?’
