It was mid May and the sun was strong for the time of year, warming Maddie’s skin. It was so good to feel its warmth on her cheek again. The grass was lush after all the rain of early spring, and you could almost taste summer in the air; she could hear some mistle thrushes in the distance.
‘Yes, for a party.’
‘A party. Don’t you need a hog then? Like a hog roast?’
The farmer was looking at her strangely, leaning on his car door. She’d just caught him as he was going out. Maddie had left Lauren at the café so she could sort out a ‘surprise’ for Adity at the party.
‘No! It’s not to eat; it’s just, well, to have. In the garden.’
‘Right. Let’s get this straight. You want a cow, to be tethered to a stake, at your party?’
‘Yes – my well, soon-to-be daughter-in-law is Hindu and it’s a surprise for her. They’re sacred animals.’
‘Well—’ he turned and looked behind him into a field ‘—you can borrow the old girl over there.’ And he nodded to a cow in the distance. Maddie looked over and saw a few cows and calves resting under a tree.
‘Placid. She won’t cause any mischief. I’ll send Angus round and we can fix that up.’
‘Thanks.’ Maddie grinned and touched him lightly on his sleeve.
That was one thing sorted. Maddie had driven two miles along the inland road towards Chillerton to speak to Anthony the farmer. Ed had called her again last night to check it was all sorted and they’d gone over a few more details. A surprise.
Now all she had to do was sort out a pop-up and a BBQ and order in some drinks. Lauren had turned out to be great at party-planning and bunting. Next, she was off to the hardware store to buy a BBQ for the party. The party was three weeks on Saturday and she’d invited some old friends of Ed’s from school who were coming down from the mainland, a few people from Brightwater Bay, Pearl, who she saw from time to time still, Lauren and Sue. As well as Carole plus Rachel and a few others from the choir. It would be a fantastic evening.
As she pulled into the hardware store, she braked hard. His van. It had the familiar logo of the water sports centre. Her chest felt tight. She wanted to speak to him, but not like this. But just as she had that thought, she saw him stride out of the shop, with a few tools clutched under one arm and he headed to the van. Now was her chance. He still wasn’t answering her calls. She quickly leapt out of the car and crossed the car park.
Greg stopped in his tracks when he saw her.
‘Maddie – I really don’t—’ His voice was clipped.
‘I just wanted to talk to you, Greg – is that so bad?’
‘Maddie, I haven’t been able to talk to you, I was so mad with you.’
Was.
Then his eyes softened as he saw the hurt in her eyes. ‘Look, I did get your texts, but…’ He hesitated. ‘It’s more than I can take, Maddie, and the divorce is going through with Tiggy – it’s been really stressful. She’s being difficult about everything. And I don’t think…’ He yanked at his collar. ‘I just – look…’ He glanced at the van. ‘I can’t see where we go from here. There’s too much to get over, isn’t there? How do we fix things between us now?’ He held her gaze for the longest time, then turned to walk away.
‘Ed’s engaged.’
Greg stopped in his tracks.
‘Greg! Mate, c’mon!’ A face appeared from the passenger side of the van.
‘Sorry, Bruce.’ He turned to look at Maddie. ‘I have to go.’
‘Greg. Wait. I’m having a party. For Ed. For Adity. Will you come? I’ll text you,’ she added hopefully.
Greg stared at her and she couldn’t make out his expression. She was racked with guilt; she needed him to come, she wanted desperately for him to come. ‘We can talk?’
‘Look, Maddie,’ he said, a dull look in his eyes, ‘you’ve already explained it all. I don’t think there’s much more to talk about. Things haven’t worked out.’ He shook his head. ‘Too many lies.’ She inhaled the oh-so-familiar scent of him and closed her eyes. She knew that all the years of deceit were too much for Greg to forgive – she was just trying to make amends in any way she could.