The Waffle House on the Pier - Tilly Tennant Page 0,55
the chairs on top of the tables so I can sweep the floor.’
‘I can sweep the floor,’ Sadie said. ‘Why don’t you go and tidy the fridge – you know better than me what needs to be thrown out.’
‘Sure, darlin’; I can do that.’
April went into the kitchen. As soon as she’d gone, Declan turned to Sadie and the carefree expression he’d worn for her disappeared, replaced by one of urgent questions.
‘I know that face,’ he said. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing,’ Sadie said, wondering why she was even bothering to cover anything up. Declan had already seen for himself that things weren’t right and she knew him better than to think he’d let it drop. But it wasn’t right to involve him in her problems. Once upon a time maybe it would have been OK, but they weren’t together now, and the burdens he needed to share weren’t hers, they were Melissa’s. It wasn’t fair of Sadie to pile more on him. ‘Why should there be anything wrong? I’m tired and it’s been busy here – more than I’m used to. And sometimes I feel as if it’s too much but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.’
‘And that’s it?’ he asked, his tone edged with obvious scepticism.
‘Yes. What else would it be?’
‘OK,’ he said, still sounding unconvinced. He grabbed a chair while Sadie went to get the sweeping brush.
‘I bumped into Ewan yesterday and—’ Declan began. But he stopped short because Sadie was crying. She hadn’t wanted to – not in front of him and not with Gammy in the next room – but she couldn’t keep it in any longer. He put the chair down and rushed to wrap her in his arms. No questions, no waiting for permission, just an instinct to comfort her, and though she knew she ought to be grateful for his reaction, it only made things worse.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, sniffing hard. ‘Ignore me; I’m just tired.’
He held her tighter still. He still smelt the same, a special scent that seemed to have been created just for her. She closed her eyes and breathed him in.
God, how many years had it been since she’d been folded into his arms like this, and yet, how could it feel so painfully, heart-achingly familiar?
‘You’re sure that’s all it is?’ he asked. ‘Nothing else?’
‘No.’
‘Nothing to do with your scare at the beach the other day…? Because nobody would think you were weak for admitting that it had affected you and sometimes it’s a delayed reaction—’
Sadie buried her head further into his chest. She knew that she ought to push him away but she didn’t want to. ‘No, it’s not that.’
How could she tell him what it really was? How scared she was for her grandma, how she was even more scared that she’d made the most terrible mistake leaving her teaching course to come and take the waffle house on?
Terrible mistakes, she thought ruefully, seemed to be her speciality these days – she’d certainly made enough of them over the last few years. Many of them were still being afforded the luxury of time to regret. One of them was standing with his arms around her now, making it worse than he could have ever imagined, and the fact that his intentions were nothing but pure made it all worse still.
‘You need some help in here?’ he asked. ‘Until you get used to it?’
‘You’re far too busy.’
‘It’s a shame but I am really, even though I’d like to help. I was thinking Melissa might be able to, though. She has some afternoons free and I could ask—’
‘No!’ Sadie said, panic-stricken by the thought and with a tone that was probably a bit too revealing of that fact. Melissa was the last person she needed in here. It was hardly Melissa’s fault that Sadie’s emotions were all over the place, but her presence certainly wouldn’t help.
‘I’m sure she’d say yes.’
Sadie eased herself free and looked up at him. ‘Everyone is busy and I wouldn’t expect anyone to give up their time regardless. We have to manage, Gammy and me. We’ll find a way to make it work; it might just take a little time.’
He smiled down at her. ‘Everyone loves her, you know. Everyone wants this to succeed. And everyone knows why you’re doing this, but not one of them would blame you if you decided it was too much. It doesn’t have to be your battle, and you certainly don’t have to fight it alone.’