worse? What if it was a temporary spat and Sadie getting in the middle of things turned it into something permanent? She knew Declan and Melissa had been having problems but she never imagined they were this serious. At least, she hadn’t got that impression from Declan, but then, perhaps even he hadn’t realised they were this serious. It was often the way with these things – that one partner saw the problems as bigger than the other did.
‘Do you know how long ago this was?’ Sadie asked finally.
‘Not long. I think early this evening – at least, that’s when Nessa would have finished her shift and gone for a quick one at the Ship before she went home.’
‘So Declan could be at his place?’
‘He could. His dad came back to work though, as far as I know. I don’t know if his mum is with him or if he’s alone. What are you going to do? Wait until the dust settles and then reclaim him? I would if I were you. This is it – your perfect opportunity. You two were meant to be together – everyone knows that. Melissa was never going to be the one for him, not while you were in the bay.’
‘He loves Melissa – he said so, loads of times.’
‘Well he was going to say that, wasn’t he? He wasn’t going to tell you that he was still pining for you and Melissa was just there to keep the bed warm, was he?’
Sadie shook her head to clear it. Of all the complications she might have seen coming, this wasn’t one of them. As if her life wasn’t complicated enough right now.
‘I should probably call him to see if he’s OK.’
‘You’re going to go to him, right? Strike while the iron’s hot?’
‘I don’t think…’
‘Sadie, he’s ripe for the plucking. He’s yours – he always has been! Don’t let Melissa get in first and get him back!’
‘Natalie, I’m seeing someone else.’
‘Oh, I know. That man who’s got the Old Chapel. Everyone knows, although you never told me and, frankly, I’m a bit offended about that. But he doesn’t matter. You’ve been out with loads of blokes since Declan and they’ve all been crap. That’s because Declan is your soulmate. He’s the one.’
‘What if he isn’t? I like Luke. I like him a lot, and maybe Declan was never the one. Maybe I only thought he was because the real one hadn’t come into my life yet.’
‘Of course he is! Sadie, I don’t think you realise just what you’ve got here. Hardly anyone finds their real soulmate, the one they were destined to be with. God knows I’ve made plenty of mistakes looking for mine. Yours is there, right in front of your face, and if you don’t go to him you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.’
Sadie didn’t doubt that Natalie was right – perhaps her soulmate was right in front of her face. But which man was it? Her feelings were strong for both of them, despite having known Luke only a short time, but in very different ways that were difficult to compare. And only a matter of hours ago, hadn’t she promised Luke that she wouldn’t hurt him as Christa had done?
She took a breath and made a decision.
‘I’d better phone him,’ she said. ‘Can I call you later?’
‘You’d bloody better! I want to know everything!’
‘Don’t worry, I will.’
Sadie ended the call to Natalie and dialled Declan’s number. She hadn’t really expected him to answer so it was no surprise when he didn’t. So if she couldn’t speak to him, what next? Perhaps Melissa would be on duty at the arcade. Could Sadie talk to her to find out exactly what had happened? Would Melissa even give Sadie the time of day? It was a long shot but worth the risk, because other than going to Declan’s house to see him (and she wasn’t sure that was wise given the conversation she’d had with Luke that day) she had no other choice – she had to find out exactly what the situation was. And if she could help, then she owed it to them both to try.
* * *
Melissa was sitting behind the little glass window in the booth where people got their change for the slot machines. If she hadn’t looked happy when Sadie walked in she looked positively murderous when she spotted her. Sadie had to concede pretty quickly that coming here might have been a mistake, but