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CHAPTER 21
“Anyway, you’re a miracle worker…”
Silence fell between them, a bit uncomfortable for Audrey. They walked, still in silence, and several times she had to swallow against the tightness in her throat. It was when they branched off into the narrower lane which bordered the cliffs and led to Seymour House that James spoke again.
“How have you been?”
“Me? Uh… Busy,” she replied lightly. “How about you?”
“The same,” he answered and paused. “Audrey, you aren’t afraid of me, are you?”
There was a strange quality to his voice and she couldn’t quite define it.
“Of course, not.”
It wasn’t the truth. Physically, Audrey knew he would do nothing to hurt her.
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James watched her go, knowing he was going to let her walk out of his life. He continued to stand frozen for a full five minutes before starting to walk, and then it wasn’t back to the village, nor to Seymour House, but across the fields to the cliff path. It took a while to find a spot where he could climb down to the beach but, once there, James started to pace the sand, his mind in turmoil. He marched up and down for an eternity before sitting on a rock that still held the warmth of the day.“She’s right,” he said yelling in the direction of the sea. “We’re too different… A story between us would have a very short life. I could never want the things she wants. Not anymore… Not ever!” He frowned, and then looked up at the sky. It was
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They looked deep into each other’s eyes, but they didn’t let go of each other. They started kissing again, with a starving intensity as though they were parting for good. As always it was James who gained control first, gently putting her from him but still supporting her trembling body.“This is killing me inside, Addie… I swear it is,” he said trying hard not to embrace and kiss her again.“I don’t want to see you go, James, but they need you there… I’ll be right here, waiting for you,” Audrey replied forcing herself not to cry.“I’ll call you and let you know how things are… Okay, darling? But it might be hectic…”“I understand… That’s alright, James. Just call when you can. I hope those children are alright… The father, too.”“Addie…”&ldquo
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He wasn’t that good of an actor that he could’ve fooled her on that point. She chewed her thumb nail down to the quick and then fixed herself a sandwich before returning to the garden. The sky was blue, the air warm and birds were twittering happily as they sunned themselves in the trees surrounding the garden. Crazy, but she wished it was raining. She wished there was a gale-force wind blowing and everything was dank and gloomy. She wouldn’t feel so at odds with her surroundings then. Audrey continued to think about the conversation with James for the next hour, after which she came to a decision. She had the foreman’s cellphone number for emergencies. She would give him a call and at least, find out what was happening to
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‘Just a few more hours and then everyone would leave. I can do it… I have no other choice,’ Audrey thought looking outside from her bedroom’s window. It was what her parents would have expected of her. She could almost hear her mother’s warm, faintly admonishing voice whispering in her ear. “Come on, Addie… Keep your eyes on the prize, sweet girl. And remember, this too shall pass.” It had been one of her mother’s favorite sayings when as a small child, she had tried to duck out of anything unpleasant. Audrey Seymour drew in a deep breath and straightened her drooping shoulders. Checking her reflection in the bedroom mirror, she satisfied herself that the recent flood of tears didn’t show and then left the room.&n
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