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Suddenly, Jack was there calling for someone to help Jan inside. Taking Molly by the arm, he demanded, ‘what the devil are you doing here?’
‘I’m here to make up with you, Jack,’ Molly whined. ‘I know I’ve been an absolute cow. I should never have burst into the showroom like that, and I’m truly sorry. I want us to get back together, Jack. At least, let’s talk about it properly. Away from here.’
‘As you may have realised,’ said Jack curtly, ‘this party is to celebrate my promotion. In a short time, there’ll be a presentation, and I can’t just go swanning off with you, Molly. Especially when I know, from past experience, it would be a waste of time anyway.’
Molly was desperate, ‘It won’t be. Honestly. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I miss you so much, I’ll do anything to have it all as it was before. Please, Jack.’
Jack was sorry that she was genuinely upset, but he knew Molly, and he knew the score. However, because he still had feelings for her, he listened to what she had to say. ‘So, what happened to Mal?’ he asked. ‘I thought you had a thing going with him. Weren’t you getting married?’
‘It was just me being angry with you, Jack. It didn’t mean anything.’
‘Does Mal know that?’
‘Yes,’ she lied.
‘And you’re ready to come up north with me?’
Her hesitation gave him his answer, but he asked again. ‘It’s a straightforward question, Molly, and I would like a straightforward answer. Are you, or are you not, ready to move up to Lancashire with me?’
But still she wouldn’t give him an answer. ‘Well, it’s obvious that nothing has changed,’ he said. ‘You have no intention of giving an inch. You want to keep your house, your job and your life here, which is your choice. But I have a choice too, and now that I’ve made it, I’m not about to change my mind. It seems that while you’re prepared to give up nothing, you want me to give up my plans – hand back my promotion and turn my back on the only hope I’ve ever had of getting at the truth of these nightmares.’ His voice was heavy with regret as he told her, ‘I really thought you would be behind me all the way, Moll. If you truly love me, like you say you do, then you wouldn’t be trying to put every obstacle in my way, instead of helping me.’
Realising every word he said was the truth, Molly began to panic. ‘No, Jack! You need to hear what I’m saying, that’s all.’
‘Oh, I am, Molly. I’m hearing you loud and clear. I still love you – I can’t deny that. But I’m not prepared to dance to your tune for the rest of my life. Can you understand what I’m saying, Molly? Do you even want to understand?’
‘Please, Jack.’ The tears began to flow. ‘Don’t do this to me.’
It hurt Jack to see her this way, but he knew he was right to leave, to do what he had set out to do. ‘I’m sorry it’s come to this, but at least let’s part on good terms, eh?’
Molly looked up at him, at that familiar, handsome face, with those sincere, kindly eyes, and knew she would never find anyone like him again. ‘I can’t uproot myself, Jack,’ she said. ‘I’ve worked so hard for what I’ve got, and I can’t let it go.’
Jack gave a sad little smile. ‘But you can let me go, eh?’
‘No, Jack. You’re the one leaving. Not me.’
‘Yes, Molly, that’s very true, but I have my reasons, as well you know – better than anyone.’ His voice softened, ‘So, it looks like the end of the road for you and me. I’m sorry about that, Molly. Really, I am.’
Without a word, Molly reached into her handbag and gave him back his key. She turned away with a parting jibe: ‘You could never have loved me, or you wouldn’t be leaving me behind.’
He watched her go, and his heart was heavy. There was no denying that they had deep feelings for each other, but try as they might, they could not find a way to be together. And that was the hard truth of it.
Downhearted, he made his way back inside.
Outside, Molly lingered for a while, half-tempted to go after him, yet reluctant to do so. Instead, she found herself accepting that their relationship really was over. She felt bitter and used, hoping that he would come to regret his decision to leave her behind.
So many questions flitted through her mind. Why was it that every time she found a man she truly cared for, he always left her sooner or later?
She asked herself, ‘Is it me? Is there something about me that puts men off?’ For the life of her, she could not understand it. ‘I reckon I’m good-looking, and I keep myself smart. I’ve got a good job with prospects, and I’m nobody’s fool. I stand up for myself and I make decisions. So, why do they always leave me?’
She felt sorry. Sorry for herself. Sorry for her predicament, and her failures. But it was not her fault. None of it was her fault. ‘I’m coming up to thirty, and I need someone to be with me . . . to share my life and do the things I like to do.’
Being without Jack scared her.
Being on her own scared her even more.
After a time, when the night air made her shiver, she headed across the courtyard to her car. Once there, she unlocked the door and got in, but she didn’t start the engine straight away. Instead, she sat in the driver’s seat, wrapped her arms round the steering-wheel and, laying her head on her arms, she sobbed as though her heart would break.
What was left for her now? Where could she go from here? Eventually, looking in the driver’s mirror, she wiped away her tears. Assuring herself that her misery was all Jack’s fault, a terrible anger rose in her. ‘I’ll teach him a lesson he won’t forget!’ she vowed. ‘Somewhere along the way he’ll want me back – and then he’ll find it won’t be so easy. Oh yes! I still have cards to play. You’re gonna be sorry, Jack Redmond. Sorry that you ever let me go.’
With a turn of the key, she started the engine, then accelerated away at speed, pleased that she had thought of a way to hit back at him. Congratulating herself on devising such a clever little plan, she could hardly wait to get back home. First though, she stopped off at the pub for a drink, and a chance to get her thoughts together. ‘Just the one,’ she told the barman. ‘I’m driving.’ Normally she might have a couple. But tonight, she had to keep her wits about her.
Some time later, when she pulled up in the drive, the house was in darkness. A quick glance at the dashboard clock told her it was almost 11 p.m. ‘It’s a bit early for the boys to be asleep,’ she muttered, climbing out to lock the car. ‘Maybe they’re out, but they never told me they had plans.’ Lately, Mal seemed to stay over more than she wanted, but when he and Brian were working on a project, they worked day and night, poring over plans and finance. It irritated her. In truth, just lately everything irritated her.
A moment later she entered the hallway to find the entire house in darkness. ‘I thought I told Brian to always leave a light on when he goes out,’ she muttered crossly. Switching on the light, she slammed her keys onto the hallway table and, throwing off her jacket, went into the kitchen. When she switched on the light there, she got a fright because Brian was sprawled across the table.
‘Hey!’ Brian had been fast asleep across the table. ‘Who’s that? What’s going on? . . . Oh, it’s you, Sis. I must have fallen asleep.’ Littered across the table was a sea of paperwork, with an open notebook alongside, into which he’d scribbled copious notes. ‘What’s the time?’ Rubbing his eyes, he looked up at the wall-clock.
‘Time you got some proper sleep.’ Molly had no sympathy for him. ‘Look at you! What d’you think you’ll