‘You know, it’s strange, because just touching them makes me feel all of them here. It really does. I can hear Josie telling me I’m a daft cow for losing them in the first place. And I can feel Don, those big arms of his, wrapping round me. And Dee… well, she’s telling me to go to the ladies’ room and fix my mascara because all this crying has wrecked it.’

  The sobs turned to laughter.

  I turned to Alice, and before I could remind myself that I’d only met this woman five minutes ago, I grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. ‘There are no words that can express how thankful I am for this. These rings are all I have left of the biggest pieces of my heart and I’ll never stop being grateful to you for bringing them back to me.’

  As she listened to me, I could see the tears in Alice’s eyes too.

  ‘And you too, son,’ I added Rory into my gratitude. ‘Thank you for not ignoring our Carol’s messages and tracking these down. You’re a credit to your family,’ I added, instinctively throwing in one of the biggest compliments in the Glasgow vault of really big compliments.

  ‘Just to my mum,’ he said, with the most handsome smile directed to the woman sitting next to me. Och, that was lovely. He reminded me of my son, Michael. That was a lad who was never slow to make me feel loved and appreciated either.

  ‘Well, son, not to sound like one of those emotional old aunties that gets all sentimental after too many sherries at Christmas…’

  ‘Although, you are one of those,’ Carly interjected and got a dig in the ribs.

  ‘But there is nothing that swells the heart more than looking at the ones that come after you and seeing that they’re good people. I’ve got that with these two,’ I gestured to Carly and Carol, ‘and I wouldn’t have got through the last few days without them. I love the bones of both of them.’

  ‘See. Emotional old auntie, but we love you too,’ Carly said.

  ‘We sure do,’ Carol murmured, and I couldn’t miss the glistening in their eyes.

  One more stop on the thank you tour.

  ‘And you, Sophie, I will always be so grateful that you contacted us, because none of this would have happened without you. You gave us the answers that helped get us here.’

  Before Sophie could reply, I caught sight of a dark-haired gent coming down the stairs into the restaurant. I recognised him immediately from the photo Sophie gave Carol last night.

  ‘There you go, lass,’ I gestured in his direction. ‘Time for you to go and get some answers for yourself.’

  As I watched her go, I hoped that despite everything, somehow there would be a happy ending in store for Sophie too.

  30

  SOPHIE

  At first glance, Sophie saw it was him. Ash. Yet, somehow not him. He looked different from the guy she’d fallen in love with. Two years older, obviously. But her Ash had always been in shorts and T-shirts, maybe occasionally jeans, as they’d travelled around Asia with rucksacks on their backs. His hair had been long, and his skin tinted a few shades darker with the sun. This man was in a polo shirt and smart trousers, he was paler, and his hair was cut short and neat. If she saw him in a bar, she’d think he was handsome, but she doubted she’d have the same instant connection that she’d had when she met that carefree spirit on that beach in Bali.

  Or maybe all her feelings right now were being skewed by the fact that she’d spent all night and morning, processing the news that he was now married.

  Married.

  To. Someone. Else.

  She still wasn’t sure what feelings she had about that, other than sadness. Although, there had definitely been a big bit of foolishness and embarrassment thrown in last night in the bar of the hotel when the reply to Carol’s post had first come through.

  Hello. I saw the photo you posted of Ash Aitken. Can you please tell me why you’re looking for my husband?

  Sophie had immediately replied from her own account.

  Hi. The message on Carol’s Instagram was on my behalf. I’m…

  She’d stopped typing.

  ‘Who shall I say I am?’ she’d wailed, panicked.

  ‘An old friend!’ That had come from Carly. She’d recommenced typing.

  …an old friend of Ash’s. I’m in Glasgow this weekend and was hoping to catch up. Apologies. I’m sorry if I upset you. Thanks for replying.

  She’d sent that and then slumped back in her chair. So that was that then. Over. Done.

  ‘He’s married. He’s bloody married. How did that happen?’ she’d asked the other women, cognisant that they wouldn’t actually have an answer.

  ‘Three more wines please.’ Carol had ordered another round of drinks, then rubbed Sophie’s shoulder sympathetically.

  Ping. She’d almost jumped out of her skin when her phone burst into life again. A reply hadn’t been expected.

  Hey Soph, it’s Ash. Can we meet?

  ‘Oh crap, oh crap. What do I say?’

  ‘Say yes! Tomorrow. Ask him if you can text him where and when later, because we don’t know where we’ll be yet,’ Carly had suggested.

  Sophie wasn’t quite sure what Carly was saying. ‘We?’

  ‘Yep, don’t even think about going alone,’ Carol had argued. ‘Nope, anything could happen. It could be a scam. You could get jumped…’

  ‘I’m absolutely sure nothing will happen to me,’ Sophie had laughed, despite the anguish of the moment. ‘I’ll be absolutely fine.’

  Carly was undeterred. ‘You were in Glasgow for forty-five minutes and you almost died. We’re coming with you. We’ll watch from a distance though. If you see a large plant moving, that’s us.’

  That was so like something that Erin would say that it almost ached.

  She’d texted…

  Tomorrow morning? If it’s okay, I’ll text you time and place later.

  Here, right now, was the time and the place and her stomach was swirling like it was on a spin cycle as she approached him. His face broke into a smile, but he didn’t open his arms to hug her, as he’d have instinctively done two years ago.

  She thought about shaking hands, but then just went for a non-contact wave and a nervous, ‘Hi.’

  There was a free table just behind them, and she knew they’d be in view of the others. Somehow that felt reassuring. She wasn’t alone. They were rooting for her. ‘Shall we sit?’

  As he nodded, she could see he was just as nervous as her.

  They sat down and did that really clichéd thing where they both started to speak at the same time.

  ‘Ash, I…’

  ‘Soph, I…’

  They both stopped, but it had been enough to break the ice.

  She was smiling when she said, ‘Sorry, you go first.’

  Now that he’d relaxed a bit, she recognised the gorgeous shape of his jaw and the very sexy creases around his eyes as he grinned. Okay. This was the Ash she remembered. Despite the circumstances, she felt the spin cycle in her gut slow down.

  ‘I was just going to say you’re looking great. Which I know is a really shallow thing to kick off with, but I panicked.’

  ‘I was about to lead with that too,’ she admitted honestly. ‘I’m not proud.’

  The creases around his eyes were back again.

  ‘How have you been?’ he asked.

  Well, my mum died, and I was broken for a long time, but then I decided to come find the only man I’ve ever loved, and it nearly killed me because I was in a car crash on the way and when I did find him, turns out, surprise! He was married.

  ‘Fine. You?’

  ‘Fine…’

  ‘Your mum?’ he asked, and she appreciated that it was said with genuine concern.

  ‘She passed away. Just over a year ago now.’

  His brown eyes saddened, and the Adam’s apple on the neck she’d kissed a thousand times moved as he swallowed. ‘I’m so sorry, Soph.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She had to change the subject if she was going to hold it together. ‘And you, you’re…’ She got stuck. Okay, she probably shouldn’t have changed the subject to focus on the very obvious bombshell news.

  She saw his gaze go to the gold band on his finger. ‘…Yep, erm…’

  ‘Married?’ she helped him out.

  ‘Yeah, married. Sophie, I feel shit that you found out this way.’ The genuine sorrow in his voice did make her feel a tad comforted.

  ‘No, no, don’t feel bad. I was the one who didn’t come back. I’m the one who should be feeling crap and apologising to you.’ Inside, she’d been holding a bottle of regret for how she’d treated him and now it cracked, and everything spilled out. ‘When my mum was sick, I just couldn’t contemplate leaving her, and in a weird way, I felt guilty every time we spoke. As if I shouldn’t be chasing a new future when she didn’t have one. After my mum died, I was… lost for a while. It’s only in the last couple of months that I’ve started to feel normal again. Optimistic. Happy, even. Look, I didn’t come here thinking we would just fall madly in love again and take up where we left off…’ Okay, there was a part of her that had definitely been open to that, but now wasn’t the time. ‘But I thought you deserved an explanation. And an apology. I really am sorry. And I really am pleased that you’re happy.’

  It felt surprisingly good to get that out and now she sat back, feeling the tension in her shoulders slacken and the spin cycle stop altogether.

  ‘I am,’ he said softly. ‘The year after I proposed, when I sent the photo, I really hoped… Well, I really hoped that you’d see it and come back. When I didn’t hear anything, I was gutted, but then…’ His eyes flickered in the direction of the bar, just for a split second, but Sophie spotted it. ‘Then I met Emily, she came to teach at the same school, music and drama…’ He filled in the facts, and she decided not to point out that they weren’t strictly relevant. ‘And that was it. Maybe not first sight, but pretty close. We were engaged six months later, and got married last week.’

  A week. She was one week late. But then, she could see by the way he spoke about his wife that it wouldn’t have made a difference. He was madly in love with his Emily. Sophie knew that, because once upon a time his face had looked like that when he’d talked about her too.

  And going by the slightly anxious but intent glances firing their way from the pretty girl sitting at the bar, it was reciprocated.

  ‘That’s Emily?’ she asked, her eyes guiding him to where his wife was sitting.

  ‘Yes, sorry. She wanted to come along. I think maybe she was worried that there were still feelings…’

  ‘There aren’t,’ Sophie told him gently, surprised to realise that she meant it. At least a little. There definitely weren’t ‘you’re the one for me and I need to steal you away’ feelings. There was just acceptance. And a little bit of sadness. And a feeling of closure.

  ‘I’ll always be happy we met, Ash. I truly will. But I think maybe you should go take your lovely wife out for lunch somewhere and then have a truly fab life. I mean that.’

  They both stood up at the same time, and he hugged her. ‘I’m really glad I met you too. Take care, Sophie.’

  ‘You too.’

  With that, she watched him go over to the bar, take the hand of the pretty woman and then walk towards the door. Sophie couldn’t resist a glance at his wife’s wedding finger. A diamond solitaire. It couldn’t be more different from the silver ring he’d proposed to her with. For some reason, that made her happy. She managed a cheery wave, and at that moment, her gaze met Emily’s and Sophie nodded and gave her a smile that she hoped said, ‘Take him, he’s yours. And I’m wishing you the most amazing life together.’

  As soon as they went through the door, she stopped waving, paused to take a breath and then went back to the other table, where everyone sitting there, even the two strangers she’d only met an hour ago, were trying to pretend they hadn’t been watching the whole thing.

  ‘Are you okay, love?’ Val asked her, oozing sympathy. ‘I’m so sorry you had a wasted trip.’

  Sophie looked around the table at the three women whom she’d had the absolute pleasure to meet, people she knew she’d stay in touch with, and she had the overwhelming feeling that it hadn’t been wasted at all.

  At the end of the booth, Rory stood up, to let her back in, then stayed standing.

  ‘Sophie, my mum and I just wanted to say we’re so sorry about the accident. Truly. And we hope you’re okay, but if there’s anything at all you need, please let us know. It’s the least we can do. My father isn’t someone that we’re proud of.’

  Sophie shook her head. ‘I appreciate the apology, but it wasn’t your fault. And there were no injuries that won’t heal, so I’m sure I’ll be fine.’

  Alice leaned forward to speak. ‘I just need you – all of you really – to know that it seems he’d been drinking…’

  ‘No!’ Val gasped. ‘At that time in the morning? It was the crack of bloody dawn.’

  Alice nodded, her expression distraught, and Sophie thought that this had to be having such a dreadful effect on her. ‘I know. Just defies belief. Actually, it doesn’t. I wouldn’t put anything past my husband, to be honest. There has been no love between us for almost our whole marriage, because I see who he is.’

  Wow. Sophie had so many questions about that, but she didn’t know this lady anywhere near well enough to ask. Before anyone else could say anything, Alice went on. ‘And the other thing I need to tell you is that he had drugs in his system too. As far as we’re aware, the police will be charging him with both. Rory and I just wanted you to know that, Sophie and we hope that Larry pays dearly for his despicable behaviour. I’m so, so sorry that it affected you.’ She glanced at Rory. ‘We both are.’

  Sophie had no idea how she was meant to feel about this news. Angry. Disgusted. Relieved that it wasn’t worse. Grateful that she’d been given the information. Even more sure that someone up above had been looking out for her.

  That’s when she realised that Val was still stuck at anger.

  ‘I could kill that man myself,’ Val whispered. ‘What an evil bastard.’

  Alice nodded sadly. ‘I feel the same way. Rory cut him out of his life a long time ago, and I’m about to do the same. I can’t tell you what a relief that is to say out loud.’

  Rory pulled a pen out of his pocket and jotted his number on a napkin, then gave it to Sophie. ‘Thanks for being so understanding. I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been. Just in case you ever need to speak to my mum or me, this is our number.’

  How could a dickhead like that taxi driver have such a nice son?

  Alice reinforced his words. ‘We truly mean that. Any issues at all, please call us.’

  And such a nice wife! It was truly baffling.

  ‘Thank you,’ Sophie said, taking it and tucking it in her bag, thinking how sorry she felt for them. It must be horrific to have someone like that in your life.

  Rory was still standing and now Sophie realised why. He pulled on his jacket. ‘I know the circumstances have been awful, but it’s been really good to meet you all. I’m afraid I have to shoot off. My mum and I have decided to take a trip and I have to go back to my flat to pack.’

  Sophie realised she was sad he was going. She also spotted that he could follow up on that promise to help her out in any way. ‘Is your flat by any chance in the city centre?’ she asked him.

  ‘Yes. Merchant City.’

  ‘Is that anywhere near George Square?’

  ‘Right next to it,’ he replied.

  ‘Perfect!’ she probably exclaimed that too loudly. ‘Do you mind if I tag along? I need to go back to my hotel to grab my things because I’m flying home tonight.’

  She wondered if he was looking at her strangely, or if she was imagining it. ‘You’re flying home tonight?’

  ‘To London. Yes.’

  This time, she caught the look that flew between Rory and his mum.

  ‘What time is your flight?’ Alice asked, curiously.

  Sophie quickly checked the app on her phone. ‘Eight o’clock. To Heathrow.’

  Alice smiled at her. ‘I think you’ll see two familiar faces on there. That’s the flight we’ve booked too. We’re staying at a hotel at Heathrow tonight, then flying out to New York in the morning.’ A thought must have crossed Alice’s mind, because her demeanour instantly changed. ‘I mean, as long as it won’t be uncomfortable for you, after what Larry did. The pain he caused. We could change our flight.’

  Sophie didn’t hesitate. ‘Not at all. Look, I’m angry and slightly terrified now about what could have happened, but the thing is, it didn’t. I’m okay. And I promise I don’t resent you in any way for his actions. In fact, the opposite. I’m very grateful to you for giving me all the information. My mum used to tell me all the time to live in the present, so that’s what I’m going to do today. I’m just going to enjoy my last day in Glasgow and be happy about the good things that have come out of it. Especially you bringing Val’s rings back to her.’ She had a sudden thought about how she could prove that. ‘Actually, after I’ve grabbed my things, I’m coming back here and we’re all having lunch. If you’re not leaving until tonight, maybe you could join us?’

  Val spoke up, doubled down on the offer. ‘We’re going to keep Sophie company until she leaves and we’ve promised her a smashing afternoon. We’re planning lunch, lots of chat, maybe a walk round the park outside. Another chat. Then afternoon tea, and a chat. And maybe dinner if we can squeeze it in among the chatting. We’d love you to join us. You did say you’re staying in this hotel anyway, didn’t you?’

  Sophie saw the hesitation in Alice’s demeanour. ‘Yes, we are. And thank you for the very kind invitation, but I’m afraid I can’t stay. I have some unfinished business at the hospital. Rory, will you give me a lift there on your way home too? I want to go alone, so you don’t have to come in. I’ll get a taxi back to save you hanging around. That’ll let you go drop Sophie and take your time getting your things.’