Carrie Goes Off the Map by Phillipa Ashley

you’ve endured with Huw.’
    â€˜Quite,’ said Carrie, adding Natasha to her list of people to put in the stocks with Huw. ‘But I’m afraid we do have to leave you. Goodbye, Rob, Natasha, Bryony. Nice meeting you.’
    â€˜Have a great time. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,’ said Rob.
    Carrie steamed off towards the parking lot, leaving Rowena trailing in her wake.
    â€˜Wait a minute. I can’t keep up in these shoes! And I need the loo!’ she protested.
    â€˜I’ll wait for you in the car,’ called Carrie. She couldn’t stand it a moment longer. The humiliation of bumping into Natasha and Bryony was just too much to bear. It had been by far the worst moment since the church thing. She’d had to endure some funny looks in the village shop for a few days afterwards, but thankfully she hadn’t achieved the notoriety she’d expected. Village gossip moved on fast and Carrie’s escapade had soon been eclipsed by the vicar’s son, who was living with a transgender asylum-seeker. No, village tittle-tattle was nothing to receiving the dubious sympathy of two strangers in front of Matt and his brother. When she reached the parking lot, though, she realized she’d left her bag behind in the beer garden. Now she’d have to go back for it, which would be excruciating. ‘Shit.’
    â€˜Is this what you’re looking for?’
    Matt was alongside her, holding out her handbag, looking as sheepish as any man did when forced to hold a green sparkly clutch.
    â€˜It won’t go off in your hand,’ she said.
    â€˜Yes, but the color doesn’t suit my eyes,’ he said.
    But your eyes are twinkling, thought Carrie with a smile, because you feel awkward at following me out of a pub with a bag, and I’m enjoying you squirming.
    â€˜What’s so funny?’ he said, folding his arms.
    â€˜Nothing. Thanks for bringing my bag,’ she said, then murmured, ‘ Twinkle ,’ and started marching towards the car.
    â€˜Caroline, wait.’
    â€˜That’s not my name,’ she said, stopping and daring him to repeat it.
    He folded his arms, looked down at her, and said with perfect seriousness, ‘And mine’s not Twinkle.’
    Carrie smiled sweetly back. ‘Or Minty?’
    His lips twisted. ‘I know this isn’t any of my business, but I can understand it was a shock for you, what happened with Huw.’
    The breath stopped in her throat and she felt her cheeks flaming with shame.
    â€˜You’re right. It isn’t any of your business and I don’t think you can understand.’ Her words came out harsher than she’d meant but she didn’t want his sympathy.
    He shook his head. ‘How do you know I can’t understand? You’re the only one on the planet who’s ever suffered, are you? The only person who’s had to deal with rejection and guilt?’
    â€˜Guilt? What have I got to feel guilty about? As for being rejected…’ No, she mustn’t get into a conversation with him. That was probably what he wanted, to draw her out. ‘Matt, thanks for bringing my bag but I don’t need your help. All I need is a good holiday away from Packley. I’m a big girl, Dr. Landor. I can fight my own battles.’
    He smiled. ‘I’m sure you can. I’ve seen you do it, remember?’
    She turned back towards the car.
    â€˜Have a good trip,’ he called after her.
    â€˜Yeah, I will,’ she murmured. Closing the driver’s door firmly, she took a deep breath and laid her hot cheek against the cool leather of the seat. Rowena was walking out of the pub door. Carrie brushed her hand over her eyes and wished they would stop stinging. Matt had brought those tears to her eyes and she didn’t know why, but she hated herself for her weakness and hated him for making her feel vulnerable.
    Rowena opened the passenger door and popped her head