Independent Jenny by Sarah Louise Smith Page A

we could move somewhere like this and not have to see Ross too often. I allowed myself to think of Aiden’s kiss. I was going to go mad. My head was no clearer and I was still conflicted and unsure how I felt about anything.
    “You okay?” Hayley reappeared.
    “Yep. How’s your beloved, did you text him again?”
    She rolled her eyes.
    “Well you are engaged to him.”
    “I know that. He’s fine. So can we go now?”
    This time Hayley drove and I looked out of the window at the view. It was kind of atmospheric with the low clouds clinging to the hills. I hopped out and opened the gate and I could just about make out the house. There was a Land Rover in front of it, and another car I couldn’t make out. Maybe an Audi. I got back in the car and told Hayley it looked as if he was home.
    “Oh god, what am I going to say?”
    “How about ‘Hello, how are you? Remember me?’”
    “Thanks, I hadn’t thought of that.”
    “I’m not sure you’ve thought about any of this, Hayley.”
    She stopped the car.
    “Listen, I know you’re feeling crappy about Ross, and Aiden, and I know you think Kieran is amazing and that I shouldn’t be doing this. But I have to, okay? And you agreed to come with me so could you stop being so damn judgemental and just help me through this?”
    I put my arm on hers. “I’m sorry, Hayley. I’m with you. Let’s do this.”
    “Thank you.” She sighed and started up the car again. Thirty seconds later, we were outside the house. Two dogs came running out; a golden retriever who looked just like Wentworth but a little smaller, and a border collie. We both greeted them fondly and were licked in return. I let Wentworth out of the back of the car and he wagged his tail and chased around with them both while Hayley and I looked at each other.
    “Well, are you going to knock?” I asked her, hoping she wasn’t going to make me do the talking again and tell Guy why we were here.
    Then Will appeared in the doorway and I felt my mouth drop open a little. There, wearing jeans and a v-neck jumper, with scruffy hair, deep brown eyes, and an incredibly cute smile, was the first man, or, let’s be honest, boy, I’d slept with. He wasn’t this cute back then, was he? He looked the same, yet more masculine, more defined … more grown up, which of course he was.
    “Oh wow. Jenny Finch? Is that you?”
    He had developed a slight Scottish accent, which surprised me.
    “Yes it is. Hello Will!”
    He came towards me and I grinned at him. I noticed he had a wedding ring on and I hoped he didn’t think we’d come all this way because I needed to see him again. Although, as he put his arms around me, I was pretty glad I had.
    “How have you been?”
    Gosh, the Lynx effect was really powerful. I steadied myself as I pulled away.
    “I’m not bad,” he said, with a distant look in his eyes. “And Hayley, right?”
    “Yes,” she nodded enthusiastically. “Yep, yep, I’m Hayley.”
    I mouthed the words ‘calm down’ at her as she looked at me over his shoulder while they shared a brief hug. Not as long as mine. But then she’d never slept with him. I had. I’d slept with that gorgeous man, back when he was just a scrawny, spotty teen. I felt quite proud. Had he told his wife about me? Surely they’d had the awkward conversation about the time they each lost their virginity. I wondered what he’d said about me.
    As Hayley pulled away, I noticed her engagement ring wasn’t on her finger. Not a coincidence, of course. I wanted to be supportive but it was hard when she was being completely unreasonable. I pushed my disapproving thoughts to one side as Will turned back to smile at me.
    “So what brings you ladies all the way to Skye?”
    “A holiday,” Hayley said too quickly. “Just a holiday, right Jenny?”
    I gave her my calm down look again.
    “Yes, we just wanted a break, and then when we were planning the trip Hayley remembered she still had your address from way back when. She and