She’d kept saying that everything was fine. Fine. When everything was far from fine.
After two nights without sleep and a ridiculously busy day during which she’d successfully managed to avoid Logan, Evanna was sitting in her kitchen, wondering whether she even had the energy to drag herself to bed, when the back door flew open and Kyla marched in.
‘Is it true?’
Tired and jaded by the events of the weekend, Evanna looked at her warily. How much did she know? ‘Is what true?’
‘That you’re selling the cottage.’ Kyla slammed the door shut behind her and glared. ‘When did you put your house on the market?’
‘Oh.’ Evanna blinked several times, surprised at how fast the news had travelled. ‘How did you find out?’
‘Ed Masters is the only estate agent on the island so it wasn’t hard,’ Kyla said, her tone sarcastic. ‘And I happened to be taking bloods from him today.’
‘Word travels fast. I only saw him a few hours ago.’
‘He was my last patient of the day. So it’s true? You spoke to Ed before you told me?’ Kyla put her hands on her hips. ‘You’re selling your cottage and you didn’t think it was worth mentioning? Buy a new lipstick or a pair of shoes, fine. That’s information that I don’t need to know for a couple of days. But selling your house? What’s going on?’
‘Well, of course I was going to tell you, but—’
‘When? After you’d moved?’
Evanna lifted a hand to her forehead, which throbbed and pounded with relentless ferocity. ‘Kyla, I don’t need this. I’m tired and I’m.’ Miserable, lost, confused. Her hand dropped to her side and she closed her eyes briefly, blocking out the reality. She still couldn’t really take in what selling the house really meant. She was leaving Glenmore. ‘Yes, I’m selling the cottage.’ Saying the words aloud had a finality that unlocked the misery inside her.
‘Why? What’s happened? You love Glenmore. You love your cottage.’ Kyla waved a hand and her long blonde hair bounced around her shoulders. ‘You’ve done up every inch of this place exactly the way you like it. It’s taken every penny of your salary.’
‘Yes.’ She didn’t need to be reminded exactly how much of herself had gone into this house.
‘So why are you selling your house. Your home?’
‘Because I don’t need a home,’ Evanna croaked. ‘At least, I don’t need a home on Glenmore. Not any more.’
Kyla stared. Then she took a deep breath. ‘Run that past me again.’
‘I’m leaving, Kyla. I’ve spoken to the Royal Infirmary today and they’re going to give me a job on the labour ward. I’m moving to the city. I can start as soon as Logan and Ethan agree to let me go.’
‘They’ll never agree to let you go and neither will I.’ Kyla’s voice sounded scratchy and she plopped down onto one of the kitchen chairs. ‘Why? Why would you leave Glenmore? You love the island. Why would you go?’
‘Because I can’t breathe the same air as Logan any more,’ Evanna whispered, her expression stricken. ‘I have to move on and I’ve realised that I can’t do that when I’m rubbing shoulders with him all the time.’
Kyla was silent. ‘Has something happened?’
Evanna hesitated. There were some things too personal to share even with her best friend. ‘I just made a decision, that’s all.’ After they’d made love for almost all of the night.
‘Does he know?’ Kyla’s voice was gruff. ‘Have you told him?’
‘Not yet.’ But she was sure he’d be relieved. He wouldn’t want her hanging around. It would be too awkward. Evanna walked to the kitchen table and picked up the letter that she’d typed earlier. ‘I’ve redone this a thousand times and I still don’t know if it’s right.’
‘What is it?’
‘My letter of resignation.’
‘Then it isn’t going to be right.’ Kyla took it from her and read it swiftly. Then her shoulders sagged and her eyes filled. ‘Evanna, don’t do this. You’re my best friend. You’ve been my best friend since we pulled each other’s hair in toddler group.’
‘You pulled my hair,’ Evanna mumbled, looking away so that she couldn’t see the tears. ‘I never touched yours.’
Kyla gave a smile that wasn’t entirely steady. ‘Yes, well, you always did hate confrontation. You’re hopeless at rows because you just want everyone to be friends and love each other. Oh, heck, you’re making me cry, and you know I never cry.’ She scrabbled in her pocket for a tissue and blew her nose. ‘I know I drive you mad but I love you. You’re my best friend. What would I do without you?’
‘You’re married now,’ Evanna said softly, blinking back her own tears. ‘Everything’s different.’