TOYL

me what you were going to say,’ Emma pressed.
    ‘It doesn’t matter.’
    ‘You blame him for us splitting up, don’t you?’
    ‘It didn’t help,’ he admitted.
    ‘No,’ Emma said, shaking her head. ‘We’d put that behind us – everything was going to be okay. It was you walking out on me that split us up, Stuart. You can’t blame that one person for your actions.’
    ‘Yes I can!’ he bawled, losing his cool completely.
    Emma flinched.
    ‘Sorry,’ he said, holding up his hands. ‘Look, Emma, it’s just that this might be our one chance to put things right. We can start again. It’s been good these past few days – you’ve got to admit that. Like old times.’
    Emma took a step backwards. ‘Is that what this was all about?’
    ‘What?’ Stuart replied. ‘I don’t understand.’
    ‘All this help. Was this all just a way to try and get back together with me?’
    ‘No,’ he said defensively. ‘You needed help. I thought you appreciated it.’
    ‘I do. I really appreciated it. But, Stuart, you’ve got to understand that there’s no chance of us getting back together. Even if Dan is guilty of all those things, it doesn’t affect you and me. You’ve just got to accept that what’s gone is gone.’
    ‘But I love you,’ Stuart said.
    ‘I’m sorry.’
    He just stood there for a moment, gazing at her. ‘I’d better go,’ he said, turning to the door. ‘I need time to think. You know, Em,’ he said, pausing in the doorway. ‘If you knew just how much I love you, you’d give us another try – I’m sure of it.’

    ***

    Will screwed his eyes shut and tried to control his breathing. He hadn’t seen the woman since she had left her seat, shortly after he had finished his confession. And that was ten minutes ago.
    Maybe she was just queuing for the toilet.
    He had to find out, so he undid his seatbelt and squeezed past the other passenger, giving his apologies as he moved into the aisle. He was halfway to the toilets when he saw the woman, sitting some ten or so rows in front of her original position. She saw him too, and quickly averted her eyes. The panic rose in his chest.
    Why had he told her? Why had he been so stupid?
    ‘You okay, Sir?’ a steward asked.
    ‘Fine, fine,’ Will replied, realising he was gripping the back of someone’s headrest. He let go and carried on past the steward.
    What if she had told the cabin crew? At this moment, the police might be waiting at the airport, ready to board the plane when it landed.
    Fortunately the toilet was free. He locked himself inside and sat down on the seat with his head in his hands. He remembered the advice the woman had given him about using distraction techniques to cure his fear of flying.
    He had all the distraction he needed now.

    ***

    Emma waited for a couple of hours before phoning Lizzy. Stuart had been right in one respect – she couldn’t do this alone. Unfortunately Lizzy’s mobile was off so she left a message, asking her to get in touch as soon as possible.
    She then spent a good half hour training on the punch bag, her phone standing upright on the window ledge, hoping that Lizzy would call back soon. Rehearsals would probably be finished by now. She hoped that Lizzy wasn’t deliberately ignoring her calls, though after the accusations she had levelled against her, it would be understandable.
    The courier called shortly after she’d showered and dressed.
    ‘Miss Holden?’ he asked.
    ‘Yeah, that’s me,’ Emma replied.
    ‘Package for you,’ he said, bringing out an envelope from the bag tucked by his side. ‘Can you just sign here please?’ He handed over an electronic device. Emma scrawled a signature on the touch screen and exchanged the device for the envelope.
    ‘Cheers,’ he said, ‘have a good day.’
    ‘Excuse me,’ Emma shouted, as he headed for the stairs. ‘Can you tell me who it’s from?’
    ‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘I don’t carry that information. But head office might be able to help.’
    ‘Thanks,’ said Emma, closing the door.
    She stared at the white envelope. She slid her finger under the rim and pulled out a card. It was a wedding card. Her first emotion was one of sadness. Someone hadn’t heard the news and had sent a card in ignorance – maybe one of her distant relations who couldn’t make the wedding itself. It was a lovely and obviously expensive card – beautifully decorated with “Happy Wedding Day” emblazoned on the front. But as she opened the card