Pitch Imperfect(31)

Mac wiped the moisture from her eyes and straightened her shoulders. “Look at me, crying my eyes out and this is a happy occasion.” She checked her watch. “We’ve got plenty of time, so tell me, how’d it go with Mrs. Spedding?”

“I’m notorious and unqualified.” And desperate.

“Never mind, I’m sure you’ll find another way to give something back to the community.”

Anjuli shifted uncomfortably. Pride, and their years apart, had kept her from admitting her dire financial straits. She’d told Mac she was bored being idle, and wanted a new job that would challenge her, a job which would involve her in the community. She hadn’t disabused her old friend of the idea she was rolling in it. Rolling in bull, more like, but who wants to go home and admit failure? When Mac had made assumptions about her job hunt she hadn’t put her straight.

“If you want to help the community you can donate to the hospital or the school fund. Our new vicar—that would be Martin Colton’s older brother, Adam, the quiet one—has just returned from heading a church in Oxford and has started an outreach program for troubled teenagers. A concert or two would be a huge help with funding.”

Oh God, not again. Quickly, Anjuli flipped through the rumours circulating about her and chose one that Mac would immediately empathise with. “Please don’t tell anyone, but I’ve developed paralysing stage fright.”

Mac’s mouth popped open. “After all your concerts?”

“I freeze up and embarrass myself in front of a crowd. It’s horrible and painful, and my worst nightmare. My voice sounds like a frog’s and I couldn’t bear it if anybody found out. The thought of being asked to sing fills me with dread, but people keep insisting.”

“Oh, sweetie, that’s awful.” Mac gave her arm a pat, then she winked. “At least you made your mark before you croaked. A lot of people never do, y’know, and I’m glad I have one friend who’ll never have to worry about money. You made it big.”

The urge to tell Mac the truth was strong, but if she did then Rob would find out about her finances and be even less inclined to commit himself to her restoration project. Anjuli steered back to safer ground. “Are you going to apply for the interim Deputy Head position you mentioned?”

Mac peeked outside the window, where her class was running races. “I don’t know. It would only be during Alice Turnbull’s maternity leave, but I think I’d miss being a classroom teacher. My colleagues complain about the work load, but I love coming in every day.”

“The school looks like a great place to teach.”

“It has just the right amount of open space and has won several awards. Rather,” she said, pausing slightly. “Rob has earned them.”

“Well deserved,” Anjuli said.

“He worked tirelessly, juggling other jobs along with the school. Sheer willpower is something he’s never lacked.” She perked up and sighed theatrically. “All he’s lacking is somebody to settle down with.”

Anjuli flicked her arm. “Subtlety, thy name is not Mackenzie Scott. You promised we wouldn’t talk about it, remember? Rob and I are ancient history, so prehistoric we’re Big Bang.”

Mac flicked her back. “I never promised, I let you believe what you wanted. I’ll say my piece and then I’ll shut up—for a while anyway. I don’t know what happened in London but Rob said he’d bumped into you and that you had changed. A lot. And you’ve got that uptight look on your face that tells me I’m not going to get the full story.”

Anjuli looked at her nails. “Anything else?”

“He clammed up just like you, so I’d say you two are not ancient history, but you’re definitely Big Bang.”

“Oh, for...If you must know, we had sex. It didn’t even constitute a one-night stand because I...The thing is, he left straight afterwards. I thought I’d hurt him, but all he wanted was an easy lay. He got it. End of story.”

Mac’s jaw dropped. “He still cares about you.”

She might have believed that, once, before his crude proposition in the car. “He thinks I’m a nympho looking for sex via text.”

“Sorry?”

“Don’t ask. It’s not like it matters anyway. In fact, I’m relieved Rob hasn’t held a torch for me all these years. That would be awkward.”

Mac looked like she was struggling with herself. Her mouth opened and shut a few times before she finally spoke. “It was hard on Rob, you know. Rumours floated through the village like stink bombs. I know you had your reasons. I read your note and I’m not judging you, but Rob was devastated. He loved you very much and he suffered when you left him. He missed you and—”