Page 73 of Always Be My Pumpkin

Sarah pulls me back. ‘Stay there and I’ll go get you a wine.’ She glares at Jamie. ‘Piss off, you.’ Then she turns to me. ‘Ignore him, Gracie. I won’t be long. And don’t worry, Flynn will be here soon.’

Jamie hasn’t bothered to dress up, and I’m about to tell him he’s not welcome, but he jumps in first. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not staying, I’m meeting Olivia for dinner. I just wanted to check that you’re okay.’

‘Seriously?’ I arch my brows. ‘Like you care.’

‘Of course I do.’ He huffs frostily. ‘I’ve only ever wanted what’s best for you. And now that Flynn’s back with his ex, I’m sure it can’t be easy.’

I grit my teeth. ‘You know absolutely nothing about Flynn’s relationships.’

‘He hasn’t told you?’ His brows arch, and the smug expression on his face makes me want to hurl.

‘You haven’t seen the photographs?’ He scrolls through his phone then holds it out to me with a face that could curdle the freshest milk. ‘Olivia’s aunt sent these to her yesterday. She grew up with Flynn’s mother and they’re still friends on Facebook. But I’m sure these are all over Instagram too.’

I do my best to ignore him, but he lifts his screen to my face and carries on. ‘It’s for the best, Gracie. You know it is.’

I stare at a photo of a tall, auburn-haired beauty that I know is Natalie, with one arm through Flynn’s, and the other wrapped around Flynn’s mother’s waist. Everybody’s smiling, and relaxed, and so, so together, and my stomach sinks to the floor.

‘Apparently, Elaine has always loved this girl, Natalie, so she’s thrilled it’s all working out. These were taken at his father’s sixtieth, just a couple of days ago. Looks like she’s been welcomed back into the family with open arms.’

‘Are you still here, Jamie?’ Sarah glares at him. She’s back with my wine in double quick time. Audrey must have poured it as soon as she saw Jamie come through the door.

‘Just leaving.’ He shrugs. ‘Check your Instagram, Gracie. Flynn’s tagged in all the photos. I don’t like to say I told you so, but . . .’

Sarah steps past him and pulls open the door. ‘Get the hell out of here,’ she yells, at exactly the same time as my phone pings with a text from Scott:

Flynn’s on his way. At least, I think it’s him coming up the road. He’s practically glowing in the dark.

That’ll be the diamond glitter, I presume. But then again, maybe not. Would he really dress as Edward Cullen for me if he’s happily reunited with Natalie?

I blink back tears as I stare at my phone and try to make up my mind. I’m not going to cry. I don’t have time anyway. But should I really leave Moll and Barty out there with placards begging Flynn to stay in Oakwood if he’s already made up his mind? Even if I can claim they’re asking on behalf of the villagers, and not me.

Then it hits me that I’m letting Jamie control my choices again. And I can’t let that happen. I won’t.

So what if there’s a photo of Flynn linking arms with an old girlfriend? Even if he was in love with her once. He was in love with me too. I saw how he looked at me when he told me he’d waited ten years. I felt how much he wanted me that night. And I read his letter again before I came out. I think I’ve been in love with you since the first day you smiled and said hello. And if you want me to stay, I’ll find a way. Please, Gracie, ask me to stay.

I let him down then, thanks to Jamie. And I should have asked him anyway, even if I never got that letter. I can’t change the past, but I can be braver now.

I stand tall and lift my chin. ‘Signs, everyone,’ I call out. ‘Flynn’s on his way.’

Sarah grabs hers from underneath her stool, and I take mine and disappear down the back to our spot by the stove. I want to watch Flynn’s face as he walks through the crowd and sees everyone holding their signs. And I want to save my signs for last.

It’s almost impossible to see through the throng, so I perch on the table to get a better view, then I take a deep breath and wait for my sexy Twilight vampire to walk through the door.

I clutch my curled fists to my chest as I see Scott’s head appear, followed by his arm in the air, giving me a thumbs up. Then I hear Moll and Barty chanting, ‘Stay. Stay. Stay.’ And everyone joins in. Flynn must be really close.

‘Hold them up properly,’ Sarah yells again and everybody lifts their signs, blocking my view. I climb down from my perch to make my way through.

I peer through the Derry Girls’ ponytails and Sarah’s wicked feathers, and strain to catch a glimpse of diamond glitter or Flynn’s messy fringe. But the only headgear I don’t recognise is fluorescent orange felt, and there’s not a messy Edward bedhead in sight.

Mam comes rushing forward to shoo everyone back. And Pat yells, ‘Make way for Gracie!’ The crowd parts and I see an orange padded pumpkin bumping through the throng. It’s topped with a green-tipped orange hat, twinkling blue eyes, and a mischievous smile.

And it’s making straight for me. Through a sea of smiling villagers holding up their signs. Stay, Flynn, Please, Oakwood for Flynn, and Stay, Flynn, Stay, all scribbled in bright grassy green. Gertrude has improvised with Flynn’s Garden Dreams.

I step out in front of him, feeling every pair of eyes in the bar on my face. But I don’t care.

‘Did you do all of this?’ His eyes are soft on mine. He hesitates before he adds, ‘To make up for the graffiti?’

I shake my head, and Flynn’s shoulders drop, disappointment etched across his face. ‘This wasn’t you?’