Rejection Runs Deep (The Canleigh Series, book 1: A chilling psychological family drama) by Carole Williams (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

rested on the table beside Delia’s place.  Hardy had obviously heard her return from her ride.  It all smelled delicious and Delia piled up her plate and poured herself a coffee, hoping Vicky wouldn’t get up just yet.  She wanted to have Philip to herself for a while but she had almost finished her breakfast before she heard the Volvo outside. She walked outside to greet him, a welcoming smile on her face as she admired her future husband when he got out and slammed the car door shut.  He looked good, even dressed in his old working jeans and tatty sweater, although his face was drawn and he looked weary and worried.  Delia felt the first slight tremor of alarm as he made no attempt to embrace her.  He always kissed her and asked if she was okay.  How odd.

“Let’s go inside,” he uttered, walking up the steps into the Hall without touching or smiling at her.  Delia followed, apprehension turning to fear.  Something was dreadfully wrong and she didn’t know if she wanted to hear what it was.

“Come through to the dining room and I’ll pour you some coffee.  You look as if you need one,” she said, trying to smile.  “And I’ve left you some bacon and eggs.  Sit down and I’ll get it for you.”

Philip stood uneasily by the window, his hands firmly in the pockets of his jeans.

“I’m not stopping.  I’ve something to say and then I’ll go.  I don’t want to prolong the agony.  Sit down, Delia, please.  I think its best.”

Ignoring his request, Delia faced him squarely.  “Whatever’s the matter?  You’re beginning to really frighten me.”

He turned to look outside, unable to meet her eyes, clearing his throat nervously.

“For goodness sake, Philip.  Tell me what’s wrong,” Delia said impatiently, feeling rising panic, just as she had years ago when her mother and father were having that final row.  Disturbing scenes from that day entered her head and she tried hard to push them away, telling herself she was being ridiculous.  There was nothing to fear.  Philip loved her and they were going to be married soon, so what could possibly go wrong?  He had obviously done something stupid last night, got caught drinking and driving or some other such silly behaviour.  Her breathing became calm again, although her hands were clenched tightly.

“What have you done, Philip?  Whatever it is, you can tell me.  I’ll always be here for you, you know that.  We’ll work it out together … anyway, I’m sure it can’t be that dreadful … whatever it is you’re probably getting it all out of proportion.”

“There’s someone else.”

Delia hardly heard him.  Afterwards, she wondered whether it was because he really had spoken so quietly or because she hadn’t wanted to hear the words.  Whatever the reason it took a few seconds to register.  She shook her head in denial.

“No, Philip.  You don’t know what you’re saying.  You’re mistaken.  You can’t and won’t do this to me.  You love me … I love you.  We’re getting married in two weeks.  I don’t want to hear any more of this nonsense.”

Philip slumped against the window frame.  He looked dreadful and his eyes were screwed up in pain.

“I’m so dreadfully sorry, Delly.  I wouldn’t have had this happen for the world … but I simply can’t marry you now.  I don’t love you … I do love you ….”

“Oh,” she screamed.  “Make up your bloody mind!  Do you, or don’t you?”

“No.  Not in the right way, Delly.  I love you like a sister …  a good chum … but it’s just not the same as with Sue.”

“Sue!  Who the bloody hell is Sue?” shouted Delia, banging her fist on the dining table so hard the crockery jumped.  It was unthinkable.  How could there be another woman?  Real panic set in.  This was no joke.  Philip was deadly serious and meant what he said.  “Why the hell are you doing this?” she yelled.  “Why are you putting me through this?  How can you have someone else?  I don’t believe it.  You’re lying … I know you are.”

“Oh, God,” whispered Philip, wishing he was anywhere in the world bar here.  He had known this wasn’t going to be easy but it had to be done.  He had no choice and was in terrible torment.  He and Delia had been so close for so long and he hated doing this … hated hurting her but he had to be honest, with her and himself.  He pulled himself upright and glanced at her.  She looked wild, frightening and dangerous in her anger and he wondered why he had ever consented to marry her.  He had known all along that their relationship wasn’t as it should be.  Delia was domineering and difficult.  It hadn’t been too bad while they lived apart but now the wedding was ominously close Philip found the prospect of Delia bossing him around twenty-four hours a day depressing and daunting.  If he was totally honest, he had never wanted to become engaged to her in the first place but he’d never been able to find the courage to break it off until now.  Sue had rescued him from a dreadful fate, that was for sure.

Delia sank into the nearest chair and put her head in her hands.  She thought about another woman at Tangles; wonderful, homely Tangles which had played such an important part in her life for such a long time.  It was too awful to contemplate; another woman in Constance’s kitchen, another woman helping Philip with the horses.  It would be impossible to go there again.  It was unthinkable.  Tangles was her second home, soon to be her permanent home, it was part of her life, her work, her future.  How could she exist without it … without Philip?  And then there were her hopes for Canleigh … without Philip to back her up and