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Back Just the Way You Are Save as PDF
Chapters (42)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4
  7. 5
  8. 6
  9. 7
  10. 8
  11. 9
  12. 10
  13. 11
  14. 12
  15. 13
  16. 14
  17. 15
  18. 16
  19. 17
  20. 18
  21. 19
  22. 20
  23. 21
  24. 22
  25. 23
  26. 24
  27. 25
  28. 26
  29. 27
  30. 28
  31. 29
  32. 30
  33. 31
  34. 32
  35. 33
  36. 34
  37. 35
  38. Acknowledgments
  39. Author’s Note
  40. More from Beth Moran
  41. About the Author
  42. About Boldwood Books

‘This summer has taught me that I can do it – I can stand on my own two feet and build a life that I’m proud of. But it’s also taught me that I don’t want to do it alone. That the best thing about life is when we share our dreams and the adventures that are making them come true. So, here’s to a whole new life of adventures, and the people I’ll get to share them with, hopefully including all of you. Thank you so much for still being here at stupid o’clock in the morning. The rain has stopped, so if you don’t mind I’m going to go outside and burn this list now.’

I could still hear them clapping and cheering as I struck the match.

Once the other guests had left, Leanne came outside. She pulled a chair up beside mine, reaching out and taking my hand.

‘Is she asleep?’

‘In the spare bed. Her bed as she calls it. Dad’s crashing at Pia’s. The worst of it is, we’d already decided to come back.’

‘What?’ I twisted round to face her, aware my knuckles were white where they gripped her hand.

‘It was obvious what living there was doing to her. I tried pretending that in time she’d adjust. But it was unbearable to see the life being crushed out of her. Like you said, being true to ourselves is too important. Joan couldn’t be herself there. It was like she predicted, a wild rabbit trapped in a cage. I didn’t know what to do. Trying to get through each day is all can I handle at the moment. Then Mum and Dad said they couldn’t stand it either. They’ve put an offer in on a house with a granny-flat on the other side of the village. We were waiting for it to be accepted before we told Joan, but if this doesn’t go through, we’ll find another one. I still have no idea what the future holds for us. But I know it’s here.’

‘This is turning out to be the best birthday I’ve ever had. Also the worst. But this more than makes up for it. I’m so glad you’re moving back.’ I shifted over to give her a hug. ‘And I mean you.’ I sniffed. ‘As well as Joan.’

‘I haven’t forgotten that I still owe you a good house clean.’

I laughed. ‘What other possible reason would there be for me wishing you were back in Bigley?’

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