“I’m sorry but that speech deserved a round of applause,” she explained.

She was so adorable, I grinned at her.

“Evie.”

I turned to Viola. “Yeah?”

Her smile was slow but genuine. “Thanks. I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Me too.” I settled back in my seat, my thoughts immediately turning to Lucas yesterday. “And I have to tell you something.”

She nodded for me to go ahead.

I’d already told Caro about Tony’s visit yesterday, but I hadn’t mentioned the rumors about my inflated book prices. After I related what Tony had told me, I explained I’d gone to The Alnster Inn to see if there was any truth in it. “I’ll never understand how a relationship ending thirty years ago can still resonate with an entire village, but it does. To the point that some old-timer at the bar brought it up.”

Caro grimaced. “Because you’ve been seen at The Anchor.”

“Right.” I shook my head at the insanity. “Anyway, something not nice was said by this old guy . . .” I paused. After everything Viola had just confessed, why would I want to remind her that there were people out there who saw her as less? Crap, I had not thought this through.

Unfortunately, Viola understood as soon as I trailed off. “About me.”

I nodded, mentally berating myself.

Insensitive asshole that I was.

“What happened?” Caro asked.

I’d started this stupid story for a reason so . . . “Lucas reacted.”

Viola tensed. “Lucas?”

“He grabbed the guy, and basically threw him out of the pub.”

Caro leaned toward me. “For insulting Vi?”

“Yeah.”

Viola shook her head, clearly confused. “Why would Lucas defend me?”

“Not just defend you, Viola . . . he was physically shaking with anger.” I gave her a small, knowing smile. “Not the actions of someone indifferent or who dislikes you.”

Viola scoffed. “Lucas hates me. We’ve been at war for a long time.”

“Why?”

“Because of his dad.” She shrugged, a melancholy she couldn’t hide darkening her light hazel eyes. “We didn’t talk much as kids. We were in the same class, but we had different friends. Lucas stayed away from me because of his dad. When we were thirteen, we got paired up at school for a science project and I tried to befriend him. Lucas was funny and cute.” She twisted her lips in derision. “I wanted him to like me, despite the crap between my mam and his dad. He knocked back my offer of friendship. It was brutal. We’ve been at each other’s throats ever since. Then the cocky shit had to follow me to university, so sometimes I can’t even escape him there.”