After what seemed like an eternity she reached the heavy, oak doors of the church. The lobby was empty of people and Joey found it’s quiet reassuring. Her shoes clicked loudly against the polished, marble floor as she found her way to a small, adjoining room. The room was cool and dark and inviting. Joey’s fingers shook as she turned the lock in it’s door.

Sinking to the floor, Joey let her head drop to her hands. Not bothering to brush away the tears which streamed down her face, she began to rock gently back and forth. Soon the voices started from the other side of the closed door. Concerned friends, eager to help, her sister, begging her to let her in -- and finally, the voice she’d been dreading, that of Dawson.

“Joey, I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever it is, we’ll fix it. I’ll help you,” his words were so sweet and sympathetic that Joey felt her heart would break. After what she’d done to him, how could he still be so kind and understanding -- and how could she be so cruel to someone she claimed to love so much?

“Jo, I love you, we’ll work it out, just please let me in,”

Joey shook her head at her unseeing fiancé.

“I’m sorry Dawson,” she whispered, between sobs “but I can’t talk to you now, I just can’t,” She didn’t know whether he heard her or not, but a few minutes later she heard Dawson’s slow, dejected footsteps retreating.

It was a long time before Joey found the strength to move. When she opened the door, she was relieved to see no-one around. She slipped soundlessly out of the church and soon reached her destination. There was something strangely comforting about the beach, and on this chilly September day it was completely deserted. The salty breeze tangled in her dark hair as she walked it’s mile-long stretch. Taking off her shoes, she enjoyed the feel of the pale golden sand beneath her feet. The sea was a stormy grey-green colour and it’s waves, tipped with white crashed tumultuously on the shore.

Joey took a seat among the sand dunes and tall marram grass. She wanted to cry, she needed to, but no tears would come. Instead her body shook, wracked with dry sobs. She was so caught up in her reverie that she didn’t notice Pacey’s approach.

“Hi,” he said. Joey’s head snapped up, startled.

“Oh, hi,” she mumbled, suddenly developing an intent interest in the chipped nail varnish on her left pinkie. Pacey sat down next to her, but it was a long time before he spoke. He seemed to be rejecting a million things to say, until finally:

“You didn’t marry him because of me,” it was a statement, but somehow required an answer.

“I . . .” Joey trailed off, not knowing what to say, until suddenly she was filled with completely irrational anger “Of all the conceited, egotistical . . .” her voice held a cold, unbridled fury “Just because I choose not to marry Dawson, you automatically assume it’s because I’m passionately in love with you,”

“I’m right, aren’t I?” he shot her a wry, cocky smile, which was distinctly reminiscent of their teenage years. Joey felt her anger vanish as swiftly as it had come.

“Yes,” she said softly, fixing her eyes on the rapidly darkening skyline, not wanting to look at him.

“Joey, I don’t know what’s going on inside your head, you have to tell me. I mean, where do I stand in all of this? Where--”

“No!” Joey swivelled round to face him, her eyes burning with intensity “I don’t want to talk about this, not now, I-I just can’t,” her voice cracked with emotion.

They were both silent for a long time, neither knowing quite what to say. Finally Pacey rose.

“Come on,” he extended his hand to help her up “We need to go back,” his voice was gentle, yet firm. Joey hesitated, about to tell him she could never go back, but she knew he was right, it was time to face the consequences of her actions.

“Thankyou,” she said suddenly, almost surprising herself. He looked puzzled.

“For what?” he asked. Joey produced a small smile, there were so many things he’d done -- some even without knowing it.

“For being you,” she said at last “for being you,” and before she knew what she was doing, she leaned over and kissed him gently. The kiss was brief, yet searingly sweet. She pulled back, looking away “I’m sorry, we can’t do this . . .”

“I know,” His voice was so low, that Joey couldn’t be sure she’d even heard it. Pacey looked deep into her eyes, before pulling her close. She melted easily at his touch and when he kissed her, all thoughts of Dawson and her ruined wedding flew out of her head, replaced by just one; a memory, that of three years ago . . ..

Say it’s true
There’s nothing like me and you
I’m all alone
Tell me you feel it too

And I would run away
I would run away (yeah-ah)
I would run away
I would run away with you
‘Cause I, I’ve fallen in love with you
No I never have
I’m never gonna stop falling in love with you

(Run away - The Corrs)