But, his mother had cried when he’d left and backtracked, begging him to just go for a holiday then return to the UK. Which had left him torn. She’d been pushing Oliver to have a relationship with his father and now he was on the cusp of that, her tears had made him feel guilty about the decision.
It had clearly been hard and horrible and Paige thought it was a bloody miracle Oliver Prendergast had turned out as normal as he had and thanked God he was away until tomorrow lest she do something dumb likehughim. She supposed the therapy he’d written about quite openly had helped put things into perspective and she was envious of that for a moment. Maybe she could do with talking to somebody about the trauma she’d been through four years ago?
Not that she could afford an expensive London shrink like Oliver.
But shecouldafford a bottle of red wine and sometimes that was as good a therapy as any. It’d do for a lonely Saturday night anyway.
By eight o’clock, ninety minutes after she’d opened the wine, she was on the last glass, the bottle sitting empty on the kitchen bench, her mixed playlist pumping out of her Bluetooth speaker as she danced and swayed to the music.
Both Casper and Pavarotti were in the media room with a movie on –101 Dalmatians. The 1961 animated version, of course, because Oliver was a purist. Neither of them had budged. It was like, in lieu of having Oliver home, they were commemorating their adoration by indulging in one of his favourite past times.
It would be sad if it wasn’t so damn funny.
Paige on the other hand, who’d only had a handful of crackers with her bottle of wine, was now officially tipsy. Tipsy enough to pick up her phone and re-read the private message she’d received from Bella yesterday.
Just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing. Hope everything’s okay.
The guilt she’d already been feeling multiplied. It was so nice of Bella to be concerned. She’d obviously noticed that Paige had been distinctly quiet in the main group for the last little while. The fact she was sensitive to that spoke volumes about Bella’s character and why she liked her so much and why she was in Cornwall doing this deed for her.
Busy – that’s the reason she’d given herself for not responding to the group messages. And shewasbusy. But the truth was – that wasn’t the only reason. Getting to know Oliver through his relationship with his father had given her second thoughts about her mission here. She knew that he had hurt Bella dreadfully but things were seldom black and white, right?
Which didn’t mean she’d abandoned the payback plan but… it had given her pause.
And then, of course, there was the kiss…
But that had been an aberration.Nothappening again. And by avoiding the WhatsApp group all she was doing was sewing doubt and worry amongst her friends. They’d been noting her absence in their chatter and, damn it, she missed being part of them.
At the moment, just drunk enough, she missed it acutely. Her finger hovered over the group chat button and then she started to type.
10
Paige
Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet.
She wasn’t sure who would answer because of the time difference but within a minute three little dots appeared, undulating away, indicating someone was typing. Bella. Ack – ithadto be Bella! Crossing her fingers, she hoped that Astrid or Sienna would make an appearance.
Bella
Are you okay? Is Olly being awful?
Paige didn’t know what to say to that. He hadn’t been awful at all. He’d been the opposite of that really. Even if hehadkissed her and shehadliked it a little too much. Which madeherthe awful one.
Paige
No, no. Really it’s fine.
Bella
I can call if you want?
Oh, bloody hell – nope! Paige needed to be 100 per cent sober for any actual conversation with Bella. Otherwise the second she heard her wonderfully no-nonsense voice she might end up confessing all and make a real hash of everything.
Paige
Would love that BUT Oliver’s started yelling about Pavarotti escaping again and threatening to take him to the pound and Bunky will never forgive me. I should go help.
She felt bad about using Pavarotti as an excuse given he and Oliver were in some kind of bromance now. But she was thinking on her feet here.
