‘It’s fine. I was too pushy. It’s what I do when I set my mind to something, or someone, I like.’ He frowned and scratched his chin. ‘I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, Jules. It wasn’t my intention.’
She held up her hands. ‘No, it’s fine, honestly. I was just a bit taken aback. I mean… you’re clearly a popular man, and I can see why most women are falling at your feet.’ She smiled. ‘But—’
‘But you’re not most women?’ It was said with a smile. ‘You see, the annoying thing isthat’swhy I like you. But, hey, friendship is good. You can never have too many friends, or so they say.’
Relief flooded her and she sighed. ‘Very true.’
‘Look, I’ve brought all this stuff, oatcakes, pâté, shortbread… Could we maybe just enjoy it asfriends?’
Juliette pulled out a dining chair. ‘That would be lovely.’
They sat munching on the picnic Kendric had provided and chatted about his career and Juliette finally felt able to relax in his presence. The elephant had been evicted from the room and it felt so much better. He imparted some hilarious stories about the people he’d encountered since beginning his rollercoaster life as a TV star. He’d had stalkers, threats, marriage proposals from both womenandmen, and everything in between.
‘I wouldn’t mind, but one guy warned me off his wife even though I’d never even met the woman!’
Juliette almost choked on her glass of fizz. ‘Oh, my word. That’s ridiculous.’
He laughed and took a sip of his drink. ‘Seriously, there are some crazy people out there. This is why it’s nice to come home every so often and witness thenormalside of life for a wee while.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘Anyway, enough about me. You seem to have found your way into the hearts of the locals, from what I can see. Saving dogs, helping at the games, cheering up my brother.’
‘Hmm, not everyone’s being so accepting,’ she mumbled.
Kendric frowned and tilted his head. ‘Whohasn’ttaken to you?’ He seemed genuinely surprised.
She waved a dismissive hand. ‘Oh, it’s nothing, really. Just a friend being very protective over Reid.’
Without prompting, Kendric rolled his eyes. ‘Leanna, by any chance? Why, what’sshesaid?’
Juliette giggled nervously. ‘She came to give me a friendly warning to keep away from Reid. Oh, and to tell me mymind-trickeryandhippy shitisn’t welcome here.’
Kendric burst into laughter. ‘Mind-trickery? Hippy shit? So, that’s what they’re calling friendship these days, is it? Bloody hell, what century is she from? She’ll be demanding you’re burned as a witch next.’ His eyes were watering as he laughed. ‘Seriously, you need to ignore that one. She could do with some bloody mind-trickery.’
Juliette shrugged, feeling a little guilty for poking fun at the woman. ‘She just cares deeply about him, seeing as they’ve known each other for so long.’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘Hmm, I think it’s more than that.’ He leaned forward. ‘She’s obsessed with him,’ he told her with a twinkle of delight in his eyes. He seemed to be relishing the fact that, for once, such a story wasn’t about him. ‘Always has been. They were almost an item at high school, but I think he got the measure of her. They were good friends though. Quite inseparable until thesummer of Kate.’ He waved his fingers around dramatically and imitated a horror-film announcer’s voice, causing Juliette to laugh, the tension she’d felt around him before had now dissipated and she was enjoying his company.
‘Ah yes, when she came on holiday with her parents.’
He nodded as he chewed. ‘He was totally besotted with Kate from the moment he set eyes on her. My folks thought she was the bee’s knees. Me too, at first. I suppose I was a little jealous though. Reid was my big brother after all, and suddenly he wasn’t interested in me because he had this incredible, beautiful woman and they were always together. As time went on though… I wasn’t so keen, but that’s by the by. Anyway, so he started spending all his time with Kate, and Leanna pretended to be friends with her while secretly seething. I have to admit I felt a little sorry for Leanna as Reid really did drop her like a hot brick. When Kate went home, they wrote to each other, phoned each other every night. Honestly, it was vomit-inducing.’ He crumpled his nose and shivered.
‘He talked about her nonstop, which drove Leanna mad, and eventually he went off and followed Kate to England, where they got married. Leanna went to the wedding and tookDonnyas her date. Everyone was so shocked at that. He’s not her usual type. Much older than her in ageandattitude. But I think she clung to the first man who showed an interest. It’s quite sad, really. I think she genuinely wanted to be loved and Donny worships the ground beneath her manicured feet. He’s not short of cash either, and so he lavished her with gifts, bought her affection, if you will, and she was sucked in. He made a better prospect than being on her own. But ever since Mum died and Reid came home, she’s tried to take things up from where they left off in high school. It’s a good job Donny appears to be oblivious to it all. Then, when Kate cheated and ran off, you’d have thought it was bloody Mardi Gras. Leanna has hung around him like a fly around a turd.’
She gasped in mock outrage. ‘Kendric! You can’t liken Reid to poop.’
He laughed. ‘Sorry, but you know what I mean. I don’t think anything he does wouldeverput her off. And I know for a fact she’d have her cake and eat it if only Reid was willing.’
‘Do you really think Donny is oblivious?’
Kendric widened his eyes. ‘He must be. Honestly, the way she fawns over Reid. She’s always popping round, always finding an excuse to hug him and tell him she’s there for him. And then she goes and warnsyouoff just for turning up here and being a nice person. Bunny boiler. I’m telling you. I’m talkingFatal Attractionterritory, no doubt.’
‘Well, I’d already decided to avoid her, but I think you’ve confirmed my decision, that’s for sure.’
Kendric poured more bubbles into their glasses. ‘I think that’s the best plan where she’s concerned. I’ve never known such a bitter person. You’d think if she cared about him, she’d want him to have friends and be happy.’ He paused, deep in thought for a few seconds. ‘Although my darling brother seems to have a track record with nutty women. Take Kate, for example. I shouldn’t speak out of turn about my nephew’s mother, but she’s a true piece of work.’ He shook his head and swirled his drink around the glass, a look of bitter disdain on his face. ‘Flirts with everyone. Sleeps withanyone…’ He let his words trail off and he appeared a little lost in his own head again for a few moments before he shrugged his shoulders. ‘Ugh, ignore me. Sorry. I just… I can’t stand that woman. I don’t think I’ve ever reallyhatedanyone before, but her… it comes pretty close, I can tell you. The things she’s done. The things she’s made other people do. Manipulative… spiteful…’ He stared at an empty spot on the table.
Juliette watched his expression and heard the acidic tone of his voice, and a niggle of worry played around at the back of her mind. One particular thought wouldn’t leave her alone. And she hoped it was a case of two and two making five. Because it was a thought that was too horrible to even consider. She wanted to eradicate it. For it to disappear. In fact, she wanted more than anything for it to have never materialised at all. Because the thought that Kendric could’ve betrayed his brother and potentially fathered Evin made Juliette feel sick to the stomach.
