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Melanie didn’t say anything, didn’t even nod. On the one hand she could sense Paige would do something like this, that she’d do it with little to no fanfare. On the other, she had to ask herself just how much Paige was holding back on? Had Melanie really only been deserving of head nods and orgasms? But then she remembered Paige mentioning about doing more charity work.
‘She got a lot of other businesses involved too though, didn’t you? Maybe when you’re set up a bit more, Melanie, you might want to include your bar as well.’
‘Yes of course, we’d love to be involved. In fact, we could link up the walls in the bar to your art therapy too.’
‘That would be brilliant. But we’d have to work out a fee.’
‘Of course.’ Melanie nodded, her mind trying to replay the whole conversation.
‘I need to go and make sure everyone’s sorted,’ Selena said as she began the process of unclipping and moving around the scaffolding.
The sound of chatter and street noise, was abruptly interrupted. ‘It was Connie,’ Paige said softly.
‘What was?’
‘She had a relationship that was abusive. I looked into it, tried to find ways of helping. Luckily, she didn’t marry him. But it was a hard time, and she was so far away I was sure at one point that I was going to lose her for good.’
Melanie stayed quiet, desperate for more. She wanted to know everything. She wanted every last crumb. But that’s what her experience with Paige had been. She knew all too well what it was like to want. But Melanie knew better, knew she had to keep herself safe and that in a few more minutes she could be out of there.
‘I really am sorry, Melanie. I only wanted to help, I promise. But I should have told you everything. I’m just not used to it. I’m a fixer. I help others. It’s part of who I am.’
‘Yeah, I was a project to you. I get it.’
‘No, not at all. I just . . . I don’t open up easily, it takes time. I’m too hard-headed. But I would have. I want to, with you, that is.’
Melanie didn’t know what to say, but she’d just finished painting her section and figured it was a good time to go. She could go to the coffee shop and get an oat-milk coffee to warm herself up.
‘See you,’ Melanie said unable to walk away without saying goodbye. She shouted bye to Selena and skipped the coffee, instead getting into her car and making her way to get Alfie, all the while pretending her heart didn’t hurt, while the words from Selena and from Emily made their way around her head over and over. Had she been too rash?
It was hours later when Emily was back to look after Alfie that Melanie’s phone went off.
Louisa: So sorry Mel, can you swing by the bar on your way home please? X
Melanie sighed, not wanting to but what choice did she have? In her head she was already back at her flat, her not lived in, boxes everywhere flat. In the bed that only made her think of Paige. So actually, yeah this was a welcome distraction. And that’s what she told herself on the drive over.
She should have gone straight home.
‘Sorry, love, I know this wasn’t your plan for the night, but I do hope I can convince you to have a quick chat with me?’
‘You had my number, you could have called,’ Melanie pointed out.
Connie said nothing, giving a soft smile instead, and Melanie knew this was happening. But not before she gave a pointed look in Louisa’s direction. Louisa shrugged and quickly moved away.
Finding the tables full, Melanie pointed to the bar, where they propped it up.
‘Would you like a drink?’ Melanie asked, gesturing towards Cleo.
‘A Tom Collins, please,’ Connie said.
‘What about you, boss?’ Cleo asked, not giving anything away, but Melanie strongly suspected Cleo would kick Connie out on her ass if she moved wrong. The loyalty made Melanie feel a little less frosty.
‘I’m good but thank you.’
Cleo nodded and quickly looked at Connie and back again to Melanie. ‘Let me know if I can do anything.’
Melanie smiled as Cleo turned around to make the drink.
‘I know why you’re here,’ Melanie said.
