My head was pounding. I needed to get them out of this man’sclutches. But how?
Poppy was fine now in the protective circle of her mum’sarms. But what happened when Darren came back?
‘Say goodbye, Poppy.’ Rachel got up and walked to the front door.
‘Bye, love. I’ll just be along the road if you need me,’ Icalled out in desperation, as Rachel ushered me out of her house and closed thedoor firmly behind me.
Feeling nauseous, I hugged my arms tightly over my stomachas I walked slowly back to my own house. I could no longer tell myself thatDarren was just hot-tempered and moody.
It was clear to me that he was an abuser.
This was horribly real and it was happening right now toRachel and Poppy...
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
It’s almost two weeks since I had coffee with Aidan inthe café in Torminster, and I’ve almost given up on ever seeing him again.
So I’m surprised and pleased to receive a text from him.
Hi Kenzie, sorry for not being in touchsooner. In London for work and was so busy, I didn’t even get back at weekends.Hope the pottery business is booming. Do you remember promising to give me alesson? ? Aidanx
My heart is racing. I can’t believe howdelighted I am to hear from him.
I’m itching to text right back, but I make myself wait amodest couple of hours so as not to seem too keen. But then when it comes toreplying to his message, I sit for ages wondering if it’s the right thing todo.
I’ll have to take all the Christmas decorations down,otherwise Aidan will surely think I’m a complete weirdo. And if I’m feelingthishappyabout hearing from him, isn’t that a bad sign? The single life is farless complicated.
In the end, I decide that I promised to show Aidan how tothrow a pot, so it would be rude not to follow through, and I tap out a reply:
You can have a spin on my wheel any time.When do you want to try it out?
I hesitate for a moment, worried it soundslike a sleezy come on. Then I squeeze my eyes shut and send it anyway.
Thirteen minutes later, I still haven’t had a reply and I’mdeeply regretting the wording of that text. Have I put him off with thedoubleentendrethat wasn’t actually meant to be adouble entendre?
You can have a spin on my wheel any time?
Jeez. What was Ithinking?
Throwing the phone on the sofa in frustration, I get up tomake a coffee. And at that moment, a text pings through. Breaking the landspeed record getting to it, I hold my breath as I read the message.
Great! I’ve always had a secret longingto Keep Calm and Throw Stuff. When are you free?
Chuckling to myself, I don’t bother waitingto reply this time:
Pick your evening. (You can tell I’msocially in demand.)
Tonight any good? Around seven?
I stare at the text.Tonight?Iglance around the living room, at the festive garland over the mantelpiece, theRudolph cushion covers and the sparkly tree (those baubles could definitely dowith a dust).
I take a deep breath.
Seven tonight is fine
Great. Let me know where you are and I’llsee you later.
I text him directions, then I leap to myfeet. I’ve got three hours to move all the Christmas sparkle into the spareroom and make myself presentable!
