Font Size:  

“This placeismy business, andyouare a lousy tenant.” She kicked at the sofa, and my attempt to hide the damage looked pitiful. “That’shisdog, then, is it?”

“Yes.”

“So, who’s dog has trashedourproperty?”

“It’s not trashed,” I seethed. “It just needs a bit of patching up.”

I flinched as she shoved the door shut, rubbing down the tatty paint on the other side. “Patching up? You are joking? The place is a travesty.”

“It’s hardly a travesty!” I hissed. “It’s got a bit of wear and tear.”

“Maybe this is wear and tear byyourpoor people housing association standards, but believe me, we set the bar a little higher at Hardings.”

“Sue me, then.”

“Not planning on suing you, Sophie, just evicting you.”

“You can’t be serious. Over some scratches on the back of the door?!”

“Over destruction of property and breach of tenancy conditions. Our terms clearly state no pets, and reading between the lines would have made it damned clear that people likehimaren’t welcome here.”

The gall of the woman took me aback. I stared into her spiteful eyes, reaching for the gangly teenager underneath the veneer. “People likehim? You’ve got a short memory, Alex. People in glass houses...”

She shifted, uncomfortable. “That was years ago.”

“Yes, it was. I’m sure Daddy would see it that way, too.”

“You wouldn’t!” she scoffed. “That’s ridiculous.”

“So’s this,” I said. “This is totally ridiculous, and you know it. Dad’s trying to prove a point, about me choosing another career path rather than toeing the line like a good little Harding. Butyou.Why areyouhere, Alex?”

“It’s my job.”

“Cut the crap,” I seethed. “Miss Self-righteous needs to take a long hard look in the mirror.”

“I was a teenager,” she snarled. “And I was grateful for your help.”

“Grateful for my discretion.”

“That too,” she huffed. “Fucking hell, Sophie, does the guy really mean this much to you? Dad will never go along with it, and you know it.”

My heart pounded. “I want the dog here. You’ll have to swing it.”

“The dog? Are you serious?”

“Deadly,” I snapped. “I’ll repair the damage, just keep quiet, will you? Like I did.”

“I had an abortion not a tenancy breach. There weren’t that many people around to make official complaints aboutmyscrew-up.”

“Be creative, then,” I insisted. “Hide it from Dad.”

She blustered around the place, but I kept it calm. “Alright!” she said, finally. “I’ll head off the dog complaints, but you’re on your own with the relationship shit. If Dad finds out it will be your eviction, and most likely your funeral too.”

“I’m aware of that,” I said.

She ticked a load of boxes on her little form and made to leave. Finally. She hovered in the doorway, eyes softer than I’d known them. “About the abortion, and Jason, and the coke and all that. Thanks. I never said it properly at the time.”

“You’re welcome.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like