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My heart sinks because I’m guessing that’s all I am.
“But they have never stayed before.” She quickly recovers. “When Mr Harvey told me to make up the spare room for a houseguest, I just assumed it was a relative, or a friend of his. I was pleased to learn it was for his girlfriend. I mean, nobody should live their life on their own. It’s not right.”
“I suppose.”
I wish I hadn’t asked because now all I can picture is how many women were here before me and yet I always knew he was a player. I don’t have to like it though.
Sighing, I drain the cup and say apologetically, “I’m so sorry, I really need to get ready. I have some errands to run and, well, it’s almost mid-morning already.”
“Of course.” I try to ignore the knowing twinkle in her eye and as I break the record for getting ready, I head outside and begin the short walk to the station.
* * *
“You’ve gota lot of explaining to do, my lady.”
Sally’s death stare cuts me down as soon as I step foot inside the home we vacated so quickly last night.
“Says you.” I shrug as she heads to the kettle and says over her shoulder, “First, I must thank you for the rather emotional, belligerent, and exhausted children that I deposited at school with the promise that you and Robert will come for Christmas.”
“Say that again.” I blink as the words sink in and she sighs. “Apparently, they love him. You too, strangely. They were more upset that you weren’t here, than happy to see me and Anton. All they talked about was the shopping, the visit to Santa, and eating dinner in Cinderella’s carriage. Then they wouldn’t shut up about Shrek the musical and I am beyond annoyed that you got tickets when I offered to sell my own body for some and was rejected.”
I grab the mug of coffee she slides my way and shrug. “Robert has connections.”
“So, who is he?” She cuts straight to it and stares at me eagerly as she prepares to absorb the gossip.
“My boyfriend. We told you last night. I met him at work, and we fell for one another.”
“At work. Is he a detective, or a criminal?”
Her eyes are wide, and I laugh out loud. “He’s a shopkeeper. The owner of Harvey’s if you must know.”
“What!” she almost spits out her coffee. “The Harvey’s. The impossibly expensive, designer, wet dream of a store Harvey’s that I can’t even afford to shop the sale Harvey’s?”
“Yes, it’s no big deal.”
“No big deal, you say. That man’s the most eligible bachelor in London. I read in the gossip columns he’s a billionaire, for goodness’ sake. I can’t believe it.”
“As I said, it’s no big deal. Anyway…”
I fix her with a stern look. “Enough about me and my rather amazing, interesting sex life.” I grin, causing her to giggle and suddenly it’s as if we’re teenagers again, obsessing over a hot guy from class and fantasising about catching his eye.
“Anyway…” I clear my throat. “What happened? I never heard you were being released. I would have come and got you.”
“It was so sudden.” She leans back and sighs heavily. “That lawyer you arranged was seriously hot and not in a gay Gail’s understanding of the word. She was a demon and even I was afraid of her, and I face the playground mafia every day. Anyway, she arranged a meeting with the police and tore them to ribbons before my eyes. She demanded my release, and it’s only because of staff sickness that it took so long to get me out. She was waiting at the gates and drove me to collect Anton, who had a similar day to mine, and then she dropped us off last night.”
“I knew she was good.” I am so happy that something I did made a difference and helped my family and yet above everything, I miss my niece and nephew and feel slightly miffed that I didn’t get to take them to school on their last day.
Remembering the whispered stories in the school hall, I say anxiously, “What did you tell the other mums? I heard someone mention that you were arrested.”
“I bet that was Angela Price. She’s such a stirrer. Just because her husband’s always doing time, she expects the rest of us to do the same.”
“I couldn’t say.”
Sally looks angry. “I saw the looks the minute we stepped out of the car and as soon as I got the opportunity, I told everyone Anton had surprised me with a few nights away in complete luxury. That shut Angela Price up, I can tell you, and the envy on their faces was worth its weight in gold.”
“So, what now? Is the case over? Has it been dropped?”
“It has.” She smiles with relief. “The owners have decided not to press charges, on one condition.”
