AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m so sorry.” Charlie hated that Elda’s mum had let her down. She thought of her own parents, who stood by her at every milestone, no matter how big or small. She started to wrap her arm around Elda’s shoulder, wishing the pain away.
“You’re here. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Another man took Elda’s elbow and steered her away.
Jealousy pierced Charlie’s train of thought. From his accent, and his arrogance, she assumed he was the celebrated curator.
“Yep, that’s Francis.” Jack had appeared, glass in hand. “He’s bossy, isn’t he?”
“Where’s he taking her?”
“Who knows? Maybe some hot investor wants to buy all her pieces tonight. Look out for the red dots.”
Jack’s optimism jarred with Charlie. Francis had been rude.
Elda returned before she could stew too long. “He wants me to do a bloody TV interview with the local news. What am I supposed to say?” Elda bit her nails, clearly petrified by the suggestion.
“I don’t know. I’ve only been on TV in the audience onSaturday Night Takeaway. It was before my braces, so I try not to think about it. But you’ll be fab, Elderflower. You always are.” Jack raised his glass to show his support.
Charlie stepped forward, not content to leave Elda floundering. “They’ll just ask you about your work and how you feel about exhibiting here. It’ll be a good opportunity to tell your story.”
“Don’t talk to me with your barrister voice. You’re making me even more nervous.”
“Do you have a barrister voice?” Jack asked. “Sexy.”
“No, I don’t.” Charlie laughed off the tease. “Sorry, I was just trying to help calm your nerves. You have all the answers to their questions.” She laid a hand on Elda’s good shoulder and gently squeezed. As they met each other’s gaze, the busy room faded away. She wanted to scoop Elda into her arms and tell her to be brave and enjoy every moment. “Do it. You’ll be great.”
As she watched Elda cross the room back to a waiting Francis, her jaw clenched. She didn’t like the way he spoke to her. Was she misreading his impatience? It must be stressful for him too. But he seemed possessive and controlling. Charlie fought the urge to follow and defend her.
“She’ll be fine. Let’s get another drink.” Jack led the way. “Hey, I’m glad you came tonight. Elda won’t shut up about you, and I was beginning to think you were an imaginary friend.”
“Imaginary?”
“You know, too good to be true.” Jack scratched his head. “But you’re all right, actually. I like the look of you. Elda calms down a bit too when you’re around. You’re okay.” He winked.
Charlie’s brow furrowed. What had Elda said about her? She wasn’t even sure she knew how to describe their relationship. Was she just a new friend that came to Elda’s rescue when things got a bit difficult? Deep down, Charlie knew that her feelings for Elda were growing into something much more complex than a friendship. This was new territory, and she’d never proven herself in a proper relationship. The type where you liked being around each other beyond the bedroom. Was it worth risking their friendship to find out?
Chapter Ten
Elda had jumped at the chance to see Charlie again. But this wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. “Why are you taking the kids for the afternoon?”
“It’s not all of them. It’s just Jacob. He’s only four. Kim has a job interview at the industrial park. She won’t be long.”
“What are the older ones up to?”
“I expect Chloe will have her head in her books. She has her mock exams soon. And Sam will be off out with his mates. They tend to look after themselves now. But Kim worries about leaving Jacob with them.”
“Sounds like she couldn’t cope without you.”
Charlie kept her eyes on the road. “I’m more dependable than most people around her, I guess.” She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. “Listen, Kim’s life is messy. Sometimes I think she’s sorted herself out, but then she blows in with another crisis.”
“Sounds chaotic.” Elda didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but Kim was starting to remind her of her own mum: unreliable and needy.
“It can be. But they’re like family, you know? When family need you, you do what you can to help.” Charlie’s jaw went rigid.
Elda stared out the passenger window. The streets had become narrower, the shops dishevelled or closed. Her chest tightened when she thought of her own family. Since her mum’s no-show at the private viewing, she’d avoided her phone calls. She wasn’t sure she could forgive her for not being there this time.
The car came to a stop underneath a flyover, and Charlie cut the engine. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Elda sighed and watched Charlie walk towards the block of flats. She thought they’d shared a moment at the exhibition. Charlie had seemed more open to her than she ever had. When she’d called to ask her out this afternoon, she’d hoped something would happen. She hadn’t expected to be babysitting a pre-schooler.
