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‘You should be able to afford one with the money you’ll be making from organising the Mistletoe Dance. Although you don’t seem to have done much organising after storming off yesterday. Or being stuck out here today. Why is that, Grace?’
‘For your information the engine has died.’ She didn’t mention the fact that she had swerved first and then the engine had cut out once she’d hit the verge. ‘And as for the Mistletoe Dance, the rest of the Eversley Events team is at Betancourt as we speak. And if you were there you would know that.’
‘Instead, I’m standing here freezing to death in the snow, arguing with you. You’re supposed to want to be rescued, Grace. That’s the way these things work.’
‘I do want to be rescued. Just not by you. If you really want to help. Get back in your car and go and get my dad. He’s at your house with the rest of my family. And tell him I’ve left my phone at home.’
She faced forward and crossed her arms over her chest.
‘This is ridiculous, Grace. Get into my car.’
‘No! And don’t you dare tell me what to do.’
He glared at her in silence for a moment.
‘As tempting as it is right now, I can’t leave you out here. If you insist on being this childish, I’ll call your dad and wait here with you until he arrives. Don’t you have breakdown cover?’
‘Yes. But the details are all stored on my phone. And I’m not being childish. This is a matter of principle.’
‘Principle? I don’t see how. But okay. Although personally, I think calling a tow truck would be a better option than calling your dad. Your choice.’
‘Fine. Call a tow truck.’
He took out his phone and stared at the screen.
‘Slight problem. I don’t seem to have any signal. I can’t bear the thought of leaving you out here alone.’
‘Don’t act like you care. And I’ll be fine. I’m a grown woman.’
‘Then act like one. Okay. I’ll do a deal with you. I’ll go and get your dad but you’ve got to do something for me in return.’
‘Like what?’
‘Go to Bed and–’
‘What!’ Her head shot round and her eyes flashed at him. ‘Are you insane? Do you really think I’d even consider going to bed with you after … after everything? I’m not going to do that deal and I can’t believe you have the nerve to suggest it. But then again, I shouldn’t be surprised by anything you do or say, should I?’
His brows shot skywards and he choked for a second or two and the expression on his face was one of shock, followed by disappointment, followed by that sardonic smile of old, and then he took a deep breath and said, ‘Well, that was something, wasn’t it? I’ll try not to take offence at the horror in your voice at the thought of going to bed with me and I won’t be upset about your interruption, but I am afraid I must correct you. If you had let me finish, I wasn’t suggesting we should sleep together. I was asking if you would go to the shop in Folkestone called Bed and Bath, and help me choose a gift for Davina. She wants some sort of bath bomb set and I have no idea what to look for.’
Grace had never wanted the ground to open up and swallow her more than she did right then. Now what could she say?’
‘Fine. I’ll go to the shop.’
‘That’s it? No apology for jumping to the wrong conclusion? Or for casting aspersions on my character? Or for making me stand in the freezing cold and the snow for the last ten minutes?’
‘I could ask the same of you. No apology for lying to me and … and leading me on, when all the time you had a girlfriend.’
‘What? When did I lie to you? Or lead you on for that matter? You were the one who lied to me. You told me yet again that you love my brother. And I think we both know that’s not true. As for my girlfriend. What girlfriend? I don’t have one. If you mean Davina, it’s not what you think. She’s not what you think. Once again you’ve jumped to the wrong conclusion. She’s not my girlfriend. She’s a he in fact, and one of my best mates. Davina is her stage name. She’s a Drag Queen. But she likes to wind people up. She told Tabby she was my girlfriend as a joke.’
‘A he? And …and not your girlfriend?’
‘No, Grace? Is that … is that what this has all been about? Is that why you stormed off yesterday? I was furious with you for that. And for throwing that line at me about loving Russell.’ He smiled suddenly. ‘Were you jealous, Grace?’
‘No! Absolutely not.’
‘I think you were.’
‘I don’t care what you think. Are you going to take me home? I mean to my home. Not yours. Just in case there’s still any lingering doubt.’
