Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 143633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 718(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 718(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Maybe, one day, she’d begin to see the strengths in mine.
“I’m sorry,” I said to Jay, and put my hand on his shoulder. “I know things must be hell for you.”
“So you’re sorry for me now?”
“I’ve always been sorry for you.”
“Wasn’t quite what I was imagining when I sprayed your car with a dick.”
“I’m sure I can forgive you.”
“I hope the prick you’re with doesn’t.”
“I think you’d be surprised. He’s not quite like you think he is.”
“Whatever.”
It was the same kind of crap as always, but I didn’t flare up, or walk away. I just sat there with him. It took him a few minutes to break the silence.
“I don’t know why you haven’t fucked off yet.”
“Because I care about you.”
“Despite the fact I hate your boyfriend and sprayed your car?”
“And threatened to kill me?” I added. “Yep.”
He laughed a sad laugh. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Sorry I told you about your mum, if you didn’t know.”
“That’s ok. I’m glad you did. Tom’s nice.”
“Yeah, he seems it. Better than my dad.”
I pushed my glasses up my nose to get them straight, and looked at him fresh.
“Wow, that’s quite something.”
“It’s true, though. We all know it. I just didn’t want to believe it.”
“You still don’t, I’m sure.”
“Nah, but there’s only so long you can lie to yourself before you know it’s bollocks, isn’t there?”
“I’m sorry, Jay.”
I saw him choke tears back, kicking at a stone on the ground. “Your mum isn’t a piece of shit, though, so I hope you make up with her. She deserves it.”
So did I. It hit me then, how Mum was moving on. I just wished I could be a part of it.
“You should go now,” Jay said. “I’m sure you’ve got sick prick waiting for you.”
“Sick prick? That’s got a ring to it.”
“Maybe I’ll spray that on his car next.”
“Would have matched the dick on the bonnet pretty well.”
He smirked. “Yeah.” He rubbed his eyes and took a breath. “Seriously, Rosie, I’m alright now. Just go. I’m heading over to Mum’s soon. She’s cooking dinner.”
“Is she doing her onion mashed potato special?”
“Sure is.”
“Best get to it, then.”
I knew his mum would be waiting with open arms.
I hugged him before I went, wishing I was heading over to my mum’s for dinner.
Again, maybe one day.
I almost cried when I walked past the front door, holding back the tears as I took the banister rail for the next floor, but I couldn’t do it. I had to try. I took a breath and walked back there. Pausing outside, daring to hope. Please. I was holding my breath as I waited, pulse thumping as I knocked. Please. I hoped there wouldn’t be screaming, or crying, just a chance to talk. Just one little chance.
Please.
I knocked again, listened out for her, pressing my ear to the door.
Please.
I didn’t know what I’d say, just something. Anything.
Please.
But she didn’t answer.
I knocked louder. “Mum? It’s me.”
I knew she wasn’t at work. It wasn’t her shift time yet.
“Mum! It’s me!”
Still no answer.
I put my ear back to the door and there was silence. No sound of the TV, or her talking, or anything. Just quiet. So maybe she wasn’t in. I called up a message on my phone, and saw she was online. I dared to type.
I saw Jayden. He said about Tom. I’m really happy for you. I’d love to meet him one day.
I hoped for the typing icon, but nothing. She went offline.
Fuck it.
I paused at the top of the stairs before I went back home to Julian. I didn’t want him to see me crying all over again, but it didn’t make any difference. He still saw the tear marks when I stepped inside.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
His arms were so warm.
“Mum’s got someone. A guy called Tom. He’s nice.”
“That’s good. I’m very glad for her.”
“Me too. I just wish she’d told me herself.”
“Who told you?”
“Jayden.”
“Ah.” He stroked my cheek. “Maybe she will tell you herself one day soon. Who knows? Fate can be very kind.”
I grinned. “Yeah, sometimes. It brought me you.”
He held me tight, rocked me, soothed me. Made sure I was stable on my feet, and had let out the hurt.
“Fate’s very, very kind,” I said, when I’d gathered myself.
“And so are you. You’re an angel.”
“Thanks.”
“On that note, take a seat, please,” he said, and gestured to the laptop on the table.
“For the scene?” I managed to laugh. “Not sure I’m feeling all that horny right now.”
He laughed back. “No, no, I wouldn’t expect so, but this isn’t a dirty scene, don’t worry. It’s something rather different.”
“Different?”
He had a strange look on his face. A beautiful one. Majestic, and loving. And nervous. Weirdly nervous. Something was going on.
“Sit down and take a look, please,” he said, and I did.
He followed me, and called up a document. One I hadn’t seen before.
The Girl Downstairs the header said.