Marianne’s mouth tightens and she nods shortly. The girl standing next to her shifts on her feet, fists clenched at her sides.
I give a small wave and say, ‘Hi, I’m Daisy; sorry to interrupt.’
She tilts her head and lets out an exasperated sigh. ‘Yeah, hi. I’m Grace. Don’t pay us any mind; we were just… “talking”,’ she says with air quotes around the last word. She’s dressed in ripped jeans and an oversized army shirt. Her hair is in a pixie cut with one side shaved, and both her nose and lip are pierced. Heavy eyeliner outlines her eyes. A guitar rests across her back.
Marianne turns to me with a gentle smile. ‘Would you like to come in for some tea?’
I hesitate for a second before responding. ‘No, thank you – I have to take these upstairs – but that’s kind of you to offer.’
She smiles and gives Grace’s arm a light touch before heading towards the kitchen. ‘Come on then,’ she says as they go, talking in low voices, before Grace’s voice once more pierces the air like a knife, her words sharp and unyielding. She declares she’s heading out for the night and not to expect her back anytime soon.
I scurry away with my bags in tow, feeling guilty for overhearing more of their argument. As I step into my room, the warmth of the space envelops me like a hug from an old friend. The lace curtains flutter gently in the breeze as I lower myself onto the quilt-covered bed.
My phone vibrates in my hand, and Ash’s name flashes across the screen. I slump back, swiping to accept the video-call, and wait to see his face appear. When it does, I quickly sit up, loop my hair behind my ears and force a big, happy, encouraging smile.
‘Hey, you,’ Ash says. ‘How’s everything going?’
‘Eventful! But I’m really enjoying it – the whole area is gorgeous. Here’s the view from my window.’ I hold up my phone to capture the rolling hills of the countryside in a single frame.
Ash responds with ums and ahs. ‘Looks nice. Empty, but nice.’
‘It’s great for theForest Fablesstuff – feels very fairy tale and that’s just what I’m searching for.’
‘Well, that’s something if it makes Lenka happy too.’ A broad smile spreads across Ash’s face as he looks directly into the camera lens, his deep brown eyes meeting mine across thousands of miles of land and sea. ‘I miss you,’ he says, his voice soft and sincere.
‘I’m missing you too. Don’t worry though, I’ll be back soon, once all this inheritance business is finished.’
‘Everything going to plan with that?’
‘Well, our bags still haven’t arrived, so I might need to stay here a bit longer to get everything sorted.’
His eyes widen in disbelief. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Yes, afraid so. All the paperwork is in my suitcase, so that may hold things up.’
He sighs heavily and starts pacing, his forehead creased in thought. It’s obvious something is wrong.
‘Are you okay, Ash? Is everything all right…?’
He grumbles before responding. ‘Yes, everything is fine. I just want this done and you home. I’ve had a rough day at work… my parents are driving me crazy. Dan just got promoted – the golden boy strikes again so he’s out celebrating. I’m not in the mood…’ He pauses, and his voice rises in frustration as he continues, ‘My crypto has taken a dip – a big dip.’
‘It’ll go up, don’t worry. There’ll always be highs and lows.’ I try to highlight the positives. ‘Look, I have a meeting with the solicitors tomorrow, but I’ve been thinking, maybe we shouldn’t rush into buying a place together – like, not so soon – we can pause for a second and think about—’
Ash waves his arm in dismissal. ‘Think? Daisy, we don’t have time to think! We need to act – just make sure these guys don’t give you the run-around and they understand that we need the property valued and sold as soon as humanly possible.’
Just as he finishes his sentence, I hear Ash’s mum calling him for dinner. This sparks his temper further. ‘Listen, I’ve got to go,’ he snaps. ‘Call me straight after your meeting tomorrow, okay? It’s just one of those days.’
The line goes silent as he hangs up the phone.
‘It’s just one of those days,’I repeat to myself, realising that I have a relationship that doesn’t seem to have another type of day.
CHAPTER 22
THE PUB
I cross the street, drawn towards the lit-up windows of The Tap House bar. The hum of conversation and music fills the air, and a warm, inviting atmosphere hangs over the place. But it’s only when we step inside that I truly appreciate its magnificence. The walls are lined with paintings of all sizes and styles, each one radiating its own unique charm. In the centre of the floor moves a throng of people, laughing and swaying to the music blaring from the stage. Everywhere I look, there are smiles on people’s faces; it’s clear everyone here has come for one thing and one thing only – to have fun.
My eyes immediately find Kayla in the crowd, wearing a peach chiffon outfit that makes her look just like the old Peaches & Cream Barbie I remember seeing under her pillow at night. Head to toe styling by Jacinta means we’re both overdressed and pitch perfect at the same time. This place really has something for everyone – there are farmers in big brown boots and gorgeous, glossy women with long locks and strappy minidresses walking through the double doors with intent. No matter what kind of person you are, there’s something here for you.
