‘Oh, you don’t have to—’
‘No, wewantto. You’re great. Much better for Bailey than that bitch Rosalie.’ Mirabelle claps a hand over her mouth. ‘I should not have said that.’
My interest is piqued. ‘What was she like? He’s told me a little, but not much.’
‘Selfish,’ says Sarah, linking my other arm. ‘She made Bailey run around after her like she was Lady Muck. There was just something off about her. Then she cheated on him with his friend. He was seriously fucked in the head for ages after that. I think he had visions of settling down with her, but she had other ideas.’
I grimace. ‘Poor Bailey. He didn’t deserve that.’
‘No, and if you hurt him, we’ll track you down and make you pay.’ Sarah punches her mittened fist lightly into my shoulder. ‘I’m just joking,’ she says with a laugh. ‘Rosalie is still alive and well. But we didn’t like seeing Bailey hurt.’
I don’t doubt it. He’s a beloved younger brother.
‘I can tell he likes you, though.’
I glow a little at that. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, he’s sensitive to the needs of others and injured animals too. He looked after an owl with a broken wing in a box when he was little.’
‘Oh.’
‘Its wing didn’t mend properly, and it hopped around after him. We called him Harry Potter for months.’
I know she’s intending to show Bailey in a good light as a caring guy, but to me, it sounds like I’m a fixer-upper project for him—someone he can look after and repair. But what if I’m irreparably broken? Bailey deserves someone who comes from a loving family, not a household of freaks.
After checking on the sheep, we go back via the road as it’s clear of snow, though there are several puddles thick with ice, which Mirabelle makes us jump on to hear them crack.
‘Such a satisfying crunch, don’t you think?’
Back at the house, I’m feeling like I’m part of the family again and even playing a rather violent game of Snap with Bailey when he looks out the window as a silver BMW pulls up outside. He glances at me, and my gut twists. Showtime. Lewis is here.
Kirk has already opened the door and is greeting him, keen to get him inside for the next round of ‘humiliate Holly’, no doubt. I stand behind Bailey, hands sweating. Lewis comes in grinning with a holdall. He’s wearing designer jeans, a white shirt, and a pinstriped blazer. His hair is slicked back, and he looks every inch the hotel mogul. Seeing him again brings his betrayal into sharp focus. How dare he do this to me? What an absolute jackass. He hasn’t even bothered to message or ring me back.
Lewis steps forward to greet Bailey, then catches sight of me. The utter shock that passes across his face is quite satisfying. It’s like he’s seen the pope in Speedos at a Wet ’n’ Wild. He stares at me, dumbfounded. ‘Wha ...?’
‘Lewis, you know Holly,’ says Bailey smoothly.
‘Of course I know Holly.’ He opens his mouth and shuts it again. Whatever he wants to say is obviously not appropriate for the situation—namely ‘What the fuck is she doing here?’
Our ambush of him is giving me more confidence. ‘Hi, Lewis,’ I say, giving a small wave. He’s followed by a pretty whippet-thin woman with razor-sharp cheekbones and shoulder-length highlighted Rachel-from-Friendshair.
‘I’m Moira,’ she says, holding out a bony hand to me.
‘Pleased to meet you. I’m Holly, Bailey’s girlfriend,’ I reply, feeling supremely grateful when he casually drapes an arm around my shoulder to confirm it. But then I realise it’s probably more of a possessive gesture to mark his territory. Either way, it’s a good move as it boosts my confidence further.
Lewis’s mouth hangs ajar at this revelation. I’m quite enjoying this.
The rest of the McAdams family comes piling out to see who’s here. Kids peek out from behind their parents’ legs. Jennifer gives Lewis and then Moira a warm hug. ‘Welcome! You made it through OK.’
‘Yes, no problems. The roads were open ...’ Lewis is still eyeing me as if I’m an apparition, trying to work out why I’m there.
Underneath the commotion, a female voice sounds from the doorway. ‘Hello?’
The collective gaze falls upon a familiar-looking young woman standing on the threshold, grasping an overnight bag. Her eyes seek someone in the crowd, and she smiles when her gaze rests on Bailey. Now it’s my turn to feel shock. It’s Andrea from HR.
Chapter 19
‘Come in, come in!’ Jennifer, the hostess with the mostest, approaches Andrea, holding out her hand. ‘Are you one of Bailey’s friends too?’
