‘Umm, Amy. Spirit guides are not the same thing as God,’ Lily says.
‘I know that,’ Amy replies. ‘But the point is it all points to there being something more, don’t you see? Who says that spirit guides aren’t sent from God, hmm?’
I have to stifle a giggle as Robert looks at me and rolls his eyes.
‘I’m not sure church is really my thing,’ Stuart says to Amy carefully.
‘Treat it like a cultural experience,’ Amy tells him before turning back to me. ‘We’d love to come. We can make it a group activity. Robert would like to come as well, wouldn’t you?’
‘Umm, you’re all right, thanks, Amy. I’ll stay here.’
Amy smirks. ‘Now you know how it feels, Tori.’
‘I’m sorry?’
‘To have someone not taking part in an activity you’ve organised.’
Feeling she’s evidently scored a point, she turns back to her breakfast, giving me the opportunity to return Robert’s eye roll undetected. What she evidently hasn’t clocked is that she has managed to wreck my plans, just not in the way she thinks. As we finish our meal and start to head back to our rooms to get ready for the day, Stuart hangs back and grabs me by the arm.
‘I want a word with you,’ he growls.
‘Let go of my arm,’ I tell him firmly. ‘You have no right to touch me, do you understand?’
He releases me as quickly as he grabbed me, looking at his hand in surprise as if it acted entirely of its own accord.
‘Right,’ I continue. ‘What’s the problem today?’
‘You know what the bloody problem is. You, blabbing our secret to all and sundry.’
‘I didn’t blab anything to anyone. They’d already worked out that something had happened, and do you know how they did that?’
‘How?’
‘Because of you and the way you were behaving. Nothing to do with me.’
‘You should have denied it. That was what we agreed.’
‘If we agreed anything, it was that I wouldn’t say anything to your girlfriend if you kept her out of my face. Despite your total failure to do that, I’ve kept my side. And, since you didn’t ask, the others have also agreed that it’s best that Amy doesn’t find out.’
‘Yes, but?—’
‘But nothing, Stuart. If you had an ounce of integrity, you’d be confessing this to Amy and begging her forgiveness. Actually, scrap that. If you had an ounce of integrity, you’d have told me you were attached and nothing would have happened in the first place. This is totally not my problem and I’m bored of trying to help you cover your pathetic arse. Now, are we done?’
‘Is everything all right here?’ Robert asks. He’s obviously spotted us hanging back, and realised what’s going on.
‘Everything’s fine,’ Stuart says unconvincingly.
‘I wasn’t asking you,’ Robert tells him firmly.
‘I’m OK, thanks, Robert,’ I assure him. ‘Stuart and I were just clearing the air.’
‘Can I make a suggestion that I think will be good for your overall wellbeing, Stuart?’ Robert asks. ‘Leave Tori alone. You’re on very thin ice and she’s got a powerful blowtorch. Understand?’
Stuart sighs. ‘Loud and clear.’
‘Good,’ Robert tells him. ‘By the way, I think you going to church is an excellent idea. You’ve got rather a lot to confess, haven’t you?’
As Stuart stalks off, Robert turns to me. ‘I hope you didn’t mind me intervening. I know you’re more than capable of fighting your own battles, but I saw the way he was obviously coming for you and it just really pissed me off. I think you can assume our friendship is over.’
