No shit.
I swallowed, looking back across the river. It was easier to do that than face the people sitting about staring at me.
Just … staring. Why –
‘Patrick?’
My stomach lurched, and not because someone had called my name.
Because of the person who had called it.
‘Patrick, itisyou!’ A woman was beaming at me as though she had never seen anyone she cared for more. ‘I saw someone tag you here!’
I winced.
‘Why didn’t you tell me you were in the area, darling?’ She leaned forward for an air kiss.
I couldn’t exactly back into the river, but I side-stepped her just in time. ‘Cassie.’
My mother’s face fell. ‘Cassie? On a first-name basis still, are we?’
‘Full names on the restraining order request,’ I said quietly, my jaw tight. ‘I’d hoped you wouldn’t be allowed within fifty feet of me.’
It had been painful, asking for Derek’s help with that one. Not just because it meant asking for help – something I hated doing.
No, because I’d had to tell him … not everything. Not quite.
Half the story was enough.
But the judge hadn’t granted it. And now here she was.
My mother’s smile was too wide, too cheerful, too false. Her perfume was strong – jasmine, as always. ‘But that didn’t stick, petal –’
‘I think you’ll find I can apply again,’ I shot back, taking another step to the side.
After being so desperate for Jessy to turn up these last twenty minutes, now it was the last thing I wanted.
Cassie and Jessy, in one place?
Absolutely not.
Cassie’s face had already turned to pleading, an expression I knew well. ‘But, darling, I saw the news.’
I blinked. ‘The news?’
‘Your new girlfriend, this Jessica girl,’ Cassie said, brushing a curl out of her eyes. ‘Does she make you happy?’
I swallowed, blindsided yet again. ‘Happy?’
When was the last time she had asked about that? When was the last time she’d cared about anything to do with my wellbeing?
Cassie was nodding. ‘Yes, happy. Can we sit, somewhere, love? These shoes aren’t really made for walking.’
I glanced down and almost laughed, despite myself. No, they weren’t. Spindly heels and tiny straps, it was a wonder anyone could get about in them.
‘Look, there’s a bench free over there – come on!’
Her hand had taken my arm before I could stop her … and I couldn’t. Not really.
