‘See, you don’t know me that well, do you, yet? Because that’s an unspoken rule. Unless it involves my family, of course.’
Suddenly feeling an undeniable level of trust for this man, Sabrina took a deep intake of breath. ‘I slept with the market inspector.’
‘Ah, I see. That’s how you got that unit, then?’ Conor’s face remained dead pan.
She hit him on the arm. ‘No, I was the first person in to see it and paid for it fair and square. Anyway, he’s got a girlfriend and he just came round here drunk being abusive and said that if I said anything to her, he would out my true identity to the market.’
‘Blackmail.’ Conor downed his pint of water, an ugly look twisting his face.
‘I guess it is. And please don’t think badly of my actions– he told me he was single.’
‘Dickens, judgement defines who the other person is, not you.’
‘I wouldn’t have ever told her anyway. I didn’t like him that much to cause a scene. The awful bit is I met her, completely coincidentally or I may have never found out he was a cheater too.’ Star’s ‘nothing is a coincidence’ comment suddenly resonated with her.
‘You met her?’
‘It was mad. Belle, you know Isaac Benson’s Belle who I told you about. She put me on to her because she’s her hairdresser.’
‘Ah, the day you came running in stinking of bleach. I get it now.’
‘Yes. I freaked when I realised what was going on. This place is so interlinked in such a weird way.
‘Tell me about it. I’ve lived in London before, too, where you can hide amongst the masses. Anyway, why would it be so bad if everyone knew who you were? I think you’re grand, Jilly, I really do.
‘You’re not so bad yourself, Conor Brady,’ Sabrina said through watery eyes, then shrugged.
‘I guess I’m happy just being known down here as Jilly Dickens, market stall holder. I don’t want people treating me differently. And yes, I’m not a huge movie star, but I am well known in this country and people do treat you differently when you’re a bit famous. The main reason, though, is that I don’t want the press sniffing around. It’s been joyous being so free.’
Sabrina started to well up again.
‘Houl your wheesht, lady. It’s all good.’
‘Houl your what?’
‘Come here.’ He pulled her to his broad chest and held her tightly.
‘Oh my God, hugs are the best.’ Sabrina melted into him and assumed a girlie voice. ‘Your hugs are the best.’
With a contented smile, Conor Brady tightened his hold and nuzzled his chin into the troubled woman’s blonde mop. As he did so, Sabrina made a little groan of pleasure. It was so lovely to feel held by a man whose only agenda was to do right by her. Telling him about the market could wait, for she was enjoying the moment. A moment of peace. For the market news was big, and maybe it was something she could handle herself, because as soon as she involved the Brady bunch, goodness knows what would happen then!
Chapter Twenty-Seven
On seeing Dee coming out of the train station, Sabrina leapt out of her Audi convertible to greet her friend.
‘AAAAAhhhhhhhh.’ Dee screamed as she ran over to the car dragging her weekend case as fast as it wheels would allow. ‘Oh my God, it’s so bloody good to see you. And your hair! It looks better in real life. Really does suit you. I had to double take, especially with those glasses on. Sexy lady!’
Sabrina gave her friend a huge hug. ‘I’ve missed you so much. And look at you, nice jacket!’
‘Thanks, these curves ain’t going nowhere with my current chocolate intake, so I’m just cinching in the waist and owning them, girlfriend.’
‘Hurrah to that.’ Sabrina placed her friend’s suitcase in the boot.
‘This area is just so gorgeous. I’m so glad I got the train– it went right along the coast for the last few miles and it’s so green and lush down here, too.’
‘You sound like you’ve never left Essex before.’ Sabrina laughed.
‘I’ve got a kid and husband free pass. I’m on my holidays. I wouldn’t care if I just sat in a field with a box of wine and a picnic basket for the whole time. Just to get the peace.’
