Bella sighed. ‘If you think about it, though, Joel had every right to be pissed off. I knew Noah had a communication problem with his brothers, but I didn’t realise it was this bad. He hadn’t told either of them anything about me and Monty moving in. As far as Joel was aware, he was expecting a sale, and a huge pile of cash, very soon.’
‘Still doesn’t give him the right to sound off at you on your own doorstep.’
‘It’s technicallyhisdoorstep–at least, a third of it is!’ Despite herself, Bella smiled.
‘You should have made Noah draw up a proper tenancy agreement, you know,’ Marieke chided. ‘Then, even if he hadn’t told Joel or his other brother, at least you could have waved that in their faces.’
‘I know, but it all happened so quickly, and I was so keen to get Monty back here that I thought it would all be OK.’
Marieke sighed. ‘You’ve got to stop rushing into big decisions with your heart, Bella. One day, you’re really going to get hurt.’
Bella nodded. ‘I know it was daft, but I was thinking as much about poor Monty as I was myself. He needed to be back here, and it’s been so good for him.’ She blinked back sudden tears. ‘What if Joel makes Noah chuck us out? I’m pretty sure I’ll be all right, but Monty would never cope with being moved again.’
‘I’m sure it won’t come to that.’ Marieke put a comforting arm around Bella’s shoulders. ‘But if it does, you can doss down at mine for a bit.’
‘What about Gerard? He’ll be off his head on allergy pills and that’ll hardly do wonders for your relationship.’
‘He’ll just have to lump it.’ Marieke grinned. ‘I won’t see you, or that bloody mog, out on the street.’
Bella took a glug of her wine. ‘Thanks, Mar. You’re a mate.’
‘I’m the best, I know,’ Marieke deadpanned. ‘So do you want to know what Noah, the dickhead, told me to tell you?’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘Well, I’m going to tell you anyway. That way, at least you’re in possession of all the facts.’
‘Spoken like a true student of the law!’
Marieke rolled her eyes. ‘And I quote, “Don’t worry about Joel. I’ve spoken to him. I’ll sort it. Stay put.” He also said Joel’s staying at the pub, which could be a bit awkward if you’re working tomorrow.’
‘Christ,’ Bella huffed out a breath, ‘so I can’t even relax while I’m there. Fabulous. And I’m not completely reassured by Noah saying he’ll sort it, seeing as he couldn’t be arsed to square it all with his brothers in the first place.’
‘I don’t blame you.’
Enticing smells were already starting to come from the oven, even though the pizza had only been in a few minutes. Bella’s stomach rumbled in response. She hadn’t been able to face anything after the confrontation with Joel but was relieved to find her appetite seemed to be returning.
‘He also said he’d be down tomorrow to see his brother and sort things out face to face. I assume that means you should expect a visit from your landlord.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind. I’ve put the safety chain on the door, so Joel can’t just waltz in. At least he had the good grace to ring the doorbell when he saw me in the house this afternoon, rather than just storming in.’
‘Well, that’s something at least.’
A few minutes later, they were tucking into pizza and had refilled their wine glasses. Monty had joined them and was regarding them both with curiosity. After they’d polished off the pizza and given Monty some of the chicken off the top of it, Bella took a deep breath.
‘You don’t have to stay. Monty and I will be fine.’
Marieke’s brow furrowed. ‘Are you sure? I don’t feel right leaving you with that otherklootzaknearby.’
‘Like I said, he can’t get in, and he’d be stupid to try. I don’t think he’d want me calling the police. That wouldn’t exactly do him much good, even if I’m not officially a tenant here.’
‘True.’ Marieke finished her wine. ‘But look, you know where I am if you need me. And Gerard’s on high alert, too. We’re a phone call away if he does decide to come and have another go. Promise you’ll ring if he tries anything?’
‘I promise.’ Bella suddenly felt very, very tired. This was the last thing she needed. She hoped that, when Noah came down tomorrow, he’d be able to placate his brother and make him see sense, but as she said goodbye to Marieke and settled down to bed, with Monty perched on the end of the mattress, it was a long time before she fell asleep.
48
The next morning, having rung Ruby from home and told her the situation, Noah didn’t waste any time in hitting the road. He was cursing himself for having drunk so much champagne the night before, which meant he couldn’t get in his car and drive down to Somerset the moment he’d hung up the phone to Marieke. After a restless, churning night, he rose when it got light, chucked a few things into a bag and got going.
