“Is this fair to her, and the children? Have you thought about any of this?”
I haven’t stopped thinking about it. That’s the problem. “Mum, please. I don’t need a lecture.”
“I think you do.”
The conversation stops when Gemma comes in. I can feel myself smiling. She grabs a glass, leaning over me as she pours some water into it. She gives me a kiss on the cheek before she heads back outside. Mum follows her, leaving me with my own thoughts.
Chapter
Nineteen
GEMMA
After droppingthe kids off at school, I dig into cleaning our home. Comfy in my cheap clothes, I’m mopping the kitchen floor when there is a loud knock at the door. Who else has the code to get in? I put down the mop and go to answer.
“Hello?” I stare at the middle-aged blonde woman. She looks livid, kind of like Eden when she's throwing a tantrum.
“Where is he?” she snaps at me.
“I’m sorry, who are you? You’ll have to be more specific than that.” I look at her confused.
“That is none of your business. Where’s Alex?” She folds her arms over her chest, staring at me.
“At work,” I say simply.
“Get him here now. He’s not answering his phone.” Her face is red.
“What am I meant to say to him? A crazy woman is at the door demanding to see you, but she won’t give me her name.” I look at her, bewildered.
Her face twists as though she's sucking a lemon. “Leave the crazy part out,” she bites at me.
“I hope he has a better idea than I do.” I get my phone, calling him. It doesn't ring more than once.
“Hello,” he answers. His tone is sharp.
“Alex, a mad woman is at the door demanding to see you, but she won’t tell me who it is.”
“I said leave out that part,” she shouts.
“No, you said don’t say ‘crazy,’ so I changed it to mad. Which you are.” I stare at her as though this is the most obvious thing in the world.
Alex sounds like he's annoyed. “Julia. I’ll be there soon. Don’t let her in.”
I stand in the doorway. “Wait there, he’s on his way.”
“You’re not inviting me in?” she asks. "This was my house."
“No, I’m not. Alex told me not to." Slamming the door in her face, I feel satisfied.
The constant knocking and ringing is driving me nuts as I try to clean the kitchen. She’s more persistent than I am, I’ll give the crazy bitch that.
Soon, I hear shouting from outside, and I open the door. Alex and Julia are standing inches apart, yelling at each other about someone called Jason.Who the fuck is Jason?
“Seriously, do you two want everyone to hear what’s going on? Alex, let her in.” I walk over and touch his shoulder.
“Go to the kitchen. You are not going anywhere else,” Alex growls at her.
I walk in front, Julia in the middle, and Alex follows.
