But I was more than happy to reprise my role as chief shithouser for Lydia.I was happy to do this for her, say the words that I know she wouldn’t have thrown in his face – yet.And I’d be more than happy to drive her to this gym when she was ready to say them herself.It took Lydia a while to process how she felt, but when she was ready… well, Craig better duck for cover.An angry Lydia was a rare sight, andmuchscarier than me.
‘I think everyone here deserves to know why Lydia Williams isn’t working here any more,’ I said, addressing Craig’s class.Half of them had been Lydia’s clients once upon a time.‘I don’t know what he’s told you – probably something about new pastures, new opportunities.But he effectively fired her.No notice.No reason.Just blindsided her.’
Craig sputtered, ‘I didn’t fire anyone.Our personal trainers are freelance—’
‘Fucking semantics,’ I spat.‘You terminated her contract out of nowhere, blindsiding her.All because you were jealous that she did your job better than you.All because she was more likeable than you.You were threatened – because talking to you is like trying to have a meaningful conversation with a toilet brush.’
Out of the corner of my eye, two women looked at each other and shrugged, like,he’s not wrong.
‘Our pal Craig here planned to get her out – and waited until her contract was due for renewal to do it.’ I clamped a hand on Craig’s shoulder, which was admittedly solid.
‘I just thought everyone should know what a piece of shit you are,’ I whispered.‘And what dirty tactics you’re more than happy to use.I’m not as quiet as you, huh?She worked her arse off here for years,’ I said, voice rising.‘And you nitpicked every bloody second of it.Timekeeping, formatting, her invoices not matching your weird little spreadsheet template.’ I shook my head.‘You were never managing her.You were waiting for her to mess up.’
I took another step forward, lowering my voice.
‘You knew she struggled with numbers.And, instead of supporting her, you used it as a reason to push her out.You made her feel small for something she can’t control.’
Craig opened his mouth, but I didn’t let him speak.
‘Tell me, Craig.Did you document that properly?Did you make reasonable adjustments?Because, from where I’m standing, it sounds a lot like discrimination.And wouldn’t that be fun to explain to Niall?’
Craig’s face flickered with panic, and I knew it then.I grinned, showing my teeth.
‘Ah!Now we’re getting closer to the truth.Interesting.’ Craig’s eyes grew dark and empty, making me shudder, thinking of Lydia working with this man.‘He doesn’t know, does he?I wonder what Niall would have to say about his golden employee being shoved out without a word.What did you tell him, huh?That she’d gone to work for some other gym?That she’d been too emotional about leaving Momentum to tell him to his face?’ I hummed.‘Naughty, naughty, Craig.’
I booped his nose, and that’s when I saw it – the final wave of anger.Craig launched for my hand, pulling it with force away from his face, and pulling his other hand into a fist, aimed directly at my face.
And there we go, ladies and gentlemen.
I could always make them throw the first punch.
The class gasped, and people leaped off their treadmills.
‘Take it easy, son,’ an older, grey-haired gentleman said to Craig.
‘Easy does it,’ another added.
Craig’s face morphed into embarrassment, with a nice hint of shame.Good.I hoped he felt even an inch of what he’d made Lydia feel.
‘Yeah,’ I said, my voice low enough that I knew only Craig could hear me.‘Take it easy, Craig.Don’t want to have evidence of you punching a paying customer.’ My eyes shifted to the CCTV cameras behind Craig, with a perfect view of his attempted punch.‘I think that might be a sackable offence.God knows, you whip them out of your arse,’ I added.
Craig shoved me away, and I smiled, stepping back with my hands up, as if I hadn’t been the antagonist of this whole interaction.
‘Have a good day, Craig.’
I swivelled on my heel, practically skipped towards the exit, but not before I asked for Niall’s email and phone number at reception.
I thought he’d be very interested in what I had to say.
Chapter Thirteen
Dear Lydia,
I know this letter isn’t enough.Nowhere near enough.But I’m too much of a coward to say this to your face – to see that look in your eyes.I’m leaving tomorrow morning.
This isn’t about you.It isn’t about us.I need you to believe that.
I’m trying to be someone better.Someone worthy of the way you see the world.Of the way you see me.
