‘I need some fresh air. If you want to pack your things and leave while I’m gone, I don’t blame you. No hard feelings, Rory – on my part at least.’
I wrenched the door open and hurried out into the corridor, then leaned against the wall taking deep breaths as I tried to gather my thoughts.
Part one of my redemption plan was complete. There was only one more thing left to do if I was going to have any chance of putting this whole mess right. It wouldn’t help me, but it was still the decent thing to do. Yet it would probably be even harder than what I’d just faced.
In fact, it was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life.
29
The hairstylist, whose name I vaguely thought might be Ingrid, gave me a warm smile when I entered the salon ten minutes later.
‘Back again? Aw, it’s lovely for them to have company. Will you be joining us at The Quicken Tree tonight? It’s going to be a smashing do, and Callie mentioned to Clara that she was going to invite you. Clara was in here this morning having her hair done. You’ve just missed her, actually.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Why am I telling you that? As if you care! Anyway, do come along tonight and meet everyone. It’ll be fun.’
I gave her a weak smile. ‘Am I okay to go up?’ I nodded towards the door markedPrivate.
She looked surprised that I’d even asked. ‘Of course you are! You’re family!’
She wouldn’t be so welcoming if she knew the truth about me, I thought bleakly, as I headed upstairs.
I was about to walk into the living room when I realised that this was Danny’s and Brooke’s home. Their own private space.
Hesitantly I knocked on the door, then leapt back in fright when Brooke’s head poked through it. The look on her face revealed she was as shocked to see me as I’d been to see her like that.
‘What are you doing here?’ she whispered, looking panicky. ‘Go away! Danny’s here.’
‘That’s what I was hoping,’ I said. ‘I need to talk to him. To both of you.’
‘That’s not a good idea. He’s not—’ She turned her head so her face was back in the living room. It was quite unnerving. I heard her say, ‘It’s no one. It’s not important. Just one of the girls from downstairs.’
There was a sudden squeal of, ‘No, Danny, leave it!’
I frowned, not sure what on earth was going on, then Brooke said sullenly, ‘Danny wants you to know he’s standing right next to you.’
Every hair on the back of my neck and along my arms stood up immediately. I felt sick to my stomach, and my heart raced as I realised that Danny was probably staring at me intently right now. What was he thinking, I wondered? And was he still angry that I’d married Rory?
‘You’d better come in and sit down,’ Brooke said. ‘He says there’s no point standing on the landing.’
With shaking hands, I pushed open the door and followed Brooke to the sofa.
‘Am I all right to sit down?’ I asked the empty air near me.
‘He’s sitting in that armchair,’ Brooke said, nodding over at the one furthest away from the television, which was now, I noticed, switched off.
The curtains were open, as was the window, and light and sunshine were streaming into the flat.
I glanced at the armchair, wondering what he was doing, thinking.
‘He says congratulations on your marriage,’ Brooke said at last.
I sighed. ‘I’ll bet he does.’
‘He wasn’t being sarcastic,’ she said. ‘He hopes you’ll both be very happy.’
I gave the armchair a doubtful look. ‘Do you?’
‘What do you want, Kirsty?’ Brooke asked. ‘It’s an important day for us today. We’re performing at a special event tonight and?—’
‘I know. The engagement party of Callie and Brodie at The Quicken Tree Inn,’ I said. ‘High Spirits are singing a song to mark the occasion, but it’s a surprise for the happy couple.’
