Chapter 9
Slamminghisbelongingsintohis bag, Dan didn’t care that his whole body was shrieking at him to slow down.He needed to rest and lie still, but no way was he staying here with Mum and that…Malek, whoever the hell he was.
How could she bring another man here?To this place that was special to her and Dad—to them as a family?
And why the hell hadn’t Femi and Gabi warned him?
Aw, shit.
Maybe they had, but like a dick, he’d ignored their messages, and now his phone was dead.
Mum appeared in the doorway.“I’m so sorry about this, Danny.”
“It’s fine.Really.I gave you the bungalow.I shouldn’t even be here.”
“I meant about Malek.I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
A wave of hurt gripped him.“It’s fine,” he said again without looking at her.“I’ll book us a table for dinner at that place Libby mentioned.”
“Danny, I know how—”
“Forget it, Mum.I don’t want to talk about it.”He zipped his bag shut and threw it over his shoulder.The weight of it had him stumbling.Mum reached out for him, but he caught the edge of the kitchen counter and waved her away.
“Danny, please—”
“Leave it.Just leave it.”He pushed off the counter, but he’d seen the hurt in Mum’s eyes and hated himself for it.“I’m sorry.I just need some time.”He’d caused her so much worry and pain already.He didn’t want her to see him like this—so angry and confused and hurt.Taking a deep, steadying breath, he stopped in the doorway.“I’ll see you at dinner.”
Dragging his bag and his broken body across the little garden, he stopped at Reception to speak to Serita and then lugged himself onto the back seat of Libby’s cab next to Karim.
The little kid clapped his hands and shrieked, but Libby merely raised her eyebrows.“Now, do you mind telling me what you’re doing?”
“Just drive,” he snapped.
The driver looked at Libby, and when she nodded, he pulled away.
“Although I have a pretty good idea already,” Libby said, “where are you planning to sleep tonight?”
“You have two rooms at your new place, don’t you?”
“Sure I do, and that’s fine, you can stay with us, but we’re leaving in the morning, remember?”
“I remember.I’ll find somewhere else tomorrow.”
Libby chewed her cheek.“So, what did you say to your mom?You didn’t upset her, did you?”
“Of course not.”
“But your face of thunder tells me you must’ve done.”
“Well, you’re wrong.”Dan glared out of the window.“I actually booked us a table at that restaurant you mentioned.”He snapped his head back to her.“You’ll come, won’t you?”
“Wha—”
“Please, Libby.You’re the one who was so keen to make friends with my mum, and you’re good at talking.”
“You want me there as a buffer?”
“Yes.No.”Dan huffed.“You’re sociable and likable, and words just come out of your mouth so easily.”
