It’s an intrusion to stay here, especially when he lifts her up, carrying her like a baby or a bride. This is what it’s supposed to look like, isn’t it? The man provides, the woman taken care of. It’s all I ever wanted, right there.
Except, it’s not even real. Not in the true romantic sense of the word, at least. Their love is all platonic. Maybe that’s a real kind of love too? How do I make Patrick as happy as they are, when they’re not even in love?
I realise that her things are still all over the place. ‘Sorry, the bag touched the floor,’ I say as I tuck it into her hands, but Dolly is already drifting off to sleep. Her face is tucked under Warren’s chin.
‘She’ll be alright,’ he says, and then he drops his voice to a whisper. It might be my overstimulated brain, but I swear he says, ‘I’ll look after her for us.’
I follow them out, unable to take my eyes off her until the two of them, combined into one figure, disappear out the front door.
I don’t know how to process all this feeling in my chest. We need to keep apart from each other, that’s what we said. A truce, not a friendship.
But I’m rattled. I didn’t think Dolly Doherty needed anyone or anything. This whole time, it’s been her coming to my aid when I’ve needed it, even when we were fighting. I guess this was just me paying back the favour, but why do I feel so strange?
I walk back to the dining table, to Patrick. Jackson and Zack are sequestered to separate ends of the table, seeminglyguarded by Malachi and Patrick respectively, along with several members of production, while first aiders attend to them. There’s a real shiner on Jackson’s face. The Nguyens have gone already.
Bridget, Whit and Lina sit together by the big windows, far away from the men. ‘You three alright?’ I ask.
Whit gives me a look that can only be described asplease save me from the most awkward situation of my life. ‘It’s been interesting!’ she says, much too brightly.
Bridget has her head in her hands. ‘God, I’m bloody mortified. Karina Nguyen had to hold me back.Karina.’
‘From what?’ I say, taking a seat.
‘Walloping Zack. And like, I did egg it on. A bit. Well. Quite a bit. He was just beingsucha shit to Leens.’
Poor Lina is staring out the window, her eyes just as glassy.
‘Lina?’ I whisper, but she doesn’t really respond. I know she’s there, because her eyes flick over to me, her lips becoming a flat line. I don’t think she wants to talk, so I just offer her my hand and she takes it.
‘This might be the weirdest group dinner I’ve ever been to,’ says Whit.
‘Oh, do you not usually have celebrities witnessing a brawl?’ Bridget drones.
‘If the surgeons barny, it just always ends in an arm-wrestling match. Every single time.’ Whit sighs, clearly missing the operating room. ‘You and Dolly alright? You were gone a while.’
‘Yeah. She was just a bit poorly.’
‘Probably had too much to drink,’ sniffs Bridget. ‘I know we all did.’
I don’t rush to correct her because it’s not my business.
‘Thanks for looking after her,’ says Whit. ‘She’s special to me.’
I try to ignore the bit of my heart that saysme too.
Transcript: Warren and Dolly family meetups
[Opening shot on a South London house in the sunshine, a ramp leading out from the front door. Warren steps up and knocks on the door. Dolly stands behind with a big bunch of flowers and a gift bag slung at her wrist. The door opens to reveal Warren’s mum Joyce who squeals and pulls him down into a hug.
Cut to the living room table. Connor is seated at the table in his wheelchair, with Joyce and Peter, Warren’s dad, and Dolly and Warren.]
DOLLY It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for welcoming me into your lovely home.
JOYCE And you, darling girl. Thank you for looking after my son. He is a blessing and he needs someone to keep him in line.
WARREN Hey!
DOLLY [laughing]Oh, he does. These are for you – Warren said these biscuits are your favourites?
