‘Oh yes,’ Annie spat. ‘OfcourseKim wouldn’t want anything ruining her perfect night. Perfect husband, perfect child, perfect life …’
Annie’s raised voice was now drawing the attention of some guests nearby. Colette was quick to urge Ed on while she went back to perform damage control.
Same old Colette, always trying to fix things.
Annie glanced sideways at Ed. She hadn’t planned on him seeing her like this.
She was a mess and she knew it. A drunk, raving mess, and she couldn’t be sure what she would or wouldn’t say under the circumstances. She needed to get away from him.
‘What are you doing?’ he questioned through gritted teeth. ‘You said you wouldn’t be here.’
‘And why shouldn’t I be here?’ she shot back. ‘These are my friends.’
‘You know why. And causing trouble won’t help.’
‘I’m not a troublemaker,’ Annie slurred, insulted, as Ed ushered her into what was once the old dark living room towards the rear, but was now a refurbished relaxation area. She slumped into the nearest chair.
Her head was spinning and the ground was wobbling beneath her. She did not feel good.
Ed sat down in the chair across from her. ‘What the hell were you thinking, Annie?’
‘I don’t know!’ she cried. ‘Why wouldn’t you help me? I’ve never asked for anything in my life, Ed. And I wouldn’t have now either, unless I really needed it.’
‘I told you, the timing isn’t good. I’ve got some problems of my own, you know.’
‘No, I don’t know. How would I? I’m not your wife. Anyway, I don’t care about your problems, just as you never cared about mine. But now, for Charlie’s sake, I need you to care. My business is going under,’ she admitted in a small voice. ‘My accountant stole everything I have. He stole from my company and left me with months of bills outstanding, and I barely have enough to keep a roof over my head, let alone pay the people I owe. He took everything.’ She turned to look at him. ‘You told me once that I could call on you if ever I needed anything. And when I finally do, you tell me to get lost. How do you think that feels?’
‘I’m sorry. Like I said, you caught me at a bad time.’ He looked at her. ‘Has anything been done to catch this guy?’
‘I’ve tried. But he’s disappeared.’ She sniffed, surprised at the unexpected concern in his voice. ‘Honestly, I would never have asked if I wasn’t desperate.’
Ed moved closer. ‘It’s all right, Annie. I’ll help you. I know people who deal with this sort of thing. I’ll make a few calls on Monday. We won’t let him get away with this,’ he comforted. ‘I’ll make sure he’s brought to justice, and whatever help you need, I assure you that you’ll get it. I’m sorry, you just … caught me off-guard the other day.’
He was going to help? He was going to take care of her and Charlie? Annie’s tears began to flow freely now.
‘Thank you,’ she said, relief flooding through her, as she felt a tiny inkling of hope for the first time since this all started. She was right to come here after all. She knew that if she got the opportunity to talk to him face to face, let him know how truly desperate she was, he would understand.
And he had.
Thank God, thank God …
Impulsively, she jumped up and launched herself at him, flinging her arms around his neck.
She wouldn’t be on her own. Ed had promised he’d be there for his son if ever Annie needed him, and now he was making good on that promise.
Seems she’d misjudged him after all.
Chapter 55
Now
‘So sorry about that,’ Colette was saying as she tried to distract Kim’s guests from the scene Annie was making. ‘My friend has had some bad news.’ She couldn’t believe that Annie had ended up coming all the way back here to just get trashed and make a fool of herself on Kim’s big night.
Some things never changed.
‘Is she OK?’ the couple she was speaking to asked with some concern.
‘She’ll be fine. My husband is taking care of her now. Please do go and enjoy the party,’ she urged as she tried to divert their attention from the villa to the main party area back outside. The entire courtyard and terrace had been turned into a reception hall, and even the poolside was hosting guests for the evening. ‘Can I get you another drink or anything?’ she asked the couple, who didn’t seem to be getting the hint. Their eyes kept glancing in the direction of the villa.
