‘I knew I’d find you, you evil, shrew-tongued witch! Who the hell do you think you are and what on earth gives you the right to treat my brother like that?’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘I’m serious, how bloody dare you? That man has done nothing but good his whole life, for Christ’s sake, he’s even used his big career break to help your poxy school. I swear, I swear you have no idea. The only weak moment in that man’s life has been getting some stupid no-sense crush on your dull, mousy—’
‘Well, Angelina, I’d been hoping you’d turn up,’ Chase drawled, having leapt to his feet, providing a physical barrier between the two women and gently touching Rosy’s shoulder in reassurance as he launched into a full charm offensive at Matt’s sister. ‘I’m Chase, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last.’
Angelina’s eyes temporarily stopped spitting fire at Rosy as, for the first time since her arrival on the beach, they fell on the six foot two inches of beautiful blond masculinity in front of her.
‘Hmm…’ Angelina drew herself up from her snarling animal form and grinned right back at him. Hair flicking over her shoulders and deep penetrating you-shall-be-mine gaze turned on full power. Rosy stayed sitting. These two were glowing enough to light a whole village and she was suddenly overcome by waves of exhaustion; her eyes were actually fluttering, but not flirtatiously like Angelina’s (whose were going to take flight soon, they were batting so hard) and her chin kept dropping onto her chest, as if it were suddenly lined with lead.
Opening up to Chase had been the last thing she’d expected to do. Only a few hours ago she’d been in school expecting to drag herself home for an ice cream and Netflix binge and instead she’d found herself drinking champagne in a swanky dress and then ended up revealing her deepest secret to a stranger after shrieking at Matt like a banshee on steroids. This evening needed to come to an end.
She knew what Chase had been about to say, that she may have made a mistake by shouting at Matt. That it was utterly possible that all of Rosy’s reservations about her neighbour, her sexy, funny, kind neighbour, were her own baggage and nothing to do with Matt himself whatsoever. Indeed, once all her screaming was over and Matt had turned to leave that very thought had arisen, niggling at the back of her mind.
The truth was that her explosion had probably been really good for her, providing a catalyst for disclosing her secret, which once she had done so led to a lightness that she hadn’t experienced for years. Admittedly a lightness that this very moment was doing battle with the exhaustion raging through her now. She knew this couldn’t be all it took for her to heal, but it was a huge step. She was wondering why she hadn’t done it earlier.
Now was not the time to beat herself up. Whatever the rights and wrongs of tonight, something had very definitely shifted. However, trying to explain that to Angelina could be tricky, and not a battle she wanted to take on right now. The woman had been towering over her but a minute ago, quivering with righteous anger – which was probably a first – and Rosy knew she’d need to answer for it. But later.
She flicked a quick look up at her. Matt’s sister was no longer screaming abuse in Rosy’s face but giggling, simpering at Chase, her hips protruded towards him at such an angle it was a miracle she was still upright.
‘It is a beautiful house, I was hoping to meet the host. Have you lived here long?’
Giggle, giggle, hair flick.
Perhaps if she stayed here silent a little longer, Chase could lead Angelina away and she could just lie here as the tide came in and lapped her feet, just until morning, and then she could face the real world.
The two of them continued chatting as Rosy zoned out and concentrated instead on sitting upright until they buggered off. It was not to be.
‘The trouble is, Chase, did you say? The trouble is that I really do need to speak to her’ – Angelina managed to infuse the word with huge meaning, a meaning that implied Rosy ate babies for breakfast – ‘about how she needs to stay away from my brother. How she needs to treat others as she would wish to be treated, such an important rule in life, don’t you agree?’
Despite Rosy’s heavy eyes and nodding chin, her eyebrows managed to shoot up as she overheard that particular gem. Wow!
‘And that she needs to stay away from him…’
‘Well, from what I’ve heard, that is her intent.’
‘And I’m sure there’s not much you’re wrong about, Chase’ – giggle, simper – ‘but don’t be fooled by her. The road to hell, etc. And I’m damn sure I’m not letting her drag my brother any deeper down than she already has. In fact, that reminds me, I have to call a friend. Maybe now Matt’s seen her true self he’ll be more responsive to my suggestions.’
Rosy watched through half-closed eyes as Angelina proceeded to strut around the beach, clad in a slip of beige silk that looked like it would fall off any second and heels so tall it was a miracle that they hadn’t dug straight through the sand and all the way down to Australia. Chase stood watching her, absent-mindedly rubbing Rosy’s shoulder as he did so.
‘See, she’s not so bad,’ he whispered down to her, ‘she just really cares for her brother. I always knew she’d have a sweet soul.’ Rosy’s whole face scrunched up in surprise. Really? He had seemed so switched on when she had been talking to him earlier.
‘If this bloody sand scratches my shoes, I’m going to bill you,’ Angelina spun around and hissed at Rosy before flashing yet another I’m-such-a-great-person-really smile at their host as she waited for her call to connect.
‘Coo-eee!’ A loud shriek came from the path and Rosy and Chase turned to see Marion and her husband approaching them. ‘I thought I could hear you down here.’
‘Where are you? I need you in Cornwall. What do you mean you’re in Goa? Goa, for Christ’s sake, there’s nothing you can get there that you can’t have here, other than herpes and a shell anklet. Inner peace? It’s not the bloody nineties. I’m telling you my brother needs you. Now is the time!’ Angelina failed to respond to Marion and Richard’s arrival, so busy was she shrieking yet more rage into her handset.
‘Ooh, we’re having a beach party!’ Marion sank down next to Rosy, whilst Richard hovered above the two, looking nervously at Angelina.
‘I say, is that…?’
‘It certainly is. I told you tonight was going to be a good night,’ Chase said in response to Richard’s question.
‘Ooh, it has been, hasn’t it?’ Marion shimmied against Rosy’s shoulder in an all-girls-together fashion.
Rosy couldn’t help but shoot her a look full of daggers. ‘It’s been a long night, certainly.’
