“Go on, say it,” Sloan said, bracing herself.
“Maybe it’s not my place.”
“Oh, for God’s sake. You know you’re dying to give your two pence’s worth, so just say it.”
“Fine.” Gloria jutted her chin defiantly. “I think she’s nice. I like her. And if it’s just a fling, I’d be very cross with you. Not because you can’t have flings—do what you like, it’s not my business—but the hippie isn’t fling material.”
“Well, if you must know, I don’t think of it as a fling. And yes, I’m aware you like her…which means, if this goes wrong, I’m the one left sans carer again.”
“God forbid I had to look after myself,” Gloria said.
“You can’t look after yourself.”
“I can—”
“No, Mum, you can’t, and you need to accept that. I’m trying here. I’ll stop pushing you into a box you don’t feel ready for, but you have to accept that you need help.”
Gloria fell silent.
Only the newsreader murmuring quietly in the background dared to fill the silence.
As they pulled onto the drive, Gloria finally said, “I suggest you don’t mess it up then.”
Sloan parked the car, yanked the handbrake up, and said, “I wasn’t planning to.”
***
Matty got home, changed, and left almost immediately. If she’d settled down for too long, she knew where her mind would travel and she wasn’t going there, not till tonight.
She’d be counting down the hours, one by one, until she could slip under the covers with Sloan and stop denying herself what her body had been demanding all day. Just making it through her shift without issue was as far as she was allowing her thoughts to venture.
“You’re early,” Greta said when Matty wheeled in through the back entrance. “Starstruck?”
“Huh?” Matty frowned in confusion before she got it. “Oh.” She grinned. “No. Well, maybe a little…but no. I was out, then I got home, changed, and got antsy just sitting about.”
“That never happens to me. I could find a million other things to be doing rather than being here.”
Matty shrugged. “It’s not that bad.”
Greta chuckled. “I guess. You’re right—in terms of jobs, this is one of the more fun ones I’ve had.”
Untying her laces, Matty looked up. “So, has she been in today?” Byshe, they both knew she meant Michelle Hamilton, the Hollywood film star.
“Nope, but you wouldn’t think that judging by the photographers loitering outside and the way the clientele here has upped its game in couture.”
Matty laughed. “Well, it’s about time a few of them made more effort.”
“Ain’t that the truth. Who knew all Art needed was a Hollywood star on the premises to get everyone’s arses into gear?”
“I’m certainly not complaining. Tips were huge yesterday and the bar was packed, so maybe a pay rise is coming soon.”
Greta grinned. “Nobody would complain at that.”
Matty sounded optimistic as she slid her feet into her Vans. “I could definitely live with it.”
“So, how’s the other job with the dragon going?”
“Actually, pretty well. She’s not so bad once you get to know her. All she wants is some agency to do her own thing…or at least feel like she’s doing her own thing.” Her gaze went distant as Sloan came into her head instead.
