Page 10 of Loving Netta Wilde

She handed him a cup of tea and a sandwich. ‘You look like you could do with some food inside you. Let’s go and sit in the lounge.’

‘Could we go in the breakfast room instead? I like it in there.’

‘I thought the sofa would be more comfortable for you. With the bruises. Don’t they hurt?’

‘Not so much now. They were at their worst over the weekend.’

So her mum had been right on Sunday. She’d noticed something was wrong. Frank had too. ‘It must have been quite a fall.’

‘I tripped on the stairs.’

‘Did you go to the hospital?’

‘No need. I was fine.’

He didn’t look fine. He didn’t look fine at all. And how could Arianne have thrown him out after a fall like that? She noticed Maud was leaning against his leg, reminding her of the doggy smell upstairs. ‘Have the dogs been keeping you company while we’ve been out?’

‘If I don’t let them in they won’t stop scratching the door.’ Colin’s hand dropped down to Maud’s side and gave it a pat. Maud looked up at her with a decidedly sorry expression. Even Maud was guilt tripping her now.

‘I couldn’t help noticing you’ve lost weight. Have you seen a doctor about it?’

‘It’s the natural foods diet, nothing to worry about. Or rather it was until I came here. I’m sure I’ll soon put it all back on now that I’m not following Arianne’s strict regime.’

‘So you’ve checked with a doctor then?’

‘Yeah, yeah. All fine.’

It was obvious he was fobbing her off but short of calling him a liar, there wasn’t much she could do about it. ‘Have you given any more thought to what you’re going to do? Will you go to a solicitor?’

‘I don’t know. I’m sorry. I know you want me out of here, but I need more time. I’ll find somewhere else soon. I’m just not ready yet.’

Ready for what, she wondered. ‘Is there anywhere else? Do you have any friends?’

‘Not as such, no.’

‘I’m not asking you to leave just yet.’

‘But when Will comes back from uni.’

She nodded.

‘Have you told him yet?’

‘Not yet.’ She’d been hoping she didn’t have to. When she’d agreed to this, she’d expected it to be over and done with by nowand there’d have been no need to say anything to Will. But that was looking increasingly unlikely.

‘Just say when you want me to go and I’ll go.’

‘Okay. In the meantime, we need to get you back on your feet.’

He stroked Maud’s wiry back. ‘If you leave the clean sheets and stuff out, I’ll tidy the room up and make the bed. And I’ll do my best not to worry Liza anymore.’

‘Good. I have to get back to work. You’ll be all right?’

‘Yeah. Please don’t mention the fall to Liza. It was just a silly accident, but it will definitely worry her.’

‘Okay.’ She got up to leave. It didn’t feel like she’d done enough but it was as much as she could do for now.

‘You’ve made a good life for yourself here, Net. I’m glad.’

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