Page 45 of Loving Netta Wilde

‘Right. English was never my strongest subject.’

‘You know about him then?’

‘Only recently found out about him.’

‘When, Tuesday?’ She was putting two and two together and was about to make five.

‘No. She told me about him the last time we spoke. Right before she blocked my number.’

‘How did you know he was a big guy?’

Bugger. He’d given too much away. Stupid of him. No point trying to backtrack now. He’d only dig a hole for himself. ‘I’ve seen him.’

‘On Tuesday?’

He let out a short sigh. It came out like a huff. ‘Yes.’

‘Colin, did he assault you?’

He thought about letting her think it was Byron but knowing Netta, she’d be all for calling the police and then he’d have to admit the truth. ‘No. Can we just drop this?’

‘It was Arianne, wasn’t it?’

He was about to get up and walk away but the little dog jumped onto his lap. ‘Can you tell your dog to get off me, please?’

‘I’m afraid she has a mind of her own. I can’t make her do anything.’

‘She’s a dog. They’re supposed to be able to obey simple commands.’

Netta shrugged. ‘Try telling her that. So, it was Arianne who did that to your face then.’

‘It was an accident.’

‘And the other bruises on your body, were they accidents as well?’

‘Yes. I told you, I tripped on the stairs.’ Colin’s throat tightened. Invisible walls were closing in on him and taking the air away.

He felt her hand on his arm, her touch making the walls retreat. He could breathe again. ‘How long have you been having panic attacks?’

‘I don’t have panic attacks. It’s just a touch of hay fever.’

‘Your heart’s pounding. You feel like your chest and throat are shrinking, and there’s no air left.’

‘It’s not like that at all,’ he said but the walls were already closing again.

‘I understand what it feels like.’

He moved his arm away. No she didn’t. How could she?

‘Shall we just sit here quietly?’ she said.

‘Yes, please.’

He let her take his hand. The little dog leaned up against his chest. Colin stroked its fur and listened to the sound of the world turning around him. He rested his head on Netta’s shoulder and closed his eyes. How long was it since he’d been this close to her? Close enough to breathe in the scent of her. Close enough to feel her strong, steady heartbeat. Too long. Far too long.

He didn’t know how many minutes or hours they’d stayed there on that bench. Time had stopped. All he knew was that his peace had been broken by the noise coming from Netta’s house. The dog walkers were back. Maud slipped off his lap and he stood up. ‘I’d better go back inside. Don’t want to upset Will.’

Netta still had his hand. ‘He’s going away at the end of the week. If you want to, you can come back to stay until he gets back.’

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