Page 49 of Coming Home to Hope Street

‘I’d have—’

‘What did Pip tell you?’

‘That you decided you were moving with no thought to her. And you came to see your sister, who you never told either of us about.’

Livvy looked down for a moment, embarrassed by his words. ‘I left Somerley before I met you and I never thought I’d be coming back. But’ – she shrugged – ‘needs must.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me about her, or your brother?’

Livvy gnawed at her bottom lip. She couldn’t say she hadn’t seen the need: that she’d felt ashamed for Hannah to know how her life had turned out with him. Although now she’d been back for a month, she wasn’t sure why.

But here she was, just beginning to turn her life around.

And here he was – ready to destroy it once more.

She couldn’t do this. She’d let him stay, like Hannah had suggested, but she wouldn’t start up with him, knowing that he’d do the same thing again. Instead, she’d let him think he could win her over for now, to save the peace.

‘Are you working?’ she asked.

‘Yeah. I’ve got a week’s holiday.’

She closed her mind to his lies. She knew him only too well. Did he even have a job at the moment? And if he didn’t, it meant he was going to scrounge off her until he got on his feet again. She had no spare cash to throw about.

But she did have Pip to think of. And if Kieran being here for a few nights meant he’d be on his way soon after, then she’d have to put up with him.

‘You can stay… but no longer than a week,’ she said.

His look was one of surprise.

‘Do you think I’m still the easy touch I’ve been since I met you?’ She shook her head to emphasise the point.

‘But you have to admit that we’re good together.’ Kieran tilted her chin up so he could look directly into her eyes. ‘There’s a small part of you that knows that.’

Livvy gritted her teeth. He was right, but there was a larger part of her that knew it wouldn’t work.

‘A week,’ she said.

He gave her the smile, the one that had always made her go weak at the knees. Without warning, he leaned forwards and kissed her gently on the lips.

‘Thanks, babe.’

As Livvy watched him walk into the kitchen, she wiped at her mouth.

That bloody man. Why couldn’t he leave her alone?

Even though she’d had a great time with her dad and wanted to see him again, Pip had stayed across at Tilly’s house for as long as possible. She’d been avoiding her mum since he’d arrived, knowing she was in for a telling off. At the moment, she was in her bedroom scrolling through her phone for some music to play while her parents were downstairs.

When her dad rung her after she’d sent that last message, she’d been delighted. It had been so good to hear his voice again, know that he was well. They’d chatted for about ten minutes so when he’d asked for their address and suggested a visit, she’d given it to him instantly, forming a plan to get her parents back together again. She hadn’t told anyone, not even Tilly.

She’d been awake so early that morning, awaiting his arrival. It had been wonderful to see him again after so long; to feel his arms wrap around her in his usual bear hug. Hear him say her name and that he’d missed her.

She heard footsteps on the stairs and grimaced. A light knock on the door and her mum stepped into her room.

‘Pip. I need a word with you.’

‘I didn’t do anything wrong,’ she muttered.

‘You should have asked me first.’

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