Page 87 of Seven Letters

‘Let me guess, lesbians looking for equality?’ Harry cut across Zach.

‘No, you fuckwit, it isn’t,’ Riley snapped.

‘Oooooh, Riley’s riled up. What are you going to do? Throw a drink over me while simultaneously concussing yourself?’ Harry cracked up laughing. ‘God, I wish someone had filmed that moment. Priceless.’ Harry slapped Zach on the back. ‘Zach really does have women falling at his feet.’

‘Shut up,’ Zach said.

‘Relax. You can’t help being a stud. I’d like a piece of Zoë action – now,she’s hot. You certainly traded up there,’ Harry said. ‘No offence, Riley.’

‘Fuck off, Harry, you’re being a dick,’ Zach snapped.

‘No offence taken, you vile ginger mutant,’ Riley said, forcing tears back behind her eyeballs. No way was this bastard going to make her cry.

‘Ginger is in. Look at Prince Harry, same name, same hair colour and he’s with a ride.’

‘I wonder would that have any little thing to do with the fact that he’s a prince and you’re a … a … What’s the word? Oh, yeah – a lobotomized arsehole.’

Harry glared at her. ‘What’s lobotomized?’

Zach grinned. ‘I think it means you’re not just an arsehole, you’re a stupid one too.’ He winked at Riley. ‘Right?’

‘Exactly.’

Harry stomped off in a huff, muttering, ‘I’ll lobotomized you.’

Riley looked at Zach and they laughed.

‘Sorry,’ Zach said.

‘Don’t worry about it. I can handle Harry.’

‘No,’ Zach said, reaching out to squeeze her arm. ‘I’m sorry for everything you’re going through and for the whole Zoë thing. You’re amazing, Riley.’

Riley’s heart was pounding in her chest. Zach had realized his mistake. This was it.

Zach leaned towards her. ‘You’re so strong, no one can hurt you.’ He patted her arm and stood up. ‘Gotta go. I’m meeting Zoë to help her train for the Leinster finals this weekend.’

I hope she trips and smashes her stupid smug face into the ground, Riley thought.

‘See you,’ she said, as her heart shrivelled.

34

Rob read the last line of the book. He looked down at his sleepy niece and kissed her forehead. She was cleaning her glasses again. ‘They’re clean, sweetie. Let’s put them down here.’

‘No, I see a bit of dust.’ Izzy rubbed harder.

‘You can clean them again in the morning if you want to. But now you need some sleep.’ Rob took them from her and placed them on her bedside locker. He pulled her pink princess duvet up to cover her shoulders. ‘You’re tired, Izzy. Will I leave the lamp on or switch it off?’

‘On, please. I’m having bad dreams about Mummy and I hate waking up when it’s all dark.’

Poor little kid. Rob remembered having lots of nightmares as a child. ‘When I used to have nightmares, I’d wake Adam up and he’d talk to me until I fell back asleep. You should do that if you wake up. He’s very good at making the nightmares go away.’

Izzy rolled onto her side and looked up at her uncle. ‘I feel bad waking Daddy up. He’s so tired, it feels mean to wake him.’

‘Well, wake me up, then. I’ve lots of energy.’

Izzy wrinkled her nose. ‘That would feel strange, but maybe. Are you and Ellen going to have kids?’

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