Anoushka’s cheeks had burnt crimson as his words sank in, embarrassed at making a fool of herself in front of the people she’d known all her life. She cringed at the memory.
In truth, everyone had felt sorry for her, knowing that Damon’s mocking, arrogant comments were making her squirm with discomfort, and that she’d been merely attempting damage limitation, hoping that no one would pull him up or challenge him. Anoushka had heard later that her step-mum’s cousin, Molly, had found it particularly difficult to rein in her naturally outspoken nature. Her infamous “death stares”, however, hadn’t gone unnoticed.
‘That Molly’s so full of herself,’ Damon had said later. ‘Like we care what she thinks; she should keep her narrow-minded, parochial opinion to herself. And I don’t know who she thinks she is, dishing out filthy looks the way she does. She may look like Kitty, but that’s where the similarity ends. Her bloke Camm deserves a medal for putting up with a witch like her.’
‘Molly’s lovely; she’s been a good friend to my mum,’ Anoushka had said, feeling nettled at his criticism.
‘Pfft! Really?’
‘Yeah, really. And she’s had a tough time of it, what with her losing her husband, Pip, so young.’
‘Still doesn’t change my opinion of her,’ he’d said coldly.
He didn’t know it at the time, but he’d had a lucky escape from one of Molly’s savage tongue lashings thanks to pleading looks from Kitty who hadn’t wanted things to escalate for Anoushka’s sake.
It didn’t help that only the other evening, Anoushka had overheard her dad and step-mum talking about Damon. She recalled the mix of annoyance and sadness that had swirled around inside her at their words.
‘Honest, Kitty, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to sit back and watch what he’s doing to our Noushka. Flaming hell, I’m not a violent man, but I’ve got this overwhelming urge to knock that sneering expression right off the arrogant little bastard’s face. What he’s done to our daughter; how he’s changed her. She always used to be so carefree and bubbly, always smiling and laughing, but now…’
‘Listen, Oll, I totally understand how you’re feeling, but you’ve got to promise me you won’t go doing anything like that. You’ll just be playing into his hands, and you’ll run the risk of pushing Anoushka closer to him, which is the last thing we want,’ Kitty had said, her voice full of concern.
Ollie had spat out a noisy breath. ‘I never thought Noushka would fall for someone like him; he reminds me of that monster you used to be married to. I can’t bear to think about her going through the same sort of thing you did.’
‘Same here, which is why you need to listen to me when I tell you not to act in haste. I know it feels counter-intuitive, but please trust me on this.’
‘I know. Doesn’t stop me from thinking he’s the last person I want with us all when we’re celebrating my birthday; if he didn’t come, it’d give her some time to enjoy herself with us. I’ll have to sit on my hands to stop myself from throttling the little shit. Urghh! God help him if he comes out with any of his cocky one-liners.’
‘If you don’t invite him, it’ll make things far worse for Noushka, and you don’t want that. You’re just going to have to bite your tongue if he chooses to come – for Noushka’s sake.’
Ollie had heaved a sigh. ‘I know, love, but it doesn’t make it any easier.’
Anoushka had never heard her dad sound so angry. The conversation had made her heart ache, and thinking of it today had helped galvanize her decision to break-up with Damon. There was no way she was going to give him the chance to ruin her dad’s birthday meal. She silently hoped she’d find the right moment to break it to him. Thought of being free of him gave her an overwhelming sense of relief; she’d be able to look forward to celebrating her dad’s birthday with their family and friends without having to worry about Damon putting a spanner in the works and making snidey remarks, or trying to talk her out of going. But she’d keep her plans for the split to herself for now – just in case the conversation with Damon didn’t go the way she hoped.
Kitty hesitated a moment, as if mulling something over before she spoke to Anoushka. ‘There’s a whisper Gabe Dublin will still be here.’
A prickle of annoyance ran across Anoushka’s shoulders; why did Kitty have to go and mention him?
‘Really?’ she said, deliberately trying to sound uninterested. She disliked being drawn into conversation about him, especially by her family. His presence was another good reason not to mention the meal at the Sunne to Damon; Gabe was a regular there and Damon couldn’t stand the man. Though he appeared to be the only person she knew who felt that way.
‘You never know,’ said Kitty, ‘Gabe might give an impromptu performance at the pub like he did at Jimby and Vi’s Christmas party. That’d definitely be worth joining us for, Noushka. We’re so lucky he does things like that.’
Rather frustratingly, Gabe Dublin’s handsome face, wearing one of his ready smiles, floated into her mind. Her heart gave an unexpected lilt.
The twenty-eight-year-old indie-rock singer hailed from Southern Ireland and had an affable, down-to-earth nature and self-deprecating sense of humour that belied his status as an internationally successful musician. He couldn’t be more different to Damon if he tried. He’d become a regular visitor to the area in recent years, with an open invitation to stay at Danskelfe Castle – the family seat of the titled Hammondely family. He was best friends with Sim – who’d also recently become the new drummer in Gabe’s band – and Sim’s wife, Lady Carolyn. Gabe had become such a familiar face, locals no longer batted an eyelid when he was about. And it was no secret to Anoushka’s family that he’d had fallen for her hook, line and sinker when he’d first set eyes on her. It had been at the wedding of local GP, Zander Gillespie and his bride Livvie, that had taken place at the castle a couple of Christmases back. Since then, Gabe had asked Anoushka out several times. ‘I suppose I still can’t tempt you to ditch the po-faced, suited fella and let me take you out on a date?’ he’d asked a couple of months ago, his expression hopeful. But he'd been disappointed when she’d very kindly, and not a little bashfully, turned him down. Despite her string of refusals, he hadn’t seemed to lose the hope that he’d win Anoushka round one day. And the newly installed recording studio located in a renovated barn in the grounds of Danskelfe Castle now offered him the perfect excuse to head back to the windswept corner of the North Yorkshire Moors whenever he wanted. But, thus far, and despite finding herself liking him enormously, Anoushka had remained resolutely immune to his charms. Which was exactly how she intended it to remain. The last thing she needed was to break up with Damon and immediately throw herself into the arms of someone else. Particularly someone who spent a great deal of time in the media spotlight.
Frowning, Anoushka pushed Gabe out of her mind, flicking Kitty a look. ‘I’m not sure I’ll be a—’ Before she could finish, the sound of a car horn blasted impatiently from outside, making both women jump.
‘Oh, my goodness! That frightened the life out of me.’ Kitty’s hand flew to her chest, her eyes wide. Ethel and Mabel shot up, barking and looking around, their ears cocked as they trotted around the room.
Anoushka leapt to her feet. ‘That’ll be Damon,’ she said, panic flooding her body. She glanced up at the clock on the wall; it was two-thirty-five. ‘Oh, flippin’ heck, I’m late! I’d best dash.’
‘Blimey, I wish he’d just knock on the door like everyone else.’
‘Yeah, you’re not the only one.’ Anoushka sighed, grabbing her bag and coat from the hooks by the door and rushing out. ‘See you later, Mum.’
‘See you later, lovey,’ said Kitty quietly while Ethel and Mabel looked on with interest.
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