Page 23 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

Just then, there was a sturdy knock at the door. Their laughter ceased and Ethel and Mabel jumped up and flew down the hallway, barking vociferously.

‘Anyone would think those two were a pair of Rottweilers the way they go on,’ Anoushka said with a chuckle.

‘I know, they don’t realise everyone round here knows they’re as soft as washing,’ said Kitty, as she headed off to answer the door.

‘Well, whoever it is, I hope they’re quick; I’m dying to know how Camm reacted to Moll’s homemade instrument of torture.’ Vi giggled. ‘Come to think of it, you’ve got a bloomin’ nerve, Moll, you snore like a right old pig, as Kitts and I can vouch… oh!’ Her eyes settled on the door, growing wide with shock.

Everyone turned to see Kitty in the doorway, her face ashen and her eyes filled with anxiety. Anoushka frowned, trying to make sense of her step-mum’s expression. Her gaze moved to the figure behind her, her face falling. ‘Damon?’No! This can’t be happening!Her heart lurched. She’d always known it was the risk she took by blocking his number. He was holding an extravagant bouquet of flowers and wearing a self-pitying expression which was more than a little annoying. He clearly had no intention of giving up easily.

Aware of all eyes on her, Anoushka took a moment to steady her nerves, drawing in a deep breath. ‘Damon, what are you doing here?’

His eyes flickered at her chilly tone of voice. ‘You haven’t answered any of my messages.’

‘Ever thought there was a reason for that?’ asked Molly, which earned her an icy glare from him.

‘I was addressing Anoushka actually,’ he said. ‘Coming here’s the only way I can get to speak to you. Can we talk, Anoushka? Please? In private.’ His pathetic pleading look only served to make her bristle even more.

‘Molly’s right, I’ve got nothing to say to you; we’re finished. You’ve had a wasted journey.’

‘Please, Anoushka, just give me five minutes of your time. I’ve come all this way.’

She looked across at Kitty, searching for reassurance. ‘Why don’t you take Damon into the living room? Let him have his five minutes there; get it over and done with. We’ll be here if you need us.’ The steely look in her step-mum’s eyes was all she needed.

‘Okay. Five minutes, Damon. That’s all.’ Anoushka nodded, wondering how she’d managed to magic up this feisty version of herself. She was glad she had; this last Damon-free fortnight had been bliss, and she had no intention of letting him back in her life again.

In the living room, she closed the door behind them and turned to face him.

‘Can we sit down?’ he asked, gesturing to the large squishy sofa that sat opposite the wood burner.

‘I’d rather stand; what you’ve got to say shouldn’t take long.’

He looked taken aback. ‘Don’t be like that.’

‘I’m not being like anything, Damon. I just want to get this over and done with, then you can go.’That’s right, keep up the badass act. Don’t let him in. Do not weaken.

‘Look, Anoushka, I’m sorry you got upset and felt you had to storm off. I’ve racked my brains since then but I can’t think what can have happened to make you do it. But what I do know is that we’re good together. I know I might come across as hard sometimes – you know, like the expression you’ve got to be cruel to be kind – but it’s only because I want the best for you; want you to realise your full potential.’

‘Oh, really?’ Anoushka folded her arms across her chest. ‘You hide it well. And I don’t suppose it would even cross your mind how patronising that actually sounds.’

Damon’s eyes flashed angrily. He pushed his shoulders back and drew himself up to his full five-feet-nine – at an inch shorter than Anoushka, he’d always insisted she must never wear heels in his presence. ‘Someone should tell you it’s time you acted your age. You’ve carried on like a silly little girl for long enough. I’ve let you have your hissy fit and now it’s time to act like a grown up again. I’ve had the decency to go out of my way and come over here, bought you an expensive bouquet of flowers. I’ve even booked us a table for this evening at that fancy new restaurant in York.’ He paused as if letting her absorb his words, waiting for her to rush towards him, gushing with apologies and gratitude.

She tipped her head to one side. That kind of spiel may have worked once, but not anymore. ‘Is that right?’

Her response appeared to have wrong-footed him. Angrily, he threw the bouquet down on the floor and stepped towards her, his eyes cold and mean. ‘Listen to me, you little country mouse. I don’t know who you think you are to turn me down but it’s high time you pulled yourself together. If you don’t come back to York with me now, I’m warning you it’s over between us. Finished! And you won’t get another chance.’

She leaned away from him, his familiar over-powering cologne mixed with the strong mouthwash he used, suddenly repulsing her. ‘You seem to be forgetting something, Damon. We’re already finished; have been for exactly two weeks, so there’s no way I’ll be heading to York with you.’ She hoped he couldn’t hear the shake in her voice.

A muscle pulsed in his cheek as he glared at her. ‘You little fool! I don’t know why I expected any different from you. But I can assure you, breaking up with me will prove to be the worst decision you ever make. That pathetic country yokel family of yours will only hold you back – don’t think I don’t know it’s their influence that’s been the catalyst for this out-of-character behaviour of yours. There’s no way they’ll help you achieve your best like I could. They won’t push you out of that small-minded little comfort zone you’re always so keen to bury yourself in. You’ll just plod on being an ambitionless nobody when my influence could’ve set your career on the path to success.’

Anoushka’s anger was rising. She went to speak but he held up his hand, silencing her. He drew his top lip over his teeth and glowered. ‘I don’t know what I ever saw in you; you’ve been nothing but a waste of my valuable time. You can keep your sad little exist—’

Just then the door flew open. ‘That’s enough! Get out! Right now!’

16

Anoushka and Damon turned to see Kitty walking towards them, her face blazing with anger. ‘Don’t ever, ever talk to my daughter like that again. Do you hear me? I don’t know who the bloody hell you think you are coming in here acting like an arrogant little prick, but let me tell you this, she’s worth a hundred of you, you little weasel!’ She prodded Damon hard on the shoulder, making him take a step back.

‘What the…?’ His eyes flashed angrily. ‘I think you’re forgetting something; she’s not actually your daughter.’ He shrugged his shoulders and gave an arrogant smirk.

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