Page 30 of Hooked On The One That Got Away
So, Willow told them about Harvey and his old chum, Piggers, whom she may have eaten a ninety-nine next to, and the burner phone and website, and the sewer pipe and the dead fish. And how, because she was hurt and angry, she’dalmostbelieved that Charlie had gone to the dark side, but deep down, she was certain he hadn’t.
‘The truth about what you were doingwasa guess,’ she admitted. ‘But an intuitive one. Based on what you’d said to me, and what you’d implied. And on what I knew about you.’
‘You mean, you knew I was a total idiot, who didn’t look before he leapt?’ Charlie was smiling but his eyes told a different story. ‘Who got himself trapped in a situation he’d had no clue was so complicated. And who made unforgivable decisions when it came to you. That’s what you knew about me, right?’
‘I knew you were principled and determined,’ said Willow, softly. ‘And brave and clever. And I can see now thatI always knew you’d come back to me. It was a long, tough wait, but I made it through. And now, here you are, and you won’t be leaving again.’
There was a sniffing sound beside them. Maeve was dabbing away tears with a handkerchief.
‘Good lord,’ said Charlie. ‘Younevercry. It’s flying in the face of nature.’
‘I know. I’m in love,’ said Maeve. ‘My hormones are playing havoc.’
‘Withshithead?’ Charlie screwed up his face in pained disbelief. ‘Really?
‘Wait, no,’ said Maeve. ‘Not love, lust. That’s the word I’m looking for. And Xander is environmentally active up the wazoo, so you two will get on like a house on fire once you get to know each other. Or a nuclear powerplant exploding,’ she said, as an afterthought.
‘I think I prefer the fiddler,’ said Willow, with a grin.
‘Not out of the picture entirely,’ said Maeve. ‘I think one should always strive for balance. A sweet beardy fella on one side, and averybad boy on the other.’
She gave a little shiver of pleasure and sent a text. A second later, Willow saw Xander check his phone and smile, swagger instantly restored.
‘He’s not wrong about one thing, though,’ said Charlie, dolefully. ‘My name’s going to be mud around here.’
‘Youweren’t responsible for the company’s actions,’ Willow insisted. ‘You were their PR person, not senior enough to be let in on top management decisions, and you resigned as soon as you knew. Take the initiative and speak out against them. Offer to testify – the regulator will be glad of the help. Not knowing, of course, that you were the one who fed them the evidence in the first place.’
Both Charlie and Maeve were staring at her. ‘What?’ Willow said.
‘This is a newly fierce and devious side to you,’ said Maeve. ‘Has a parasite from the river lodged itself in your brain?’
‘It’s a good thing I love you,’ said Willow, with a smile.
They all jumped as Geillis materialised as if by magic. She put down a tray of drinks – ‘On the house’ – gave Charlie a brief hard, knowing stare and left.
‘Whoisthat?’ Charlie whispered. ‘This is the first time I’ve been in here for a year, and I don’t recall anyone that terrifying working here before.’
‘She’s a witch,’ said Willow.
‘True,’ confirmed Maeve. She raised her glass of wine. ‘To old friends and new beginnings! Sláinte, skol and bottoms up!’
The three of them held eye contact and clinked glasses. Charlie downed half his pint in one go.
‘Oof,’ he said. ‘Needed that. Need food, too. Haven’t eaten all day.’
‘Well, there’s only cheese and onion crisps here,’ said Maeve. ‘So, finish your drinks you two and hop it. And afterwards go have sex in a darkened doorway, it’ll do you good.’
‘We can’tleaveyou here,’ protested Willow.
‘You can and you will,’ said Maeve. ‘I’ve just this minute spotted yon beardy fiddler and he’s looking this way, so let the evening’s fun commence!’
‘Xander’s a dick,’ said Charlie, as he and Willow left the pub. ‘But I’m not sure evenhedeserves a punishment like Maeve.’
‘I’m not having sex in a doorway, either,’ said Willow. ‘My knees haven’t recovered from Saturday.’
Charlie halted and drew her into his arms. ‘Wherewouldyou like to have sex, then?’ he murmured.
‘I think …’ Willow paused as Charlie kissed her. ‘I’d like to do it on your bed …’
