Page 45 of Will You Stay Another Day?
Dylan put down her coffee. He stepped back. Rubbed the back of his neck. ‘What… what do you mean?’
‘I bumped into Jags this afternoon. He told me that Harry died two years ago. You’ve lied to me, Dylan. Right from the beginning. And what detail you’ve gone into, what with the pretend messaging and a video call with your brother, and him turning down Vegas to go to Vietnam and?—’
‘I—’
‘No! You don’t get to interrupt me! You don’t get to say anything! Because there’s no fucking excuse.’ Her voice broke. ‘I opened up to you about Em – told you things I’ve never told anyone before, like about the nightmares. Was it some sort of sick joke coming to meet me in the pub? Did you think it would be an easy way to get a Halloween hook-up? Had you planned it all in advance? How you played coy, like the perfect gent – is that just part of some creepy act? What a fool I’ve been.’
‘Lili, you’ve got this all wrong?—’
‘I bet you’d really read those texts I’d been sending Em. Had you deleted them before going to the pub? That would make sense. Did they give you the impression I was vulnerable?’ She crossed her arms, heart racing as quickly as she’d driven over here. Hold it together, Lili, don’t let him win, she told herself. ‘Well, you’re the one who’s got things wrong. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve found you out. And I’m fine.’ Her voice sounded hoarse.
He collapsed into one of the kitchen chairs, looking like a criminal who’d finally been proved guilty.
‘God, I bet you’ve had a laugh these last few weeks. After we had sex, you wanted me as a business contact so that you could dump your house clearance stuff out of area – as you said, it would make your life a lot easier. It all worked out pretty well for you, didn’t it?’
She wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve and pointed to the letter rack. ‘You don’t make sense – clinically gutting clients’ houses, yet holding on to every part of Harry’s life for as long as you can. But then why should I be surprised that you’re a hypocrite as well as a liar?’
Dylan got up and walked over to her. ‘Lili. I can explain. Just give me five minutes of your time,’ he stuttered and placed a hand on her arm.
She shook him off and disappeared into the hallway. She shoved her feet into her shoes, did them up and pulled on her coat before yanking open the front door.
‘It makes sense now why you were so uncomfortable when I visited the warehouse. When Jags arrived… you were worried, weren’t you, that he’d inadvertently drop you in it?’
‘Look, Lili, I?—’
‘Go to Vegas! Do it for Harry. Whatever. Or was that a lie too, about him wanting to go there? Did you just fancy a holiday? Either way, I don’t give a shit. I won’t be going and I don’t ever want to see you again. Lies have fucked up the lives of the people I care about most.’ She slammed the door shut and ran to Colonel Mustard, tears running down her cheeks.
Somehow she got home, chest still hitching. Lili ignored her phone ringing until she got back. Sitting in the darkness, in the lounge, she felt as if she’d lost something important all over again. Well, she wouldn’t let that loser set her back. Tomorrow she had a freedom ceremony to run and helping that person, who’d contacted her out of the blue last week, was more important than her own feelings right now.
Lili’s eyes dropped to her phone’s screen. Dad had rung. He never did that on a Saturday night, usually down the pub with his football mates. Perhaps there was an emergency. She sniffed, wiped her eyes, and pressed dial.
‘Lili, love! Thanks for ringing back. Wasn’t sure you’d be in.’
‘Hi, Dad.’ Normally she’d be pleased. He was happier these days.
‘You okay, chick?’
‘I’m fine,’ she said, almost unable to get the words out.
‘Really? You sound funny. Like when you were little and had been crying.’
She bit on her fist. ‘No, honestly,’ she said, voice higher than usual. ‘Maybe I’m… I’m coming down with a cold. Anyway – everything okay?’
‘No. Emergency stations. I’m having a panic about what to get you for Christmas. It’s only a couple of weeks away. Got any ideas, love?’
Thank God he was okay. Thank God she could end the call quickly. ‘I’ll have a think and text you, Dad. Gotta go now.’
‘Lili, what’s going on?’
‘Nothing. Love you,’ she croaked, and a sob escaped her lips before she could end the call.
30
Lili sat in the garden, wrapped up in a blanket, and breathed in the morning smell of damp soil and foliage. She held out her hand and Bobbin flew over.
‘Hello, little friend,’ she said and then fell silent.
Even though the bird’s favourite mix lay in her palm, with juicy raisins, tasty peanuts and strands of Cheddar, it cocked its head and stared at Lili. Then its beak opened and it gave a joyous rendition of its morning melody. Lili managed a half-smile, nothing more. Still the robin didn’t eat. It did a little jig.
