Page 22 of Retrograde
‘What did you say to his mum in the end?’ Faith asked, reminding Lucie that she had an unread message from Maggie. She was concerned. Brett had been cagey about why he was home earlier than planned, but Lucie didn’t know how to respond.
‘Nothing. I’ll just reply later, tell her I’ve been busy all day. Suggest she speaks to her son as it’s not my place. Then he can decide how much or how little to tell her.’
‘Good idea,’ Faith nodded. ‘Areyouokay?’
‘Not really, but I can’t do much about it.’
‘We can fly out there, if you want? Jules will loan us the money.’
‘No, no. I don’t want to smother him. I need to respect that he asked for space.’ She knew this was the right decision but she couldn’t deny she’d thought about getting on a plane at least three times an hour since he’d landed.
‘I don’t think you would be, but I hear you.’
‘I’m just emotional, and I know it’s not going to be easy for him.’
‘Brett’s a tough cookie, Luce. He’ll be okay. Plus, he knows he’s got all of us to help keep him on the right path when he’s back.’
‘That sort of makes it sound like he’s in prison.’
‘I don’t think they’d let him keep that pillow he stole if he was in prison.’
‘The bloody pillow. Honestly, who does that?’
Faith snorted, ‘Rich people.’
‘Says the girl who is married to one.’
‘Jules isn’t that crazy.’
‘Yeah,right. The man spent all those euros to win you a stuffed shark at the funfair.’
‘That was in the name of love. So, that’s fine.’
‘Howisyour beloved Mustang?’
‘Jasmine stole him. He’s back in Hawaii with her.’ Faith pretended to be sad about it, but realistically she’d probably willingly given him to her stepdaughter so she wouldn’t feel obligated to keep dragging a giant stuffed shark around the world with her.
‘I know this is probably inappropriate, all things considered, but can we go to a fancy bar and get very, very drunk.’
‘Oh, one hundred per cent. And it isn’t inappropriate at all. Brett is the one with a drinking problem, not you. You’re still entitled to let your hair down, Luce.’ She nudged Lucie’s hip in encouragement.
‘Okay, thank you. Look, I’m going to head back to the hotel. I’ve given myself a headache and I think I need to sleep it off and just shut my brain down for a bit.’
‘All right, I’m just going to finish up here then I’ll be back. God, I wish I still had my flat! Love you, Carolan.’
‘Love you, Jensen.’ Lucie offered a weary smile and headed out to the nearest tube station.
As she stood behind the yellow line amongst a seaof office workers desperate to get home, she wondered what Brett was doing right now.
Lucie wanted to know he had the support he needed back home, but she’d promised not to say anything, so for now, she should rely on Brett telling her the truth about how he was feeling. Something about lying to Maggie Anderson felt very wrong. She treated Lucie like her own daughter, and Lucie hadneverlied to her. If she told his mum and sisters what was really going on, beat him to it, yes, they would be worried, but at least both Brett and Lucie could lean on them for support throughout this journey.
She realised how ridiculous that sounded, even in her own head. She and Brett weren’t together. They never had been. Lucie shouldn’t be leaning on his family; she should be leaning on her own.Damn it. She had to tell Maggie the truth.
10
Of all the places he could have bumped into someone. Of all the people he could have bumped into. Why did she have to appear here, outside hisfavouritehidden gem café? Alone, too, so she would have no hesitation in stopping for a chat. And he let her, because he was weak and his ex-girlfriend had always had a hold over him.
‘Hey, Brett!’ she gushed, and it was so over the top but even the fake enthusiasm tugged at his heartstrings. There was so much unfinished business here.
