Page 70 of From Notting Hill with Love…Actually
“Whatisit like then, Scarlett?” David panted as he reached our side. “He’s been winking at you on and off all day, and you’ve been unable to take your eyes off each other all night.”
How could David even think that, when Sean had been all over Danielle? I might have been glancing inhisdirection occasionally, but Sean hadn’t been watchingme—had he?
“Dave, old chap, calm down.” Sean put his hand on David’s shoulder. “It’s not what you think.”
“Ithinkyou’d better take your hands off me,” David said in a voice that was just a bit too calm. “And it’s Dav-id.”
“OK, OK,” Sean said, holding up his hands in surrender. “Whatever you say, mate.”
This appeared to anger David even more. “And I am certainlynotyourmate! Scarlett, come with me, we’re going in.” He grabbed my arm. “We’ll talk about this inside,” he hissed in my ear as he began to march me away from Sean.
“David, stop it. You’re behaving ridiculously.” I wriggled under his tight grip.
“I think you’d better do what Scarlett asks,” Sean said, following us.
David stopped abruptly and turned to face Sean. “Or what?”
It was Sean’s turn to look angry now. “Just do as she asks, all right?”
David released his grip on my arm. “And I’ll ask you again: or what?”
Sean turned away from him and spoke to me. “Are you OK?” he asked gently.
I nodded.
“Don’t ignore me, both of you. Especiallyyou!” David said, pushing Sean’s shoulder.
Sean turned. “Don’t do that,” he said, his eyes flashing dangerously.
David pushed Sean’s other shoulder. “Or what? I know your sort, full of clever words and empty threats.”
“And unfortunately, David, I’ve also come across your sorttoo many times before. Come on, Scarlett,” Sean said, putting his arm around my shoulders, “I’lltake you back inside if you like.”
“You’re not taking her anywhere. Not now, not ever.”
“And just how do you propose to try and stop me?” Sean said, throwing David a pitying look.
David lunged at Sean, who swiftly sidestepped him so that David went crashing to the ground.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Sean looked down at David sprawled on the tarmac. “Come on, Scarlett.”
I hesitated, torn by my desire to go with Sean and my loyalty to David.
“See, she doesn’t want to go with you,” David said, picking himself up off the floor. “She’s mine.”
“Excuse me, I’m not any—” I began to say. But my words were lost, as David lunged with all his force into Sean again. This time Sean wasn’t ready and they both fell to the ground. They tumbled down a slope covered in bright winter flowers. Over and over they rolled until finally they splashed into the fountain below.
They pulled themselves up in about a foot of water and began to throw punches at each other, most of which missed their target as they kept slipping on the muddy base of the pond.
“Stop it!” I called, running down the hill. I paused halfway down as I heard a commotion—other than the idiots that were splashing about in the water below. At the entrance of the hotel, I saw a horse-drawn carriage pulling up outside.
Oh no, Maddie and Felix were about to leave.
I hurried down the rest of the hill, just as all the guestsbegan to spill out into the courtyard to see the happy couple on their way.
“Stop it!” I shrieked at Sean and David. “Maddie is about to leave, and I won’t have any part of her day ruined by you two play-fighting in a paddling pool!”
To my surprise, they ceased their fighting and looked at me.
