Page 60 of The Vow We Made
Her comment throws me. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Steph knows something.
“Have you seen him?”
“What’s that now?” She immediately comes around to the back of the sofa where I sit. Did she hear me? I know she did, but still I repeat, “Aiden. Have you seen him?”
Pushing me forward, she grabs one of the cushions from behind my back. “Why would I?” she falsely laughs while plumping the pillow with some force. I glance over my shoulder towards her.
“Because he’s Will’s brother and they’re usually together. So?”
Refusing to meet my eyes and with a red face, she replies quite abruptly, “Well, yes, but only briefly.”
I can’t help digging for information. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes, fine.” She’s determined to give nothing away.
“Nothing more? He hasn’t said anything about me at all?”
Steph shrugs feigning nonchalance. “Why would he?”
“Because he hasn’t been over this week and you’re being defensive. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Everything is fine.”
I turn back to face the girls. Bronte shakes her head, while Faith shrugs her shoulders. My stomach drops and I feel deflated, but something occurs to me as she stops fannying about with my cushions and takes her seat by my side.
“Has he met someone else?”
Her eyes widen and her croaked voice stutters “Of course not.” Steph seems grateful when my mum enters the room which means my questioning stops.
“Would you girls like more tea?”
“No thank you Abigail, I should get going.” Bronte stands, straightening her skirt.
“Don’t let me drive you out because we’ve arrived,” Steph insists.
“Actually, I should go too. I have some work to catch up on.” Faith is about to get up until I ask. “On that subject, we could do with a catch-up. Can you stay a bit longer?” Faith’s eyes smile my way, “Of course,” then she sits herself down once again.
“I can’t stay long anyway.” Now I know I’ve made Steph uncomfortable and fear the worst until she floors me with a suggestion. “Actually Abigail, I only came over to ask you something.”
“Have you? How can I help you dear?” Mum says while clearing away our tea tray.
“I was wondering if you think it a good idea for Victoria to come home now? I have a couple of weeks between shoots and we did promise to share the load.”
Mum lifts an eyebrow my way for approval and my smile confirms I’d be happy to go home.
“I don’t see why not.” Mum beams. “You’re not kids anymore so if you get yourselves into trouble, it’s your own fault.”
Steph’s whole demeanour changes at the news. “Fabulous because I have just the tonic to pick her up.”
