Page 77 of Broken Beyond Repair
“I’ll rescue you if you drown.”
“Very reassuring, Sydney.”
Sydney smirked and turned her back to her. “Hold on to my shoulders. I’ll take you back to the steps.”
“Then you will drown, and no one will rescue me.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. You’re not that heavy.”
“Huh.” Beatrice clung to Sydney’s shoulders, only for her to immediately sink into the water. Beatrice gasped. “Sydney!”
Her assistant emerged from the water, laughing. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist.”
It earned her a slap on the arm. “Don’t do that.”
“Sorry. I’ll behave this time. I have lifeguard qualifications, you know. I’ve saved grown men from the water before.”
“Impressive. Were any of them worth saving?” Beatrice asked. She hung off Sydney’s shoulders as she paddled them back to the shallow end.
“I couldn’t possibly comment.” Sydney chuckled, turning as she reached the corner of the pool so Beatrice could sink onto a step. She took a seat beside her and tucked her elbows back onto the step above. Arching back, she surveyed the house as the automatic lights flicked on and illuminated it.
Beatrice mirrored her.
“Your home is…” Sydney trailed off, unable to find the appropriate word for Highwood House.
“I know,” Beatrice answered.
“Are you two coming or what?” Alex hollered from the kitchen fifteen minutes later.
Sydney stood and held her hands out to Beatrice. She’d been enjoying the silent company of Sydney beside her so much she was reluctant to take them, not wanting the moment to end. She couldn’t bear to think about a time when she would no longer be there. Finally taking her hands, she stood, bearing the weight on her good leg.
Finding herself face to face with Sydney, she said “I’ve had a fantastic day, not even counting my divorce.” She flicked the end of Sydney’s nose with her finger. “You are quite extraordinary, Sydney McKenzie. Thank you.”
“It’s not over yet. I smell popcorn.”
Having towelled herself dry, she followed Sydney back inside.
“Here’s a little trick for you, Alex. Next time you smell a fart at school, tell everyone you can smell popcorn and then watch their faces as they take a deep breath.”
“Oh, Sydney, that’s awful!” Beatrice howled with a mix of disgust and delight as she lowered herself from her crutches to a chair.
Alex grinned. “Epic.”
CHAPTER29
The cool water of the swimming pool soothed Sydney’s burning feet as she rested them on the first step; they hated this hot, sticky weather. She touched the water, gliding her hand through it as she recalled Beatrice in the pool earlier. How much fun they’d enjoyed messing about as a… she caught herself thinking of the word ‘family’. Beatrice and Alex were a family. She’d been given the immense honour of joining it for a brief time, and soon that time would be over. She would move on with Gertie and be gone forever.
She arched back and gazed at the stars. Her eyes descended to Beatrice’s balcony, where beyond the woman she desired was alone and would remain so. Now hardened against the world, she couldn’t see her opening up to anyone again, but there was always a chance. A hope. And if you asked Sydney, Beatrice deserved true happiness.
Part of falling in love was allowing someone to see you for what you were and them still being there after learning all the good and bad in you. Beatrice was going to need someone to read her autobiography before she went on a first date… or to have written it even. Sydney sighed at the thought. What she’d do for one night with her. It would be enough to ensure Beatrice would never let her leave her side.
The urge to be with her was so strong she imagined herself storming up to her room to declare herself so Beatrice could throw her out and put her out of her misery. It was the only way she was going to be able to move past the feelings eating her alive and the frustration gnawing at her from not knowing what Beatrice was thinking. Rejection was the only option, and for that, she would need to declare her feelings.
She laughed at the stupid thought. She knew already rejection would be swift; she didn’t need the performance of it. Ruining her last week with Beatrice was not going on the agenda.
She’d achieved what she set out to and more. Watching mother and son enjoy a day together, a movie, a laugh — a day she had choreographed. Sharing in that was part of the reward she would take from her time at Highwood. It was a place she never wanted to leave, a place she felt she could call home if Beatrice and Alex were with her.
She would bet the two of them hadn’t shared a more enjoyable day together in recent years. As Beatrice watched the chefs at work, Sydney had seen her smile, laugh, grin, chew her lip, and even squint as Alex used his knives. She smiled as she recalled how Beatrice rested her hand on her chin and glanced over at her as she worked. Twice she’d made a point of catching her eye to let her know she’d noticed her.
