Page 88 of Winter at Wishington Bay
Underneath was a picture of my Instagram feed, including the one I’d taken earlier today of Carrie’s Christmas tree. And next to that was a shot of me in my apron, at work, clearly with no idea I was being photographed. With all the shit that was hitting the fan today, it would definitely have been a good idea to have been prepared with some make-up but, by the time Nate had left, I’d barely had time to shower and get dressed in order not to be late. Had I known someone was planning to sneak pictures which would then be spread over the internet, not to mention meet Nate’s super hot ex, I might have made a different choice…
Sophia Jones, an unassuming waitress and cleaner from the small village of Wishington Bay on the south-west coast of England has been today, thanks to a secret source, unveiled as the mystery influencer behind the cleaning blog that’s becoming a firm favourite among followers. Ms Jones has refused to reply to any of our attempts to contact her in order to explain why she wanted her blog persona to remain a secret but, having seen other similar blogs succeed and bring success to their owners, we can’t imagine she’ll be anything but grateful! Watch this space for more news.
Grateful?Grateful?! There were a lot of things I was feeling right now and not one of them was grateful. I was also pretty sure who their anonymous source was, but that was the least of my worries right now.
‘Are you OK, lovely?’
I looked up from the screen and met Flora’s eyes. ‘I’m fine.’ I was every emotion other than fine, but it seemed like the right thing to say. A very British thing to say and, had my mother ever been proud of me, she might have been so now for not collapsing into a puddle behind the shop counter.
‘You don’t look fine.’
I could believe that.
‘Can I ask something?’ she asked, her voice soft.
I nodded.
‘Why have you been trying to keep it all a secret? Everyone seems so concerned about Likes and popularity these days. Why not you?’
I opened my mouth to reply but was stopped by the door flying open and Corinne bursting into the shop.
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‘Oh my God! You’re a Lady?’ She let out a laugh that was nothing but cold amusement. ‘No wonder you didn’t want anyone to know about your stupid Insta account! Did Nate know he had aristocracy cleaning his toilet?’ Her laugh was high-pitched and annoying as a word that began with a capital F. ‘I guess we should have all been bowing in front of you at the restaurant.’
‘As a female, you should curtsey. Not that you’d know anything about manners,’ Flora lashed out at Corinne, who for a moment looked stunned at this kindly, elegant lady putting her in her place. ‘And I assume it was you who contacted this magazine?’
Corinne gave a smug smile. ‘It was. And why shouldn’t I? Got paid a nice bonus for it too. Some of us weren’t born with a silver spoon in our mouths and have to earn our own money.’
‘Oh, don’t talk such rubbish. Your parents have spoiled you rotten from the day you arrived on this earth so don’t act all hard done by,’ Flora snapped back. I was still numb and although words screamed and raced in my head, nothing seemed inclined to make its way out.
Corinne flashed her a dirty look which Flora gave right back.
‘I guess your little fling with Nate is well and truly over now. Even if his wife wasn’t back, he had that big thing about being honest, and I guess finding out you’ve been lying to him, actually to the whole village, hasn’t gone down well.’
I met the cold glare.
‘Yeah, Serena and I have become really good Facebook friends after I found her page,’ Corinne continued. ‘We’ve got so much in common.’
That I didn’t doubt.
‘And then, of course, when I told her Nate was obviously miserable without her, she told me the thing with the tennis guy wasn’t working out anyway so I suggested she come over and surprise him. I’m sure he’s thrilled!’
He didn’t look thrilled but then he’d looked pretty thunderous at me too, so I wasn’t really in much of a position to talk.
‘She messaged me after you’d been to the house. He’s livid with you, by the way. But, of course, we both thought it was hilarious that you’re supposed to be this super rich aristo type and there you are with a bog brush in your hand half the time. Oh my God! I mean, I can’t even!’
‘I think it’s time you left,’ Flora said.
‘I’m not done yet.’
‘Oh, you’re done. You’re more than done,’ Flora returned in a voice that didn’t offer space for argument. ‘And I want you off my premises right now. Also, you’re barred.’ She hustled Corinne out of the door and shut it firmly behind her before looking back at me.
‘You OK?’
I nodded automatically. ‘I need to go home now.’
‘Of course, love.’ She rested her hand on the catch. ‘Is it true?’ Her voice was soft.
