Page 135 of For Love or Money
‘No. It’s over between us, Al. You’re moving on and so am I. You have Cassie—’
‘But Idon’t,’ he yelled.
‘And I’m going back to Dinner Dates next week to find myself a real boyfriend. For free!’
Al’s only response was a growl of frustration before she hung up and went back to sobbing.
45
‘Sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday,’ Lesley said the next morning when she called over to Stella’s for coffee. ‘I wasn’t really answering my phone.’ She had woken this morning to a couple of missed calls and a voice message from Stella. ‘So the wedding’s off?’
‘Yes.’ Stella was giving nothing away, poised and self-possessed as ever. It was a stark contrast to what had facedherwhen she’d looked in the bathroom mirror last night – and again this morning. If onlyshecould look that fresh and pristine when she was heartbroken. But then maybe Stella wasn’t devastated like she was.
At least this meant her bridesmaid gig was off and she wouldn’t have to see Al again – and Stella’s secrets were none of the Bradshaws’ business anymore. There was no need for them to ever know what she’d found out. She regretted even having told Al. She liked Stella, and she felt protective towards her now, knowing what she did.
‘Who called it off?’ she asked, deciding to try the direct approach.
Stella shrugged. ‘I suppose I did technically. But it was mutual really. We both knew it was the right thing. It’s for the best.’
Lesley sighed. ‘Must be something in the air with the Bradshaw men.’
‘What do you mean?’ Stella asked aghast. ‘You’re not telling me you’ve broken up with Al?’
Lesley chugged down half a glass of sparkling water in one before answering. She was alternating between strong black coffee and gallons of fizzy water to try and beat her hangover into submission. ‘Yep,’ she nodded, putting her glass down. ‘He’s back with Cassie.’
‘Really? Are you sure?’
Lesley nodded. ‘She’s moved in with him.’
‘I don’t believe it! Al’s crazy about you. It’s so obvious.’
Huh! Maybe Al had the acting gene after all. ‘I was at his house. I saw it with my own eyes. She’s living there.’
Stella frowned. ‘But that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. I mean, Rafe and I both live in this house, but we’re not together.’
Oh God. There was something about the way Stella said Rafe’s name, something in her face when she talked about him that made Lesley’s heart sink.
‘That’s not ... I mean Rafe’s not the reason you broke it off with Peter, is he?’ she asked cautiously. Bloody Rafe! She hated to think Stella had fallen for his act and been tricked into giving up the life she wanted.
‘No,’ she said with a derisive laugh. ‘Definitely not.’
‘Good. Because I know he can be very flirty and everything, but he’s not someone you can take seriously.’
‘I know.’ She looked hurt, and Lesley had a horrible feeling she was lying. She really hoped Stella hadn’t fallen too hard.
‘So, what are you going to do now?’
‘Well, first I have to cancel this wedding – which it turns out is almost as much work as planning it in the first place.’
‘Right, well, I’ll help you with that.’
‘Then I don’t know. Find somewhere to live, get a job ...’
‘But you’re staying in Dublin?’
‘Yes, I want to be near—Oh gosh, I haven’t even told you about what’s been happening the last couple of days. There’s been so much going on.’
Lesley listened aghast as Stella told her about her father’s funeral, her mother still being alive, Dan, the trip to Galway with Rafe ...
