Page 17 of Toy Boy
“Thanks. I need this.”
She settles back and sips her drink but I can see just by looking at her that she’s a mere heartbeat away from having her say. Laney doesn’t live in Beachcastle, she lives a few miles away in the village of Burnham with her husband, two cats, and a Range Rover. Both her and Russell are busy lawyers, which means she rarely has time to visit, but the fact she’s found that time now, on a week night, just as Scott’s made a reappearance, well, that’s just a little too coincidental.
“Come on. Say it.”
Laney looks at me with a slightly bemused expression, but she’s fooling no-one.
“Say what?”
The withering look I give her leaves her in no doubt that I know exactly why she’s come all the way over here, on a Tuesday.
“Why didn’t you call me, Megan?”
“To avoid this.”
“You should’ve told me Scott was back.”
“I’ve only just found out. And what’s the big deal, anyway?”
“I never trusted him.”
“I know you didn’t.”
She stares out ahead of her, sipping her drink, her lips pursed, she always does that when she’s verging on angry. But whatshe’sgot to be angry about I have no idea.
“The man’s a brilliant surgeon, there’s no doubt about that, and I know that what he did for you… We’ll always be grateful to him for that, but…” She looks at me, and her expression is softer now. “You really don’t care that he’s back?”
“Of course I care, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. But what can I do? I can’t stop him from moving back here, it’s his home.”
“I could organise a restraining order?”
I shoot her another withering look. “Seriously?”
“It’s what I do.” She shrugs. “I have connections.”
I shake my head and look out at the sea and the beach that’s now slowly starting to empty of its last few remaining stragglers.
“Josh says he’s already tracked you down.”
“Tracked me down…? He’s not a stalker, Laney, he’s my ex-husband. And as far as “tracking me down” is concerned, this is Beachcastle Bay. It’s a small town, and he knows exactly where I am. Not my home address, maybe, although it’s only a matter of time before he finds that out, I suspect, but he knows I have the café. And it isn’t exactly a surprise that he wants to talk to me.”
“I hope you gave him short shrift.”
“Not that it’s got anything to do with anyone else, but yeah. I wasn’t exactly welcoming. But I don’t think that’s going to stop him. He’ll keep trying. He’s stubborn.”
“So are you.”
I look at her, and I can’t help smiling. “You really didn’t need to drive all the way down here you know.”
“It’s hardly a trek.”
“I know you’re busy.”
“You’re my sister, Megan. I care about you. I worry about you. What happened… We nearly lost you. And to be honest, I don’t come and see you anywhere near enough.”
“Jesus, don’tyoustart! It’s bad enough Josh popping in every time he’s got a few minutes to spare without you doing it, too.”
“I miss you.”