30. Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
‘Oh God, I’m such an idiot.’ May threw herself back on Paige’s bed, just as she’d done so many times in their teenage years.
The mattress creaked with a reassuring familiarity beneath her weight.
She still sometimes had to pinch herself at the thought that Paige had gone from enemy to best friend, but she couldn’t imagine being without her now.
Paige climbed onto the bed, crossing her legs and picking up May’s hand in her own. ‘Tell me everything. Is it about that hot pop star you’ve been hanging out with? Are you developing a bit of a crush? Is that it?’
May groaned. ‘A crush, I could deal with.’
‘You’re not falling for him, are you?’ Paige’s eyes widened. ‘He’s nothing like the men you usually go for.’
May gave a wry laugh. ‘Honestly, Paige, for the last few years there really hasn’t been a “type”.
Men have been a convenient distraction from all I’ve had going on, and I haven’t exactly been choosy.
When things in Cambridge … never mind.’ She shook her head.
‘I’ve messed up everything, and I haven’t a clue what to do. ’
‘You know you can tell me anything.’ Paige brushed away a lock of hair that had fallen into May’s eye. ‘I’m not going to judge you.’
May stared at the ceiling, following the faint cracks in the paint, wondering how truthful she could be.
It wasn’t telling Paige about Cillian that worried her.
It was what had gone on before. Everyone in Saffron Bay thought of May as a smart woman with a bright future.
If the truth came out, she’d be mortified.
And as wonderful as her best friend was, there was no way Paige would understand. To her, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
May decided to fast-forward to the moment that had complicated everything. ‘I slept with him.’
Paige jumped up off the bed, the bedsprings squeaking to match her own squeal. ‘You slept with Cillian McDonaugh?’
May groaned and covered her face with her hands. ‘I know, I know. I’m an idiot. An idiot.’
‘Do you have any idea how many girls in the country would give their right arm to have done that? When did this happen? Was it after you’d been to the wedding fair?’
‘God, no,’ said May. ‘We’ve barely been speaking since then. This was before I even got back to Saffron Bay.’
‘Hang on.’ Paige paced the carpet. ‘You knew him before you both arrived here? How is that even possible?’
‘I was drunk,’ said May, ‘and I bumped into him in a pub.’
‘Oh, and you decided to add a celebrity to your list of conquests?’
‘I didn’t know who he was.’ May gave her friend a pleading look.
‘You’re joking, right?’
‘It’s true.’ Why did everyone find this so unbelievable? ‘I don’t watch TV or read gossip columns, and my music taste doesn’t extend beyond the early 2000s.’
‘Only someone living under a rock, or on the moon, wouldn’t recognise Cillian McDonaugh,’ Paige insisted.
‘Honestly,’ said May, ‘it’s true. I really hadn’t a clue.
We hooked up, had a one-night stand, and it was only when I was introduced to him at our first meeting here that I finally realised who he was and what a stupid thing I’d done.
’ She took a breath. ‘And now we have to get on and plan a double wedding with hardly any notice, completely different ideas about what we’re doing, and I’m wondering if I even like him. ’ There, part of it was out.
‘Has this got anything to do with that model I saw walking towards the café as I was leaving?’
‘Who exactly is she?’ asked May.
Paige rummaged in a drawer, pulling it open with a scrape, and threw a glossy magazine into May’s lap.
May pulled herself up against the headboard and flicked through the shiny pages.
‘I have to keep up to date with the latest celebrity gossip,’ said Paige. ‘Gives me something to talk to my clients about. There’s been rumours about Cillian McDonaugh and Kia Critchlow for months. That was her, wasn’t it? Her wig was good, but there aren’t many women around with legs like those.’
‘Yes.’ May tossed the magazine to the floor. ‘It was her. And it turns out, guess what, they’re engaged.’
‘They’re engaged?’ said Paige. ‘Oh my gosh, please let me ring the newspapers. I could make a killing with that titbit of information!’
Tempting. Sense prevailed. ‘You’ll do no such thing.’
Paige laughed. ‘Calm down. What a rat. I can’t believe he slept with you while being engaged to her.’
‘Because she’s ten times more attractive than me? Is that what you’re implying?’
‘No, it’s just a shitty thing to do.’ Paige flung herself back on the bed beside May. The scent of her floral shampoo tickled May’s nose as she landed. ‘No wonder your head’s messed up.’
‘What makes you think my head’s messed up?’ asked May. Was she so obvious?
‘You’ve been weird ever since you got back to Saffron Bay.
I understand you too well, May. I can tell when there’s something going on.
’ She twisted to face May. ‘I thought maybe you’d had some problems at uni.
I would never have imagined you’d slept with a famous pop star who’s engaged to an international supermodel. ’
May smiled despite herself, surprised at how close Paige had come to knowing the truth.
‘If he messes you around,’ said Paige, ‘you could make a fortune selling your story. Not that you’d ever do that,’ she added quickly, seeing the outrage on May’s face. ‘I’m just saying, keep it in your back pocket for a rainy day.’
‘You’re impossible,’ said May.
‘Yes.’ Paige put an arm around May’s shoulders.
‘Which is why you love me. Now, it’s too early for wine, so we’ll have to make the most of Mum’s posh coffee machine instead.
’ She peered towards the window. ‘The sun’s coming out.
We could sit in the garden. I could paint your nails. We could do face masks.’
May grinned. ‘You’re not trying to convince me to suddenly become girly, are you?’
‘Oh, I gave up on that a long time ago.’ Paige grinned. ‘Let’s just hang out. Have some uncomplicated time together, where you don’t have to think about men, you don’t have to think about planning weddings. Like the good old days.’
May squeezed Paige’s hand. ‘Sounds absolutely perfect.’