CHAPTER NINETEEN
The next few days were hell. I hadn’t thought my life could sink any lower, but alienating my best friend amounted to a brand new low.
Billy was ignoring my desperate apologies and pleas for forgiveness, and I was so frustrated and upset by this, I tried to distract myself by taking on so many gardening jobs I was exhausted at the end of each day.
On the third day of zero communication, I came down with a horrible virus and as I sweated and shivered in bed, in Rori’s spare room, it hit me that I cared about Billy far more than I’d realised.
Part of me had been glad Jenna had finished with him. I’d told myself I was glad because it was never going to work out between them and Billy deserved much better.
But was that the real reason?
Had I been jealous of Jenna all along?
Next day, though, as I began to feel human again, I rationalised these weird thoughts about Billy as merely the product of a strange delirium. That virus had been a humdinger. In my feverish state, I definitely hadn’t been in my right mind when I’d imagined that Billy and I were meant for each other!
*****
That night, when Rori’s buzzer sounded, I couldn’t even work up the energy to go to the door. (I’d swapped the bed for the sofa and was being looked after very well by Rori.)
Rori answered it. ‘It’s Billy,’ she called. ‘He’s coming up.’
Oh, hell.
I stayed where I was, recalling his angry face the last time I’d seen him, and wanting to disappear under the blanket.
‘Hi, Blossom.’ He stood awkwardly in the doorway. ‘Look, I’m sorry I was so mean to you. You were only reacting as a good friend would.’
I struggled to an upright position. ‘Are you okay?’
He nodded. ‘It was a shock when Jenna told me it was over and I took out my feelings on you.’
‘I should never have interfered, though.’
‘No, but that’s what I’m saying. You absolutely should have. You did the right thing.’
‘Come and sit down.’
He perched on the sofa arm and gave me a rueful grin. ‘Missed you, Blossom.’
I smiled up at him. ‘Missed you, too.’
‘So you’re down with a virus?’
‘Well, I was. But I’m on the mend now.’
‘Just making the most of it, being waited on?’ He grinned at Rori, who was hovering in the doorway.
‘Tea?’ she asked.
I threw off the blanket and sprang to my feet, suddenly feeling so much better. ‘I’ll make it. You sit down for a change, Rori.’
‘I’ll help,’ said Billy, following me through to the kitchen. ‘So are you really feeling better?’
‘I am.’ I turned to him, an idea brewing. I’d been turning it over in my mind for a while now, ever since Antonio had told me about single mother Zo? and her baby girl. Remembering Antonio had said she was a dress-maker, I’d searched for her online and finally found her business website. She designed and made wedding dresses for a living now – and best news of all, she still lived at the same address in Edinburgh.
‘Billy?’
‘That’s me.’
‘How do you fancy a trip to Edinburgh on Saturday?’