Chapter 5
Tabitha
Ahhhh. My mind was ticking over. Doing a reality show was bonkers, but they’d film us while we were together anyway.
The payment would cover the electrical upgrading and what I owed Tim for the second half of the renovation.
If we could win, it would also pay for six months’ breathing room while the inn started up.
I’d have to work seven days a week for the next two months—five days at my job, then weekends at my parents’ house—but I’d never been afraid of hard work and long hours.
What was there to lose…apart from my sanity?
“Yes, I’d love to,” I said, my stomach clenched. Everything about this was not me. I didn’t even like that I had a picture byline at work. “This sounds like a great idea. I’m in.”
Tim’s huge grin dropped. It was almost worth plastering my face all over the gogglebox to witness that.
“But you can’t because you have that thing.” He raised his eyebrows.
I gave him a reassuring smile. “No worries. The thing is taken care of.”
“Hmm. But I do think the thing might prevent you from fully releasing yourself to filming.”
“If anything, the thing will allow me to stretch—and indeed, soar!—during filming.”
I glanced around to see everyone dumb struck with confusion over our back and forth.
Tim’s jaw hung slack. Yes. I made an imaginary fist pump. Then, taking in his anxious face, my stomach curdled with worry. He wanted me to change my mind. He didn’t want to be around me. That thought sent an uncomfortable twinge into my side.
Ignoring Tim’s look of despair, I arranged a time for all of us to meet at my parents’ house and exchanged phone numbers. I said I had to get back to the party, shot them my most poised smile, and returned to the baby shower table.
At which point, I did a low booty pop in my mind. Which made my dress slide right up my thighs. Because that was how I rolled now.
My attention was only half focused on Ishani and Sunny as they discussed an event at a new restaurant.
I wasn’t as hungry for the details as I would have been, even with all that had transpired.
Had I started to grow weary of the buzz and bustle of London, or was I still in shock over Perry’s bizarre infidelity?
This reality show madness? Probably shock, but surprisingly, I’d started to look forward to returning to the peaceful rolling hills and honey-colored stone of the market town where I’d grown up in the Cotswolds.
Surely I’d never want to live there full-time, though? Certainly not the way I was living with my parents now. And why was I thinking about the sleepy village where I’d grown up when I needed to focus on the monumental choice I’d just made?
My parents would hate having cameras and strange people in their house. They loved chaos, but only when it came to animals. Being filmed also meant I’d have to become a different person for a while.
“Hello, everyone.” Declan, Isla’s partner, strode into the baby shower, kissed Isla on the cheek, and set down Teddy, their little white dog. No matter how often the cute pup saw you, he always seemed like he was saying, “Hi, hi, hi, I love you so much.” Even if you’d only seen him an hour ago.
Sephy wailed. “Dad, I said no boys. And that means Teds too.”
Declan made a sheepish face. “Just popped in to tell you to call me when you’re ready and I can walk you home.” He and Isla gazed into each other’s eyes.
Sephy tsked dramatically. “See what I have to put up with? The gooey eyes all day long. Dad, take Teddy and go. I’ve got games planned.”
Declan paused at Tim’s table to talk, snatching proud glances of Sephy setting up the games. Catching Isla’s eye again, he winked. Chin on hand, she gazed lovingly at him as he left.
Sigh. Will I ever have that?
That was when I noticed Ishani and Sunny conferring with Tim, looking very pleased with themselves. They were like toddlers—should never be left unattended.
“Hey, Tim is coming with us to the club,” Ishani said. “Maybe some of the other guys too.” She blushed a little.
I pictured my evening with him at the club—him laughing and joking and surrounded by women as usual, me on the outskirts like a dork or awkwardly trying to chat someone up.
What I needed tonight was to forget about my sorry life, drink too much, dance with abandon, and find someone to flirt with—things I wasn’t very good at.
I didn’t need Tim hovering, critiquing my amateur moves.
“He says he’s heading home to the Cotswolds after, and he can drive you too,” Sunny said.
I glanced down at the overnight bag at my feet. Staying weekends at my parents’ house during the renovations took mental fortitude. There was no way I was spending more time with Tim than I had to.
“Oh, that won’t work.” I checked him sipping his beer, relieved to have an excuse. “He’s been drinking. I’ll just take the train.”
“He’s drinking alcohol-free beer,” Ishani said. “All good.”
Ishani and Sunny are trying to set me up with Tim. And I knew his reason for coming to the club and driving me back to my parents’ house, a two-hour journey. He was going to persuade me not to do the show. Well, tough. I needed this show. I needed the money for my parents.
“Guys, please don’t try to push us together,” I pleaded.
“What? I’m not pushing anyone.” Ishani swapped innocent looks with Sunny. “Are you?”
“Me?” Sunny flung up her hands, mock-offended. “I am most definitely not pushing anyone anywhere.”
I groaned inwardly.
Why does this day just keep getting worse?