Chapter Forty-Seven
‘W-What?’ I stammered.
My world tipped on its axis. Jill was living with Dylan? My Dylan. Except… except he wasn’t my Dylan. And, let’s face it, he never had been. Not in the proper sense.
A part of me couldn’t accept what he was saying, and yet I instinctively knew it was the truth. This explained so much. Why Dylan had never properly kissed me. Why he’d never invited me back to his place.
His words echoed in my brain. It started not long after I met you. I inhaled sharply. Wow, bummer or what.
Still, better to find out now than months later. I was annoyed for believing the tosh about Jill having the hots for Dylan and him putting her straight. Lies!
‘I see,’ I said coolly. ‘Well, better to find out now, than later.’
‘You sound miffed,’ said Dylan.
I shut my eyes. After the day I’d had so far, I wasn’t in the mood for keeping my feelings to myself any longer.
‘Yes, Dylan. I am a taddy miffed,’ I said in my best schoolmarm voice.
‘You see,’ he sighed. ‘This was why I wanted to talk to you face-to-face.’
‘It wouldn’t have made a scrap of difference,’ I said crisply. ‘I’m not up for seeing a man who is co-habiting with another woman.’
‘I’m being open and honest with you,’ Dylan protested. ‘I told you how Jill felt about me.’
‘There’s one small detail you left out.’
‘Oh?’
‘You omitted to tell me how you felt about her.’
‘I did not,’ Dylan protested. ‘I want nothing to do with the woman.’
‘So why is she sharing your house?’
I’d been about to add and your bed,but my emotions were starting to get the better of me and my voice had cracked. Dylan must have heard.
‘I told you before, Maggie, and I’ll say it again. There is nothing going on between Jill and me.’
‘Then why…’
I clamped my mouth shut.
‘Why haven’t I taken our relationship further?’ Dylan finished the sentence for me. ‘That’s what you were about to say, wasn’t it?
‘Yes,’ I admitted, after a small silence.
‘Because I felt awkward. I wanted to be transparent with you about Jill being in my house. After all, if I gave you a thorough kissing only to wave you off on my doorstep, wouldn’t you be rather perplexed?’
‘Obviously,’ I said irritably, still not understanding where this conversation was going.
‘After all’ – Dylan pointed out – ‘I could hardly ask you to come in with Madam in situ. You’d have wondered what the hell was going on, especially if Jill had kicked off. Likewise, if I’d stayed over at yours, I’d have felt guilty about you not knowing about the situation under my roof. I’m at my wits’ end. Jill asked to stay over for Terry’s wedding, and I said yes. However, she found my spare house key and took it. After our brunch date, I came home to find her unpacking a suitcase of clothes. As I said, she’s been here ever since.’
‘You mean… she’s refusing to leave?’
‘Yes!’ Dylan exclaimed.
‘Oh,’ I said. This put a different complexion on things.
‘I honestly thought Jill would have tired of this charade by now and left. It’s because she hasn’t, that I’m now forced to have this conversation with you. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. But I never thought I’d be in this ridiculous situation all these weeks later.’
‘It’s fine,’ I sighed, hugely relieved. ‘Thank you for telling me. I had been a bit puzzled. I thought you’d had a change of heart and were…’
I trailed off. Suddenly it seemed a bit silly to say going off me.
‘Maggie, my feelings for you haven’t cooled in the slightest. Rather, they’ve intensified. You’re a wonderful woman. I never thought I’d feel this way again. I’m not going to start making declarations because I don’t want to frighten you off. But trust me, Maggie, you make my heart sing.’
‘Oh,’ I said, grinning foolishly.
I sat there with a goofy expression on my face. Me, a woman in her sixties, made this gorgeous man’s heart sing! I felt something stir in my heart. Like a fanfare of trumpets, or a choir singing Hallelujah at top volume.
A thought occurred to me. Could Jill overhear this conversation?
‘Where are you?’ I asked.
‘At work. I didn’t want Jill eavesdropping,’ he said, echoing my thoughts.
‘I don’t know what to suggest,’ I said, shaking my head.
‘And I don’t know what to do,’ Dylan countered. ‘She’s Jennifer’s sister. I can hardly chuck Jill out on the streets.’
‘I have an idea!’ I sat up straight, a forefinger shooting up in the air. ‘Wait for her to go out, then change your locks.’
‘That thought had crossed my mind. However, until I go to work, she’s there, by my side. Like glue. She greets me like a wife when I get home. “Hello, honey. I’ve cooked a nice roast dinner and there’s a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge.” The whole situation is absurd. Nor does Terry know about this. I don’t want her getting stressed. She told me today that she’s expecting a honeymoon baby–’
‘Oh, Dylan! That’s wonderful news,’ I said, unable to stop myself from gushing. ‘Your first grandchild. Yes, I can understand why you don’t want to burden Terry.’
‘Exactly,’ Dylan sighed. ‘So that’s why I thought of a counsellor. To see what advice they might give. Maybe that person could pop round. Talk to Jill. Persuade her to go home.’
I chewed my lip thoughtfully.
‘You know, a few years ago I read an article about a houseguest who refused to leave. From what I can remember, and from what you’ve told me, Jill is trespassing. Call the police. Tell them.’
‘Oh, but, Maggie, I’ve already done that. They weren’t as helpful as you would think. They asked if Jill had her own key. I said yes, and that it had been acquired dishonestly. That was when they said that a keyholder can claim to be a tenant. It would be my word against hers that she was staying unlawfully.’
‘Oh, Dylan,’ I breathed. This situation sounded intolerable.
‘Apparently’ – he was starting to sound exasperated – ‘a tenant can’t be removed from a property without a court order for eviction. However, the police were helpful in other areas. They told me to make her stay as uncomfortable as possible. Jill can’t bear Charlie. She calls him a smelly mongrel. But other than my beloved dog, I can’t think how else to provoke her into leaving.’
‘I can,’ I said. ‘Although you might not like it.’
‘I’m open to all suggestions.’
‘Move into your nursing home. Is there a spare room?’
‘Not currently, although one of our lovely residents looks like she’s on her way out. But how long is a piece of string?’
‘I have another idea.’ My brain was racing, and my heart was starting to flutter with nerves. ‘It sounds a bit mad… incredibly crazy… a quick-fix solution…’
‘What?’ said Dylan, sounding perplexed. As well he might.
I took a deep breath. Closed my eyes.
‘Move in with me.’