Chapter 35
C ontinuing to stare at Gideon and Julia, everyone sat in stunned silence.
‘Didn’t I tell you there was something funny about that lot,’ Brian said.
Martha shushed him, clearly wanting answers as much as I did.
Gideon’s gaze went from one person to the next and like a goldfish, he kept opening and closing his mouth, as if he couldn’t quite articulate whatever his brain was telling him.
In contrast, Julia appeared confident. Knees together and spine poker straight, she angled her body towards Gideon. With a shake of her head, she flicked her hair.
I narrowed my eyes, wondering if she was proud of her actions, or now that everything was out in the open, simply pleased she’d finally bagged her man.
Gideon let out an exaggerated sigh. ‘Whatever you think you know–’
‘Please don’t embarrass yourself,’ I said. ‘You’ve done enough of that already. Besides, I’ve seen the evidence.’
Martha turned to Brian. ‘I told you it was like the Orient Express. This is the bit at the end, when Poirot reveals the truth.’
Gideon’s nostrils flared. His eyes turned colder as he scowled at Alex. ‘You just couldn’t keep your mouth shut, could you?’
‘Really?’ I said, although I shouldn’t have been surprised. ‘That’s what you’re going with.’ I let out a laugh. ‘No I’m sorry, Hattie. We didn’t mean for this to happen .’
‘Puh-lease. Not that old chestnut,’ Martha said.
‘But we didn’t,’ Julia said, evidently affronted. ‘Things between us just…’
I glowered at her. ‘I wasn’t talking to you.’
Gideon put a reassuring hand on hers and clearly feigning upset, Julia inched nearer to him.
‘Then again, at least you’re owning what you’ve done.’ I jerked my head in Gideon’s direction. ‘He’s just annoyed he got caught.’ I looked at him direct. ‘I mean, is that really the best you can do? Blame someone else for the mess you created?’
‘What am I supposed to think?’ With a look of contempt, he nodded Alex’s way. ‘He’s been trying to come between us since….’
Alex appeared affronted. ‘Actually…’
‘Don’t defend yourself, Alex. It doesn’t matter what you say, you’ll always be his excuse.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, nothing’s ever Gideon’s fault.
’ I sneered. ‘So, what was the plan? To dump me at the station? For Serena to keep me entertained while the two of you snuck around behind my back? Does your mother know I’m even on this train?
’ I mocked my own stupidity. ‘It’s not like I’m meant to be, is it? ’
The carriage doors opened, and the conductor appeared.
‘Ho! Ho! H…’ His voice trailed off and his smile froze.
Realising he was interrupting something, he raised a finger and opened his mouth to speak.
Clearly thinking better of it, he stopped himself and taking a step back, slowly retreated out of view again.
Lexi got up from her seat. ‘Don’t mind me.’ She winced, her earlier indigestion still plaguing her. ‘I’m just gonna stretch my legs.’
Gideon leaned forward in his seat. ‘Can’t you see how uncomfortable you’re making everyone?’
My eyes widened. ‘So now you care about people’s feelings?’
‘Don’t worry about us,’ Martha said. She nodded at me. ‘You carry on, love.’
Julia rolled her eyes. ‘Maybe if you weren’t so needy you’d have seen how unhappy Gideon was?’
‘Excuse me?’
Lexi suddenly took a sharp intake of breath, but as Jake jumped to his feet, she indicated he sit down again. ‘It’s nothing. Probably Braxton Hicks. Like a practice contraction.’ She looked to me. ‘As you were.’
Jake and I hesitated, but as Lexi gestured all was well, reaffirming her desire that I continue, Jake reluctantly retook his seat, and I returned my attention to Julia. ‘I don’t know what Gideon has told you but…’
‘He’s told me about your pathetic little wool shop and about how you miss your grandmother so much you’re turning into her.’
Julia’s words stung and I looked to Gideon, this time hoping I would be met with denials.
I wanted him to say Julia was lying. That he’d never dream of talking about me in that way.
But the fact that he couldn’t bring himself to even look at me, told me all I needed to know.
Met with silence, my body seemed to collapse in on itself and feeling broken, I dropped into my seat.
Any fight I had vanished. I suddenly felt numb.
‘The only reason he didn’t leave you months ago is because he felt sorry for you,’ Julia carried on.
Alex shot forward. ‘That’s enough.’
‘Now we’re getting somewhere,’ Gideon said. ‘You’re only playing the hero because you fancy her.’
‘What man wouldn’t?’ Alex asked, incredulous.
Gideon appeared shocked.
‘You didn’t expect me to deny it, did you?’ Alex laughed. ‘I’m not blind.’
Gideon’s lips curled. ‘The truth always comes out.’
‘Shame you didn’t think about that before you started up with her.’ Alex indicated Julia.
Gideon scowled. ‘I always knew there was something going on between the two of you.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Jake suddenly said. ‘But I can’t listen to anymore.’ He rounded on Gideon. ‘Stop judging people by your standards, will you? I’ve never met a more arrogant, selfish individual.’ He looked to Julia. ‘I don’t even know what to say to you. You’re just cruel.’
‘Hear! Hear!’ Martha said.
Brian patted his wife’s hand. ‘You stay out of it,’ he said.
Martha laughed. ‘Why? The man’s a buffoon.’
Lexi let out another yelp.
‘Now look what you’ve done,’ Gideon said to me.
‘Jake…’ Lexi said.
‘I’m sorry, babe.’ He scratched his forehead. ‘But it needed saying.’
‘No, Jake…’ Panic-stricken, she slowly looked down at her feet.
Following her gaze, everyone’s eyes widened at the pool of water she stood in.