Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Emily
There’s still a cold and stony silence when we get back to work, entirely out of character for the usual cheery bustle of the parlour.
I don’t think either Sadie or Leo have left their studios once since they stormed back into them earlier, but they both have clients booked later this afternoon, so they’ll have to come out.
I steel myself for the atmosphere when they do.
Conflict is a part of life, and I cannot expect to always avoid it.
I need to toughen up and re-harden myself to it.
Eli hangs around with me on reception while we wait for his first client of the afternoon. These days, if he doesn’t have a client, or isn’t preparing for one, he's next to me. And I love it.
There’s a message on Wishbone’s Instagram page that turns out to be for me, from Eli’s Aunt Wendy:
Hey y’all, this is a message mainly for the lovely Emily!
Glad to know you, honey, and I’m really looking forward to Eli bringing you to come visit us :) Eli, you look after her, you hear?
You too, Dean. And Leo. Sadie, honey, that tattoo you did of that dandelion clock on that lady’s shoulder was DARLING.
I want you to do that for me the next time I visit, which will hopefully be around the fall. Love to you all xxxxx
“That’s so lovely,” I say. What a lovely woman for being so welcoming.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had any involvement with a proper large, loving family, and it’s making me feel warm to be taken in like this.
Eli is beaming fondly at the screen, and again I am struck by how much love he has for them all.
I tap out a reply, thanking her and saying I’m looking forward to meeting her, too. Because I really am.
The door opens, and two women walk in. Number one, Eli’s client, a smiley and friendly woman with an awesome Studio Ghibli t-shirt, and I instantly want to ask her about it so I can buy one too.
And number two, Melissa with the blue hair, who scowls at me when she sees that Eli’s holding me from behind and stooping to rest his chin on my shoulder. Speaking of handling conflict…
I sigh inwardly. Ugh, not her. Thanks a heap, universe.
“Eli?” Melissa’s friend asks. With the pushy, tactless way she acts, I’m stunned Melissa has friends at all, especially one who seems so pleasant. “Hi, I’m Jess, your 2:30?”
“Hey,” Eli says, taking her offered hand, and squeezing my waist a little, comforting me. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too. I thought I’d stop by a little early so I can show you a photo of what I’d like…
” Jess digs out her phone, and I’m dimly aware of them discussing sizes and options as Melissa glares at the two of us.
Eli pays her no mind, concentrating on his client like the professional he is.
I can feel my stomach churn slightly as I wonder what the blue haired peril is going to say or do, but I’m not going to allow her to intimidate me.
I’ve dealt with far worse people than her.
Compared to Gav and his friends, she’s nothing, and she’s ultimately unable to do any real damage.
I won’t even give her the satisfaction of showing her I’m uncomfortable.
So I look back at her speculatively, not willing to be the first to look away.
“I’ll come with you,” she insists to her friend when she and Eli make tracks towards the corridor.
“Oh, no, that’s OK,” Jess replies, seeming oblivious, “I don’t need my hand held this time. Don’t wait for me, I’ll text you when I’m done and meet you at H&M.”
Melissa glowers, thoroughly annoyed. “Well, I need to speak with Eli anyway - ”
“Book an appointment, and I’ll see you then,” he cuts in firmly, unsmiling.
He turns to me and gives me an almost imperceptible wink before coming back, cupping my face in his hands, and giving me the most knee trembling kiss.
It’s one that cannot be mistaken for anything other than mutual ownership, no room for doubt.
A clear signal that he is fully taken. I pinch his butt in acknowledgement of what he’s doing, unseen by anyone, and he grins against my lips.
He rubs his nose against mine. “You gonna be OK?” he whispers, flicking his eyes towards the bristling woman. I nod. I’ve got this. “See you later, baby,” he murmurs, his voice husky but loud enough for her to hear.
I watch him go - especially his arse, because it’s beautiful and I am definitely an arse girl - and beam broadly before turning back to her.
I’m not intimidated anymore, and I know what I have to do.
I clear my throat. “Right, then. When would you like your appointment?” I ask brightly.
If looks could kill, I’d look like pulverised lasagne on the floor.
“After Jess’s,” she says with an unspoken ‘duh’, as if that should have been obvious.
“Ooh, sorry,” I say without looking at the appointments calendar on my screen, “he has clients back to back all afternoon. He’s got a ten week long waiting list currently.
Let’s see when his next available appointment is…
” I turn to my laptop and take my time. My pulse is thudding a bit, but.
..I’m kind of enjoying this. That’s a surprise, but I decide to just revel in it.
She rolls her eyes at me rudely. “I just need a few minutes, for fuck’s sake. Just squeeze me in after Jess.”
“I can’t do that,” I say calmly. “I’m sure you can appreciate his next client won’t want to be kept waiting. You wouldn’t like it if it was your appointment being delayed, would you?” My tone is sweet, but my gaze is even. I’m not going to be bullied, sweetheart.
She huffs. “He screwed up my tattoo. He needs to fix it. I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to give you guys a bad review for poor customer care, would you?” Her smile is dripping with venom.
“What’s wrong with your tattoo?” My voice has gone matter of fact. I don’t appreciate threats.
“I’m not dropping my kecks in front of you,” she scoffs. “Unless you want me to strip off where everyone can see.” She points to the huge windows at the front of the parlour.
“If you don’t tell me what’s wrong, I can’t pass it on to Eli, and he won’t be able to judge how to sort it,” I reply with a shrug. “And then it will be ten weeks.” I put subtle emphasis on the last two words.
Her eyes take on a curious light, as though she’s just had a wicked idea. “Oh yeah? Well I’ll be showing in ten weeks’ time, and won’t that be lovely for you?” Her smile is vicious, her face alive with malice.
I raise my eyebrows. “I don’t follow.”
She leans forward as though she’s imparting a secret she knows will sting me.
“My tattoo is fine. This was meant to be private between me and Eli, but since you’re being such a pissy little jobsworth about it, and given that display you both treated me to just now, I guess I’ll have to just come right out with it, won’t I?
” She leans back, her nasty smile growing. “I’m pregnant. And it’s Eli’s.”
A couple of seconds pass, and then I burst into loud, uproarious laughter, unwilling and unable to stop myself. You have GOT to be kidding me...
She frowns, clearly having anticipated a vastly different reaction. “The fuck is so funny?”
I try to calm myself, but it’s difficult. “I’m sorry,” I gasp, “say that again.”
She narrows her eyes. “I said I’m pregnant with Eli’s kid, you smug bitch, so tough shit,” she says, every syllable harsh and overdone.
I ignore the name calling. From someone this pathetic, it means nothing. “No, you aren’t,” I advise her between giggles. “Well, I don’t know, you may be pregnant, but it’s definitely not my boyfriend’s baby. Run along.” I stare at her with a huge grin on my face.
Her lip curls. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.
Just book me the fuck in after Jess so he and I can sort out the.
..arrangements. You know, custody, birth plan, that sort of thing.
And I don't want you involved in our child's upbringing. Sorry to ruin your ‘new love’ and all, but a baby’s a baby, so - ”
“What the hell is so funny?” Sadie has appeared and is leaning against the doorway, looking intrigued.
I grin at her. “Not much, just our friend Melissa here is being truly desperate and pathetic.” Melissa gasps a little.
“Yeah, what else is new?” Sadie asks dismissively. “What is it this time?” I could kiss her.
“Apparently, Eli is the father of her unborn baby.” I’m not sure if Sadie knows that Eli’s infertile, but I’m pretty sure she knows this is absolute bullshit.
And I’m right. “Nah, he’s too picky for that. And even if he had gotten desperate enough that even a shit lay would do, he’d never have gone in her bareback.” I wince comically, and risk a look at Melissa’s face. She’s gaping and spluttering, and struggling not to stamp her feet like a toddler.
“This - I - you both think you’re so awesome, both of you, and you’re nothing but a pair of… This is between me and Eli, you skanky - ”
“No, you are the skank.” I’ve snapped. Enough is enough with her.
"What kind of shitty, heartless idiot tries to use a fake pregnancy to force someone who isn't interested to pay them any attention?
Get it through your head. It's never, ever, ever going to happen.
" I see her blinking at me, but I just can’t stop.
“That was really low and shameless. And what were you going to tell Eli, having told us this stupid lie? You haven’t slept with him.
He'd know right away you were making shit up.
What was the master plan here, brain donor?
What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" I slap my hand on the counter, on a roll, secretly delighted when it makes her jump. "And let’s say he even had screwed you, which we all know he didn't and wouldn't, what were you going to do when there was no baby in nine months? Shave a puppy and try to pass it off? Or were you planning on faking a miscarriage in a few weeks once you'd wreaked havoc? That happens to people, and it’s awful and traumatic and not a cheap trick to use to cause trouble and get your way, you absolute plank. So go home, look in the mirror, check out the awful person you’ve become, and just give it up. Get. The. Hint. Eli is not interested. Never was. Never will be. So gather up what’s left of your dignity and get the hell out of here.”
Wow. I...don’t know where that came from, but I like it. I like the adrenaline rush of putting her in her place. I don’t care what her comeback is, or if it squashes anything I’ve said. I’m in the right here. For once in my life, I feel like I’m on solid ground. It feels good.
“YES,” I hear from the doorway, and Leo’s there, next to Sadie and clapping his hands, “what Emily said! Christ almighty, that was awesome…” He’s laughing with Sadie. With her. That’s nice. Maybe they’ll make up now?
Melissa backs away, bright red in the face in a way that clashes brilliantly with her hair. She looks at us all with total hatred and a hint of well-earned embarrassment. “Whatever,” she mutters, and leaves. I make out the words ‘stupid’ and ‘bitch’ as she shoves the door open.
Sadie throws her arms around me, laughing. “That was brilliant! Look at you, putting that ho-bag in her place like a total badass! I’m so proud!”
I laugh, a little cringey after the fact but still riding high. “Is it bad of me that that felt so good?”
“No, it’s wicked cool,” Leo assures me, putting his arms around us both. “You don’t mess with Em, folks, cos she don’t pull her punches.” He kisses the top of my head, hesitates, and then kisses the top of Sadie’s. “I’m sorry,” I hear him whisper to her.
Awwwww.
I step back so that the hug becomes a ‘them’ thing instead.
It's actually pretty touching, watching them hold each other tightly. I wish for the millionth time that things were different for them. “You’re still a jackass,” she mumbles in his arms, but it’s clear now that they’re going to be OK, and that they’ve found their way back to each other.