Page 62

“Alcohol is difficult. The number of cases I’ve worked where the root cause of the problem relates to alcohol is too many to count. It often plays a part in people’s lives, unfortunately.”

“It’s why I became a mixologist,” Paige said, turning to Juliet as she rested against the counter. “I’m well aware that a lot of people have a healthy relationship with alcohol, and I wanted to be one of those people. I wanted to see the side of it that didn’t ruin lives. I wanted to learn about the technique and the flavours that could be put together to give someone a positive experience. The average alcoholic isn’t sitting at home whipping up cocktails most of the time. They’re on the hard, raw stuff. Or the cheap stuff. You know?”

“I think it was a good idea for you to change how you see alcohol. You could have either hit the bottle yourself or come to resent it. Instead, you made a career out of it.”

“I…didn’t want to end up like her. I loved her so much, but once I found out she was drinking a large bottle of vodka a day, I knew she wasn’t going to recover. She did try, but in the end, it killed her.”

“Trying killed her?” Juliet frowned.

“Yep. She decided one day that she’d had enough.” Paige brushed a tear from her jawline, managing the smallest smile. “She thought she could detox herself, but she was so dependent on the drink that she needed to be in hospital for something like that. She’d called and told me she wanted to get off the drink, that she was embarrassed and wanted to see me having kids. I told her not to stop suddenly and that we’d get the specialist help she needed, but I went to see her a few days later, and she was already detoxing. She’d cut out all alcohol completely. She looked terrible.” Paige paused, sniffling. Juliet heard the pain in her voice, leading her to wonder if she’d actually had the chance to grieve for her mum. It didn’t feel as though she had. “Nine days later, she died in hospital.”

Juliet slid from her stool, wrapping Paige up in her arms when she started sobbing. “I’m sorry.”

“H-he wouldn’t even give me time to be sad. He told me everyone knew it would happen and that I should deal with it and move on.” Paige buried her face in Juliet’s neck, her body slumped.

Juliet could only hold Paige and give her whatever time she needed to process. It was one thing to lose your mother in your twenties, but to be forced not to grieve… That was something else entirely. Juliet rarely hated anyone, but if she ever came across James again, she was likely to stand on his balls until he turned blue.

“And he was just so sickly sweet at the funeral or whenever people came to visit me. But I knew deep down what he was like. I hated sitting in rooms with him and my family because they all gave him the attention that he craved. Always asking about his job and congratulating him on his success…while looking down their noses at me. The reason I didn’t work was because he wouldn’t allow it, but they didn’t know that. They just looked at me as though I was some lazy fucker who lived the high life. I would have rather been homeless without a penny than live with him for a moment longer. I just…” Paige pulled back, her eyes swollen. “I didn’t feel strong enough to leave. Until I really couldn’t stay any longer, anyway.”

“You’re out now. And I’m going to ensure you make up for all the time you’ve lost.”

Paige gazed back at Juliet. “You have no idea how much you mean to me.”

“I do.” She kissed Paige’s forehead, lingering. “I really do.”

Holding onto Juliet’s waist, Paige leaned in and kissed her, smiling as her tears dried. “Can I finish making dinner for us, and then we’ll just relax?”

“I’d really like that.”

Juliet didn’t need to be out on the town to enjoy herself. No, she would rather be here, holding Paige while they got to know one another better. She’d spent her life aching for these moments. Now that she had them, she couldn’t let them go.

Chapter 19

PROMISE ME

“I have to say, Paige. That new whiskey you brought in is very good.” John tipped Paige a £20 note, lifting his glass and winking as he turned his back and walked away.

She stared down at it, still confused as to why the people in this bar tipped so well. It wasn’t as though Juliet was paying her a terrible wage. Actually, it was above the minimum for the country.

“Hey, John!”

John turned, frowning.

“Thank you.” Paige shoved the twenty in her tip jar, wiping down the back of the bar area. She liked to keep things polished and looking fresh, and here at The Hideout, it was required. It wasn’t your average dive bar. No, it was classy…a little like its owner.

“Are you cleaning again?” Cara sidled up beside her, laughing. “Does she pay you extra or something?”

“She?” Paige quirked a brow as she side-glanced at Cara. “She has a name, and she is your boss. Have some respect.”

“God, you two are so fucking uptight.” Cara trailed a finger up Paige’s forearm, grinning as she leaned in. “You really need to lighten up.”

Paige spun around, standing toe to toe with Cara. “And if you touch me again, I’ll have you fired for sexual harassment!”

“Everything okay here?” Juliet appeared out of nowhere.

“Yeah. Fine.” Paige cleared her throat, stepping around Cara. “Cara here seems to have an issue with cleanliness. I was reminding her that it takes all of five seconds to wipe down an area.”

Juliet nodded, her eyes narrowed as she looked between Paige and Cara. “Mm. I did keep meaning to bring that up. Thanks for reminding me.”