Page 45

It’s been at least a year since she last came by, looking for a loan. I’d given her a couple of hundred quid and seen her on her way. Each time she makes an appearance, she looks just a bit older and takes longer to get out of bed in the morning. Not really a surprise when she’s been drinking and smoking her way to an early grave since before I was born.

Checking her handbag, I find my spare key in there. Lazy mare woke me up because she couldn’t be arsed getting it out of her bag. I blow out a sigh as I pick up my jacket and bag and head out of the door.

I regret not pushing for the building tour first, but Cam suggested we start with brunch at a café near The Juniper. Saff and Cam are sitting at one of the outside picnic benches as I approach. Cam has his back to me, but Saff spots me and gives me a wave. They look cute together, her all curvy with those red curls and him being built like a brick shithouse. I wonder why they keep it casual and don’t have a steady relationship. They clearly get on well and enjoy fucking each other. But, on the other hand, I’m grateful that their casual relationship has given me the opportunity to have that amazing night with them in Glasgow and all the nights I’ve had with Cam since. There’s something different about Cam that has me coming back to himon repeat. He makes me wantmore.Even if I don’t know what more looks like.

“Hey,” I call as I approach. “Have you guys ordered?” I stand to the side of the bench.

“Just drinks. We were waiting for you to get food,” Cam says.

I perch on the end of Saff’s bench and pull a menu over to look. “If you decide what you want, I’ll order it with my drink when I go in.”

“It’s my treat,” Cam says, looking ready to start a fight.

“Actually,” Saff’s tone is as sweet as the smile plastered on her face. “It’s my treat. You wouldn’t let me contribute to dinner last night, so I’m paying.”

Cam huffs in annoyance, but he doesn’t argue, which makes me think he’s heard that tone before. I let loose a chuckle. He frowns at me. “What?”

“I’m just wondering if there’s ever been three more stubborn people sitting together for brunch?”

“Probably not,” Saff says, leaning closer to lay her head on my shoulder. I love her tactile nature and all the shit she gives Cam is fun, too. She lowers her tone to a whisper to add, “I’ve got plenty of tricks to win him over, though, if you want me to share.”

Cam groans in despair, clearly having heard her.

“I’d like that, thank you Saff.”

“You’re welcome.” She lifts her head off my shoulder, giving me a peck on the cheek before tapping the menu. “What are you having?”

“I’ll have a full English, please. Eggs fried, white bread. And a cup of tea.” I say with a grin.

“Ha, pretty much the same order as Cam. Except his eggs are poached, he has granary and a coffee,” Saff tells me with delight. “But where the hell do you put it?” she asks me with curiosity.

I shrug. “I tend to work it off at the gym and at work. I’m usually ravenous.”

“So’s he. You make a fine pair,” she says before heading inside to place our order.

A pair? Huh.I wait for the usual sense of ick to come, but it doesn’t. I don’t mind being paired with Cam. There’s a contentment to being in his presence.

I swing my legs round and tuck them under the bench, my feet brushing Cam’s shins as I move.

“Alright?” he asks, a brow raised. “Everything okay with the family stuff?”

I sigh, my shoulders heaving. “Yeah, for now.” I look over his shoulder, watching people bustling around on this busy Saturday morning. “My mum’s in town,” I say.

“And that causes you stress?”

“What makes you ask that?” He’s not wrong, but I’m curious as to why he thinks that.

“You sounded stressed last night when you mentioned family stuff, and you look tired.” He pulls an apologetic wince. “I hate telling people they look tired, but you’ve got smudges under your eyes that I’ve not seen before.”

“God, Cam, did anyone tell you what an absolute charmer you are?” I ask with a grin.

“Sorry, hen.” He sounds so earnest.

“It’s all good. I don’t think she’ll be here much longer. She just needs somewhere to stay for a few days or a loan. I can’t work out which one it is this time. And then she’ll flit away again. I did well to go a whole year without seeing her.”

His brows raise in surprise. “You’re not close, I take it?”

“Nah, she’s got her own problems, and even when I was a kid, those problems were always more important than me.” I shrug. “I’m over it now. And I think it did me good. I’ve learnt not to rely on anyone but myself.” His face scrunches like he’s havingtrouble putting together pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.An Abby-shaped puzzle.