Page 34 of A Cock and Bull Story

“For the last time, that's me!”

“Why do you keep saying that?” I screech right back.

“Because I’m the fish!” Theo yells, his clear green eyes bulging.

His blond hair flops over his forehead, and he looks a bit manic. I realize the guy is totally hot but, perhaps, crazy. And, then, I think about my first time in S.A. and everyone roasting themselves.

Maybe Theo just equates himself to a fish.

Maybe he needs to accept himself as a minnow in a sea of big tuna—just like I need to accept Dean Stiffdick might not be interested in my stateside snapper.

“You're the fish—you're totally the fish,” I soothe with a smile of understanding.

I feel like, for once, there’s transparency in our words.

“She’s a nutter—buff1as fuck and sweet—but an absolute nutter,” Sian giggles when Belle excuses herself to use the loo.

“Shhhhh!” Theo hushes. “She is not. . . well,maybe. . .”

Jack brays with suppressed laughter, but Jude just frowns.

“I think she’s overwhelmed by everything and suppressing her emotions,” he hypothesizes.

“I agree,” throwing my two cents. “She didn’t even ask what we discovered last night. I think she’s scared and deflecting. The lass needs space, but to also feel safe.”

“Quite the pickle. Arthur, why don’t you stay with Belle tonight? The birds can stay with Sian’s cousin to be close, and the rest of us can go back to Banbury. Maybe you can get her to open up and talk,” Jude suggests.

I nod.

“Stellar idea—one of us definitely needs to stay, but some space might do her some good. I will do my best,” I promise.

Elise and Sian get up to leave.

“Tell Belle we said ‘ciao’ and we used herdoor,” Sian jokes. “The Yank seems really put off when we use the window.”

“We’ll be back tomorrow for breakfast, if she’s keen,” Elise adds.

“That’s a good idea—we can all reconvene here tomorrow for some nosh. Then, we can see if Arthur has learned what is bothering Belle most.”

Now, I swallow—maybe I’m not the best person for this job.

“Jude, I think you should—”

“You’ve got this,” he reassures me.

“Good luck, mate,” Theo whispers as he follows the girls out of Belle’s flat.

Jude claps a hand on my shoulder in passing, but Jack just smirks.

Belle comes out a few minutes later.

“Did everyone leave without saying good-byeagain?” she whinges2.

“We all thought you might be overwhelmed and could use some space,” I explain.

She cocks her head to the side.

“Then, why are you here?” she asks in a purr that makes me nervous.