Page 82 of All the Forbidden Things

“Where are you? I’ve just got to the house, but there’s only her Ladyship and her entourage here.”

“We’re over at the flat, hang on.”

“Anyone want a bacon sarnie? Wendy’s here. I’ll get her to knock us something up.”

It’s a resounding yes from everyone in the room.

“Would you do us a favour and make enough bacon sandwiches for five of us? I’ll send Billie over for them.”

“Yep, no worries. Your Tesco delivery just arrived, so I should have everything I need. What’s the go with Lady Muck, do I have to DoFor for her?”

I smile at Wendy’s reference to Whitney. She’s another person who cares about me but has never been a fan of Whit’s. Apparently, everyone except me could see her for what she is.

“Only if you want to.”

“I don’t.”

“Then just pretend she’s not there.”

“If only she wasn’t. So, if any of them ask me for anything, am I allowed to tell them to do one?”

“You can tell them exactly what you like, Wend.”

“Thank you. Good to see you’ve finally grown some where she’s concerned, and you’re not still being led around by your dick. I also still think you must want your brains testing for letting her come back here after what she’s done.”

“Don’t hold back, will ya? Just tell me what you really think.”

“What I think is that you’re a good man who’s been shit on by a conniving bitch, and when I get the chance, I’ll let her know that.”

“Go for it.”

“Oh, I will. Talk to you in a bit.”

She hangs up before I can say any more. After Billie hands out coffees, she heads over to the house to help Wendy.

“Right.” Lennon claps his hands together loudly and says, “I have it on good authority that your missus tipped off the press that she’d be leaving the place you had her in and was coming here this morning.”

“She’s un-fucking-believable,” Cal says from beside me.

I let out a long breath and allow the horrible, gut-churning, sinking sensation that Whitney always evokes to engulf me for a few long moments.

“How the fuck did you ever get tied up with a bird like her in the first place, Max?” Len asks.

“I was a horrible person in my last life, she’s my punishment,” I reply.

“Speaking as your lawyer, you haven’t exactly been a pillar of society in this life, but we won’t go there right now,” Aaron states while reading something on his phone.

“Fuck you.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.” He finally looks up and gives me a facetious smile.

“Anyway, what’s the plan, what are we gonna do about this mess? I’m a busy man, places to be, people to see, I only dropped in because I was in the area, and I need to know it’s being handled.” Len states.

“I’m happy to tell her I’ll be serving her with divorce papers right now and fuck her off out of it,” I tell him.

“That’s definitely not what we’re doing,” he responds.

“Why? I’m done. I’ve changed my mind. I don't want her in my house, and I don't want her around the baby.”