Page 61 of Broken Beyond Repair

“So you find me a broken woman, Sydney,” Beatrice summarised.

“Broken women can be fixed. Look at Gertie.”

“Are you comparing me to that…” Beatrice pushed her lips together as she thought. “Okay. I’ve run out of insults.”

“Finally! You know, you two are about the same age.”

Beatrice’s eyebrows shot up.

“You are looking much better for it, though. I think Gertie’s well past her pulling time.”

“As am I.” Beatrice chuckled.

“What? You’re an intelligent and beautiful woman in the prime of her life.”

“Kind of you to fuzz over the fact I’m self-centred, menopausal, overbear—”

“Stop. You’re remarkable. You’re strong; you’re a survivor. Any man should be proud to have you on his arm.”

“Whether I would wish to be onanyman’s arm is up for debate. Anyway, I’ve already proven myself to be unlovable.”

“You are not unlovable,” Sydney said, as she nervously turned her gaze towards Beatrice. “Believe me.”

The corners of Beatrice’s lips tightened making Sydney’s heart beat a little faster.

“No one is,” Sydney added. She stood, feeling the need for a bit of space between them. “I’ll make a start on dinner.”

CHAPTER24

“It’s Alex’s birthday a week on Tuesday. Can you buy him something, please?” Beatrice said from her usual spot on the sofa.

“What does he like?”

“Get him a watch or something.”

Sydney knew Beatrice’s tones well enough to know she held no interest for the question and expected her to deal with it.

Beatrice’s eyes shot to her phone as the buzz of the gate bell came from it.

“Is that Alex?” Sydney asked.

“And Peter.” Beatrice sighed. “I don’t want to see him, not after last time.”

“I’ll go meet Alex,” Sydney said, “and make sure Peter doesn’t step foot inside the house.”

Beatrice sighed again, this time with relief. “Thank you.”

“He really pushes your buttons, doesn’t he?”

The silence from the sofa said everything.

Sydney made her way out along the back path and around the side of the house as Peter and Alex were getting out of the car.

“Bye, Dad.”

“Bye, dude.”

Alex huffed and rolled his eyes as he came towards Sydney.