Page 21

Willow

My skin warmed as bright light travelled over it, the harsh yellow pierced my lids. When it became too bright, I scrunched my eyes tighter to escape the light, wincing at the throbbing reminder of my swollen skin.

I eased myself up and looked at the room. I was alone but found my bags by the closed door, Angus placed proudly on top. I smiled appreciatively at the effort Jack was going to, to make me comfortable and safe.

This room had bright red panelling for the bottom half of the wall, and a pale pink wallpaper with pink and red gingham all over. It would have been my dream room as a child.

Getting out of bed, I pulled my hair into a ponytail and dressed in comfy clothes, wincing at the twinges of pain I wasn’t yet used to.

I breathed a deep, painful sigh at the sight of my appearance in the mirror, hoping that the arnica cream would calm the bruising down sooner than later. The emotional scars would take considerably longer and couldn’t be resolved by cream.

Venturing downstairs, I heard faint classical music coming from the kitchen. The door from the hallway to the kitchen was shut, muffling the noise. I opened it and within a second, my senses were overwhelmed.

Not only was there a mouth-watering smell of bacon and the harmonies filling the air, but also the slobbery tongues of two large dogs bouncing around me, lapping at my face and hands, jumping higher and higher.

I clamped my eyes shut, keeping my head away at an angle, pushing my hands in an effort to show them some love and keep them away at the same time.

“Darwin! Dickens! Down!” Jack’s stern voice broke through the noise. One dog reacted, following his orders, while the other continued. “Fucks sake, Dickens !” Suddenly, the dog I now knew to be Dickens was yanked down by his collar. I offered a small laugh.

“Sorry, I promise they are trained, you just wouldn’t know it.” Jack stood next to me glaring at the two dogs who now sat, staring proudly at their owner as if butter wouldn’t melt. “Shit, I forgot to ask if you’re okay with dogs. ”

“Honestly, I forgot you had them.” As I spoke, I glanced at Jack. He wore light blue jeans and a grey jumper, highlighting his salt and pepper hair.

“Well, here they are. This one’s Darwin.

” He pointed at an angelic dog, white with light brown smudged spots across his body and face.

“He tends to actually listen, and is a big softy, unlike his brother, Dickens.” Jack pointed to Dickens, sat ungainly next to Darwin like he couldn’t quite control his limbs.

He was also white with a combination of light and dark grey spots all over.

“He acts like a toddler in a teenager’s body and is completely unpredictable, he’s the fucking bane of my life. They’re English Setters.”

I bent down to show them some love again, at ease now. Both dogs moved to accept the strokes I was offering, mouths open like big smiles, tongues lolling out.

“I made us some breakfast, full English. Thought we could do with some good food,” Jack said as he walked towards the island. “Coffee?”

“I don’t drink coffee, but I’ll take a tea?” I replied as I joined him and took a seat at the island. Jack frowned briefly, before nodding and turning to make a tea.

“Do you want sugar or milk?”

“No sugar, tiny bit of milk, leave the bag in please.”

He snorted. “Funnily enough, that’s exactly how I like my tea.” He looked over his shoulder and smiled.

“I know.” I returned his smile. I made the hot drinks rounds every morning and afternoon in the office. My quip quickly wiped the smile off his face, far from my intention.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No, no.”

I watched him silently making tea with a small frown between his brows, a sadness in his eyes that was my fault.

“Jack, please don’t lie to me.” He turned to look at me with wide eyes and red creeping up his face.

“I’ve spent years being manipulated and lied to, the last thing I need is you doing it, too, so when I ask what’s wrong when I’ve clearly offended you, I need you to be honest. That’s the only way this” —I gestured between us— “ is going to work. So, please tell me.”

He stirred the teabag nervously in my mug before speaking.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s nothing you’ve done, in fact it’s completely selfish.”

“Well, be completely selfish then,” I begged with a strain in my voice.

He sighed, added a drop of milk to both teas, resting his lower back against the counter with crossed arms.

“Since… everything, I’ve realised I thought I knew you well, but I didn’t. I don’t even know your tea order and until a week ago, couldn’t have told your boyfr— ex- boyfriend’s name. I feel like a terrible friend. ”

My frown crumbled. “Jack—” I breathed out. He rubbed the spot between his eyes, avoiding my contact.

“I know, I shouldn’t. But I do. I also shouldn’t be putting this on you when you have so much more to deal with, but I feel fucking awful that you’ve been coping with this for so long and I didn’t help you at all.”

“Please don’t.” I rounded the island until I stood in front of him so he couldn’t avoid me.

“For so long it was my norm. I avoided home and worked so much to keep myself going. Professionals are calling it an abusive relationship, but I’m struggling to accept it.

It was just the way my life had happened.

I didn’t tell my nana, I didn’t tell friends – though I’m sure they already knew.

I guess I needed to be removed from the situation to realise it wasn’t healthy, so please, please don’t place guilt on yourself. ”

Jack released a breath so large, his shoulders sunk. He had permission to shift his guilt. Given how distant I kept my home and work lives, there was no chance he could have made me realise my relationship with Cain was toxic sooner than I did.

He offered a genuine smile and held out my tea from next to me. An olive branch.

The bacon sizzled louder as the toast popped out the toaster. We sat in silence as he plated up, sat and started his meal while I pushed food around my plate.

“We need to talk about work—”

“We don’t. It’s covered,” he cut me off and I stared in confusion until he placed his cutlery down and finished chewing.

“I’ve discussed it with Mike, and we’ve agreed that you’ll receive full pay until you’re ready to return back to work.

There’s no pressure or time frame. And before you ask, no, nobody knows about what’s happened, just an emergency.

” He continued with his breakfast while I sat in awe.

“Jack, I can’t accept that.” Tears filled my eyes in gratitude, but he groaned at my hesitance.

“I need you to, Willow. It’s the least we can do . ”

He wasn’t going to take no for an answer, so I nodded. But I couldn’t keep taking from him . From everyone.

“Thank you.” I cleared my throat before moving onto my next request. “Please can I borrow your phone at some point?” He quirked an eyebrow at me, silently questioning.

“I need to speak to my friend. She brought the gala dress. I haven’t spoken to her since…

” I looked down at my uneaten plate of food before continuing, “My phone is probably with the police, but I should update her.” Still looking down at my food, his hand and phone in it edged their way into my line of sight .

“Call her. Invite her round, let me know when she’s coming so I can arrange food.” I took his phone and offered another grateful smile. “But first, eat.”