Page 3 of Prudence (Balfe Family #1)

Derek

Milly had no idea, but I’d been aware of her since we were kids. She saved me once, and I’d never forgotten. In my mind, she was the angel who’d come to my aid when I was a little boy and spiralling.

It all happened one day at our primary school when my younger brother, Tristan, had fallen on the tarmac and badly scraped his knee, blood running all down his leg.

Mam had drilled it into me that I needed to look out for my younger siblings, and I went into a panic because I knew I should’ve told Tristan not to run through the yard so fast. But he’d always been so full of energy and impossible to control.

Tristan was sprawled out on the ground, crying and holding into his scraped knee, and I was about to go call for a teacher when a girl appeared.

Her long, dark brown hair was tied in a neat ponytail, and her intelligent blue eyes matched the clear sky above us.

The sun lit her up from behind, outlining her in bright, heavenly light like she was an angel who’d come down from on high.

That day, she was my angel, my saving grace.

From her satchel bag she produced a miniature first-aid kit, an eager expression on her face.

“Let me see,” she said as she bent to inspect Tristan’s knee then sucked in a harsh breath.

“Oh, that’s a bad one.” She proceeded to pull out various accoutrements to clean the wound, wiping away the blood before sealing it all up with a blue plaster dotted with yellow smiley faces.

“I’m going to be a doctor when I grow up,” she’d announced confidently when she was done, pleased with her handiwork, and I pretty much fell in love right then and there.

There was something about how sure of herself she’d been, how capable, that had my nine-year-old heart thumping that much harder.

Her patching up Tristan’s wound also meant that Mam wasn’t going to chew me out for not looking after him that day.

“Do you still want to be a doctor?” I asked randomly, dragging my mind back to the present. Milly and I walked through the dairy aisle at the supermarket, and I’d insisted on carrying the basket for her. She dropped a block of cheddar into it then peered up at me in surprise.

“How do you know that?”

A soft smile touched my lips. “You helped my brother when he scraped his knee in primary school one time. I don’t think I’d ever been more impressed by anyone when you produced a first-aid kit from your school bag.”

“Oh, my goodness, I’d completely forgotten about that kit.

” She cast me an embarrassed grin. “When I was eight, I asked for it as one of my birthday presents. I’d always been obsessed with making people better when they were sick or injured.

I think I fancied myself the schoolyard medic that year.

When my little sister, Donna, got an ear infection at age six, I insisted on being the one to administer her medication and eardrops each day.

Then when she recovered, I pronounced her all better and said that she could thank Doctor Milly for her excellent care and medical treatment. ” She chuckled.

“That’s adorable.”

Milly flushed before focusing on the selection in front of her, not looking at me as she continued, “Well, to answer your question, I do still want to study medicine, but I need to get enough points next year to qualify for the course. I might not make the cut.”

“I’m sure you can achieve whatever you set your mind to,” I told her confidently.

“Thanks,” she replied softly, and I found myself admiring her long, poker straight hair that hung in a river down her back. I’d never seen a girl with hair as long as Milly’s.

“What is it?” she asked, noticing my attention as we turned into the next aisle.

“Your hair,” I replied on instinct, my throat scratchy.

I’d had a couple girlfriends over the years and had also slept with a few who weren’t my girlfriend, but I’d never felt nervous like this before.

There was something about Milly. I wanted her approval.

Every day as I drove by her walking home from school, I’d been seized with the urge to stop and offer her a lift.

The only thing preventing me was the worry of coming across as a creep.

Come take a ride in my car, pretty girl .

Not a good look. Then yesterday’s unusually bad weather had offered me the perfect opportunity, and I’d snatched it with both hands.

Now, I was awkwardly trying to compliment her hair and rapidly sliding back into creep territory.

“My hair?” she questioned, eyebrows rising in curiosity.

I cleared my throat. “It’s very long.”

“Oh. Right, yeah.” She fingered the silky strands. “I only ever get it trimmed so it stays long. My Aunt Nell says I should get it cut shorter, that it would look much better that way, but I like it how it is.”

“I like it, too. Your aunt doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”

That won me a smile as she continued walking along the aisle. “Thank you,” she murmured.

A minute or two went by as Milly quietly shopped, and I played my role of basket carrier. When she was done, we approached the register and joined the queue.

Okay, Derek, it’s now or never. Shoot your shot.

“So,” I began, turning to her, my gaze travelling over her delicate profile and soft lips. “We’re having a party at my house tomorrow night. Want to come?”

I watched her throat move as she swallowed and blinked up at me. “Oh. A party?”

“Yeah, nothing too crazy. Just me, my siblings, and a couple of our friends. I’d love for you to be there.”

She nodded, but then her brow crinkled. “I can’t. My parents are going out, so I have to stay in and watch my sisters.”

“How old are they”

“Twelve and fourteen,” Milly answered as she began unloading the items from the basket. Okay, so they were definitely too young for me to suggest bringing them along. Disappointment swept in.

“Ah, well, maybe next time.”

“Sure,” Milly replied, a faint flush staining her cheeks.

For the next two months, that was how it went.

Most days after school, I’d pick Milly up in my car, we’d spend a couple minutes chatting, and then I’d drop her off at her house.

The best days were when she had to run some errand or other for her parents, and I got to drive her wherever she needed to go, prolonging our time together.

We developed a comfort with one another, but oddly, every time I invited her to spend time with me outside of the daily drives, she had some excuse as to why she couldn’t go.

Whether she had a big test to study for, a chore to do at home or babysitting her kid sisters, there was always something.

Then, devastatingly, the school year ended, and I no longer had cause to run into her.

I’d texted and invited her to several parties and hangouts at the beach, but like always, Milly was busy.

I’d almost given up hope and decided I needed to face the facts; the girl just wasn’t interested in me.

At the very worst, she might’ve been using me for the convenient car rides and nothing more.

There was a line of others who would jump at the chance to go out with me, but I didn’t want them.

I wanted Milly.

She’d wheedled her way under my skin with her shy smiles, quiet intelligence and stunning blue eyes that I often found myself getting lost in.

No other girl could compare. I mean, it wasn’t simply that she was pretty.

There were lots of pretty girls in town.

There was just something about Milly’s energy and presence that I craved.

Being around her felt right somehow. It was like we instinctively understood each other without really needing to try.

Perhaps it was because we were both the eldest in our families, and we both felt a similar responsibility to set a good example for our younger siblings.

Ever since I could remember I’d had this need to protect Nuala and Tristan, to look out for them and make sure they were safe. I could tell Milly felt the same about her sisters, Jane and Donna.

It was a couple weeks into summer when my friend Aidan announced he was having a big party at his house to celebrate his birthday.

Aidan’s parties could get a little wild, but I decided this would be my last try with Milly.

I’d invite her to the party, and if she said no, then that would be it. I’d leave her alone for good.

But then the unexpected happened, and only a couple minutes after I texted her, I received a reply.

Milly: Okay, that sounds like fun. What time should I meet you there?

My heart raced. I couldn’t believe it. It took immense effort not to go overboard with my response as I forced myself to remain cool.

Derek: I can pick you up at your house around eight?

Milly: Great, see you then :-)

I hopped in the shower immediately, and when I got out, my best friend, Rhys, was in my room playing on the game console.

He was staying with us for a couple weeks over the summer.

My dad had been the one to offer for him to stay, and the official story was that his house was undergoing renovations; however, I had a feeling the real reason was that there was something going on with his parents.

Rhys’ father was a bit of a dickhead and could be very domineering with him, kicking him out of the house for the most minor offense.

“Hey,” I said, heading for my closet to find something to wear.

“Hey,” Rhys echoed, his attention fixed on the screen.

I selected my best black shirt and dark navy jeans. Rhys arched an eyebrow when he saw me set them down on the bed.

“Getting dressed up for the party?”

I lifted my chin. “Milly’s coming.”

Rhys chuckled low. “Ah, that explains it.” He was one of the few people I’d confided in about my crush on Milly, so he knew her coming to the party was a big deal.

“You’re one to talk. You can barely keep your eyes off Charli whenever the two of you are in the same room.”