Page 3 of The Good Girl

Chapter Two

Relaxed and comfortable in the executive lounge, one G&T in, Julia texted her mum who was more nervous about others flying than she was herself. Julia was convinced Dee had inherited her gran’s worry gene and extra-sensitive side and was used to dealing with them both.

Hi, Mum. Just waiting in the lounge before boarding. Will message you again once we’re in our seats. It’s a lovely day here so the flight should be a dream. XXX

Clearly waiting by the phone, Julia’s mother replied immediately.

Yes I checked your weather this morning.

I’m at the hospital. Dad’s looking forward to seeing you.

Nancy is collecting you from the airport.

Isn’t that nice. I’ve given her your details and she will wait in the pickup zone.

You can have a lovely chat on the way over here.

Don’t drink too much alcohol on the flight, your ankles will swell up.

Text me before take-off please. Love you. Mum x

The news that Nancy would be picking them up sent Julia into a tailspin.

She ignored her mum’s advice and ordered a top-up.

While she sipped and Dee played a game on her phone, Julia’s mind raced to her arrival in Nice and the twelve-mile drive to Juan-les-Pins.

There was no way she would bring up anything awkward, not in front of Dee but later, once the hospital visit was done there’d be plenty of time and opportunity for a heart-to-heart.

Julia hoped there would, anyway, because she needed to confide in someone and Nancy knew it all, the sordid details of the past that had, as predicted, bitten her on the arse.

Julia hated the wedge Shane had driven between her and Nancy and apart from seeing her dad, this trip provided the perfect opportunity to close the gap and heal their relationship.

For months, Julia had wanted to text or ring her sister and confide but could never summon the courage.

This was why she saw their father’s cardiac episode as a sign.

And although it would mean receiving a ‘told you so’ look and possibly a lecture, she could take it.

Julia deserved it but at least once the tongue lashing was over, she had a comeback that might convince Nancy that she wasn’t a complete pushover and had seen sense, at last. She had to escape Shane, whatever the cost.

The sound of a phone alert snapped Julia from her deep-thought state, and after tapping the screen, she studied the Ring doorbell footage and watched as Shane’s car pulled in front of the house and he and Molly got out.

Pausing her game, Dee leant over and watched the action, smiling as she said, ‘Oh, oh. Looks like someone’s still in a foul mood then. Poor Shane having to put up with Molly. We definitely need to bring him back a pressie.’

Julia caught the hopeful look from Dee who was waiting for her to agree, but instead, she refocused on the screen and sighed as she watched a scowling Molly march towards the front door, arms crossed, foot tapping while she waited for Shane to open up.

Neither spoke, and Julia imagined the vibes of animosity being transmitted from the front step and down the line to her phone.

She hated that Molly was angry with her but took some pleasure from knowing that Shane was going to take the brunt of her mood.

She watched on in silence as Shane pushed open the door and Molly barged inside, the final sound that of the door slamming shut.

It was impossible not to feel sad when she imagined how Molly was feeling but her head was invested in getting to France and then having a long overdue conversation with Nancy. It would be the first step to freedom. Sharing her plan with her sister and recruiting an ally was top of her agenda.

After placing her phone in her handbag, Julia focused her attention on the departure board so after giving Dee a nudge and collecting their bags, they headed out of the lounge and towards the gate.

With each step, as she swerved passengers and tried to keep up with Dee who raced ahead, Julia concentrated on the future, not home and the misery that it represented.

Even though it sounded selfish in her head, for the next few days she had to focus on her dad and herself and not worry about Molly or what was happening behind her front door.

Shane stood in the silence of the hall, stuffing his keys into the console drawer then hanging his jacket on the hook.

When he turned, Molly was standing at the bottom of the central staircase, her scowl still clouding her face, her blue eyes locked on his, one arm resting on the polished steel rail, one foot tapping on the toughened glass step.

The sun had moved around the house and was focusing its efforts on the lawn and swimming pool at the rear, leaving the chilly, marbled entrance hall to fend for itself.

The absence of Magda’s Vespa in the drive signalled they were alone, the whole afternoon and evening stretching before them.

Molly knew he was waiting for her to speak.

When her face broke into a smile, transforming it from cool to warm with a hint of wicked, her words left him in no doubt how she felt.

‘Thank fuck for that! I seriously thought they’d never go and I was dreading Mum changing her mind.

For a minute I thought I’d gone a bit overboard with the sulking.

’ Molly pushed away from the stair rail and moved towards Shane as she spoke, her expression becoming sultrier with each step so by the time she reached his body and snaked her arms around his neck, lips pouting and full of promise, she knew he was struggling to contain himself.

As she began kissing his neck, pushing her hips into his, she heard Shane’s words catch in his throat, desire swelling his groin while his arms pulled her closer. ‘Me too… and we don’t know how long we’ve got before they come back so let’s not waste a second… I’ve been counting them for days…’

Placing a manicured finger on his mouth, Molly silenced him, her tongue slowly tracing his lips and after grabbing his hand, pulled him towards the stairs, turning and flicking her dark wavy hair over her shoulder, seducing him with her eyes as she led him towards her bedroom.

By the time they reached her door they were naked, their passion almost frenzied and once inside the room, completely lost to one another. Those left on the outside forgotten and betrayed.