Page 78 of The Good Neighbour

“Seeing him? Shocked. Angry. Violated. Most of all, I wanted him away. I can’t believe I was ever married to him.”

Hugh squeezed him. “I should have asked you that first. I’m sorry for being selfish. I’m as bad as he is.”

Josh kissed him. “You will never be as bad as he is.”

They lay on the sofa for a while listening to the rain hammering on the roof. Normally that made Josh cosy. That afternoon a storm had come. They had no choice but to batten down the hatches and ride it out.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

For the next two days, Josh immersed himself in getting the collection just right. He was also working with Helga to fill the boutique with brand-new lines to complement Cut.

They did a deal with a stockist over the river who bought their old stock in bulk. It allowed them to perform a complete refresh in no time.

High stock turnover maintained their cutting-edge brand. He’d forgotten how much energy it took to get something like this off the ground. He was glad in many ways that this would be his last time too.

Suzanne, on the other hand, seemed to be in her element. Released from the shackles of wanting to please Josh, she was taking risks that were paying off. He remained convinced he had made the right decision letting her take the lead.

“I’m jealous of all the fun you’ll get hanging out with drag queens,” Suzanne said.

“Am I up to it?” Josh replied. “They are quite a handful.”

Suzanne looked up and caught his eye.

“You are disgusting,” he said.

They both burst into laughter.

“He is though.”

“Hey now,” Suzanne said, holding her hands up. “You’ve got Madeline for that. Bleurgh.”

Downstairs, Jean-Paul could be heard cackling about something or other. Helga had agreed with Josh about giving Jean-Paul a pay rise. Once they’d told him, he was like the cat that had got the cream.

Josh glanced at his watch.

“I’d better go,” he said. “I promised Hugh I’d call in on rehearsals.”

“Where at?”

“They’ve hired a space on the high street.”

Suzanne frowned. “That will be pricey.”

Josh nodded. Everything in their area was expensive. Most of the residents, including Josh, rarely thought anything of it. Things were very different through Hugh’s eyes.

“Can I leave you with this?” Josh asked.

“Sure thing.”

He grabbed his coat and after kissing her on the cheek, made his way downstairs.

“Here he is, the best boss in the land,” Jean-Paul said. “And so handsome too.”

Josh glanced at Helga and rolled his eyes. “Are you coping?”

“Just,” she replied with a giggle.

Jean-Paul squeezed Josh’s arm. “I mean it. Thank you, again.”