Page 22 of The Lucky Winners

I smile, but I swear I can feel awkwardness between us that wasn’t there before.

‘So?’ I lean forward, hands clasped on the table. ‘Now you’ve had time to let it sink in, what do you really think?’

Paige studies me for a second. ‘That you don’t seem very excited.’

‘I am! It’s just that it still feels crazy towina house.’

‘And the money? A cool quarter of a million. Nice.’

‘Yeah, but like I said to Dev, it’s not like we’re set up for life. A place like Lakeview comes with huge expenses. Council tax, maintenance, God knows what else. We might not even be able to afford to keep the place.’

‘Tell me you’re not complaining.’

‘No, of course not. I’m just saying it’s not going to last for ever now we’ve both jacked in our jobs.’

‘Lakeview House.’ She rolls the name around on her tongue. ‘Sounds very posh. But if you can’t keep it, you sell it. And then, well, jackpot all over again.’ She lets out a low whistle. ‘That’sreallylife-changing money, Merri.’

‘Yeah,’ I admit. ‘It is.’

She looks at her coffee cup. ‘Have you actually quit the health centre, or are you just on a millionaire’s holiday?’

The question catches me off guard. ‘I had to ring Karen and be honest with her. So, yes, I’ve resigned.’

‘Yeah. You can’t exactly commute from the Lake District, can you?’

I feel myself shrinking. Just last week, we were both complaining about work, about patients who never listened and a monthly salary that barely covered rent and living costs. Now my whole life has changed overnight and hers hasn’t. She’d seemed so pleased for me when we met for drinks – but now reality has set in, for both of us.

‘Some of the change I won’t relish,’ I say carefully. ‘I’llreally miss working at the health centre. I’ll miss seeing you. I won’t want to sit at home all day doing nothing. I’ll go mad.’

Paige takes a slow sip of her coffee before answering. ‘Not much risk of that, is there? You’ll be busy with all the press stuff. And the interior designers. And the endless decisions about which wine cellar to stock.’

Her comments rankle but she delivers them with a cheeky grin.

‘It’s not like that,’ I protest.

She shrugs. ‘I’m just saying. It’s a different world, Merri. A few weeks ago, we were debating whether we could stretch to a second cocktail on a night out. And now here you are,’ she gestures vaguely, ‘mansion owner. Lady of the manor.’

I open my mouth to reply, but something about the way she’s looking at me makes my words falter.

‘I wasn’t boasting,’ I say instead.

Paige waves a hand. ‘Don’t be silly. I’m happy for you and Dev. Really glad something good happened for you both. Stop worrying about what I think and enjoy it.’

But her tone – so upbeat, too upbeat – makes my stomach clench. ‘Iamworrying, though. About so many things, I can’t even put them all into words. And the press. I hate them sticking their noses into everything.’

‘Ah, I see. I thought something else was bothering you.’ Paige stirs more sugar into her coffee, her gaze fixed on the swirling liquid. ‘Worried they might start digging into your past?’ she says lightly. ‘Maybe this is your chance to come clean with Dev.’

My breath catches. For a second, I don’t move.

I’d almost forgotten she knew. It’s been a while since I confided in her. Too many cocktails, too much oversharing. But I’d kept it vague, thank goodness. Paige doesn’t know the worst of it.

But now, with everything that’s happening, her words feel like a slap. Casual, but deliberate.

I don’t think she’s warning me, or threatening me. It’s like she’s just reminding me she knows.

‘Anyway, enough about me. Can you come over to the house after this?’ I say. It’s her regular day off so she won’t have to go back to work. ‘It won’t take long, but there’s something I want to talk to you about.’

She’s alert with interest. ‘What’s it about?’