Page 107 of Tears of Ink

Eli Jones: Did today go okay?

My phone shakes in my hand and tears splash on the screen.

Faith Hitchin: Yes.

And that’s it. Every communication we’ve had in the last four days has been the same. Five little words that hurt.

A giggle stops my pity parade, and I swipe at my face with the back of my hands. Lewis comes around the corner, but unless he’s lost his balls overnight the giggle wasn’t his.

Tabitha.

They are holding hands as they wander in the garden, lost in a conversation I can’t hear. She’s glowing, and his eyes are staring at her like he’s seeing the stars for the first time.

Shit.

Her eyes fall on me and she jumps in shock. “Faith, are you okay?” Stepping up quick and letting go of his hand with a blush, she drops onto the grass by my side.

“I’m just peachy.” I give her a smile.

“Is it my mother? What’s she done this time?”

With a laugh, I shake my head. My laughter doesn’t sound quite right, but then truthfully when has it ever? “No, it’s just been a big few days, you know with my uncle being so ill and, and…”

“Elijah leaving?”

I nod, a lump sticking in my throat.

She nods understandably. “He was pretty mad, but I know he’s made headway with Lewis’ mother’s case.” She squeezes his hand and the little gesture makes my chest ache more. “So that’s good, right?”

“Sure. And we have created a wonderful mess.”

They both laugh. Lewis’ eyes don’t leave her… and that’s what Abi said Eli was like with me at the weekend. Why didn’t I see it?

“Listen, you two.” I wag my finger at the both of them and they both attempt innocence. “Be careful. Tabitha. I don’t know what messed-up shit goes on in your family, but I’d hate to see you both hurt.”

His hand falls onto her shoulder. “We’re fine,” he says, and I eye them both sceptically.

“Okay.” I hold my hands up and laugh. “Consider my warning given. If either of you need anything.” I look pointedly at Tabitha, “then you know where I am.”

“Eli texted me.” Her change of direction takes me by surprise.

“Yeah?” I attempt nonchalance.

“He wants to make sure you are following up the theme for the ball.”

I roll my eyes, which is all kinds of childish, but I don’t care. “And he can’t talk to me about it himself?”

She shrugs, and I get up with a huff. “I need to talk to Gerard anyway.”

Hell, I bloody do. He’s going to tell me exactly why he didn’t tell me about my work being sold before I came to this godforsaken place.

I jump from the lawn, brushing away the dried grass stuck to my skin and march for the house. As I leave, I hear Lewis mutter about “Gerard needing back up,” followed by Tabitha giggling.

Lewis is going to be kicked out of the house by the time the ball comes around if they don’t watch it.

Jennifer is watching me run up the steps. “Everything okay?”

“Hunky dory.” I breeze past her and head towards the drawing room where I know Gerard will be, drinking scotch he can’t afford normally, and talking utter bollocks with Peter. I’ve seen Peter more this week than I have since arriving, and as much as I’m hurt by Eli, I’m relieved that I did in fact pick the less twatty brother.