Page 80 of Tears of Gold

“Sure I do. I’m fighting, remember?”

Taking a deep breath, I walk back to the conservatory. Those two battle-axes will not defeat me.

On Monday I’m working out how to get further than three steps from the en-suite without heaving when my phone rings.

I know who it is before I even look at it.

Angela… bugger, shit.

“Hi. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Sweat prickles along my skin. I’m going to be sick again. How is that even possible when I’ve had nothing more than one sip of water?

“Faith, jeez you sound awful.”

“Just a bug, God it’s hideous.” I lie on the bed and stare at the ceiling.

“I do not want to catch that, ugh.”

“I’ll be fine, can we push back an hour?”

“Your bug is going to miraculously get better in an hour?” She sounds sceptical and honestly, I don’t blame her.

“I live in hope.”

“Well, listen, I was calling to say don’t worry about the co-star interviews. I think you’ll be better by yourself and I don’t want to put you under pressure.”

“You mean I don’t play nice?”

“Well we know that, but I think you have enough draw not to need someone to bounce off. How are you anyway? Have you made anything?”

“I’m thinking over some ideas.”

“Uh, huh. And the wedding plans?”

I groan and wipe at my sticky forehead. “Don’t ask. We went yesterday but we ended up disagreeing on everything and Eli stormed out.”

“Isn’t storming out your thing?”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I said on the drive home.”

She chuckles a little. “Right, got to go, I’ve got balls to break. One of the interns is slacking and I’ve got to give him the heave-ho.”

“Yikes, don’t you give second chances?”

“No.”

I cringe internally. Angela is a nice woman, and I get on well with her, but her point is clear. This is the only chance I’ll get like this.

Now I just need to remind myself that I give a shit about it.

“Any news of Brighton?” she asks, her tone light.

“Not really, it’s still ongoing. Are you worried?”

“No! Headlines are headlines, darling, and when you’re a cynical old bitch like me you’ll understand. But I want you protected.”

Tears sting along my lashes. Another person who wants to protect me from a past that has already happened.

“I can only be honest, right?”