Page 98 of Tears of Gold

Really?

Fine.

I put my phone back in the bag and glare at Dan. “Right, you. Cut the attitude towards me. I’m sorry about what happened the night of Al's funeral, but it happened. You’ve got to stop punishing me.”

“Who pissed you off?”

“You did, you bloody ignoramus. I’ve got lots on. I’ve got class and meetings, and…” I can’t bring myself to tell him about the baby and the scan. This isn’t the right time. “You can come back to London with me as soon as you get the all clear. Miss Beesley will help me look after you.”

“Who is Miss Beesley and is she hot?”

I shake my head. “She’s my housekeeper.” I hold my hand up. “And don’t even think of taking the piss out of me. Okay, are we sorted?”

“Do I get any choice?”

“No.”

“Fine.” He sulks and folds his arms. I’d say he was feeling better. Coma to angry in five hours. Now that sounds like Dan.

We park in the residential bay and he stares at the house through the window, much like I did the first time I saw it.

“You’ve really landed with your arse in the butter, Faith.”

“Hardly. His family hate me, I’m the worst host around, and I haven’t made a single thing in bloody weeks. If that’s having my arse in the butter then I’d hate to know what isn't.” I sigh and stare at the house I’ve been getting used to calling home. “It’s not like it’s ours. It’s the family's.”

We walk up the path, me pulling Dan’s small case behind us, and I open the door. “Miss Beesley, are you here?”

Footsteps fall and the sight of my housekeeper comes into view. She stops in her tracks when she sees Dan.

“I know. He’s a mess, isn’t he? I’m hoping your skills extend to fixing obnoxious arseholes.”

Dan’s elbow darts to my ribs, jabbing me sharply.

Miss Beesley brushes her hands against one another. “I have a teenage son myself. I’m sure I can fix this one up.”

Dan looks at me with alarm. “Teenage? Just how youthful do I look?” He smiles but I can see he’s exhausted.

“Go and lay down in there.” I point to the bedroom. “While we sort you out a guest room.”

He smirks and goes to say something, but my glare shuts him up. Instead he shrugs and slopes off in the direction I point.

“Did you see Elijah?” I ask Miss Beesley once Dan is out of earshot.

She flushes a little. “I cleared up after him if that’s what you mean.”

“Cleared up after him? Eli is the tidiest person I know.”

She shrugs. “I guess he took umbrage at the bottle of whisky he smashed against a wall.”

He did what?

My stomach chills with sharp daggers of ice.

What am I doing?

I’m making a fricking fine mess that’s what. “I need to call Laura and see what my appointments are for the week. But I also need for one of us to be with Dan at all times; he’s not stable.”

Miss Beesley gives me a curt nod. “I’ll go and sort out a room.”