She sifted through events in her mind. Perhaps Megan had somehow managed to uncover their secret, she wondered as she jumped into a cab outside the hotel. No, she was just getting paranoid now. The only person who could have told her was Josh and, for some reason, he wasn’t answering his phone.
Racing through her front door, she burst into his bedroom without knocking.
“Josh, Josh wake up,” she called, shaking his shoulder until he roused. The stench of alcohol was overwhelming.
“Not so loud Danni, my head’s killing me,” he said quietly.
She dashed from the room and minutes later returned carrying a glass of Alka Seltzer fizzing away in a tall stem glass.
“Josh, drink this. You’re not going to believe what’s happened.”
He rolled over onto his back and she supported his head while he drank the medicine.
“Josh, Brooke knows about us. Your dad knows about us.”
He flopped back on his pillow with a groan. “I know.”
Danni tilted her head, unsure she’d heard him correctly. “What do you mean, you know?”
“I told him last night. Well, I emailed him. I was trying to get hold of you to tell you, but your phone was switched off. I drank a bottle of vodka and I emailed him to tell him the truth.”
She didn’t know what to do. Kiss him and congratulate him or slap him.
“God, I wish you’d have waited until I’d spoken to Brooke. I didn’t get the chance to tell her the truth. I guess your dad did that this morning. Now she thinks I’m a fraud.”
Josh’s hand flew to his mouth. “Danni, I’m so sorry. I told him so you could stop lying to Brooke,” he said, his voice choking as he continued. “Oh God, I’ve really put my foot in it haven’t I?”
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean for this to happen,” she said flopping down onto his bed.
“If I’ve messed this up for you I’ll never forgive myself.”
“It’s okay. There’s no point in us falling out as well. What a mess. I just need to explain to Brooke properly, tell her it wasn’t meant to hurt anyone. Oh God.” She tried to muster a smile. “Hey, I’m really proud of you for telling your dad, even if you were as high as a kite.”
Josh looked up at her with sorrowful eyes.
“I would hug you and all but.” She looked down at his bare chest. “Oh what the hell, come here,” she said pulling Josh into an embrace.
Leaning back Danni said, “So, have you spoken to your dad this morning?”
Josh shook his head, blinking quickly to release the tears.
“Well he obviously read it. And he called Brooke.”
“Did he sound angry?” he asked, his voice still choked with emotion.
“I don’t know. But Brooke sure was.”
He sniffed a little and looked at her sheepishly. “What were you doing with Brooke? Did you spend the night with her?”
Danni glanced downwards. “No comment”
“Did you?”
“Yep,” she whispered.
“And this morning she found out … about us?”
“Yep.”
“Oh my God, it just gets worse!” Tears formed in his eyes again.
“It’s fine, Josh. How were you to know? At the end of the day it’s my own damn fault. I should have come clean with her before I slept with her.”
“Oh, D. I’m so sorry. What are you going to do about it?”
“There’s nothing I can do. I lied to her.”
Chapter Forty-Five
As soon as Brooke entered her flat, she heard movement in the kitchen. She braced herself. She wasn’t in the mood to hear any more crap from anyone. She just wanted Megan to leave her key and never show her face again.
Megan breezed out of the kitchen with a mug in her hand. She looked at Brooke as if she had just stepped out for milk.
“Hi, babe, where’ve you been?”
Brooke frowned. Was she serious? “Pardon?”
“I thought we could go for breakfast this morning and talk about yesterday. Clear up any misunderstandings.”
Brooke brushed past her and walked into the living room, Megan fast on her heels. “Are you on drugs, Megan?”
Megan looked surprised at the question which led Brooke to begin to really start questioning Megan’s sanity.
“No why?” she replied, sitting on the edge of an armchair, slurping her drink like it was any other carefree Sunday.
Despite how down she felt, Brooke let out a genuine shriek of laughter. “I suppose you’re going to deny that was you yesterday at the theatre.”
“No, that was me. It just wasn’t what it looked like. Alison was–”
Brooke shook her head in amusement. “Oh, so she dumped your arse?”
Megan smirked. “No, she didn’t. Like I was saying, Alison is an old school friend of mine. Yes, I won’t deny it, we’ve had a fling in the past, but that was way before I met you,” she said in a calm reasonable voice.
“So her saying you were her partner was in her imagination was it?”
“No, not at all. It’s a little game we play. She thought you were an ex and she was pretending to be my partner so you’d leave me alone. Anyway, I think I’m the one who should be angry with you. I caught you sneaking around with that Danni woma–”
Brooke held her hands up in the air. “You caught me? Oh God, Megan, just stop this bullshit. I want you out of my flat. Take all your crap and go.”
“I don’t know why you’re getting so hysterical Brooke – I was out with a friend. Her daughter wanted to see The Snowman so I said I’d accompany them.”
“Despite the fact that you’re meant to be in America with your mum?”
“I got back yesterday. I was coming home and I bumped into her.”
“And I suppose the little girl calling you Mummy M doesn’t stand for Mummy Megan. Do you know something? I think you’re insane. You really think I’m going to buy that bullshit?”
“It’s the truth.”
“So why haven’t I been able to get in touch with you since you left?”
“The phone lines were down, and I lost my mobile.”
“Hmm, I see. Okay let me see your passport.”
Megan looked flustered. “My passport? What for?”
Brooke held out her hand, palm upwards. “Just let me see it. If you’re telling the truth your passport will be stamped with your arrival into the States.”
“I don’t know where it is. I think I left it in my bag at work.”
“You know what? I hope you’ll both be very happy together.” Brooke breezed past Megan, walked to the front door and opened it.
Megan followed her again. “Let’s talk about this Brooke – don’t do anything you’re gonna regret.” Her voice held a sharp edge to it.
“It’s too late for that. I already have for way too long.”
“Please, Brooke, let me explain.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore, Megan. You could be sleeping with the whole of London for all I care. I really couldn’t give a toss. It’s over. I just want you out of my life. Now get out!”
Megan glared at her as she stormed out of the flat, Brooke slamming the door behind her.
Chapter Forty-Six
Danni sat on one end of the sofa, Josh at the other, his head bowed like a naughty schoolboy. Roy had the floor. If he didn’t stop pacing, he’d wear a patch in their new rug.
“Why is what I keep asking myself? Why would my own son, my own flesh and blood lie to me like this?”
Danni jumped up to defend Josh. “Because you–”
Josh stood as well and slowly walked over to stand in front of his dad. “–It’s okay Danni.”
Danni couldn’t help but notice how mature Josh suddenly looked for his age.
Josh stared his dad straight in the eye. “Do you remember last year, when I told you about my friend Adam and how we wanted to buy a house together?”
Roy looked perplexed. “You mean that rather strange
boy you were hanging out with?”
Josh’s features hardened. “Yes that one – that ‘strange’ gay boy. The way you behaved about him made me feel too ashamed to tell you who I really was.” He shook his head in disgust. “You made me feel like I was nothing.”
Roy looked like someone had punched him in the guts as he took a step back. “Is that what you think Josh, I’m homophobic?”
Josh puffed his chest out and narrowed his eyes. “Yes I do. That’s why I didn’t tell you I was gay!”
Roy looked defeated, like the stuffing had been knocked out of him.
“Josh, I was just concerned for you, I didn’t want you to rush in and buy a flat with someone like Adam. Your mum was ill. I thought you were in turmoil. My dislike of that young man had nothing to do with his sexuality, I just thought he was irresponsible, the way he lived his life – drugs, no ambition. I was concerned he would just drag you down,” he said, his voice slightly shaking. Roy’s eyes welled up. “I’m sorry, son. I’m sorry and ashamed that I made you feel that way,” he said, his eyes dropping to the floor.
Josh rubbed his hand over his face, suddenly looking very weary.
“Come here,” Roy said engulfing him in a hug. “There’s nothing on this earth you could do to make me ashamed of you. When your mum was alive you were the apple of her eye and you’re still mine. You’re my son and I’m proud of you, whichever way you swing,” he said with a wink.
Danni’s eyes welled up. She was going to cry. It was like having the Jerry Springer show right there in her front room.
Roy patted Josh’s back. “And dragging your friend into your mess as well. Whatever must you have thought of me, Danni?” he said turning his attention to her.
The corner of her mouth curved up into a wide grin.
“Well I did think it was a bit odd, you being … I mean being so nice and easy-going.” She glanced down at her chest and said with a nervous laugh, “On a side note, this isn’t going to have a knock on affect with my book is? I mean, I don’t have to give back the advance, do I?”
Roy roared with laughter. “Of course not. I meant it when I said your relationship had no bearing on my decision to publish your book.”
Her head shot up. “Phew, that’s a relief.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
The Boeing 747 soared over the Pacific Ocean like a bird, leaving a white mist trailing behind it. The passengers in the first class compartment had been fed and watered and were settling down for the remaining four hours left to London. Megan was going to have to go flat hunting again. Just the thought of it depressed her. Rental prices in London were astronomical, even for a studio flat. Thankfully, Jackie had invited her stay until she found somewhere else. In all seriousness, she could not believe Brooke had asked her to leave. She needn’t have bothered though, Megan assured herself, as she had already made up her mind to leave anyway. She could do without the hassle of both Brooke and Alison, it was time to strike out on her own. Megan had returned to Edinburgh that night to collect her belongings from Alison’s and had left without a second glance.
She would never make the mistake of dating a parent again, regardless of how “respectable” it made one look.
The bell rang and she rose to her feet, making the short walk to the passenger. Megan smiled down at the woman whose glass she had been refilling with champagne every twenty minutes. Nervous flyer but very attractive. She was in her early thirties, slim build, dark hair, and impeccably dressed. The lady oozed money.
“Don’t worry, not long to go now,” Megan said handing her a glass whilst making sure her fingers brushed against the woman’s. The woman looked up at her, a knowing look in her eyes.
“Thank you.” She eyed her name tag. “Megan.”
“Anytime. If you need anything and I mean anything, just let me know.”
The woman’s smile acknowledged she understood the intent behind the words. Megan quickly scribbled her number on a napkin and handed it to the woman. She looked giddy with excitement as she slipped it into her bag. As easy as that! Maybe she wouldn’t need to crash at Jackie’s after all.
Chapter Forty-Eight
The beeping sound of the recycling lorry abruptly broke into Danni’s sleep. She looked towards the window through one slit eye and groaned at the invasion.
Bastards.
She rolled onto her back and stared up into the darkness. What kind of time is this?
The noisy buggers had just interrupted a wonderful dream in which she was touring the US with her new book. The public and media had been lapping her up – personal appearances, talk-shows. There had only been standing room at the many bookshops she had visited. But the best part of the dream had been the woman who had stood beside her through it all – Brooke. For some reason her subconscious had conveniently managed to forget that Brooke wasn’t actually speaking to her.
Christmas had come and gone all too soon. The only contact she’d had with her since had been work related. A couple of brief emails were the extent of it.
She decided there was no point in trying to go back to sleep. No doubt as soon as the recycling lorry disappeared, drilling from the building site a few doors down would start, followed by kids making noise on their way to school. No, she’d get up, do something useful like have a chocolate muffin and cup of coffee, while she updated her twitter with the latest about her book.
She had been surprised to find she actually had twenty followers on her page. Okay maybe not twenty exactly, after you subtracted family, friends, and pets – it was more like four. But four was better than none and by God she needed something positive to cling on to.
She took a shower and dressed before making the coffee and scoffing a couple of chocolate chip muffins. Now she was ready for the day. She made her way to the living room and settled down with her computer on her lap. Booting it up, she went straight to her twitter page – The Self-Help Diva.
One new notification.
“When’s your book coming out Diva? I can’t wait to read it!” From Twitter handle: @downtrodden20.
“Hi downtrodden – the e-book will be out at the end of the year with the paperback to follow a few months after.”
Wow, look at her with her very own paperback book.
The door creaked open and Josh strutted over the threshold sporting black boxer shorts, a six pack, and hair that stood to attention like Ms Dias’ in that scene from Something About Mary. He rubbed his eyes. “What are you doing up so early?” he asked.
“I don’t know how you sleep through the bloody racket from those recycling lorries. I was making my way down to the earthquake shelter until I realised we don’t own one.”
Josh flopped down on the sofa beside her. “My dad woke me. He’s invited us to a launch of some author’s book tomorrow. I said we’d go. I think he wants to get back to normal, you know, put it all behind us.”
“Okay cool. That’s exactly what I want to do too.”
She cleared her throat. “Do you think Brooke’s going to be there?”
“I should think so.” He covered his face with his hands. “I don’t want to go to work today.”
“Why not? It’s the first day of your new job.”
“Working in accounts is sooo boring.”
“Considering you ended up staying on as a labourer throughout December, I thought you’d be glad to get out of the freezing cold.”
“Yeah I s’pose.”
“Go on, get to work. You’d just spend the day on Grindr again. Yuk,” she said giving him a nudge.
He swung his legs off the sofa and stood, rubbing his toned stomach. “Okay, I’m going. There’s someone I need to speak to today anyway.”
“Who’s that?” she asked, as he walked out of the living room.
“Never you mind.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
Brooke removed her glasses, folded them shut, and laid them on her desk. She had just finished re-reading Danni’s manuscript and was pleased with the end result. It
was a good book, in spite of everything that had happened.
The past week had had been testing to say the least, but hopefully now she had finished editing it, she could put both Danni and Megan out of her mind and move on. It was for the best after all.
She caught sight of Josh walking along through the office. He waved, and the next minute he was standing by her desk.
He looked down at her with a nervous grin.
“Hey Brooke, I’m sorry to barge in like this, but have you got a minute?”
“Do I really have a choice?”
His face dropped. “Of course you have. If you want me to leave, just say.”
She drew out a chair and indicated for him to sit.
“It’s okay. I don’t mean to be rude. What can I do for you?”
He slid onto the chair and pulled his beanie hat off his head. “Well, it’s not for me. I need to talk to you about Danni.”
Brooke pushed her chair away from the desk and stood up. “Josh, I don’t mean to sound impolite but I really don’t want to discuss the matter. What’s done is done.”
“Please,” he implored.
His expression was that of a desperate man. She sighed with irritation.
“You’ve got a minute, tops. Then I’ve got to get back to work,” she said.
“Okay, okay.” He took a deep breath. “Brooke, I don’t want you to punish Danni for something I pushed her into doing. I begged her not to tell you because of your close working relationship with my dad. I thought he would disown me if he found out I was gay. It was a stupid thing to do – pretend we were engaged but you must understand it wasn’t meant to hurt anyone. I was afraid. Can you see that?”
“I sympathise Josh, I really do, but at what point was Danni going to tell me exactly? She said she wanted to come clean, but she didn’t. Does she do everything you ask of her?”
“Yes, she does and I do the same for her. I’m not denying the whole pretending things was a stupid idea, it was. But it’s not Danni’s fault – it’s mine. She’s my best friend, Brooke and I would do anything for her. I’m the one who begged her to pretend to be my fiancée and I even talked her into writing a bloody self-help book She didn’t want to do that either. Seems I’m not such a good friend after all.”
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