Page 25 of Always Beth
I shake my head and reach out to brush her stray hair back from her face.
‘Thank you, but I think I’m okay now. I appreciate your call.’
The silence extends out between us as I finish making the tea. I drag the teaspoon against the edge of the cup, shattering the peace that had descended over the kitchen.
I hold the cup out to her. ‘Here you go.’
Taking her tea, she slides into a seat at the kitchen table. ‘So, can I assume you’re going to help me?’
‘You still need a solicitor, Beth, but I’ll find you one who will refer back to us, because if this is going to court, you’ll need a barrister. It can’t be me because there’s a conflict of interest.’
Her head falls as she tries to hide her blushes. ‘That’s not a service you usually provide for your clients then?’
‘Only the ones I like.’ I wink as I blow softly over the top of my tea. ‘Leave it with me, I’ll sort it.’
‘Thank you. I don’t know what to say.’
‘How about sorry for throwing your boxers in the lake and for almost running you over at the hospital and for not making me that candle like you promised…’
Her eyes widen as she runs from the room.What the hell is she doing?
‘I’m so sorry, here.’ She thrusts a candle towards me, and I roll my lips together as I study it intently.
‘Beth, what’s this?’
‘It’s a penis.’
I turn it over in my hand to study it further. ‘Right, do you make a lot of phallic shaped candles?’
‘For hen parties.’
‘I see. Something new you’ve added to your repertoire, is it?’
She grins up at me proudly, as I study her wax masterpiece in finer detail.
‘This looks familiar, do you have a muse?’
Her teeth sink into her bottom lip and I’m mesmerised.
‘Maybe.’
The air between us becomes heavy as we slowly gravitate back towards one another. As I reach out for her, I still as my phone pings.
‘I’ll let you get that,’ she whispers.
I frown as I reach into my pocket.
Lauren: I’m so sorry, please don’t be mad. I need you, only you x
My heart sinks to my stomach as I realise for the past thirty minutes I haven’t thought of Lauren or Jacob once.
‘Is everything okay?’ She dusts her hands as she slides a single biscuit into her mouth whole.
I nod in response. I have to go. I need to remember where my priorities lie.
‘Beth, I’m sorry but I’m going to have to go.’
Her face falls as she swallows quickly. ‘Was it something I—’
