Page 31 of Secrets of Riverside

‘Oh, yes, here you go.’ She held out his cup. ‘I took the liberty of making you one.’

‘Oh, awesome, just what the doctor ordered, thanks.’ He took a sip. ‘Ahhh, it always tastes better when someone else makes it.’

The slap of the front door, followed by heavy footfalls, halted their conversation. ‘Jarrah, you home?’ Tommy appeared before Jarrah got the chance to reply.

‘There you are.’ Tommy looked to the paperwork held in his hands. ‘I need to run a couple of things …’ As he caught sight of Millie, hostility glinted in his steadfast gaze.

‘Go on, I’m listening.’ Jarrah’s brows bumped together.

‘It can wait until we’re in private.’ Tommy eyed Jarrah while tipping his head a little to the side. ‘What’s going on with you pair, huh?’

‘Nothing at all.’ Jarrah gave him a withering stare. ‘Why do you feel the need to ask?’

‘Correct me if I’m wrong, Uncle, but any kind of,’ he shrugged coolly, yet conceitedly, ‘let’s say, cosy relationship between staff means instant dismissal here at Riverside Acres, doesn’t it?’

‘Yes, as you know all too well it does, but that’s not the case here. Millie and I are just good friends.’ Jarrah offered an apologetic glance in her direction, and then frowned as he looked back at his scowling nephew. ‘Although, thanks for being thoughtful enough to remind me, Tommy.’

Tommy took a lengthy moment to respond, and when he did, his steely focus was fired at Millie. ‘You’re well aware of the number one rule too, Millie, aren’t you?’ He offered a sly smile. ‘Because from where I’m standing, you appear quite smitten with my uncle.’

Jarrah went to speak, but she held up her hand. ‘Please, Jarrah, let me have my say, because to be quite honest, I’ve been biting my tongue all week.’ She was a big girl, and she could have her own back. ‘I think that’s way out of line of you to say something like that, Tommy.’ Her face burned red hot, and her stomach flip-flopped sickeningly. ‘And I take offence to it.’ Blinking quicker, she bit back the sudden urge to cry.

‘Well, I’m sorry to state the obvious.’ Tommy didn’t look apologetic in the slightest. ‘But hey, I say things like I see them.’

‘Like you think you see them, more like it.’ Her unwavering gaze was as icy as her tone of voice. ‘I’ve seriously had enough of your bad moods and your bullying tactics. I may work for you, but you don’t have the right to treat me like you do.’ Man it felt good to stand up for herself – after the past couple of years, it had been a long time coming.

‘My bad mood is partly because of you waltzing in and taking Jasmine’s place.’ Tommy’s red face articulated just how hot his blood was boiling, too. ‘And for the record I ain’t no bully, I’m just getting real sick of all the crap that goes on around here.’ He hurled a rage-fuelled glance in Jarrah’s direction. ‘Especially all the underhanded BS and lies.’

‘Tommy, what in the hell are you on about?’ Jarrah stepped forwards, shaking his head. ‘Jasmine, and you, crossing the line and getting her fired is not Millie’s fault in the slightest, nor mine, and what lies are you talking about?’

‘Are you seriously going to stand there and keep lying to me about my parents’ deaths?’

His face paling and eyes wide, Jarrah looked as though he’d been king hit in the chest, but he recovered quickly. ‘What exactly have I lied about, Tommy?’

Tommy laughed cynically. ‘You know exactly what.’ He chucked a sideways glance to Millie. ‘Lying makes a person a fraud, wouldn’t you agree, Millie?’

Alarm flooding her stomach, she stiffened, intentionally lifted her chin and did her very best to save face, desperate to change the direction this was heading. ‘I’m sorry if my presence bothers you, Tommy, but I like my job here, and I’m doing my best to prove that to you, and Jarrah, and the customers.’

‘Well aren’t you just the best little cook this side of Sydney.’ Tommy’s arms folded tightly as he waited for her reaction.

How did he know she was from Sydney? Had she let it slip? Maybe. It was possible.

Jarrah stepped in the middle, his gaze burning with anger. ‘I think you’ve said enough now, Tommy.’ He pointed towards the doorway. ‘Please, let yourself out, before I say something I might regret.’

His hands clenching at his sides, Tommy did the opposite and took a step closer to Jarrah.

Jarrah didn’t move a muscle as they stared each other down.

Worried a fistfight was about to ensue, Millie stepped back a little and held her breath. This prickly situation was a hard-hitting reminder that nothing mattered other than surviving here, getting what she needed, and then getting the hell out of Banshee Bay. She needed to stop liking Jarrah so much. She needed to get a damn grip on her priorities.

Tommy finally backed off, turned and flung his hate-filled gaze at her. ‘You better watch your back.’ Every word was whispered. ‘Because I’m keeping an eye on you, little miss turn up out of the blue, with no last name.’

He’s enjoying this …

As quiet as they’d been, his words had hit their mark mighty hard, sending a trickling of fear down her spine. She turned her back to him in a bid to try and hide what she was feeling.

‘Tommy!’ Jarrah roared. ‘Enough!’

With an almighty huff, Tommy stormed out of the kitchen. His stomping footfalls echoed down the hallway, a door slammed loud enough to come off its hinges, and then he was gone.

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