Page 71 of Love Thief

“Well, feel free to come up anytime to see how we’re getting on, but don’t feel you have to help. Just come up.”

Kellen takes my hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you out before the Barclay men sprinkle their fairy dust and you decide to stay.”

He pulls me away and we all walk towards the house, and away to Glastonbury.

Iam pleased to hear that Orla is waiting in Glastonbury with the boys. At last! A female to talk to. Men are okay, but they’re rubbish at chat, and at times you just need to chat.

We travel by plane to the nearest airport and then via car. The press is madness and the men are dragged off immediately to talk to the media. Orla spots me and comes straight over.

Tim spots us and I wave at him. He comes over letting us know, “They’ll be crazy busy today before tonight’s show. If you want to go round the festival sights, now is a good time to do it. Be back at the latest 6 p.m., he’ll want to see you beforehand.” He turns to chat with Tommy and I turn to Orla, seeing the Purcell Posse coming towards me with James and Bucky, and I feel my smile split my face in two.

“Boys, I didn’t know you were all here. Shall we go exploring?” I kiss them all, hugging my sons even tighter.

There’s a shout behind me and Kellen and Xander stride up, kiss James and Bucky, and wrestle with the Purcells, giving them kisses and hugs, as much as they can.

“Well isn’t this a family scene?” My hackles rise as the owner of the voice registers in my brain. “Where’s the Christmas snow and schmaltz when you need it,” Becky snipes at us. “Orla, I’m going to the bar. Are you coming?”

I smile over at Orla, not wanting to put pressure on her not to go, or feel bad about spending time with Becky. Orla doesn’t know how much I don’t like or don’t trust this woman. “You go if you want, I’m off out and about. I’ll take the boys. James, are you staying here today?”

“Yes, playing tomorrow. You staying to watch us?” he asks me, hope shining in his beautiful eyes.

“Would not miss it, boys,” I tell him.

“Jude’s coming tonight, and Jonno, I think, tomorrow,” he adds.

I nod at him. “Shall we go, James? Bucky, are you braving the site with me?”

The Purcell three are jumping around like imps. “Evie, you don’t have to take them with you. Orla’s brought a nanny,” puts in Kellen.

“I want to. They’re super fun.” They all high five me.

Eamonn has his little hands on his hips, and he pushes at Kell and states, “Uncle Kellen, let us go with Aunty Kitten. I want to go on the big chairs in the sky.” He’s scowling at Kell and I’m desperately trying not to giggle at the little boy. He’s so seriously adorable.

“Behave then,” he tells them all.

They all line up and nod, waving at their mum. Orla, who has just pulled up a bar stool with Becky and the gang, is blowing kisses at them all. The boys are on best behaviour, a well-rehearsed routine before the mayhem starts.

We have the best day. The site is huge, and you would definitely need a week here to see it all. Candy floss, ice creams, nuts, pizza, sweets, drinks, we consume the lot. The kids are all over the place, and we lose each one of them at one point or another. Luckily, James, ever thinking, has put a tracker on them, so not lost at all, I tell them, just off on an adventure.

James and Bucky are stopped a few times for autographs and photos. Of course, they’re polite to everyone, and I smile at them as they shrug. Tommy acts as their bodyguard until Darryl, James’s security, joins us later in the day. But the Purcells, to be honest, are the best distraction, as mostly we have to leave or move on as one or another has clambered somewhere they shouldn’t have.

A quick check of my watch tells me we’re ticking nearer to show time and we start to make our way to the stage. We head back tired, full, but really happy. Bug’s arrived when we get back and he has all three boys on top of him as they all try to tell him their stories.

Orla comes over looking slightly tipsy, with red rosy cheeks. “Evie, the new girl with Gabe says she knows you.”

“Really? Who is she then?” She points towards the bar and my heart stutters. Lauren. “No fucking way,” I snap out before I can stop myself. Orla looks worried when I add, “Sorry Orla, not interested in talking to her. If you want to go back, be my guest, but I definitely won’t be going over. Ever.”

Orla’s face falls and she looks at Bug then back to me. “I didn’t know, Evie. She’s been talking with Becky about you all afternoon. Nothing bad. Her friend is here with Gabe as well. It’s the girl from the Chateau. Becky invited them.”

I laugh, “What, Grace? You better warn Kellen then because he’ll throw her out.”

“Really? They’ve been saying such nice things,” Orla says, totally confused. It’s then I spot Grace. I turn away and Orla looks upset.

James glares over at the women. “Do you want me to get rid of them, Mum?”

“Oh my God, really? Is it that bad? I’ve been talking all afternoon to them.” Orla’s clearly upset and Bug stands up, pulling her into to him, comforting her worry away. Always the protector.

“You didn’t know,” he reassures her. “And you never said anything to them of any consequence, so don’t worry about it.”

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