Page 46 of The First Chord

Nausea rose and I felt like a complete and utter twat for upsetting her. “Amber, I’m sor—”

I was interrupted by her own burst of laughter and as her head rose, I could see she was grinning like mad.

“You little shit.”

“You started it,” she protested, narrowing her eyes on me. “Making me feel awful about my crappy stew.”

“Oh, you little devil,” Auntie Mo placed a hand on her stomach and sighed. “I felt awful.”

“I’m the one who feels awful.” She looked between us both. “Do you both feel okay? Not sick or anything?”

We both shook our heads.

“Ronnie has the constitution of an ox,” Auntie Mo offered. “Nothing makes him feel sick.”

“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Watching Joey eat a yoghurt is pretty gross. Really turns my stomach.”

Auntie Mo threw me a dirty look and I heard Amber snigger. Sagging with relief that I hadn’t upset her, I moved back to my seat. As I settled back I realised that I was still holding onto her hand, so with a swallow, I let it go.

“I don’t know what happened,” Amber groaned. “I’ve made it loads of times and it’s always lovely.”

“Are you sure?” Auntie Mo asked, causing us both to laugh again.

“Honestly.”

Amber’s eyes were shining with fun, and it felt like my whole body was warming up, from my toes to the top of my head. It had been a long time since I’d felt so… I don’t know, content and happy. She’d done that. Despite all the shit that came with our friendship. Watching her smile and laugh, it was easy to forget about Jimmy and what he’d done and how he’d behaved. Easy to think that she belonged in my life and in my house.

“My cooker is a bit difficult to understand,” I suggested. “It’s got one of those fan things so gets hotter than you think. That’s probably what the problem was.”

“I have no idea, but I promise you I can cook, and it usually tastes much better than that.”

Auntie Mo placed both palms on the table. “Shall I make us something else?”

“No,” Amber protested. “Please let me.”

“No, it’s fine, Auntie Mo doesn’t mind.”

“Please, Ronnie. I want to prove to you that I can cook.” She looked between me and Auntie Mo, giving us both a smile.

“Come on, Ronnie.” My auntie patted my knee. “Let’s go and watch a bit of telly while Amber sorts something out.” She stood up and turned to Amber. “Make it quick though, me duck, I’m bloody starving.”

Half an hour later we were tucking into chips, egg, and beans and it was the best meal that I’d had in ages.

CHAPTER22

AMBER

It had been almost two weeks since Ronnie rescued me, and it felt like a lifetime. In a good way. A brilliant way, because I hadn’t felt as safe or as happy as I’d felt in the last fourteen days for years.

It was a strange feeling because there was also a deep sense of resentment and guilt around Jimmy. I hated what he’d done to me, how he’d treated me, yet I couldn’t help the guilt gnawing away at me for staying with Ronnie.

“Can you pass me that spoon please?” I asked as we sat at the huge kitchen table eating our breakfast.

Ronnie gave me a quick smile and did as I asked. My fingers touched his as I went to take it from him and instantly it felt like I’d been given an electric shock.

“Thanks.” I tried not to sound like a breathless schoolgirl with a crush, but it was hard not to around him. Being home and relaxed suited him. Having spent some time in the garden during the previous week his skin was a gorgeous golden brown.

Ronnie’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “No probs.” He held my gaze but after a few seconds I felt hot and unable to breath, so I looked down at my muesli. Instantly, an old image of Jimmy gazing at me and brushing my hair from my face swam through my head, coupled with the red-hot flame of guilt in my veins.

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