Page 23 of Perfect

I straightened and pulled my top down which had rolled up slightly, revealing my stomach.

“You sound like you care about him. Maybe there’s more there than you think?”

I decided to go in for the kill as she’d ignored me the first time and anyway, I imagined most girls in the village would fancy Connor. I hated the fact that I cared so much about that.

Her eyebrows crinkled.

“We’re mates really and we’re in the same friendship group and so it’s sort of not allowed. Funny what is and isn’t allowed. Village life can be so restrictive. Especially when everyone knows everyone. Secrets are hard out here Harlow, you’ll see.”

Her stare was pensive and her shoulders slumped. I took this as a sign that I needed to remove myself from this situation. I was certainly no agony aunt and did I want to know about the secrets of the village just yet? That was a big fat no. As my eyes assessed this girl’s stance, I’d say she carried a fair share of those on her shoulders.

“Well, if you ever need to talk. I’m a good listener,” I offered, lying through my teeth. I so wasn’t ready for the type of high school drama I was trying to run from.

My words seemed to soothe her mood and she brightened.

“Thanks. That’d be cool. Anyway, when you meet the guys, please do take everything they say with a pinch of salt. Country boys get bored quickly and after Tom’s comments, you’re the new bright penny.”

“Thanks for the advice but don’t worry. I’m looking forward to some boy free time. Dad is the only man I am interested in right now.”

I now wasn’t really sure I was that bothered about meeting ‘the guys’ at all. They sounded like trouble and I hated players.

“It was Connor who called you Barbie, by the way, he can be such a cock.”

I hadn’t really needed her to tell me that it was Connor who’d compared me to a Barbie doll. Rotten sod.

“I just didn’t want you to think it was Tom. He wouldn’t say something like that. He’s a tool but he’s one of the nice guys. An actual gent which is rare for village boys who have all been dragged up rather than brought up. Agriculture is rough boy’s work.”

I nodded. “I understand and as for the Barbie thing. That’s fine, Connor called me that the first time we met,” I confessed, thinking back to the party.

“Spiteful git,” Ella said, grimacing. “Although is it actually an insult? I’d fricking love to look like Barbie, she’s perfect,” she pointed out upon reflection.

“Believe me, the way he said it, he meant it as one.”

Her face almost contorted

“I wouldn’t be so sure. He literally warned the others to keep their distance. Why would he do that do you think?” Ella questioned quietly. She had a point of course but the guy was downright mean. He wouldn’t behave like that towards someone he fancied surely? Unless he was totally socially awkward which of course he was. I batted off the thought.

“Anyway, who knows with that one? He isn’t easy to read. I wouldn’t tell him we’ve been speaking about him. He’d be pissed and a pissed Connor is not a good Connor,” Ella warned as we stopped by the front door of the house.

I couldn’t stop the bitter snort that escaped from my mouth.

“I wouldn’t worry about that. We aren’t close.”

Ella nodded her understanding.

“It’s hard, isn’t it? I don’t think I’ll ever understand how a guy’s head works. Especially the controlling types. Be nice to understand what makes them tick.”

She was thinking about the guy she wanted, I still hadn’t ruled out that this could be Connor but either way she wasn’t quite ready to share. We’d known each other all of twenty minutes and so this came as no shock.

“I take it you’re talking about this guy you like?”

She flashed me a look and I immediately regretted my words. There was something she wasn’t saying and I read a deep sadness in her. I was now well and truly confused.

Ella turned to face me and gave me her passing shot.

“Relationships out here are tough. Village life is closed off and can feel very isolating, yet everyone seems to know your shit, or at least they think they do. It will be interesting to see how you get on Harlow. You’ll have to let me know if Tom gets on your tits and I’ll have a word and please do prepare yourself for the others, they’ll be all over you like a rash, I’m sure. Even in spite of Connor’s ‘off limits’ warning.”

I suddenly had an image of hairy, weathered faced men in dungarees, waving pitch forks and panting heavily. It was comical really.

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