Page 38 of A Secret Escape

Maybe this had been a good idea after all.

The woman was still talking, asking when Connie wanted to come.

“When?” Connie hadn’t thought that far, but now that she’d made the call she decided that the sooner she did it, the better. Otherwise she might change her mind. “As soon as possible. When do you have availability?”

When she heard the woman telling her that they’d had a cancellation that afternoon if she was interested, she almost refused. She’d expected to have time to think about it. To change her mind and cancel if she wanted to.

But before she could stop herself she was promising to be there and getting directions.

She ended the call and stared at her reflection in the shop window.

She was going horse riding.

And for now she wasn’t going to mention it to anyone. This would be something just for her.

Chapter9Nicole

Zoe arrived home like a whirlwind. She dropped her schoolbag in the living room and flung her arms around Nicole without a moment of hesitation.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

At least someone was pleased to see her, Nicole thought as she hugged her back.

The hug felt so good she was glad she’d given in to Milly’s entreaties to stay.

She’d spent the rest of the day worried that she should have gone through with her plan, but now that Zoe and Milly were home she was pleased she hadn’t left.

“I can’t believe how you’ve grown.” She eased away and studied Zoe, taking in her smooth skin and clear, direct gaze. “Look at you.”

She felt a pang. Milly’s child. She remembered holding Zoe as a baby and wondering how anyone could handle being responsible for something so helpless. But Milly hadn’t seemed at all worried by that side of things.

Milly adored motherhood. Right from the beginning that much had been obvious.

“I haven’t told anyone you’re staying, I promise.” Zoe smiled awkwardly. “My friends would freak out if they knew, though. They all love you.”

“They love the roles she plays on the screen.” Milly retrieved Zoe’s bag and put it on a chair so that they didn’t trip over it. “They don’t loveher.They don’t know her.”

“You know what I mean.” Zoe grabbed a banana from the bowl on the table and peeled it. “I’m starving. What’s for dinner?”

“Caesar salad. And I think it’s important to make the distinction, that’s all,” Milly said. “Nicole isn’t the characters she plays.”

“I know that! I’m not ten years old.” Zoe rolled her eyes, in that moment looking every bit the teenager. She finished the banana and disposed of the skin.

“Zoe still wants to follow in your footsteps and be an actor,” Milly said to Nicole. “All advice welcome, I’m sure. Apologies in advance if she bombards you with questions.”

Zoe gave a small shrug. “Actually, I’m not sure I do want to be an actor anymore. I might do something else.”

Milly looked confused. “Like what?”

“I don’t know. Computer engineering maybe?”

“But you love drama,” Milly said. “It’s your favorite thing. She’s playing the part of Hermia inA Midsummer Night’s Dream, Nicole. I noticed that it’s streaming at the moment. You and Nicole could watch it together, and she could talk to you about the part.”

“Nicole won’t want to do that, Mum. It’s boring. I’m going to change, then I’ll help you cook.”

“But—” Milly started, but Zoe had already left the room, the sound of her feet on the stairs echoing through the boathouse. Milly stared after her, a worried frown on her face. “That was strange. I assumed she’d be talking nonstop about the play. She was so excited when she got the part. She auditioned for it because she watched you play the role so many times.”

“Maybe she just felt awkward talking about it.”

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