Page 28 of The Lies
“Don’t you think you’re missing out by not experiencing it?” Blake asks, his change of subject winding me slightly.
“What, being a parent? I guess I’ve never thought about it like that.” Motherhood has never been something I’ve felt I’ve needed in my life. I’m not sure if that’s just because of the situation I was in before, or if it’s something I’m never going to want. If things work out with Blake then I guess I’ll have to be a mother figure of some sort to Sinead and I think I can just about cope with that. The thought of having kids of my own, small people who solely rely on me for everything, scares me more than I’d like to admit.
“I think you’d be an amazing mum. You’re so good with Sinead.”
“Now, now don’t get all broody on me,” I say with a laugh.
“I’m not, I’m just stating a fact.”
“Being part of Sinead’s life is enough for me right now. She makes it easy. She’s an amazing kid.”
“She is,” he agrees proudly.
* * *
My heart’s pounding as we touch down on English soil. I didn’t realise how much I’d hate being here again. It brings back memories from my old life that I’d quite happily keep in the past, and it makes me ask myself questions I’d rather not waste time thinking about, likewas I ever happy here? How long would I have stayed if I hadn’t found out about Edward’s affair? Would I have been beaten down my Edward and his mother and eventually had his kids?The thought of what the answer to that last one could be makes me shudder.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Being here just brings back things I’d happily never think about again.”
“You’ve got a new life now, Addison. Don’t think of this as returning to your old one but more like a part of continuing your new one. This has to be done to put an end to everything you had here.”
“I know, and I’m glad we’re doing it. I’m even more glad you’re here, I can’t imagine doing this alone.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” he says as he lifts the back of my hand to his lips.
We’re off the plane and through security in record time. The plan is to get on the tube to Juliette’s house. I was going to book a hotel but she point-blank refused that as an option. She said that if I was only staying two days, I’d stay with them so she could make the most of the time we had. Blake didn’t seem too bothered by it when I told him but then he hasn’t met Juliette yet—or more so, her kids!
I tug Blake’s arm to get him to go in the right direction. He’s too busy being nosey to be paying attention to the signs when I hear my name screeched at the top of her voice.
“Oh my God,” I say in shock seconds before Juliette slams into me at full force. I let go of Blake’s hand as we both stumble backwards. I just about manage to keep us on our feet.
“I’ve missed you so much, bitch,” Juliette says as she continues to squeeze the life out of me.
“Ju, I can’t breathe,” I whisper, hoping she’ll ease up a little.
When she does eventually let go, I can’t help but laugh at the look on Blake’s face. He’s stood wide-eyed, staring at us like we’re crazy—one of us definitely is.
“Juliette, this is Blake, and Blake, this crazy bitch is Juliette.”
“Those photos you sent didn’t do him any justice. He’s bloody gorgeous,” Juliette pretends to whisper in my ear, ensuring Blake hears.
“Pictures?”
“Oh yeah, there have been pictures. My favourite was the one of you doing the fence,” she announces innocently.
Blake looks at me and I feel my face go bright red. “You were taking pictures of me doing the fence?” he asks with an amused smirk.
“Um…”
“I’ve been begging for one with your top off but I’m still waiting for that to come through.”
“Oh my God, shut up, Juju,” I say, dying of embarrassment. “Let’s go.” I grab my bag with one hand and thread my other arm through hers.
“This way, lover boy,” she calls back to Blake who follows behind, looking somewhat baffled by my best friend—exactly as I expected.
“Aunt Addy,” my nieces and nephews call out when we enter the house.
