Page 6 of The Promise
“What’re you talking about,sweetheart?”
She lets out a huge breath before continuing. “It’s my fault Dad broke up with you,” she says, showing me she has no clue about what’s really happened. “I know I shouldn’t have taken them but I was so scared; I can’t lose you too,” she says as her first tear drops. “I’m sosorry.”
“I don’t understand…oh.” It suddenly dawns on me when she pulls out two blister packs of mypills.
Oh. Holy.Fuck.
Anger races through me as I stare at her outstretched hand. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” I shout as her bottom lip wobbles. I stand and pace the room as I try to get control ofmyself.
“I’m so sorry,” she wails, “I couldn’t lose you, too. They killed my mum,” shesobs.
Her words do little to help the situation, or calm my escalating anger. I think back to the couple of times I went to take my pill when I was with Blake only to find them missing from my make-up bag. I thought I’d forgotten them in my excitement to spend time with him. I never even considered they’d beenstolen.
“I understand you’re mad at me. But please…please speak to my dad. He’s miserable,” she begs through hertears.
“You need to stay out of this, Sinead. You’ve already done enough, don’t you think?” Isnap.
Her eyes widen and seconds later she bolts from the room, leaving only the sound of hercries.
“Sinead, wait,” I call inpanic.
She stops just before the front door but doesn’t turnaround.
“I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting that. Let me take you home.” I can’t have her going home upset—that’s sure to make Blakesuspicious.
The drive back to their house is silent. Sinead’s a child, and I know she meant no harm, but I can’t help the fury simmering inside ofme.
“I’m really sorry, Addison,” she whispers before opening the door and walkingaway.
My heart breaks for her when I think about her reasons for doing what she did, and I feel a stabbing of guilt in my stomach for letting my feelings get the better ofme.
* * *
I’m up early the next morning to get a taxi to the airport. Aunt Addy offered to drive but I refused, and was glad I did when they came crashing in long after midnight last night. She might only be going out with my mum but I’m glad to see Aunt Addy enjoyingherself.
I’m a ball of nerves the entire journey. I have an appointment booked first thing in the morning and I just need it to be over with so I can put all this behind me. If I thought going back to Ireland was meant to bring me luck, I was verymistaken.
Juliette is a little more restrained when I find her waiting for me this time. There are no squeals of excitement, just quiet hugs. We stop for coffee before heading back to her place. She’s left Hugo in charge of the kids so wants to make the most of her quiettime.
I tell her properly what happened with Blake but I skirt around the real reason I’m here, instead telling her I just needed to get away for a few days and I have things to sign for the solicitor. It’s a big fat lie because everything she needs has been signed and posted, but I need an excuse to go out tomorrow and that was all I could come upwith.
“Did everything arriveokay?”
“Yes, it’s all sat up in the flat and bakery. I’m actually going to move in when I get back. Aunt Addy’s house is too cramped now Mum’s movedin.”
“Are you sure that’s a wisemove?”
“I’ve got no idea,” I answer honestly, “but I need the peace and quiet. I love Mum and Aunt Addy but they’re starting to do my head in now,” I say with a laugh, mostly so it covers my grimace as I think about why I’m really going to need the peace and quiet. I can’t have those two watching my every move. They’ll know something’s up and I have no intention of talking about what I’m about todo.
* * *
“Are you sure you don’t want company? I can find someone to babysit and I’ll come with you,” Juliette offers the next morning as I try to escape her house for myappointment.
“No, I’m fine. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done,” I say, although I have no idea how long I’m going to be. It’s not like I've ever done thisbefore.
“Okay,” she says, looking at meweirdly.
“What?”
