Page 105 of The Reno
Willa’s lips twitched, and then her face grew serious. “You are your own person, Kat. You can hand in your notice right now if you want.” Willa’s eyes were soft. “Or if you want, you can comeback. But don’t pretend I’m the big bad wolf. I will not make this easier for you by ordering you home. It’s your choice. And for the record. This is the best I’ve seen you in years. You look brighter. Happier.”
It was like a foot had been removed from my chest.
“Thanks, Wills.” My eyes began to water.
“No, no. None of that, please.” Willa waved her hand at my face, and I laughed. Willa was allergic to tears. She was repressed as fuck.
“Okay, okay. I won’t cry. Just stop saying cute shit.” I swiped a finger under my eye.
“So, now that we’ve cleared that up, what will you do? Stay here?”
“I don’t know, Wills. I was so set on coming back. But slowly but surely, this place has got under my skin. Mum always made it out like it was the Dark Ages up here. She said that everyone was backward and nosy. They are definitely nosy, but it’s just because they look after their own. It’s a real community.”
Willa wrinkled her nose. “Couldn’t think of anything worse.”
I laughed. “I thought so, too. But it’s actually kind of nice. My aunt and uncle have been great, too. Mum made out that they wouldn’t care about me, that they took Dad’s side in the divorce. But I don’t think that’s true. Sandra and Brian have been nothing but nice.” I sighed, rubbing my eyes. “The problem is, Mum doesn’t even know I’m here. So if I announce that I’m moving here, it’s going to be a big shock. Huge.”
Willa squeaked. “You didn’t tell her?”
“I bottled it. She’s called a few times, but I told her I was reallybusy with work. I don’t know how much longer—”
Willa’s face had gone pale. “Kat—”
My face dropped.
“I didn’t know you didn’t tell her. She called me at work yesterday because she wanted to speak to you, and I mentioned how I was coming up here to visit.” Willa clapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry.” Then, Willa whacked me on the arm. “You should have told me!” She whacked me again, harder.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Stop hitting me.”
Willa relented and said, “I would have kept it a secret if you’d told me, you twat.”
I gave a sad laugh. “I know, I’m sorry. Don’t worry. It’s my fault. I should have told her by now.”
I checked my phone. Nothing from Mum. No missed calls. Not even a text.
Dread sat low in my chest.
“I should have faced it sooner, but you know when I have something big I don’t want to face—”
“You hide.”
“Yep.”
“Can’t hide from Paula. It’s impossible.”
“I know. I just wanted to do something myself.” I picked up my drink and took a sip. “I think it’s helped. Having some space from her. I haven’t been doubting myself as much.”
Willa nodded. “Make sense.”
None of this was a shock to Willa, so I took a deep breath in and delivered the final blow.
Ijumped.
“I’m not coming back to work at Horizon, Willa. I think—” I paused, trying to push the words out. “I want to move here. Permanently. And not just because I like Liam and want to see where it goes.” The next bit came out fast, the words flowing out of me. “But because I actually really want to become an interior designer. I’d like to open my own shop, and I think I could do that here. I couldn’t afford to take the leap in London. Here, I could. Dad’s house is paid off, so I wouldn’t need to pay rent or a mortgage. I’ve been looking at some courses on Open University. I know it’s rogue, and impulsive, and probably irresponsible—”
“Hey, hey. Take a breath.”
I took a few deep breaths. I peeked at Willa, trying to gauge her reaction. Her brow was furrowed, but she nodded.
