Page 12 of Christmas off Script
Leo glanced around the kitchen of Ella and Oliver’s house. It was like a show home, with none of Ella’s personality to be seen. The only art Oliver or his parents had allowed on the walls were blown-up photos of the two of them in the living room. Had they wanted it pristine so they could sell it the moment their son finally finished with his unsuitable girlfriend? Or did they just want to pretend Ella was the kind of woman they thought their son should be with?
His phone pinged and he looked at the group chat with his brothers and sisters. They’d been as shocked as he was when he’d messaged them with the news.
Henry: I’ve been googling and I think Ella should go to Citizen’s Advice
Estelle: Leave it, Henry. She won’t have a leg to stand on, and that house probably has far too many memories
Leo: Estelle’s right. Thanks for trying to help, but I want her around people who care about her
Estelle: She’s not still skivvying for Michelle, is she?
Leo: What do you think?
Estelle: FFS!
Henry: Just tell us if we can do anything to help
Leo: Thanks. Depending on how much stuff she’s got, we might need a hand moving her out of the house. I’ll take as much as I can later this afternoon. His folks have arranged for the estate agent to come in on Monday to take photos
Estelle: Jesus! They must have known for ages! WANKERS!!!!!
Leo: Yeah. I don’t think I’ve ever been this angry before
Willow: Where’s Ella now?
Leo: Upstairs having a bath
Willow: I’m so sorry he’s done this. She was really pinning her hopes on Oliver being the one
Estelle: But he was a fucking donkey from the start
Summer: OMG drama!!! Poor Ella. She’s a sweetie. I never liked Oli either. He was such a condescending prick and creepily smarmy at the Christmas quiz last year
Estelle: I’m going to get him barred from the Horse and Hounds
Summer: She’s better off without him. Should we start looking for a replacement?
Leo: Jesus, Summer, NO! She’s absolutely devastated. We CANNOT tell her we hated him and we CANNOT try to fix her up with anyone else. She’s way too fragile and 100% not ready to rebound
Summer: But she’s so lovely! She needs to be with someone who appreciates her!
Connor: Summer, Leo’s right. She needs our support right now. Hopefully, the panto will give her something to focus on, and we’ve also got the Winter Ball coming up. In the run-up to Christmas there’s so much to distract her, and she’ll be surrounded by people who love her
Summer: #TeamElla
Leo: Estelle, are Oli’s folks likely to be coming to the Winter Ball?
Estelle: No. They hate our family, but I’ll double check with Jack and make sure
Leo: Thanks X
Willow: I feel awful for her. And right before Christmas as well
Leo: Yeah, it’s shit. Gotta go. I think she’s finishing up in the bath XXX
Putting his phone in his back pocket, Leo stared at the bags of ingredients he’d brought with him, his heart still thudding loudly in his chest.
Thank god I had a key.
