Page 41 of Christmas off Script
Taking a harsh breath, Leo opened his mouth to eviscerate him, but his mum interrupted.
‘Best not to speak to her about the boyfriend,’ she said quickly. ‘He ended their relationship yesterday, and it came as a bit of a shock.’
Zach may have been an incredible actor, but Leo recognised hope in his expression underneath the concern. Blinding fear whistled in like the wind. Did Zach think he could get back with Ella?
‘Just leave her the fuck alone, okay?’ he ground out before striding off down the corridor.
No,no, no, no, no. The word repeated in Leo’s head like a drum, keeping pace with his feet as if marching him into battle. If Zach’s unexpected arrival had stirred up a storm of memories inside him, he could only imagine what Ella was going through.
Zach ruined her life once. He’s not going to do it again.
But at the edges of Leo’s righteous indignation, a voice he didn’t want to hear whispered:maybe she still has feelings for Zach? Maybe shewouldwant to get back together with him.
Entering the manor’s empty kitchen, Leo paused at the doorway.
‘It’s only me,’ he called out. ‘Can I come in?’
There was a pause, then a muffled voice replied, ‘Yes’.
Leo made his way over to the old fireplace. Built for roasting whole animals as well as feeding everyone in the manor before the advent of modern ovens, it was enormous. Ducking his head a fraction to step under the stone lintel, Leo turned to the right, where a huge bread oven had been built into the side. Through the opening were a pair of Converse trainers and Ella’s clasped hands as she hugged her knees.
Leo leaned in. ‘I can’t believe you can still fit in there.’
‘It’s because I’m half munchkin,’ she replied. ‘Look, my head doesn’t even touch the ceiling.’
‘Right, I’m coming in. Budge up.’
‘You won’t fit.’
‘Yes, I will. I’m at my racing weight, and Estelle dragged me along to one of Isaac’s yoga classes last month.’
Ella giggled as he clambered inside. ‘One yoga class isn’t going to turn you into Stretch Armstrong.’
‘I disagree,’ Leo grunted as he tried to turn around. ‘You know nothing of my pretzel powers. I—ow! Fucking hell!’
He sat on the floor with a thump and rubbed the back of his head, his back hunched as it followed the curve of the brick wall.
‘You okay?’
‘Never felt better, although I think two adults is the max this oven can take, so it’s rubbish for playing sardines.’
‘Do you remember when Henry and Connor got stuck up the chimney?’
‘Yep. Mom and Mammy had a fit, and Dad suggested passing them some brushes so they could give it a good clean while they were up there.’
The sound of Ella’s laugh lifted Leo’s soul. Reaching out a hand, he placed it next to hers. This time, she took it and squeezed.
‘His family knows about Ronnie coming out,’ he said quietly.
‘I couldn’t believe it when he walked in,’ she murmured. ‘It was like a nightmare spinning out of control and into the real world.’
‘I’m going to speak to Libby. Explain why he needs to go.’
Ella shook her head. ‘She’s so excited and we don’t have anyone else good enough to play the part. I just need time to process it. I’ll be okay. All I need to do is keep my distance.’
An unbidden image of Zach kissing Ella flashed into Leo’s mind with a jolt.
‘You know, for years I imagined what I would say if I saw him again,’ she continued. ‘I always thought I would bump into him on the high street, or at school if he ever came back to talk to the kids. I never expected it to be here.’
