Broken Silence (Silence, #2)(73)

Cole laughed. “It’ll look great when it’s done. Have faith!” We had a huge old summer house at the back of the surrounding gardens. It was right out of the way and overlooked the little stream that ran from one end to the other. Eventually, it would be for people who want to explore their artistic side. I thought they would probably want peace and quiet to draw and paint.

At the minute though, it looked like a rundown old shed. It needed new glass in the doors and windows. Repair work to the roof and side. A new floor and clad walls inside. It was Cole, David, Miles and Jasper’s project. They promised me it would look brand new when they’d finished.

“I have faith. I know it’ll look amazing.” It better do anyway. I’d put everything into this and wanted it to work and change people’s lives so badly. If I hadn’t had gymnastics I honestly didn’t know what I would have been like.

“It will. Your mum’s there now, feeding the decorators in the ballet room.” Until we’d got the call that the mirrors were coming tomorrow we’d been decorating ourselves, but there was no way we’d get that gigantic room done in time.

“Good. How’s it looking in there?”

Cole shrugged. “Big and pink.” It wasn’t pink-pink. It was an off-white pink that looked fresh. I wanted the whole building to be light and inviting.

“I’m so tired.” I yawned, covering my mouth with the back of my hand. “Can we just drop in quickly before we go home?”

“You still want to go? I’m sure everyone will understand. They do have it all under control.”

“Five minutes. Just to make sure everything’s alright.” Cole smirked and nodded. Yes, I was probably a nightmare, but I needed it to be right.

Cole really did only let me stay for five minutes. I had just about finished speaking to everyone when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the car. “You’re staying in for the rest of the day. I shall be at your service,” he said.

“Hmm, that I can get on board with.”



“Oakley, no!” Cole said. “I’m serious, you’re gonna make yourself ill. Stay at home today.” He pointed to the sofa. “Sit. I’ll make you some breakfast and call your mum. She can check in on the centre today. Everyone else will be there, and Ben promised to help with some of the deliveries.”

I groaned. Cole was going to work, and I thought I would have a day’s peace to get a few little things done at the centre. When he left, I would just go anyway. “Cole, I’m fine. I’m just a little tired.”

“Then sleep,” he replied, giving me a smug smile. “You’re not going out today.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“You’re being stubborn. Oakley, you’re doing too much and it’s making you ill. I like healthy Oakley. Please, for me, just stay in and relax today.”

I held my hands up and sank back into the sofa. “Fine. Today I’ll be lazy.”

He grinned. “Good. Now, toast or bagel?”

“What if I want an omelette?”

“I can undercook one and poison you if you’d like.”

“Bagel please.”

“Eat. Sleep. Watch crap on TV, just don’t leave this house,” he said, raising his eyebrow as he handed me breakfast.

“Thank you. I’ll stay in and behave.”

It took about two minutes after I’d finished eating for me to plunge into boredom. I desperately wanted to go to the centre and check on things, but if I left the house Cole would probably have a heart attack, overprotective fool. I dialled Mum’s number and decided the only way I would be able to relax was to know everything was okay.

“Hi love,” she greeted.

“Hey, Mum. How are you?”

“You mean, are you at the centre?”

“Okay, yes, but you first.”

“I’m fine, just pulled up. Jasper and Miles are already here. Cole called me already. We better not see you here today. He’s right; you do need to take a break. Promise me you’ll relax and take care of yourself.”

“Yes. I promise.”

“Okay, good. I’d better go. I’ll give you a call in a bit, and I’ll send Jasper over with some lunch.”

“I can make myself food, Mum.”

“Jasper’s getting KFC for everyone.”

“Around one-ish?”

Mum laughed. “Sure, honey, speak later.”

“Bye.” I hung up the phone and switched the TV on. Daytime rubbish it is then. I chose a movie instead, but I just couldn’t get into the film. Sitting around and doing nothing when I had so much to do made me feel anxious. What if I didn’t get everything ready in time because I was lounging around on the sofa?

The front doorbell rang, and I got up, eager to answer it and have something to do. Mia stood at the door with a box of Thornton’s chocolates. “Cole told me you’re on house arrest and I was to come over and make sure you didn’t leave.”

I narrowed my eyes and stepped aside so Mia could come in. “Of course he did.” I was glad to see her though.

“I’ll put the kettle on and we can catch up,” she called over her shoulder as she headed into the kitchen. “So, what’s going on? Besides the centre?”