This Could Change Everything(9)

‘Anyway, you’ve managed to solve your problem,’ he continued. ‘No need to dread spending Christmas at Mum’s house, because you’re no longer invited. So that must come as a relief, mustn’t it?’

‘I’m sorry. I honestly never meant for it to happen.’

‘And you won’t have to listen to my snoring any more, either. Even though I don’t snore.’

There was a permafrost edge to his voice now. Essie couldn’t speak.

‘It’s like looking at a stranger.’ Paul shook his head. ‘You’re not the girl I thought you were. I feel as if I don’t know you at all.’

Essie swallowed; she was officially a terrible person. What else was there to say?

‘And what’s that?’ He was now pointing down at the carpet, where, in the harsh light of day, it was apparent that the spots of blood hadn’t been completely eradicated after all. He raised his gaze. ‘What’s been going on here?’

‘Ursula brought a crow in through the cat flap. It was still alive and spraying blood. I did my best to clean it up.’

‘Did you now? How caring of you, how thoughtful.’ He paused, raised a sceptical eyebrow. ‘Or have you had that noisy friend of yours over here, hmm? Might the stains actually be red wine?’

‘It wasn’t wine! It was blood,’ Essie protested. She’d already done one very bad thing and been found out. Being accused of something else and this time being innocent was just unfair.

‘You used the carpet cleaner that contains bleach. That’s for white carpet only.’ Paul pointed. ‘Look at the faded patches. This one’s a Berber and it cost over two thousand pounds.’ He shook his head in disbelief. ‘You can’t even clean a carpet properly.’

It was hard to believe that just two days ago they’d been dancing together in the kitchen because her favourite song by Adele had started playing on the radio, and as they’d sung along to the track Paul had broken off to say, ‘God, I’m so lucky to have you.’ She’d grinned and replied playfully, ‘Yes, you are.’ Then mid-dance she’d kicked Ursula’s water bowl, sending it skittering across the floor, and they’d both burst out laughing . . .

There had been so many happy memories like that.

Well, clearly Paul wasn’t feeling quite so lucky to have her now.

Essie looked over at Ursula, who was sitting on the windowsill slowly swishing her tail as she observed their tense exchange. She was perfectly well aware that Ursula had never liked her either.

‘You do know we’re over, don’t you?’ said Paul.

‘Yes.’ What a way for it to end.

‘Are you going to kick up a fuss?’

‘No.’

‘Well I suppose that’s something to be grateful for.’ As he spoke, he took out his phone and rapidly fired off a text. Thirty seconds later, Essie blanched as her own phone began to ring.

‘That’s my mum. She’d like to speak to you now.’

It wasn’t one of the high points of her life. But it had to be done. Her mouth as dry as the Sahara, Essie said, ‘Hello?’

‘Estelle, thank you for letting me know what you think of me. I’m sure we’ll both enjoy Christmas all the more for not having to tolerate each other’s company.’

Zing-zing-zinggggg went the poisoned arrows aimed directly at Essie’s chest. She swallowed with difficulty. ‘Look, can I just say how—’

‘I don’t think we need to bother with any of that, Estelle. I already know everything I need to know, and I shall accept your resignation from the surgery with immediate effect. If I could have that in writing by the end of the day, it would be appreciated.’

‘Oh, but—’

‘And that’s better than you deserve, young lady. You can thank your lucky stars that I’m not dismissing you on the spot.’

A click, followed by silence. Marcia had hung up.

Through the living-room window, Essie saw that outside it had begun to rain heavily.

‘You’d better get your things together.’ Paul’s tone was dismissive. ‘You’re not staying here.’

That was it. All over. Essie nodded, because how could she even begin to argue? She’d insulted his mother and it was what she deserved.

Happy Christmas to me.





Chapter 6


Sleeping on a pink inflatable lilo wasn’t remotely luxurious, but it was better – just – than bare floorboards.

Not that Essie was asleep anyway. Having dozed off an hour earlier, she was now wide awake once more, all the better to endure the awful dull, empty sensation that was radiating from her chest.

Unhappiness.

Hopelessness.

Failure.

To the outside world she’d been doing a pretty good job of appearing to be OK, but inside she was devastated. Seeing Paul so furious had come as a shock; it was a side of him she’d never encountered before. They’d been very happy, despite their many differences. Yes, he was tidy and house-proud, but he was entitled to be proud of his home. And when she’d teased him about his high standards, he’d always taken it in good part. They’d had fun together; he was kind and thoughtful, ambitious and hard-working. When he’d suggested her for the receptionist’s job at his mother’s busy dental practice, it was because he’d wanted to help her into the next phase of her career.