London Falling (Falling #2)(31)

“I’m glad. After what that bitch did to you, it’s time you found someone who will make you happy.” The waterworks built in her eyes again. “Look at us. Two siblings both cheated on. What is wrong with the sanctity of marriage these days? Is nothing sacred?” She sounded indignant, and with great reason.

I sat down next to her and blew out a long breath, thinking back to when Claire left me. She’d been with the rich hotel entrepreneur for the better part of a year before I’d had a clue she was gallivanting around on me.

“Apparently not. But I will tell you this sister mine, every day it hurts a bit less, until you forget why you even married that person in the first place.”

She nodded. “I hope you’re right.”

“If they were the ones we were supposed to be with, they’d have never left us.”

“I love you. Thank you for…this,” She held an arm out to the room and bed. “And for, you know, everything. If Nate agrees about the job, I’ll take it. Stay awhile. I need time away from Europe. Find myself. Figure out what to do next.”

“Okay, baby girl. I love you, too. I’ll take care of everything.”

“You always do.”

I smiled at my sister. She had bags under her too young eyes. “Get some rest. We’ll talk more in the morning. Things will seem better then.”

Once I’d settled her, I grabbed the phone. I did the time conversion in my head and figured it was around eleven in the evening back home. Mum would still be up. She was a night-owl. The phone rang and then her worried tone came across quick. “Colly, what’s wrong?” She’d obviously read the caller ID.

“Nothing, Mum. Well, nothing that can’t be fixed.”

“What happened? Is it your brother? My Nate.”

“Mum, Mum, no. Stop, don’t worry. No one’s hurt. It’s Emma.”

“Emma, love? What do you mean?”

“She’s here in the States. My flat, actually.”

“Come again?” Her tone was confused.

“Mum, Evan cheated on her. She actually caught him in the act with the tart at his work. That young secretary.”

“Oh, goodness, no.” She tsk-tsked through the line. “How is she?”

“Hurting. Sad. You know the drill.”

“I knew Evan was no good. That boy has shifty eyes.” My mum was ever the good judge of character. “I wish I’d tried harder to get her to wait to marry him. At least she’s still young and doesn’t have children with the wanker.” Hearing my mum cuss stopped me dead in my tracks. Eleanor Walker did not cuss. It was so rare that I wasn’t sure I’d actually heard it.

“Well, I’ve got her here with me. I’ve asked her to come work for me. Be our assistant.”

“Assistant? Colly, that’s beneath her. She’s got a degree in business--“

I cut her off. “Now, now, Mum. This is just for the time being. If she likes the legal field like she did back when she was studying for school, we’ll come up with something more fitting. Maybe our head office administrator. I can’t offer her more than I know she’s capable of. Her mind is not in the right place now. Busy work will keep her…well, it will keep her busy and not worrying about the sod who went out on her.”

Mum sighed deeply. “You’re right dear. Always thinking. My Colly, so bright. Just like your father.” Another long sigh came through the receiver. “He’d be really proud of you.“ She sniffed and I could tell she was thinking back to when she was married to my dad. Even though they didn’t get along well enough to stay together, they always were civil when it came to me. Made sure I was loved and had a good home, wanted for nothing.

“Just, do me a favor. Tell Dad and Ella, okay? And if Dad wants to go say his piece to Evan, that would be brilliant!”

“I fear brilliant is the wrong word. This boy hurt our baby Emma. He’s in for a beating, I’m afraid. Lord on high, I hope your dad doesn’t go to jail over this. Thank you for taking care of our girl. You okay, poppet?” She used the first nickname I’d ever had, one she reserved only for me. I claimed to hate it, but secretly, having anything special with a woman who had three other children screaming for attention made me feel unique.

“I’m good, mum. I’ll call next week after this has had time to blow over a bit. I’m going to ring off.”

“Okay. And Colly?” I pressed my ear tight to the phone.

“I love you, my darling boy.”

“I love you, Mum.”

It had been a long day and an even longer week.

Last weekend I was here shagging the hell out of the beautiful Ms. Kelley. God, I’d give anything to go back to that morning and take back what I’d said to her. I’d love to hear her voice right about now.

Instead, I poured myself a pint and hit the telly once more, unpausing the rugby game. Watching men beat the living shite out of each other while chasing a neon colored ball would help my newly acquired aggression. I wasn’t prepared to call Nathaniel tonight. I’d tell him what occurred when he was back from the case in California.

At least there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Saturday evening I was going to see my Beauty again. Someway, somehow I’d convince her to give me another chance. Everyone deserved a second chance.