encouraging noises during our discussion and, with any luck, Iâd be back in Glasgow living my old life in no time at all.
Or would I?
Since Iâd heard my mumâs revelation about Derek, I wasnât sure if living my old life was still an option. Iâd been living the life of Pamela and Simon Reedâs daughter, but I wasnât that person anymore. Maybe my old life had to go like my old identity had.
A noise from under the bed made my thoughts skid to a halt. It sounded like there was something rolling along the floor. I cocked my head to the side, trying to make out what the noise was and who was making it. An excited woof gave me my answer: Dixie was obviously under the bed. I crouched down and saw her pawing at her tennis ball, trying to get it out from the space it was now stuck in.
âHello, you!â I chuckled and crawled under the bed to help her. âIs your toy stuck? Here, Iâll get it for you.â
Dixie leapt around with excitement as I reached my hand in to free the ball. It was wedged between a couple of old-fashioned storage boxes.
âI hope sheâs not bothering you.â Noahâs voice startled me and made me bump my head on the bedframe.
âOw! No, sheâs fine, donât worry. Her tennis ball got stuck and I was just getting it for her.â I got to my feet and rubbed the sore spot on my head. âSee, no harm done!â
I threw the ball onto the landing for her and she went chasing after it, leaving Noah and I standing in a very awkward silence.
âListen, I know I havenât exactly been friendly to you since you got here and not just because you ran into me and spilled my beer. I just really donât want Sunflower Cottage becoming part of some faceless hotel chain thatâll rip the heart and soul out of it. Rose has worked hard for this place and I donât want to see it pulled from under her.â
I frowned and folded my arms. He wasnât getting to speak to me that way. âYou said it yourself, though; Rose wants to sell. Nobodyâs pulling anything from under her! And youâre right; you havenât been very friendly! In fact, youâve been a sour-faced, obnoxious prat since I got here. Whatâs your problem, anyway? Donât you want to see Rose happy? She told me sheâs ready to hand over the running of this place to someone else. Donât make me the bad guy just because youâve got a chip on your shoulder.â
Noah scoffed loudly and shook his head. âA chip on my shoulder? You know nothing about this place and you know nothing about me either. Rose doesnât need some corporate chain coming in and taking over everything; she has me and I know this place better than anyone. We donât need you here! You know what? The sooner you leave us to get on with our lives, the better!â
He looked down at me, his eyes blazing with anger and his face set in a stony glare. I squared my shoulders and stood my ground; Iâd dealt with hostile parties in these deals before and I wasnât about to let him intimidate me. Plus, after the day Iâd had and the discovery Iâd made, I was in no mood for his shit. Footsteps on the stairs distracted us for a second.
âOnly me!â I heard Rose trill as her footsteps retreated down the hall.
âWell, until the owner tells me Iâm not wanted anymore, Iâm staying whether you like it or not. Now, you can act like a child and stomp around in a sulk for the next month, or you can try and be a grown-up about it. Your choice.â
We stood mirroring each otherâs body language, arms folded and scowls on our faces. Both of us were determined not to back down. Noahâs nostrils flared and I could feel my teeth begin to gnash. Iâd never met such a pig-headed, ignorant man in my whole life.
Suddenly, the standoff between us was shattered by a terrified scream followed by an almighty bang. Startled by the
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