Chapter 71

Alex said, ‘I do plenty for charity already’, and walked out.

There were a few mutters about ‘money not buying good manners’.

A few giggling girls were volunteered by their dates, and Zach walked Laura right up to the stage.

Brandi, of course, shot up without anyone having to ask.

I tried to sneak off, but Duncan was too quick for me.

He shouted, ‘JULIETTE DUFFY! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING?’

I said I didn’t want to do the auction this year because Nick couldn’t make it.

But he wouldn’t take pity on me. Instead, he got the whole room to chant ‘Juliette! Juliette!’

So up I went.

I was wearing my big summer maternity dress with winter tights, and my feet were too swollen for high heels so I’d settled on brown boots that were atinybit muddy.

My cheeks were bright red, my curly hair was giant and orange-tinted – all in all I felt like I was worth less than a fiver. Quite a bit less.

Plus, I ended up standing next to beautiful Kate Thompson, who plays professional tennis.

As usual, loads of men bid on Laura. And as usual, she looked genuinely surprised.

Zach cut out the competition pretty quickly by bidding £1000. He said, ‘But she’s worth a lot more!’ And got a round of applause.

Brandi didn’t do badly either. Thorn bid against some guy Brandi had a one-night stand with. She ended up raising a highly respectable three hundred and fifty pounds.

When it was my turn, Duncan put a sweaty hand around my shoulder and said, ‘Now Juliette may not quite be in the first bloom of youth. And furthermore, she’s engaged to be married. But there’s life in the old girl yet. Am I right, fellas?’

Then he asked how long before I’d be a decent married woman.

‘Soon!’ I said, forcing a silly grin on my face.

In the end, I got three pity bids from some old men.

God, I’m lucky to have Nick. I really am.

Monday March 23rd

Helen came round early today.

We were still in bed when she called.

Nick pulled a pillow over his head and pretended to be asleep, so I had to talk to her.

Helen said, ‘Jul-iette. How was the Dalton’s party, darling? I couldn’t go – I had a work thing.’

I knew something was wrong then. She never calls me darling.

She fixed me with those manic blue eyes of hers and told me she’d heard something ‘disconcerting’ about the auction. That Zachary Dalton had bid on Laura.

I said, ‘What?’

She said, ‘Pardon’, and closed her eyes like she had a headache.

Then she grilled me about Laura and Zach – whether they were an item, how serious things were.

I told her it was none of her business.

She said certain people in the village were talking. Saying how inappropriate it was. That Laura and Zach could be together.

I asked why.

Helen said, ‘Considering Laura’s background.’

I said Laura’s background was the same as mine – she grew up in a nice, big house in the country and wanted for nothing.

Admittedly half of that big house is a pub … but a very nice pub. It’s in all the Best Ale and Good Pub guides.

Helen said, almost whispered actually, ‘But your younger sister had that teenage pregnancy …’

And then it all came out – Catrina Dalton called Helen yesterday. I had no idea they knew each other, but apparently they run a handbag charity together.

Basically, Helen wants me to tell Laura to stop dating Zachary.

I told Helen that Laura was happy seeing Zach. And that I’d never get in the way of that, nor should anyone else.

Helen said, ‘That’s what you want for your sister, is it? To be gossiped about?’

I told her people always gossip about our family. With a mum like ours, we’re used to it.

Helen said, ‘Well you should warn her at least. Catrina Dalton isnothappy. What relationship can work if a mother isn’t happy?’

I pointed out that Helen hadn’t liked me much at first.

She said, ‘Um … yes. But then there was the mishap’ (she meant Katy). ‘So …’

Usually, I find Helen’s rude comments funny. But there are times when she crosses the line.

I got very cross and said, ‘Don’t EVER call my baby a mishap.’

Nick shouted out from the bedroom, ‘She’s right, Mum. That’s out of line.’

Helen looked a bit chastised. Then she said, ‘What I mean is, I appreciate there are certain things one must accept.’

I said, ‘So maybe Catrina Dalton will learn to accept Laura.’

Helen’s lips did that horrible puckering thing they do when she gets really angry.

She barked that Catrina had made her feelings ‘VERY clear’. Then she left, muttering that she’d practically planned the wedding for me and got no thanks.

When she’d gone, Nick crawled out from the bedroom and asked if there was any Coca-Cola in the fridge.

It’s always funny when he tries to be serious with his hair all sticking up and duckling fluffy.

I told him about the ball and how Catrina Dalton had been whispering to Alex about us ‘Duffy girls’.

I didn’t tell him about Alex offering to train me.

Nick said, ‘The Daltons are complete wankers.’ Then he said, ‘Katy’s asleep, you know.’

I asked if he’d checked her breathing.

He rolled his eyes and said, ‘Yes.’ Then he said, ‘Get over here.’

He kissed me – just like he used to do.

Suddenly, it was like the old days.

I’d forgotten he’s a good kisser.

Then he whispered, ‘I love you, Juliette. Istilllove you. I know it’s been a while.’

He was SO rock-hard too.

Before long he was inside me and I realised how much I’d missed having sex with him. It was so nice being close. He was really pounding me into the sofa. Really going for it. So unlike how he’s been these last few months.

I think I would have come quickly – except he came first. And when he did, he moaned and fell on top of me. Then he turned me around, put his hand between my legs and helped me come too.

We lay on the sofa with our arms around each other. It felt so nice.

Nick has his faults. But we love each other. And we’re a good fit. Most of the time.

Tuesday March 24th

Phoned Laura to talk about wedding stuff.

She was a bit distracted, because she was getting ready for her auction date with Zach. He’s taking her on a riverboat up the Thames.

So phoned Althea, and she told me weddings were capitalist bullshit.

‘But you got married,’ I pointed out.

She said, ‘Only for the party.’

I told her Nick and I had sex yesterday and it was really nice. And that we should probably make time for it more often.

Althea said: ‘Good idea. Men go crazy if they don’t have sex. Just look at the porn they watch. Maybe that’s why Nick is such a dickhead right now. You don’t have sex enough.’

Which I suppose could be true.

Made it out running, even though it was pretty cold.

I meant to jog for an hour non-stop. But after fifty minutes it was too horrible and I ended up leaning against my knees, panting and thinking I might throw up. Then I walked for ten minutes. Then jogged another three. Then walked a bit more. Then I jogged the last bit back to the apartment in case Nick’s mum was looking out of the window.

I think you’ve really got to ease yourself into this running stuff. No point putting yourself through pain and getting injured.

Gently does it.