‘You don’t have to be in love to be in a relationship with one of them.’ Darcy is implying that love could develop with time but as she hears the words come from her lips her mind flickers to Drew. A heavy thud of guilt lands squarely across her shoulders as she remembers the feeling of her lips pressed against Ed’s.

‘Well, that’s romantic.’ Sour sarcasm seeps from his mouth.

‘Welcome to reality TV,’ Darcy replies steadily.

Ty shakes his head in disgust. ‘I don’t want to do it. I can’t string the girls along anymore. They deserve to know the truth.’

Of course he’s having a crisis of conscience now. ‘Ty, let me be frank. You’ve strung the girls along for over two months. Two more weeks isn’t really going to make a difference. Jodie, Hayley or Addison. Tell me which one you want, and I’ll organise the rest.’

‘I’m not doing it. I want to walk.’ Ty’s expression has become hard and certain.

But Darcy is under strict instructions that under no circumstances can Ty leave the show. ‘Ty, Penny doesn’t want you and if you walk the network will sue you for more money than you could earn in a lifetime.’

His eyes flash up to hers as though she’s brutally attacked him.

She turns her head away, shame reeking from her skin. She just threatened someone’s livelihood. Who has she become?

Chapter 40

40

‘You’re sick?’

Penelope looks up and finds herself swearing under her breath. She’d known it was a bad idea booking in with a local doctor, but she’d had no choice. ‘Lara, hi! How are you?’ Oh dear, her voice sounds too perky, too fake. Very unlike her.

But Lara’s face is aghast. ‘Is everything okay?’

Penelope had been avoiding her phone calls and only sent one measly text message back in return saying she’d been busy. Now, she wishes words would come fast, something convincing and believable, but the fight is becoming harder. Her head can’t think straight, she’s scared to tangle herself in more lies. She only came to get something for the pain and she knows Lara’s seen the sign.

Dr Owen Mills, Oncologist boldly sits on the building she’s just walked out of.

Penelope clears her throat. There’s no point in hiding it now. ‘I’ve got stage four cancer.’

Chapter 41

41

Bang, bang, bang.

Bonnie is embedded in a deep sleep, as though a heavy weight has been placed on her chest. She’s tumbling around and around, happy and unaware. She’d tossed and turned for hours with thoughts of Oliver and Sophie calling off their wedding and of being on set with Ty, Ben and his big camera leering at them.

BANG, BANG, BANG!

Bonnie’s eyes peel open as she hears, ‘Bonnie!’