Liam bit down on his irritation, reminded himself that Rosie was doing him a favour. ‘Okay, well, will you ask her to call me please?’

‘I can pass on a message.’

‘There’s no message. I’d just like to talk to her. Tell her to call me.’

He ended the call, a little annoyed.

Unsure if she would pass on the message, he decided he would leave it an hour and, if he hadn’t heard from Hannah, he would try her again.

63

While she gave Hannah her alone time, Rosie busied herself in the kitchen. She had just finished tossing the salad when Tash rang.

‘How’s Hannah doing?’

‘Better today,’ Rosie told her. ‘We had a pamper session and I’m cooking her dinner.’

‘Is Liam not with her?’

‘No, he’s gone to see his mother.’

And even while he was away, he couldn’t leave them alone. His phone call had annoyed her. This was Rosie’s time with Hannah. Why couldn’t he just piss off for a bit?

‘Where are you both?’ Tash wanted to know. ‘Are you at Hannah’s?’

‘Yes, I’m staying with her tonight.’

‘How about I come over? Sam is on nights.’

Rosie didn’t like that idea and she tried to quash down the guilt, knowing Tash was in danger too. Yes, it was selfish, but she wanted to have Hannah to herself tonight.

‘We’re having dinner. And Hannah’s really tired. She’ll probably want to go to bed early.’

Again another silence.

‘Okay,’ Tash said eventually.

Was Rosie mistaken or did she sound put out?

She mused over the conversation as she took the moussaka out of the oven.

‘You’ve been chatty,’ Hannah commented when she came through moments later.

‘It was just Tash.’ Rosie didn’t mention that Tash had wanted to come over. Hannah didn’t need to know that.

‘I thought I heard my phone ring a short while ago too.’

Shit. Had she?

‘Oh, yes. That was Liam.’ Rosie kept her tone blasé, as if it was no big deal.

‘I should call him back.’

‘You can’t.’

‘I can’t? Why not?’

‘He said he won’t be able to answer for the rest of the evening.’

‘Oh, really?’ Hannah looked disappointed.

‘Apparently he’s in an area with no signal,’ Rosie told her. It was just a tiny lie and for Hannah’s own good. She was fed up with him interfering.

She studied her friend. Having her hair wrapped up in a towel only served to emphasise the black eyes, which made Rosie rage inside and wish she had twatted Bill even harder with that frying pan.

‘I’m going to dish out the dinner so go and dry your hair and get your PJs on.’

Hannah nodded, managed a smile. ‘You’re such a good friend. Thank you for this, Rosie.’