I’m surprised. He’s been circling the room with Julia, life and soul of the party, his loud laugh cutting through the noise all night, dancing with everyone.

“Julia’s the party animal,” he says in explanation. “I’d prefer a quiet night down the pub.” He grinds his cigarette out under his foot.

“I need to do something about this garden in the spring,” he says, kicking at a weed sprouting from the ground. “Sean used to help me in the old house, but he’s away at school most of the time now.”

“Sean likes gardening?” I can’t hide the note of surprise in my voice.

He smiles. “Sure. You do too, don’t you? Leo said something. You should talk to Sean about it—it’s always difficult to find things in common when you’re the youngest, isn’t it?”

I bow my head at the pity in his voice. Oh God—have they been discussing me on their nights down the pub? Poor, friendless Tess.

I turn away.

“Hey,” Greg says, touching my shoulder. “Sorry. That was a bit patronizing, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t want to get drunk and smoke and take drugs in the woods, that’s all. I don’t want to be one of those idiots. How does that make me the sad case?”

I wince as I realize I’ve just told Greg in so many words that drinking and smoking and taking drugs is what his sons get up to when they’re out with Bella and her friends. I don’t even know if it’s true or if it’s just what I’m afraid of.

“It doesn’t,” he says. “Not at all. It makes you the sensible one. You just keep being you, Tess Cooper.”

“What’s going on?”

I spin round at the new voice and see Sean watching us from the back door, silhouetted by the kitchen light.

“Tess is out here getting some fresh air,” Greg says, stepping away from me.

“Is that right?” Sean says, and he’s staring at me, a frown on his face.

“Yeah—is that a problem?” I realize I don’t want pity and sympathy from Greg—that’s just making me feel worse. I want a fight. I want Sean Lewis to snap back at me, give me a chance to vent all this…frustration and jealousy and God knows what.

But he doesn’t. He laughs and shakes his head, then turns away and heads back inside. As he pulls the door open, I hear everyone cheering and the chimes of Big Ben from the TV.

Great. Happy bloody New Year.

NOW

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Hey, Soph.”

“Hey, stranger. How’s it going? How are you coping being back there?”

“Well, I had to get Max to stop the car so I could throw up as soon as we got to the village, so that gives you a bit of an indication.”