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“Evie, don’t hang up. It's Kellen.”
“Marcus, why are you calling me from an unknown number?”
“It's Kellen to you. And James said I could call if it was an emergency..”
“Is it one?” I enquire, disinterestedly.
“Yes,” he answers in a similar clipped tone to mine.
“Ok, what’s the emergency?” I sound like a call centre emergency handler.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Is it life or death? Is the patient breathing?” I snort a laugh at that.
“Evie, I’m going to be in England in a week or so, and I want to come and see James.”
“So make arrangements to see him, then. You don’t need me to do it. He is eighteen, as you well know.”
“I want to come to the house.”
“No,” I state bluntly. “Make your arrangements. Keep me out of it.”
“Kitten, please, I…”
“My name is Evie Greystone to you, Marcus Russell. And, no, you cannot come to my home. Make your arrangements with your son. You’ve more houses than I’ve had hot dinners.” I hang up the phone. What is wrong with that man?
I’m in a foul mood now and am second guessing my plans to go out. I've not seen Grace for a month and am in need of a chat and food, but I don't want to transfer my foul temper onto my friend.
I stomp into the kitchen where Jonno is cooking. It smells so good, but I’m so frustrated over Marcus, I hardly notice.
“You eating?” he asks. “You look like you’re losing weight, E.”
“Well, I’m not, so… Did you know Marcus wants to come here to see James?” I look at him but don’t give him a chance to answer. “Stupid question, of course you all did.”
“Have you said yes?” he asks.
“Noooo. Why would I agree to that? Are you all like big buddies now?”
He shrugs, “We speak, I suppose regularly. And Bug has been going to the farm to see Jake.”
I throw my hands in the air. “Really? Well, count me out. You lot all play happy families with them. Not interested.” I point to myself and gripe, “Odd man out again.”
“Why won’t you see Bug, Evie? You were friends with him the most. He goes down to Devon every time he thinks you’ll be there. His kids are playing Xbox with James. He's tried calling you, but…” He looks at me. “What’s going on? It’s not like you to be so vindictive.”
“Vindictive? Are you for real? I don’t want to see Anthony. I don’t want to speak to or see Marcus. If I never see any one of them again I won’t lose one iota of sleep over it. They’re a joke, Jonno. But it seems like I’m the only one who sees it. I’m out.”
I storm out of the room and straight into James. “I don’t want Marcus here, James. See him anywhere else, but not here.”
I carry on walking, not waiting for his acknowledgement. I don’t need one.
I shut my bedroom door and get ready for a longed-for night out. I need to brighten myself up, so pick a lovely, green mid-thigh dress that’s off one shoulder. Very glam, and it always makes me feel great.
It seems, however, I cannot catch a break. Lauren has turned up with Grace, who gives me a pleading look not to leave. I paste on a smile and try to enjoy my dinner out. It’s at a totally fabulous new Asian Fusion restaurant that opened two weeks ago. A friend of Jackson’s got us the reservation, and as we were lucky to get it, I intend to make the most of it.
The restaurant is booked up for months ahead on account of the superstar chef they have working here. They’ve gone for trendy, with a stripped down look and a totally outdoors feel, even down to the gravel on the floor and the outdoor style furniture. It’s beautifully done and will look great on the social media platforms, but, more importantly, the food is to die for. I’m definitely going to leave rave reviews, if I can finish the meal without throttling Lauren and being evicted early for committing a murder.
“What is her problem?” I ask Grace when Lauren gets up to go to the loos. “I can’t believe she’s still digging at me about Marcus. She really needs to get over herself.”
