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“You’re decorating? How productive.” She gave us both a benign grin.

“Emily’s decided she’d like this to be her room,” Dylan said.

Lulu smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Dylan shifted as if uncomfortable. “Do you want a drink, Lu?”

“Yes, darling, I do.” She emphasized the endearment.

“Emily, it’s getting late. We should eat,” Dylan said.

Not food again!

“I’m really not hungry. And I have eaten today.”

Please don’t make me eat.

Dylan pursed his lips. Lulu glanced from me to him, and I caught the ghost of a smile twitch at the corner of her red, pouty mouth. But then I hadn’t noticed my seventeenth birthday, so perhaps it was just my imagination.

I’m seeing things and smelling things. Madness has taken hold.

“I’d like to finish this.” I pointed to the dirty bucket of water beside the skirting board. “Then I can do the remaining wall while you have a drink.”

“I can help.” Lulu offered without conviction.

“No, it’s fine.” I shut her down, pronto. I wanted to tell them to go do whatever they did, but that didn’t seem appropriate.

Lulu’s fleeting glance at Dylan was uncertain, and he straightened his back and stretched. He was clearly torn. “I’ll fix us something to eat. We’ll leave you to it for a while.”

I watched them leave the room and relaxed as soon as Lulu closed the door behind her.

So, Doctor Dyl has a beautiful, possessive girlfriend?

I shrugged and decided I needed to change the water in my bucket before I continued with my tiring but absorbing task.

I sat back on my heels and removed my goggles when I’d finished cleaning the skirting board. The whole room had been washed, and I was surprised by my vague sense of achievement. I wanted to do the final wall where Dylan had left off filling in the lumps and bumps, but I was thirsty. Collecting my bucket of dirty water, I headed to the bathroom, where I emptied the filthy water into the bath. Then I went down to the kitchen.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I overheard Dylan and Lulu talking in the living room. I froze. I didn’t mean to listen, but somehow I couldn’t stop myself.

“But I haven’t seen you for weeks, Dyl.” Lulu sounded petulant.

“I know. I’m sorry,” he answered in a tone so soft I had to strain to hear him.

“And you won’t let me stay.” Her voice went from petulant to whiny.

“Lu, please try to understand. Emily’s had a traumatic time, and I—”

“Dylan, I’m not unsympathetic, but I’ve missed you. Really missed you…” She stopped… and there were sounds.

No!

Bloody hell. They’re kissing.

So cringe!

My cheeks burned at the realization. Then Lulu’s whispered words continued, “I want you. Now.”

“Not now, Lu.” Dylan’s voice was pained.