Chapter Five

I run my fingers through my hair before reaching for the door handle. I still when his hand covers mine and he presses against my back. A spark of hope ignites in the pit of my stomach, maybe I’ve read him wrong, maybe he wants to see me again.

“Let me go first in case any of the ol’ ladies are out there.”

I have no idea who he means when he says ol’ ladies, but I’m guessing it’s some kind of girlfriend. I instantly feel terrible. And I can’t deny I’m slightly disappointed, they weren’t the words I wanted to hear.  

I move to one side, letting him pass me. He turns back, giving me an awkward smile, “Give it a minute before you follow, the club girls might be out there,” he adds, before leaving. 

I feel humiliated, if that’s how one-night stands work, then I’m going to leave it to experts like Mya, because yes, I’d felt a moment of pleasure, well maybe more than a moment; but it wasn’t worth the feeling of being used straight afterwards. He couldn’t even look me in the eye before he left. And the fact he wants me to hide out in here while he makes his escape, feels even worse, like he’s embarrassed to be seen with me. 

I wait two minutes before heading back down the stairs. I find Mya in the hall chatting to another guy. She looks up at me and smiles, “Where have you been, I was looking for you,” she asks.

“I got side tracked, everything okay?”

Mya eyes me suspiciously but decides not to push. “I got a call from Finn, he’s angry because you didn’t answer your phone,” she explains. Panic fills me and I soon forget my humiliation. Finn’s the kind of man to jump in his car and come to find me and I can’trisk that, when he’s got Harlee in his care.  

I didn’t bring my mobile with me because I was caught off guard with this party that I didn’t even want to come to.  

Mya reads my mind and holds out her mobile for me to use. I smile gratefully and rush out to the back garden to make the call. I move to the corner away from anyone else and dial Finn’s number. I know it off by heart because of the need for me to check in constantly when we were still together. Not that it’s really changed too much, he still expects the same and for a quiet life, I do it. 

Finn answers within the first two rings, he doesn’t speak, just connects the call and waits for me to explain myself. It’s all part of his mind games.

“Finn, is everything okay? Is Harlee okay?” I ask, unable to hide the worry from my voice.

“Where are you, Neve?” he grates out.

“I’m having drinks with Mya, I told you that earlier.”

“I spoke to Mya, she didn’t know where the hell you were,” he yells. I flinch at the volume of his voice.

“Look I’m not going to argue with you, Finn. Put Harlee on so I can talk to her.”

“Don’t dictate your demands to me, Harlee went to bed upset because her mummy wasn’t around to talk to her. Were you with another man?”  

I check my watch, it’s only seven in the evening, Harlee wouldn’t be asleep yet, bedtime’s usually half past seven and then she demands at least three stories before she’ll snuggle down to sleep.

“You’re only spiting Harlee by not letting me talk to her. No wonder she didn’t want to come to you. Did you manage to spend time with her today?” I ask, ignoring his question.  

Finn laughs. He’s trying to throw me off the subject, meaning he didn’t spend time with her at all. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, I’ll bring Harlee back at some point tomorrow.”

Panic takes hold of me. “No, Finn, the agreed time is noon. I promised her I’d watch movies with her.”

“Well you also promised to answer my phone call so you could speak to her. Jenifer is now having to spend time consoling our daughter because of you. I don’t need to remind you of what will happen if your shoddy behaviour continues around my daughter.”

I frown. I haven’t heard the name before, “Jenifer, who the fuck is Jenifer?” I demand, beginning to pace back and forth in frustration.  

We’d agreed to keep new partners away from Harlee until they were established relationships. We also said we’d tell each other about new partners so we could work out when to tell Harlee, together. I didn’t like the idea of introducing Harlee to people that wouldn’t stick around for long.

“Goodnight, Neve. And don’t forget the picture, or there will be issues with me returning her at all tomorrow.”