Part 22 (1/2)

”No.”

”Then stop harping on 'bout it then. Only yesterday I wuz with Beth, and I still don't know where you and me are with things. For all I know you could pack up and leave me hanging again. You haven't exactly earned my trust.”

”Sorry, it's just a sore point when you get all defensive over marriage.”

”With me too.”

Tiana took his hand. ”I won't talk about it again; I'm just happy... No, ecstatic we're dating.”

”Ecstatic?” His smile resurfaced. ”And dating sounds teenagerous.”

”Teenagerous isn't even a word.”

”What? You saying I don't speak good England?”

”You always say that!” She pounced on him, making him laugh and squirm as she tickled him.

”You two are like teenagers,” Juliet said. ”Mad one second, happy the next. Anyway, I hafta go to work soon. You need a lift to get any clothes, Ash?”

Ash grabbed Tiana's arms and pushed her flat on the couch. ”Don't need my PJs, that's for sure.”

Tiana laughed. ”You don't wear PJs.”

He grinned. ”Oh yeah.”

Juliet rolled her eyes. ”PG, people, PG. The boy could walk in and be scarred for life. h.e.l.l, you're scarring me.”

”Guess I should go back and grab some stuff,” Ash said, getting to his feet. ”I'll just say bye to Angelo and then we can take off, cos I wanna get back quick. Tiana's promised me a full roast dinner along with Pavlova and s.e.x.”

”I did not, you rude man,” Tiana said.

He smirked. ”Okay, but I still want the Pavlova and s.e.x.”

Tiana stood up, a shy smile now on her face. ”If you put Angelo to bed tonight we'll see.”

Juliet covered her ears. ”Stoppit, my ears are bleeding.”

Ash gave Tiana a kiss, then walked towards the door as Angelo came out. ”He grabbed his son and lifted him up, his nose wrinkling. ”Boy, do you even know what toilet-paper's for?”

Angelo squealed. ”Lemme down!”

Ash put him down and gave him a hug. ”I'm gonna go get some stuff, then I'll be back. Okay?”

”Can I come?”

Ash glanced over at Tiana, who shook her head. He grimaced.

”Sorry, Ash, let's take it one step at a time, aye? Plus, he really does stink.” Tiana steered Angelo towards the bathroom. ”Righto, Skidmarks, bath-time.” She glanced over her shoulder. ”Bye, Juliet. And see ya soon, Ash. Lock the door on the way out,” she shouted as she disappeared into the bathroom with Angelo.

Juliet patted Ash's back. ”Looks like things might work out.”

”We'll see.”

19.

Beth Beth drove towards her old home in a daze. She couldn't believe what had happened, all because she'd been stupid enough to tell Josie. She should never have taken that d.a.m.ned photo in the first place, not only because it was wrong, but because she'd violated Dante's trust. G.o.d, the look on his face when he realised what she'd done broke her. She wiped a stray tear as she turned onto Pleasant Parade, knowing she was an idiot for approaching him so soon, but she had to make things right straight away, because she had a bad feeling he was going to skip town.

A white van pulled away from the kerb as she neared the house, driving off in the opposite direction. She parked a few properties down, working up the courage to go inside. But then again, he might not even be home, because once she'd sc.r.a.ped herself together, she'd driven straight over while he had to walk.

Her gaze brushed over Ash's green Chevy, then flicked back to it. Oh, h.e.l.l no! She couldn't face him too. With everything that had happened with Dante she'd completely forgotten Ash was getting out of hospital today.

She lowered her forehead onto the steering wheel, breathing in and out to stop from hyperventilating. She didn't know how long she stayed like that for, but a car driving past made her look up. The vehicle stopped in Dante's driveway, letting him out, then reversed and drove off, the driver one of his mates who lived not far from Josie. Dante stood for a while, staring up the road at her car. She wanted to go to him, but knew it was a bad idea to do so in public, especially with their busybody neighbour mowing his front lawn two doors down.

Beth gripped the steering wheel as Dante disappeared inside the house. ”You can do this,” she muttered. No, you can't, her mind countered. She put her forehead back onto the steering wheel, fighting with herself, then jumped when someone rapped on the car bonnet. She looked up to see old man Murphy and his wrinkles staring at her through the window. She wound it down and forced a smile. ”h.e.l.lo, Mr. Murphy.”

”You alright, dear?” he said, looking concerned.

”Yes, I'm just tired.”

”Then why did you park all the way down here?”

She shrugged, not knowing what to say.

”You can tell me, dear,” he said. ”Because I've been rather concerned over what's been happening at your place lately, especially with that ambulance turning up last night.”

”Ash hurt his head, but he's alright now.”

”Did he have a fight with his brothers again?”

”No, they didn't cause it.”

”Well, you really should consider finding someone else, because those Rata boys are ruffians. You're far too sweet to be a.s.sociating with the likes of them.”

Beth smiled. The man may be overly nosey, but he was a sweetheart. ”I should go in now. I need to speak to Dante.”

”Okay, then you take care and pop in for a visit anytime you want a chat.”

”Thank you, Mr. Murphy.”

”My pleasure.” With a wave, he was off. Although he was an old fella, he was a very active one, the type she couldn't imagine ever going into a retirement home.

She got out of the car and willed herself forward, waving at Mr. Murphy as he restarted his lawnmower. She entered the Rata property through the driveway, then came to a standstill at the front door, fear again making her hesitate. ”Do it,” she said, now getting annoyed with herself. She unlocked the door and slipped inside.

Shaking, she headed for hers and Ash's bedroom, relieved that at least he wasn't there, then moved onto Dante's. She poked her head through the doorway, taken aback by the state of the room. It was like a tornado had ripped through it, scattering CDs and clothes all over the place, along with cardboard boxes. And in the middle of the mess stood Dante. He had his back to her, swearing as he picked up a suitcase, which he threw at the wall.

”Dante!” she blurted out.