Away With the Fairies (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 2)

Fiona on Her Own

My lovelies,

It is of course a double update, because A. I can never write short scenes or short stories, and B. You asked for it. But can you imagine if I wrote slower, didn't update every day, or decided to squirrel the second half? :P Just imagine getting to the end of this chapter... and then having to wait! Haha!

Love,

K. xx 

***

"Hey, Fee," he said and gave her a wide smile that she used to find so charming.

This is a nightmare. Wake up, Fiona.

"Nate?"

"Did you expect someone else?" he asked and chuckled. "Here you go, babe."

He lifted his hands, and she saw a bouquet - large red roses, uniform, and unnaturally perfect - and a box of chocolates with a large velvet bow of the matching shade of red. Fiona swallowed a knot in her throat.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked with another chuckle.

Is there a way not to?

Fiona slowly took a step back, and he walked up the stairs of the porch. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. So cold. It seemed to her that the kiss was longer and more tender than his normal greetings.

"You look lovely, Fee. Countryside suits you, I reckon," he said. "Just look at these rosy cheeks."

He stepped deeper into the hall, and she turned away from him, slowly closing the door. In and out, Fiona. In and out. You'll pass out if you don't start breathing. She placed her hand on the lock. Turn it really, really slowly. You have about three seconds to gather your thoughts.

Will.

He's in the kitchen.

Oh god. Will...

"It's nice," Nate drew out, probably looking around. "Actually, that's gert lush! Your big city publisher is posh! Just look at the furniture and the lights. That's the Skandi style I was talking about, remember, that's what I want for our flat."

Fiona forced her disobedient body to move, and faced him.

"Nate, I–" What are you going to even say, Fiona? "We need to talk."

"Yeah, babe, we do," he said and gave her a wink. "Or did you have something else on your mind?" He laughed. "Silly Fee. But your naughty thoughts will have to wait. I–" He held a theatrical pause. "–have some news."

"You want to sell the pub," she said, and his face dropped.

"What?" He recovered quickly and chuckled. "Ah, it's Alice, innit? She told you. She'd showed up in the pub last night, said you'd spoken. Crazy old hag."

He turned away from her and started walking into the lounge. Probably to hide his face just as she did a minute ago. He's trying to figure out what to say too.

"I bet she'd gotten it all wrong," he said. "You see, Fee, it was all so quick. This company approached me, and they–"

He stopped, and Fiona, who was following him, took one more step and almost bumped in him.

"Oh hello," Nate said.

"Morning," Will answered.

Oh god.

Fiona's eyes flew to Holyoake's face, and she met his glacial blue eyes.

"Um–" Nate drew out and then barked a throaty laugh. "Blimey, talk about awkward. You're John Holyoake, aren't you? Fee showed me your site. And I see that you are in your jimjams." He looked at Fiona. "Babe, you aren't exactly dressed either." His eyes narrowed into angry slits, and he gave out another fake venomous laugh. "So... Are you sleeping with him?"