Pitch Black (Romantic Thriller, Completed)

Chapter 12

"I've got a headache," Hayley announced for the tenth time today. It was only 9 a.m. on this glorious Monday morning.

"Aspirin?" I suggested.

"Tried it."

She was hung-over, as was Susie. They'd been out on the sauce last night and part of the morning too. I hadn't slept well either, seeing as they'd woken me with a rendition of "Show Me the Way to Amarillo" as they walked up the driveway in the early hours. Neither would win a recording contract.

"I need a fried breakfast," Hayley said. "That always helps."

Susie dropped her broom with a groan. "It's worth a shot. I'll start cooking while you wash the buckets. We can catch up with work after we've eaten. You coming, Ash?"

"I don't fancy fried stuff, but I wouldn't say no to a couple of boiled eggs."

I'd been trying to eat healthily since I started my exercise routine, and I was less sluggish now I'd cut out the donuts and cream buns. Oh, and I could do my jeans up again—always a bonus. I'd just taken a sip of my coffee when Hayley's fork clattered onto her half-eaten plate of fried eggs, bread, tomatoes, hash browns, and sausages.

"We can't eat all this!"

"Why not?" Susie asked, her mouth full.

"It's the Hunt Ball this Saturday. I was four pounds lighter when I bought my dress. What if it doesn't fit?"

Susie paused, fork in mid-air. "Oh, dammit! You're right. How did we not think of this sooner?"

Alcohol, that was how.

She shoved her plate away. "I bet mine won't fit either. I'll have to buy a new one. Does yours have any stretch in it?"

"No," Hayley wailed. "It's made of silk. I got it at TK Maxx, and I'll never find another one as nice, not for that price. As of now, I'm officially on a diet."

Susie carried her plate to the bin and scraped the remains of her breakfast into it. "I'll do salad for dinner."

"Salad? I'll starve." Hayley picked up her fork again. "I'll start my diet at lunch."

"You both look fine as you are," I told them. "Neither of you needs to diet."

Although the salad wasn't a bad idea. I should be eating more of that.

"You haven't seen the dress yet—it shows everything. Are you coming to the ball?" Hayley asked.

"I didn't even know there was a ball. So, no."

"You should go," Susie said. "I can get you a ticket. Mother's on the organising committee."

"I'm not sure it's my type of thing."

In fact, I was more than sure it wasn't my type of thing. Based on the only Hunt Ball I'd attended before, I was well aware they were a euphemism for swimming in alcohol.

"You'll love it!" Hayley said. "Everyone from around here goes. It's the biggest event in the village. You never know, you might even meet a nice fella. You know what they say about getting back on the horse and all that."

"She's right," Susie said. "You need to find a man who'll ruin your lipstick this time and not your mascara."

"I'm not looking to meet anybody at the moment."

Or maybe ever. Inside, I was still raw, like someone had taken a cheese grater to my soul. My husband was the only man I wanted, and nobody else would ever measure up to his standards. Nobody. So why did a picture of Luke pop into my head right then?