TORN

Chapter 22

Hannah

A week had passed since the fight between Johnny and Liam and I had kept my distance from both of them.

I hadn't seen or heard from Liam. Part of me hated it but I knew it was for the best for now. I still worried about him terribly and I did miss him. I wondered how he had found his mother and how he felt about it all. I wanted to be there for him but I just couldn't.

Johnny had been out of the office most of the week in and out of meetings, courting new clients. I was grateful, my head was everywhere and I wanted the dust to settle before we had a conversation about anything serious. We would be meeting the night after my Nan's birthday party. He had been giving me space, his mature approach was welcomed. I needed to think.

It was Tuesday and I was picking up a card for my Nan for her birthday, she was seventy one today and my Mum was having some family and friends around to her house tomorrow night for a gathering.

She wanted us all to be dressed up so I had taken half a day off work so that I could get properly prepared.

Once I got home I decided to have a sleep, it was only 11.30am but I would have a hour or so, so that I was slightly fresher for later.

I had already put fake tan on the night before and my hair had been wanded and then pinned up to keep it in by Mollie.

Once I had woken up from my nap, I wandered downstairs to make some lunch. I was in on my own as Mollie was still at work.

As I made my tuna sandwich my thoughts went to Liam. I wasn't sure if he'd be there tonight given what had happened last week. He was very close with my whole family and I knew my Nan would be upset if he didn't show. I half wanted him to come so that I could see him and the other half of me hoped he would keep his distance so I could enjoy spending time with my family without thinking of everything that was happening around me.

I wasn't bringing Johnny. He was still away on business and I hadn't explained to my family about him. I didn't quite want to just yet until I knew for sure what it was myself.

He seemed to understand and didn't question if Liam was attending. I was grateful, I didn't want an argument, I was all shouted out. It had been an emotional time for us all.

I sighed and eat my sandwich quickly before the stress of it all got to me and I lost my appetite.

I wandered back upstairs and inspected my outfit for tonight. I was wearing a tight boob tube nude dress that was quite short at the bottom coupled with nude six inch heals. I wasn't overdoing it either, everybody in our family always dressed up for the occasion.

I had a white strapless bra and a matching thong to go underneath and both of my finger and toe nails were also painted nude.

I was excited for tonight, to see everybody. Mollie and I had gone halves on buying a gold bracelet for my Nan and I couldn't wait to give it to her.

I started to apply my makeup, I did it slightly better than my usual day to day but still opted for a more natural look than if I was going out on the town.

Once I was finished with that, I unravelled my hair from the clips, twirling it around in my fingers to keep the waves in tact and then spraying it with hairspray, I put my watch on and sprayed my perfume. I was done by 6pm. I'd get going now, Mollie was getting ready at Billy's after her day at work and was meeting me there.

I pulled up on my Mum's driveway, lots of cars surrounding the property, and walked inside towards the music and chatter I could hear.

The house was crowded when I arrived, full of family and friends. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people there. I didn't realise as many were coming. My Mum had a big house and there was a person at every turn coming up to me to greet me. I wasn't in the mood to socialise but chatted and smiled politely.