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THE SECOND
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Thirty Days THE THIRD
I am sat in this chic little hairdressing salon round the back of Carnaby Street, having a mild panic attack as George, my mum’s darling hairdresser, chops hunks of my hair off, all the while tutting in faux prima-donna fashion. I know for a fact George is straight as a die, but I guess this little act draws in the ladies, and I can see from the expressions on the other faces that they love it. My mum has her nose stuck in her e-book as she sits under some weird lamps, waiting for her colour to take, oblivious to everything going on around her. I, on the other hand, have started emitting rather alarming squeaks each time another of my locks is butchered. Trust them, George and my mum said as they babbled on in some sort of pseudo-fashionista speak that I tuned out politely after the first couple of minutes. Okay, deep breaths. Eventually, I simply close my eyes in the hope that if I keep them closed long enough, this might turn out to be a dream. I finally open my eyes when I feel m
Thirty Days THE THIRD pt2
I am sitting in the bar with my spiced apple cooler when I notice Taylor arrive. He looks around for me and I can see him getting slightly agitated, so when his gaze heads my way again, I lift my arm and wave gently. I am a little gratified by the shock that lights his face followed by a wolfish grin. Taylor strides over and, without a word, pulls me to my feet before kissing me passionately. I push him away gently, worried about making a scene, and Taylor steps back, his eyes caressing every inch of me. Leaning into my ear, Taylor whispers, “If we weren’t in public, I would have to fuck you right here right now. And I am not sure I can even hold off that long.” I giggle, a blush rising on my cheeks. “You like?” I ask softly. My panties are wet with arousal, and I really wish we were somewhere else right now. “Hell yeah. You are like a sexy siren from a dream. Who are you and what have you done with Abby?” he asks. I decide to play a little game and counter, “She was a bit boring,
Thirty Days THE FOURTH
I wake disorientated. My last memory is of falling asleep on the couch, yet I am in a bed, tucked up into Taylor’s arms. I wriggle a little, trying to free myself so that I can go to the bathroom, my morning sickness making itself known. Taylor rolls over, freeing me, so I bolt to the bathroom just in time. As I glance around, I see everything is still where I left it, so I grab my toothbrush, grateful that I can freshen up my mouth. I pad back into the bedroom softly, not wanting to wake Taylor. It is still dark, so we have a little while before I have to head back to Brighton to start work. I look around the room that I know so well and realise something is bugging me; something is different and I just can’t put my finger on it. “It’s the bed. It’s new.” Taylor’s voice startles me, and I glance across to see him holding open the duvet for me to get back into bed. As I snuggle into his chest, I listen as Taylor starts to talk. “After that night I just couldn’t bear to sleep in her
Thirty Days THE FOURTH pt2
I am heading up the stairs to my flat, my arms full, as dusk is falling when I hear Taylor arguing with someone. Thinking that he is on the phone, I head straight to the kitchen to deposit the cinnamon buns that I have prepped for the morning in the fridge. When I hear the voice of Nicola, Taylor’s sister, raised as well, I stop in my stride. “What the hell, Taylor, I thought you and Abby were back together?” Nicola shouts. The question halts me in my tracks, and I stay put, waiting to hear what is coming next. “We are back together, Stix. I don’t get why you have stormed in here and started yelling at me.” I can hear the confusion in Taylor’s voice, and I am right there with him. “Then why are you cheating on her?” What the fuck? My hands clench into fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. “Seriously, I have no idea what you are going on about. There is no way in hell I would cheat on Abby and you know that!” Taylor is practically yelling at his baby sister, and I can only im
Thirty Days THE FIFTH
My head is pounding from the effects of the sedative when I finally manage to open my eyes. Taylor’s chocolate brown eyes stare intensely at me, a frown furrowing his brow. I smile weakly at him, but even that small movement sends pain shooting through my skull, forcing a grimace across my face. Taylor silently hands me some cool water and a couple of painkillers, which I take gratefully before flopping onto my back with my eyes closed. “These should kick in soon and then hopefully you will feel a bit better. David said you would probably wake up with a killer headache…” Taylor trails off and I can tell he wants to discuss last night, but I know I am just not ready to confront today’s big issue. I don’t reply, so he places a light kiss on my cheek before adding, “I need to go out for a bit, but I’ll be back for lunch with your parents later.” “Okay,” I answer in a hoarse whisper. “I’ll see you a bit later, then.” I know I should ask where he is going, but knowing Taylor, if he want
Thirty Days THE SIXTH
Taylor is gone when I wake, but I roll over to find a note on my pillow, promising to let me know everything when he gets home. I find myself worrying about Nicola, worrying about Taylor and, finally, worrying about my little Bean. Knowing that Richard knows about my pregnancy sends a shiver down my spine. I know I stood up to him previously at Genevieve’s party and told him that he didn’t scare me, but when I found out how Richard’s threats to Taylor caused the downfall of our relationship, the fear of him returned. His obsession with Taylor—and that is what it has all boiled down to—means that he doesn’t want anyone to replace him in his brother’s life. He has already made it perfectly clear how he feels about me, and I am just terrified that his reaction to a baby would be even fiercer. After all, he abused Nicola as a baby too. I finally force myself out of bed, grateful that the morning sickness seems to be absent for a change. I find my mind wandering all morning as I bake, wo
Thirty Days THE SIXTH pt2
I wake to a delicious aroma filling my senses. My stomach growls in response, and I scramble to find my phone to see what the time is. Eight o’clock. The craziness of the day has taken its toll, and after my mother left, I put my head down for a short nap. Well, that was three hours ago. I enter the kitchen to find Taylor frying steaks. My mouth waters as I take in creamed spinach on the stove, pink-peppercorn sauce bubbling gently and the crispy fries baking in the oven. Mmm, I hadn’t realised how hungry I was until this moment. I could eat a horse, or given the menu, a cow. “Yum, that smells good,” I say to Taylor as I wrap my arms around his waist and lean my head on his back. Slowly he turns in my embrace and plants a soft kiss on my nose. “I wondered when you were going to wake up. You were snoring like a train,” Taylor says playfully. I swat his arm in defence and pout. “I don’t snore!” I protest. Just then I notice a huge bunch of white roses on the side, and I raise my eye
Thirty Days THE SEVENTH
I wake disorientated. The room is dark, and I am hot, far too hot. It takes me a second to realise that I am trapped under Taylor’s dead weight, and I find myself wriggling in his arms to gain a little space. I sense a change in Taylor as his breathing lightens, and when I roll over to face him, I find myself staring into his serious brown eyes. “Hey,” he whispers. “You okay? What happened?” My body trembles at the memories. “I was just lying there daydreaming, and then all of a sudden all those images from the blog started running through my head, and then I was back there in the moment, watching myself cut my wrists.” Tears are sliding down my face, and Taylor brings up his thumb to wipe them softly away. “What can I do to help?” I can hear the hitch in his voice as if he is as affected by this as much as I am. “Make me forget. I close my eyes and it is all I see. I wish I could make it go away.” I hate the weakness in my voice. Every time I think I am getting a handle on things
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