Always With Love by Giovanna Fletcher

Author:Giovanna Fletcher [Fletcher, Giovanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781405919258
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2016-06-02T06:00:00+00:00

21

The last time I was here Julie was trying to force the entire family into spending as much time together as possible, clearly trying to make the most of Billy being here and thinking they only had two weeks with him. This time, though, things are far more relaxed, with everyone just getting on with their own plans despite me being here, which for someone who doesn’t like a fuss is brilliant.

They all seemed as though they were pleased when they saw me the previous day – I bumped into Hayley and Jenny as they got back from having their nails manicured and we were off out to Little Dom’s. Other than that, though, there’s been no talk of dinner or trips out together. It feels like I’m just lodging at the house and free to come and go as I please.

It might not be the family unit I’m now used to having with Mum, Colin and the kids, where our lives are nicely knitted together, but then they’re a different bunch of people doing entirely different things with their days.

For various reasons – mostly because she’s the most laid-back and warmest of the bunch – I could really see myself bonding with Lauren far more than anyone else in the Buskin clan. So it’s a shame she’s gone and got herself a job, as I’d like to have spent a bit of time getting to know her better while I’m over here again and largely going to be without Billy’s company. I hope we’ll find time to hang out together at some point, although it sounds like her boss is making the most of her free labour.

Billy and I don’t discuss the shape of our future the following day, and I assume that’s because there’s really not much to talk about. Nothing has been set in stone yet and there are no solid plans, so it’s hardly worth getting upset over something that could easily change or turn out to be far more manageable than I’d imagined in the first place. That’s what my rational side is telling me, anyway. For now, I’m deciding to listen to that rather than dwell on any uncertainty.

Instead, we enjoy each other’s company and don’t venture too far from the house. The morning is spent lounging by the pool and then in the afternoon we head to Silver Lake – a little residential neighbourhood that’s built around a gorgeous lake. The best bit? Heading to a shop called MILK and buying a gorgeous strawberry cheesecake ice cream to eat while we meander our way around the reservoir, going far slower than the dozens of locals we spot jogging the route either in groups, pairs or on their own.

‘This is so nice and chilled,’ I find myself murmuring as we head past a dog park, a place where dogs are free to run around lead-free and poop in a confined space away from everyone else.

‘See? LA’s not all parties, flashy cars and spotting famous faces.

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