as she followed Merritt and Lucian and the new dog out of the room.
‘Poppy the puppy? Not sure that works,’ Merritt answered in the distance, and Willow laughed and came back into the room.
‘Wow. Sorry about that,’ she said, shaking her head and laughing still. ‘Now, what did you want to tell me?’ she asked as she sat down.
Shit, fuck, shit, thought Lucy again, and she drew a breath for confidence.
‘I hate to tell you this at this time, but you have to know from me. Kerr’s back in town and he’s hired Eliza as his PR rep and publicist. He’s also hired a big gun divorce lawyer and they’re coming down tomorrow to see you. Kerr’s bringing his new girlfriend; she wants to be an actress. He’s hoping you will introduce her to Harold,’ said Lucy.
‘Shit. Fuck. Shit,’ said Willow, her perfect world slipping away from her reach.
‘My thoughts exactly,’ said Lucy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
‘I know this house,’ said Eliza, as she peered through the window of the rented car that Tatiana and Kerr had hired for the drive. She looked at Johnny, who had accompanied them on the trip once he had seen photos of Tatiana online with no top on and Kerr sucking her nipple.
‘It is very beautiful,’ said Tatiana as she peered over the top of her Polaroid sunglasses.
‘Yes, but it’s falling down,’ said Eliza, as though she could taste the mildew.
Johnny looked nervous. He hadn’t seen Merritt since he had caught him in bed with Eliza, who was now his wife, and he wasn’t up for any confrontations.
The car stopped and the driver alighted, opening the doors for his passengers.
Tatiana got out first and then Eliza, next Johnny, and finally Kerr.
Willow watched from upstairs. She had told Merritt and Kitty that Kerr was coming to see the children but she hadn’t elaborated any more. Merritt had been good about it, actually enthusiastic for him to see the children. ‘They need a father,’ he had said.
They have you, thought Willow, but she didn’t say anything. The evening had been pleasant, with the dog finally being named George at Poppy’s insistence, and it was given the seal of approval by Lucian, who smiled a little when it was floated as an option.
Kitty was nervous for Willow, knowing what a prick Kerr was, and anxious for Merritt too.
On the morning of the meeting, the children had played up – it was only natural, with all the tension in the air – and Kitty had had her hands full.
Finally the guests were there, and Poppy was bursting to see Kerr.
Kitty went down with them to see him. Lucian remained behind Kitty, holding Custard. Jinty was asleep upstairs. Poppy threw herself at her father.
‘Pops!’ he yelled, and Willow felt sick hearing his voice. ‘Hey Luce. You’re a bit old for a teddy mate.’ Lucian ran upstairs and hid under the bed. It took Kitty all morning to try and coax him out.
Kitty’s surprise at seeing Eliza was nothing compared with her horror at seeing Johnny. Remembering him taking away her virginity and never calling, even though she had followed him around for weeks until he threatened to call the police on her and called her a stupid dumb whore in the street, made her want to get under the bed with Lucian.
Willow was all charm, as she welcomed them into Merritt’s home.
Merritt stayed away, not aware of the party that had come with Kerr. He figured that Willow and Kerr had things to discuss, so he spent his day in the garden, being busy, worrying.
When he finally came to the house, he kicked off his work boots and walked into the drawing room to find Eliza, Johnny and a strange European-looking woman in shorts, a fur coat and Ugg boots drinking his scotch. He felt his perfect world slip away.
‘Hello Merritt,’ said Eliza coolly.
‘Hello old man,’ said Johnny, as though nothing had ever occurred between the three of them.
‘What the fuck are you doing in my house?’ asked Merritt, his eyes flashing.
‘Oh, we’re here as guests of Willow,’ said Eliza, her eyes daring him to make a scene. ‘I’m representing her husband. Johnny’s just here for the ride.’
Merritt turned and walked out. He slammed into Willow in the foyer. ‘What the fuck are they doing in my house?’ he hissed.
‘They came with Kerr,’ she said. ‘Why? Do you know them?’
‘Know them?’ he spat. ‘That bitch is my ex-wife and that other bastard is my ex-best friend, now her husband.’
‘Oh fuck,’ said Willow,