“I like it too.”
“Still? Even after this you don’t want to ask me to remove it?”
“No! No, of course not.” Her vehement response provided the comfort and reassurance he had been seeking. She was still his.
“Good. So, all this…?”
Thea dropped her gaze, and Tony knew she was already processing what had happened, the implications. She was working her way through it.
“I just wanted some peace. My head was in a mess, I couldn’t think straight. I wanted to sleep, I thought things would look better when I woke up. I had the sleeping pills in the drawer. My doctor prescribed them for me a while ago, and I used to take one occasionally. Not for some time now though. You seem to tire me out recently.” She managed an embarrassed grin. Tony dropped a kiss on her forehead by way of acknowledgement but didn't want to distract her from her account. Thea continued. “So I came in here, and got into bed. Fully clothed. I suppose I must have got myself a glass of water, though I don’t really remember that…”
She glanced down, only now apparently realising she still wore her coat. “Oh God, what was I thinking?” She unbuttoned the coat and took it off, then tossed it at the foot of the bed before continuing her story. “I tried to tip a couple of pills into my hand. But they went everywhere. Then suddenly I was angry. At me, at you, at the bastard who took that photo. It was as though a red mist came down. So I threw the glass at the wall. Then I buried myself under the duvet. I didn't intend to come out. Well, not for a while. I figured that was the next best thing to oblivion.”
“Right. I guess we’re all entitled to hide once in a while. I don't begrudge you the moment. But eventually you have to come out.”
“I wanted to hide for a good long time. Still do. But then there was all that din outside. I recognised Stephen’s voice and he was the last person I wanted to see. I pulled the duvet over my head and put my hands over my ears. I thought he’d get fed up, or think I wasn’t here and he’d just go away. I can't face him. Please, Tony, can’t you just explain…?”
He shook his head. “You can face him. He cares about you, and nothing else matters to him as long as you’re alright. He’s out there now making you a cup of tea. Does that sound like judging to you?”
“No, but…”
“People are going to surprise you, Thea, starting with Stephen. Their reactions to those pictures won't be as you imagine. And if anyone does kick off, we don’t have to listen. They can find themselves somewhere else to work, someone else to lecture. Agreed?”
“I don’t know…”
“I do. Agreed?” He had a way of talking to her, a tone he reserved for moments like this, when he expected to be obeyed. Intended it.
It seemed it was not lost on Thea. She looked up at him again, her expression hardening. “Yes, okay. Agreed. I think.”
“Good. We’ll practice on Stephen now, and maybe on Diana later, if you feel up to it. And tomorrow, we’ll talk to Denise, Eric and Chris. And Isabel.”
Thea grimaced. “Tomorrow? So soon? Wouldn't it be better to let the dust settle a bit?
“No. They’ll be talking anyway. Speculating. We should take control.”
“That’s the Dom speaking.”
“Maybe, but it doesn't make me wrong. I trust my instincts on this, and I need you to trust me too. You don't usually have a problem with that.”
“No Sir, I suppose not. But do we really have to talk to Isabel about this? I know what she’ll say.”
“After today, I can guess too. But Isabel’s not daft and she’ll do as she’s told. She’s my PA. That doesn't give her the right to comment on my private life or relationships. If I have to spell that out to her, I will. She’ll see it my way. Well, I hope so. She has two choices.”
Thea managed a weak smile. “My gran would call that brazening it out.”
“Your gran sounds to have been a wise lady.”
“She is. I think you’d like her. I have no idea at all what she’ll make of you though.”
“Where does she live?”
“Somerset. That’s where all my family are.”
“We’ll be driving down there soon enough, I imagine. I want to meet them.”
“I think I’d like that.”
Tony smiled, and realised only now