Chapter 25: Lyall’s Return

Almost a second later, Olivia returned through the doors, looking decidedly different.

She was both more controlled and less, somehow.

Olivia cleared her throat, “Lyall is here,” she announced.

And like those words were magic itself, the room suddenly transformed.

Adam sat up straighter and handed the earring back to Abigail, Charlotte immediately stopped her screeching and Abigail slipped the earring into her pocket. This might be done for now, and it might have no meaning later whatsoever, but she had learnt, from being around these people.

And she would keep the earring for later, should she ever need it. Just like she had kept the little note Olivia had sent her along with her dress.

“Mr. Woodtriche,” Lyall greeted, walking over to Adam and shaking his hand.

“Lyall,” Adam greeted, “So nice of you to stop by.”

Abigail thought she could sneak away right about now, with everyone focused on Lyall. She definitely needed to be anywhere but here.

“Abigail,” Lyall turned to her before she could move, and he held out his hand for her to shake.

“Lyall,” Abigail greeted, as she put her hand in his to shake, albeit reluctantly.

Lyall grasped her hand firmly, and quickly turned it around. He placed a kiss on the back of her palm, gently.

Abigail nearly yanked her hand out of his grasp, but she managed to school herself properly. She allowed him a moment, and then pulled back, just as Lyall straightened himself.

“So lovely to see you again,” Lyall murmured, a voice that was so smooth there was no mistaking the intent behind it. “I was hoping you would be here today.”

Abigail had no idea what to say. And Olivia fumed, watching their exchange. Lyall checked surreptitiously over his shoulder, watching Olivia’s reaction.

Abigail breathed a sigh of relief, so he was trying to make her sister jealous, that was all.

“Lyall,” Olivia said, coming up to them and pulling him away from Abigail. “I want to show you something.”

Olivia sat Lyall down in one of the armchairs, and Adam stood up, like he going to join them. But he came to stand next to Abigail.

“You know,” Adam said. “Lyall and Olivia have been friends for quite a while, but that shouldn’t really bother you, it’s really nothing more than that, never has been.”

There was just so much wrong with her father’s statement that Abigail herself didn’t even know where to start correcting him. Was he blind?

“However,” Adam continued, thoughtfully. “I have always wanted Lyall to marry into the family.”

Adam then walked over to the seats where Lyall was sitting, with Olivia basically fawning over him, leaving an entirely stunned Abigail behind him.

She just could not be here, not today. She had to leave right away for the sake of her sanity. Abigail pulled out her phone, and surreptitiously sent Mark a text.

‘Any chance our date can be lunch, today?’ It read. ‘Which is another way for me saying, pick me up right now, please.’

Mark responded immediately, sending first a bright gold star, and then typing.

‘I was just thinking the exact same thing.’ Mark’s message read.

Abigail looked up just as her father was discussing lunch plans with Lyall, and insisting that he absolutely must stay for lunch. Olivia looked torn between delighted, and casting filthy glares in Abigail’s direction.

Abigail saw an amazing opportunity. She was sure her sister would help her get out of this.

“I think I’m going to head out for lunch, actually,” Abigail said aloud. “But you all have fun at lunch, I’m sad to miss it, but I really do want to try this new place I’ve read great reviews about.”

“Excellent idea, sister!” Olivia spoke, excitedly. Exactly as Abigail had expected. “I’m sure being out of the house for a bit would do you wonders.”

“Oh, how about . . . ” Charlotte began, trying to interrupt.

“And on my own,” Abigail spoke over her step-mother. “Don’t you think, Olivia? Being on my own would also be so good for me right now?”

Olivia seemed to understand what her mother was going to say too, “Absolutely, right. You know what, let me walk you to the door, and call someone to drive you, as well.”

“I would love that!” Abigail exclaimed.

“How nice,” Adam said, linking his fingers together. “They are able to put aside their differences so quickly, and help each other out.”

Olivia strode over to Abigail, and Abigail saw Lyall make a move to stand.

“Oh, Olivia,” Abigail said again quickly. “Did you already order those desserts for Lyall that he loves so much?”

The man sat down immediately.

“I was just going to get some,” Olivia said, linking her arm with her sister. “On my way back from walking you out.”

The sisters strode through the door arm in arm, and the door shut behind them.

As soon as the door was closed they disengaged from each other.

“I still hate you!” Olivia spat.

“Feeling’s mutual,” Abigail agreed reproachfully. “Don’t worry about it. Just keep that man here and not following me.”

“And just stay away the whole afternoon,” Olivia told her sister, anger snapping in her voice. “And come back looking worse than this. I don’t know how you’ll manage it, but try.”

Abigail smiled; she was sure she could think of a few ways. And she was definitely going to stay away as long as she could.

“I trust you can get yourself away from here!” Olivia spat, striding to the kitchens to make sure Lyall’s desserts were made for him.

Abigail felt she very definitely could.

Her phone buzzed.

‘I’m outside.’ It read.

Abigail rushed to the doors, and one of the valets parked at the front gave her a quick lift to the front gates.

Abigail spotted Mark, and her jaw dropped.

He was sitting a motorbike, arm stretched out towards her, with a helmet in his hand. Abigail knew one thing in that moment absolutely, for all their differences, both her father and mother would have a heart attack seeing her in this moment.

It was possibly that this very thought made Abigail reach for the helmet and get on to the motorbike, laughing as they sped through the highway.

__________________________________________

They arrived at a very small restaurant, nestled between two buildings. Mark parked his bike and helped her off.

Abigail’s heart caught in her throat as she looked around China Town. This was where she had grown up, this was where she was most comfortable.

Her old apartment with her mother was just a few blocks from here, barely a five minute drive. But Abigail couldn’t face her right now. Not after her mother had been proven right.

She had done everything her father had asked of her, gone over and above the call of being a dutiful daughter, and it still hadn’t been enough.

Abigail shook her head. No, she couldn’t face her mother right now. But, she promised herself, she would call her soon.

For now, Abigail turned back to Mark and the restaurant he was leading her to. For now, she would think of absolutely nothing else, and just enjoy this one little meal with him.

They seated them in a small, private booth. Each table came with drapes and curtains, pulling them to allow privacy for the people while they ate. A waiter dropped two menus to them, greeting Mark by name, and left them to decide, promising to be back in ten minutes to take their order.

“They seem to know you here,” Abigail mused to Mark. “Come to China Town often?”

“Practically live here,” Mark laughed. “Best food in the world right here.”

She couldn’t agree more. Abigail thought the thing she loved the most about Mark, was how very not rich and wealthy he was. He probably lived here in China Town, but felt a bit embarrassed to admit it. It was made sense, since he knew about all the obscure restaurants here. No one would know those kinds of things except a local.

Abigail wouldn’t push him, though. He would tell her more about him as he was ready.

Abigail picked up a menu.

“What do I even order?” She asked, excitement bubbling over as she paged through the menu.

Mark pointed to a few things, “These are always good, no matter what Turkish restaurant you order it from.”

Abigail went with his recommendations, and ordered for herself when the server returned. Mark ordered something else and the server promised he would be back soon.

While they waited, they spoke, and laughed. And in the middle of their conversations their food was brought to them. Mark took half of the food on Abigail’s plate, and gave him half of hers, so they both got to have from two dishes.

And they ate, and laughed and talked. And being with Mark, Abigail forgot, just for a moment, the pain that was so deeply entrenched in her life.