One Word From You: A Pride and Prejudice Adaptation (18 page)

“
By – what – a year?”

William balled his hands into fists, “I'm going to kill him. I will literally
kill
him when he gets back.”

“
He could totally knock you out. You're a wimp.”

The punch he'd thrown proved otherwise, but I wasn't going to tell him that. I didn't want William to think I was complimenting him or anything. Had I been in a better position to do it, I'd have hit him back in retaliation. I never usually shied away from that kind of thing when I was sober.

“
I'm a wimp?
Me?
”

“
You repeat stuff a lot,” I said, “You should get your hearing checked.”

He was so irritated by me, it was amazing. William started pacing back and forth in front of me. That wasn't so great, because it was slowing us down. Now we were back, I just wanted to go to bed. It was clear I wasn't going to be allowed back out to play once Mum got hold of me. If I was lucky, I would be able to avoid her until morning.

“
And what is that you're wearing, anyway?” he asked all of a sudden, “Did you dress up for his sake?”

“
Technically he dressed me.”

“
You mean he saw you -”

“
I really don't think this is worth talking about,” I said, “And not your business, either. Can I go now. I'm seriously tired, and you're annoying.”

“
I think you'll find, you're the annoying one here. Freddie wasn't going to tell me where you were, do you know that? I only knew it was a place his father owned. If I hadn't gone there first, you could have been in his bedroom by now!”

“
Yeah, I'm still not happy about you getting in the way of that. Why do you keep spoiling all my fun?”

“
Fun? You think doing that with
him,
would be fun?”

“
Pretty much.”

“
I can't do this any more,” he said, pushing his fingers through his hair in frustration, “I can't stay quiet.”

“
You've never really been quiet about anything. You should try doing that. Now, would be good.”

William stood straight, and looked me dead in the eye. With all the sincerity and directness of a man confessing to a proud murder, he announced, “I love you.”

“
What?”

“
I've tried to ignore it, and I thought if I went with Charlie to Switzerland then it would go away. But it didn't, and here you are again, like you're determined to be in my life.”

“
I'm really not.”

He closed the distance between us, and took hold of my shoulders. I should have pushed him away, but I wasn't really sure what was going to come next. As far as I understood it, William had always hated me. I'd made the worst possible impression on him at the opening night party, and then had continued to prove to him that I detested him more than any other person on the planet. So the fact that he liked me just made no sense. There was nothing in our relationship to indicate those kinds of feelings would be encouraged, and I certainly hadn't worked to fuel those stirrings in him.

For a moment he didn't say anything at all. He was scrutinising and searching, like he was looking for a sign I was okay with it. When he thought he'd found it, his arms wrapped around me, and I was trapped in a tight hug. It was eerily reminiscent of the way Wyatt had treated me. And it might just end the same way if William wasn't careful.

“
After you threatened me at the party, I realised that you were different. I've been surrounded by girls like Chantelle my entire life, but you weren't afraid to talk back to me, like we were equals. And I know that it'll be difficult for people to accept you. I mean, even I find it difficult,” he said, his head resting atop mine with all the impressions of affection. It was too bad what was coming his mouth was completely toxic.

He continued completely oblivious to my feelings, “You're not rich, and your mother is completely ridiculous, and you don't dress as you should, but that can be changed. The company you keep is a bit – well – questionable, but as soon as the school year is over you won't be seeing most of the girls in your dorm again anyway. Despite all of this, for some reason, I still love you.”

When he came in for a kiss, I found it was the perfect opportunity to strike.

And strike I did.

Not with a slap, or anything so ladylike. Instead, I head-butted him as hard as I could in the nose. I took a pretty large amount of satisfaction from hearing him howl in pain. William backed off, and held a hand over his nose which, amazingly, I'd managed to break. It was streaming blood in a very unbecoming way down over his chin.

Served him right.

“
What is
wrong
with you?! I thought you'd be happy!” he cried.

“
Happy? What, because you're such an amazing catch?”

“
Yes!”

“
Okay, first,” I said, “I should point out that this means I don't feel the same way about you.”

“
I can see that!”

“
Good,” I said, “Second, I've never done anything to indicate I was into you, and if I did by mistake, then I didn't mean to. And last, do you really think I'd want to go out with a total dick, who broke my friend's heart?”

“
Your friend -?”

“
Jenny! You decided that she wasn't good enough for Charlie, and you made his parents transfer him to Switzerland! Jesus, that's overkill by anyone's standards! She's the nicest, sweetest, most innocent person in the world, and she loved him! What the hell were you thinking?”

He rolled his eyes like the whole thing was a waste of his time. It only served to heighten my anger, and I was tempted to give him a kick in the balls for good measure. Before I could, William declared, “I was happy to get Charlie away from her, okay? Christ, I should have followed my own advice. All the girls you spend time with are idiots. It doesn't matter if they have money, they're still not fit to be seen in society! Charlie's name would have been ruined if he'd been associated with any of you!”

“
Wow. And you wonder why I'm not into you? I'm not even going to mention what you did to Gideon. Although I should, because you were a grade-A arse to him.”

“
Gideon?” he asked, “What's he got to do with anything? Oh,” he shook his head, “Don't tell me. He's another one of your boyfriends? I could see that Wyatt was interested, but I didn't think you'd be stupid enough to fall for -”

“
He's
not,
but I like him as a friend and a teacher. He told me everything about when he worked in your school. You ruined his career, and he could have gone to prison. How can you treat anyone like that? What is wrong with you?!”

“
And this is what you think about me?”

“
This is why I hate you,” I snapped, “And this is why I wouldn't have said yes, even if you hadn't asked me out in the middle of completely insulting me!”

“
I was just telling the truth!”

“
You were being spiteful!” I shouted, “Because you can't say anything, without turning it into something poisonous!”

“
So, I should be happy that the girl I like is going to drag down people's opinions of me?”

I balled my hands so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. Knowing full well that it would do more harm than good in the eyes of our host if I hospitalised William, I swallowed down the desire. In a voice that wavered with the calm I forced into it, I told him, “I'm going inside, and I'm going to bed. In the morning, I'm leaving. And I
never
want to see you again.”

“
Fine by me.”

God!

I never thought I'd meet anyone that hateful, but there he was.

William-
freaking
-Davies.

Chapter Seventeen

Excessively sorry to go.

A few stern words from my mother were nothing compared to the blazing row I'd had with William. Neither of us spoke of it when we were in the house, and when I went to bed, I was glad of some time alone. At least, I was alone until the early hours, when Georgia crawled back into my bed. I didn't dare to talk to her about what had happened, because I didn't want anyone to know that such a creep had been interested in me.

Wyatt was the preferable option.

Or Freddie.

The only downside, was that I couldn't have a relationship with him, and not see William. They were related, and another meeting would be inevitable. It was so unfair. I didn't think I was going to set up house with the guy and have five kids, but I wanted to spend more time with him.

“
What are you doing?” Georgia asked when she finally stirred in the morning.

I was on my knees in front of my case, folding my clothes, and happy to be back in my comfortable jeans. I'd keep the dress Freddie got me as a reminder that the whole trip hadn't been a total waste of time, but it was the only good thing I was taking from it.

“
Packing. I'm going to see Dad for a few days before school starts.”

“
Our flight isn't for another couple of days.”

“
I know. I can't be here, Georgia. Not without committing a major crime, or an international incident. You can stay on if you want.”

“
No way,” she said, “If I have to spend another day with Wyatt's sweaty hand holding mine, I'm going to freak out.”

I smirked, “I told -”

“
Don't even say it.”

“
Come on, you have to let me have this one. I knew he was no good for you.”

“
At least I tried,” she said, “But yes, you were right. So I'll go back with you. That way your Mum won't be so mad at us. Do you want me to tell her it was my idea?”

“
Good plan,” I said, “If she thinks it's me, she'll try to play the strict parent.”

“
I'll break up with Wyatt while I'm at it. I don't want him coming back thinking we're a thing.”

All in all, it was a pretty productive morning. For Georgia, at least. She wasn't at all gentle in dumping Wyatt. He didn't appear to accept it at first. When she slapped him, he got the message. I didn't laugh, not matter how much I wanted to. I was still reeling from my night out, and the way William had treated me.

Mum wasn't happy, but when we made it sound like I was accompanying Georgia as a responsible friend, she came around to the idea of us flying without her or Wyatt. Freddie volunteered to be our driver, and brought his car around while sporting a pair of dark glasses.

“
Hungover?” I asked.

“
You have no idea. How are you not?” he grumbled, “You had twice the amount I did.”

“
I worked it out of my system before I went to bed.”

To my horror, William came out to help load the cases into the boot of the car. I was going to shout at him to leave it, but it wasn't worth it. If he wanted to make himself useful, that was up to him. It would just help us get on our way quicker. He said nothing to any of us in the duration, and then stalked back into the house.

Drama Queen.

I wasn't going to give him another thought. Not ever. William was from a totally different world from me, and I had no interest in occupying it. Freddie and Georgia chatted in as animated a way as was possible with his headache. I kept quiet, squashed into the front passenger seat beside Georgia, and watching Paris fly by. It was a beautiful place. It was too bad William had totally destroyed my impression of it with his attitude.

Freddie might have expected a kiss at the airport, but he didn't get one.

I just couldn't bring myself to encourage someone who had such an irritating relative. I let him have a hug, because I couldn't find it in me to be cruel to him. He must have sensed something was off, but he was too polite to mention it. We parted as friends, and Georgia and I returned to England.

It was wet, and grey, and everything I thought it would be. The airport was busy with people heading home after visiting relatives in the country, or returning from more tropical climates to the dismal reality of their lives. In silence, we went through baggage claim, and the security checks. At the taxi rank, I asked, “Do you want to come and stay a few days?”

“
I shouldn't. But thanks.”

“
See you at school?”

“
Definitely,” she hugged me tight, and hopped into the waiting cab.

I headed back inside for a train. The cost of a taxi from London to Cornwall would be enough to put me into debt until I retired. Rail tickets weren't much better, but at least I had enough for one of those. I found a single seat, and the one beside me was soon occupied by a man who fell asleep almost as soon as his backside was in the chair.

I hit Dad's number on the speed-dial on my phone. He picked up after a few rings. He'd probably been in the middle of working instead of closing up for the holidays like any sane person would. I cleared my throat, and said, “I'm on my way home.”

“
You're early.”

“
Gold star, Dad. I know. Paris sucked.”

“
Your mother won't be happy with me.”

“
She'll get over it. Anyway, she paid for my flight. It's fine. I need to wash stuff before I go back, anyway. Have you got anything in for dinner?”

“
Er...”

“
Order a pizza or something. I'll go shopping tomorrow.”

“
Okay, I'll see you in a few hours. Do you want me to meet you at the station?”

“
I'm fine.”

“
I can send one of the boys, if you'd rather.”

I'd really had enough of boys to last me a lifetime.

“
No thanks. See you later, love you.”

“
Love you too, Elly-bear.”

Idiot.

Still, I was looking forward to a few days of peace. My phone beeped at me, and then the screen went black. I should have charged it, but I'd been too preoccupied to do anything that sensible. I dug around in my bag for a charger, and an envelope dropped onto the train floor. Deciding it was potentially more interesting than anything happening on social media, I pushed my phone into my bag, and picked up the letter instead.

Beth,

              Don’t worry if you think I’m going to try to ask you out again. You

made it pretty clear that you weren’t interested in me. My nose isn’t

broken, by the way. Not that you would care. In fact, I imagine that’s a

disappointment to you.

The reason I’m writing, is to address the things you accused me of last

night.

First, yes, I broke up Charlie and your friend. I’ll come to this later,

because I want you to finish reading this note before you tear it up.

Gideon is a liar.

You might think that I’m the liar, but I’ll tell you my side of the story.

He was a teacher at my school for a short time, but before that he’d

grown up on our estate. His parents worked for mine, and we were often

thrown together because we were all a similar age. He didn’t seem like a

bad kid, but he changed after his parents died. My father wanted him

to be looked after. When we lost him, my mother continued to honour his

wishes. She helped give him a recommendation to my school, after funding

all of his studies.

Around that time, he got into a relationship with my older sister. I

thought this was strange, because we’d all be brought up like we

were siblings. But Amanda was happy, and I didn’t want to ruin

that for her.

Then I walked in on him with another woman at school. A teacher,

no less. He threatened me, and ordered me not to tell my sister. He

said it would break her heart. To solidify his relationship with her,

and to make it more difficult for me to tell the truth, he proposed

to her.

Gideon wasn’t earning much, but he spent excessively, trying to

create an image and a lifestyle he couldn’t afford. He borrowed

money, and he gambled. While he kept all this from Amanda, it

was plainly obvious to me that he was in desperate need of help.

How?

Because he asked me for money.

Yes. Me.

He thought that I could get it from my mother, and pretend it was

for something I needed. Naturally, I refused. After that, it came to

light that someone was stealing from the school. At first they were

petty thefts from other teachers, and then cash boxes and savings

went missing from the offices. Everything pointed to Gideon, and I

finally told my mother the whole of it.

She paid off everything for him, but only on the condition that he

stayed away from our family, and that included Amanda. After

she heard about him cheating on her, she didn’t want anything to

do with him.

I know that Gideon blames me entirely for what happened.

I hope, no matter what you think of me, you’ll at least not hold

these events against me. I did what was right for my family, and

we only didn’t take the matter to the police out of respect for my

sister’s reputation. She was hurt enough, and being dragged through

that ordeal would have made it worse.

If you want to check any of these facts, you can talk to Freddie.

He knows everything about it.

Now, as for the issues with Jenny and Charlie.

Yes, I broke them up, and I was happy to do it.

It’s not because Jenny is a bad person, which I might have implied

last night, but it’s because she’s doesn’t seem to like him as much

as you say. I understand that she won’t just be after his money,

and that her family is respectable, but she seems so quiet and

unmoved by him, that it’s impossible to tell if she likes him as

anything more than a friend.

But the attitudes of your friends on the night of Charlie’s birthday

caused a huge amount of concern. Not just with me, but with his

family, too. Lisa and Chrissy were completely out of control. It was

like being at a zoo. They have no sense of social norms, and no

idea how to behave as anything but five year old girls.

Meg ruined Chantelle’s dress and, while I accept that she isn’t the

nicest girl in the world, she deserved an apology. Instead, you all

ran from the party, and left her without any consideration.

I shouldn’t have to tell you how ridiculous Wyatt is. He made a

spectacle of himself by talking to me so openly when I didn’t know