…”It’s just Mia,” I say checking the caller ID. “I’ll call her back later.” I drop my phone and snuggle back into Harry’s arms. “Don’t know about you but I’d kill for a cup of tea,” he says casually. “Oh, theres no need for murder darling! Just go and put the kettle on.” I say knowing he’ll bite at this one. “What me?” he mutters. “yah ha!” I say not looking at him. “but I’m a celebrity and everything!”

I giggle. “Sorry what? you’ve had a lobotomy?” “Celebrity! not lobotomy! cheeky girl!” He shouts as my phone starts to ring again. “Perfect then!” I say slapping his cheek playfully. He sits up pouting at me. “On with you sweetheart, I’ve got important matters to discuss!” I say sarcastically as I take the call. “Hi Mia!”

Harry shakes his booty suggestively as he leaves the room. “You sound happy! It must be good news then? or at least fake news!” says Mia, her voice guarded. “Not good news, but no real bad news yet. Mums staying with him tonight and I guess I’ll know more in the morning.” I say, hearing the kettle boil in the kitchen. He managed to work out how to switch it on at least.

There’s a long pause on the end of the line. “What do you mean your mums with him?” says Mia confused. “My dad! he had a heart attack.” I say, matter of fact. Another long pause. “Oh fuck! right yes, no! I didn’t know.”

Now its my turn to pause, “why what were you calling about?” I ask concern growing. “Nothing!” she says too quickly. “Look, thats terrible, I’ll let you get on, let me know if I can do anything.” she babbles trying to get off the phone. “Hey! tell me right now, what did you call about?”

“Milk? sugar?” asks Harry poking his head round the door. “just milk please tar.” I answer quickly. “Who’s that?” asks Mia. “Harry’s here,” I answer. “He’s being such a sweetheart! you wouldn’t believe it!”

“No I wouldn’t,” Mia says, a hint of frustration in her voice. “What is it?” I demand again. “Shit, this really isn’t a good time for you but…well I’d want to know if it were me…he slept with another girl. Well two other girls actually.”

For the second time in two days, my legs fill with ice water. “When?” I ask, my voice wavering. “Don’t know when, but there’s photos all over the internet.” I grab my iPad. “I was ringing to see if you’re Ok.” says Mia drifting off, unsure.

I feverishly swipe at the i-pad. “Its probably just a friend again, like the last time. The press will say anything about him…they just want to sell their crappy papers and…” Suddenly, my words choke in my throat. “They’re not those kind of photos.” Mia says quietly.

Immediately I see what she means. Not through a long range lens this time…close up shots from someones phone. A girls phone. It’s unmistakably him and its unmistakable what the three of them are up to…

…Harry walk in beaming with pride holding a tray with an assortment of stuff he’s harvested from the kitchen. Two cups of tea, a kit-kat and a sprig of parsley in a milk jug. “I’ve got to go,” I say to Mia.

“Check it girl!” he grins. “Couldn't do this with a lobotomy right?” his smile starts to fade as he sets down he tray and look up to see my face. “Oh shit its bad news!” he says sitting down and taking my hands.

“Yes, its bad news…” I say quietly and hand over the i-pad.

He looks at the screen in horror, then starts to scroll down in shock. It’s clearly the first time he’s seen the photos too. “I can’t believe they did this!” he mutters quietly. “Just to make money …they’d do that.” He look up with tears in his eyes. “and now you hate me?”

I run from the room clutching my stomach, ready to retch.

Ⓒ SphinxWriter13 2017

Notes