Free Transplanting Holly Oakwood by Di Jones Page A

honest I don’t care what anyone thinks. But I’ll never trust him again.”
    “That’s your answer then. You need to stay here and get through this. You’ll love LA once you settle in.”
    “You’re right, but I can’t stop thinking that if I don’t go back he’ll stay with Sonia.”
    “You need to stop thinking in that case.”
    She ignored him. “He won’t want to be without a shag, and he’s too lazy to go out and find someone else. I don’t want him to stay with her, I don’t want her to win.”
    “It’s not a competition, love, it’s your life.”
    “I know, and Tom’s no prize, but he is a bloody good bonk. God, I shouldn’t be talking like this to a stranger.”
    “Hardly a stranger. I’m your hairdresser and that’s a very intimate relationship,” he said, a suggestive twinkle in his eye. “Give yourself more time. Believe me, it does help put things into perspective.” He looked at his watch and stood up. “Gotta go.” With a jaunty wave he melded into the crowds and she sat at the table thoughtfully, considering his advice.
    She knew he was right, she needed to stay, give herself time and see if she could settle in LA.
    But as she walked back to the Shangri-La the crowds thinned and loneliness settled on her like a heavy cape. She unlocked the door of the immaculate apartment and the silence was more oppressive than the night before. She was glad Tom was miserable, glad he was missing her. Hopefully he was feeling as unhappy and isolated as she was.
    Decision made, she shut the door of the apartment, steeling herself for another lonely night.
     
     

ELEVEN

    Charlie
    “What am I gonna do, Charlie?” asked Tessa. “Neither option is good.”
    “Make me a cup of tea and we’ll put our thinking caps on.” Charlie pulled out a chair from the tiny table in the dining nook and watched as Tessa bustled around the kitchen. She depended on him for advice, but he hadn’t had his first cuppa yet, a requirement for clear thinking.
    “The boyfriend issue I can’t advise you on,” he said, as she dropped the tea bags into boiling water. Tessa was gorgeous and an absolute angel, but had terrible luck with boyfriends and attracted bastards. Her latest was a loser and she was much better off without him.
    She brought two steaming mugs of fragrant Earl Grey over and sat down. “I don’t have much luck, do I?” she asked, frowning. “I wish I knew where I went wrong.”
    “You don’t do anything wrong,” he said, “but LA’s full of easy women and men find it hard to concentrate.” He laughed self-consciously.
    “Aren’t you glad?” she teased. “Makes it easy for a serial dater like you.”
    Serial shagger more like, but he ignored her euphemism. He’d been close friends with his neighbour for the past two years, but lately he wasn’t comfortable discussing his women with her. She knew he got around, but he didn’t want her to know the full extent of his promiscuity. She might think less of him if she knew.
    “As it happens I can help on the room-mate front,” he said quickly, before she could question him on his latest conquests.
    “Great. I hate advertising for roomies. Tell me all.”
    “I met someone recently who’s new to LA. She’s staying in temporary digs and I’d say she’d be perfect for you.”
    “Sounds interesting. One of your women?”
    “No, a client from the salon. I ran into her the other day at Venice Beach, and she mentioned she needs to find a permanent place to stay.”
    She stirred her tea furiously. “What’s she like?”
    “Nice. Sweet in a naïve sort of way.”
    “Not your usual type then.”
    “No, but she does intrigue me. She’s from New Zealand of all places, but she’s been living in London for years, which means we have a lot in common.” It sounded unconvincing and he doubted if he’d fooled Tessa.
    “In other words, you do fancy her.” She grimaced. “I don’t think one of your women would be a good roomie for me. Could