Free The First Touch (Templer Series) by Duka Dakarai Page B

through today without further humiliation and await her arrival. Mia is such a whirlwind that all the attention will be on her, and not me…of which I am often very grateful.
    Jenny informed me last night that Drew had her book me a Masseuse for this morning, and she/he is due to arrive by ten. I can’t remember the last time I had a decent massage and I’m really looking forward to it. But I can’t hide in this room until ten, so head down in search of some breakfast. Drew is sat in the kitchen, reading papers, and chewing on a croissant.
    “I’m really looking forward to my massage today, Drew. Thank you. It’s very kind of you” I decide that animating bright and breezy may help brush yesterday’s embarrassment under the proverbial carpet.
    “My pleasure, Miss Teague. Anytime. Did you sleep well? Jenny said it was better to leave you to rest.” He folds his paper down and crosses his arms in front of himself, leaning on the table. He is smiling and seems relaxed. Bright and breezy may have done the trick.
    “Wonderful. I didn’t stir until this morning” You are such a blatant liar….
    “And you have everything you need?”
    Apart from you in my bed…..” I have everything I need. You’re so kind, Drew. I really appreciate this, honestly”
    “Tilly, don’t be mad at me but I’ve booked a conference call with my solicitor on your behalf for midday. I just want you to hear him out about the injunction idea.”
    “Of course I’ll hear him out. And I’m not mad at you at all. After some thought, I realise that you are right. Actually, when I turned my phone back on yesterday, I had 14 missed calls from Simon and several abusive texts. And after threatening Mia, I want no more contact from him….in any form.”
    “Well, I’m glad you’re not mad at me. I genuinely just want to help. So apart from being a total loser….can I ask why you ended your engagement? If I’m honest, part of me is wondering why you were even with him in the first place?” Drew throws a shy smile my way.
    “I wonder now too. And yes, it’s ok to ask. For a long while, I thought I was totally heartbroken over him and when I inherited my grandmothers ’ cottage, it was the escape I needed. But on the plane yesterday after the incident , and again while I was alone in the guest room, I wondered whether I ever really did love him. I’m not sure I truly know what that is.”
    “But you’ve had other relationships? You’re a beautiful woman, Tilly, I mean Simon can’t have been your only relationship? I’m sorry, I’m assuming too much. You don’t have to answer that.”
    “I don’t mind. Honestly. And yes, I have had other relationships…well, two I suppose serious ones. Simon……and David. David was my university ‘love’ but looking back, I was never in love with him just the idea of him. He was a poet and I suppose I had girly visions of him writing me long winded love poems….but he didn’t. He dropped out of uni and is now a car mechanic, I believe.”
    “And Simon?” Drew is listening intently, seemingly genuinely interested.
    “Our paths crossed through work. He owns a catering firm and a couple of nightclubs. I used his firm for a couple of fundraising events. One day, I admired the shoes of one the ladies at one of my events…you know…. expensive designer brand that some of us ladies like to drool over and apparently, he overheard me. The next day, the exact same pair and in my size were delivered to my then office in London. The rest is history, I suppose, I was flattered. While I was thinking he was buying me such expensive gifts because he adored me, it turned out he was doing the same for two other women….and sleeping with them. I believe he put an engagement ring on my finger to control me. You see…Simon liked to tell me what to wear, and eventually who to talk to, and what to say…and I can’t believe I let it happen.” I let out a deep sigh, suddenly, feeling overwhelmed by the