Cousin Marnie - You've Been Fooling Me Baby

Rose was calmer than I thought she would be; she was incredulous and shocked but her words were quite positive, like she was glad I’d done something so reckless.

Sat in a rammed pub garden I told her about the real conversation Harry and I had had when we ran into each other on our night out (having originally told her he was boring me about the set Will had designed), and then some of what had happened in the hotel room.

“Well,” Rose threw back her wine and necked the whole thing in one go, “I didn’t think he had it in him. In fact, I didn’t think you had it in you for that matter.”

“Neither did I to be honest.”

“Was it good?”, Rose grinned, finally asking the question she’d been wanting to ask since I’d told her. “Did he rock your world?”

I hesitated. I’d tried to forget the details because of how ashamed I now felt for putting myself in a vulnerable position, but Harry Styles had indeed rocked my world. “Rose, it was amazing!”

My best friend let out a squeal and clapped her hands together. She was so excited that even I laughed before divulging all the details of Harry and his youthful stamina.

Eventually I decided what I needed to do to distract myself was throw a little party. Nothing too crazy, just a few friends, a BBQ and some cocktails. Will was easier to convince than I thought he would: we’d just had our large garden re-landscaped and I think he wanted to show it off.

The house had actually been owned by his hideously wealthy parents but they’d given it to Will as a wedding present; not to us, to Will. We’d modernised it from a stuffy townhouse to something very open plan with lots of wood, white walls and large windows. It was Will’s house but it was my baby.

We were lucky that the day was so hot that by the time people started to arrive the sun was low but the evening was still balmy. Will and I were getting on famously, even exchanging a kiss in the kitchen whilst getting extra ice for the drinks tub outside. I wondered if I needed to show an interest in his work more often or plan things with him; that could be the source of our problems, maybe I didn’t show enough interest in him.

By 9 the get together was in full swing, groups of people dotted about the garden drinking champagne and frozen margaritas whilst some danced to the cheesy 90’s pop playlist I’d put together. I went inside to fetch more tequila when I heard more people arriving; everyone we expected had arrived so I was at a loss who these new people were. There was a discussion if they could walk right in or should they wait, always a sign that these were invited guests. From my view point in the kitchen I could see across the open plan living room to the front door and it took me a few seconds to realise who had just walked into my home.

Curls, tattoos and skinny jeans with the rip at the knee. I stared aghast as he walked up the couple of steps into the living area chatting away to the people he’d arrived with. I recognised tour manager Paul and another member of the band, Liam, and that was it; but they weren’t of concern to me at that moment.

I hid for a moment to collect myself; what the fuck was I going to do? No word and then he turns up at my house. I had got him right the first time, a man whore ticking notches. I was angry all of a sudden, I wanted to smash the bottle of Jose Cuervo I held in my hand over his bloody head! How dare he come into my home! The anger propelled me out of the kitchen, a big smile on my face and a thirst for Harry Styles’ blood.

Will had beat me to greeting our new guests. Leading them all outside I even heard him say he was unsure where I’d gotten to but that I’d be over the moon they were here.

“Layla, you remember Harry don’t you?”, Will grabbed my arm gently as I tried to sneak past and vent to Rose, pulling me to talk to Harry.

I couldn’t speak. Inside my blood was boiling and I was picturing using the headscarf tangled in his hair to strangle him.

“Hello Layla, you have a lovely home.”

Harry’s eyes twinkled as he leant in and kissed my cheek, his lips lingering that little bit longer than appropriate. I squashed the instinct to recoil from his touch and instead leant closer to Will.

“Will never said he’d invited you”.

I was cold and hard, every fibre of my body wanted him out of my home and I hoped he knew it.

“I’m sorry dear, I forgot to mention”, Will said as he put an arm around me and kissed the side of my head, squeezing my shoulder hard to remind me I was talking to one of his clients.

Seeing only affection, the smile dropped from Harry’s face; I could see his jaw clench and I felt a small victory mixed with guilt.

“Well, it was nice to see you again Harry.” I forced a smile and left them both to it, wanting to get as far away as I could from my husband and Harry bloody Styles.

Notes