“Look,” I said. “I appreciate it, but I am not having a pity party.”
“Is that what you think this is?” Sean said incredulously.
“Isn’t it? Look, Sean, I don’t–”
“Just hang on a second …” he interrupted.
“End of discussion,” I said. “Sean, I’m not—”
“LET ME FINISH!” He raised his voice.
“NO!”
“AMY …”
“FOR FUCK’S SAKE, SEAN, STOP TRYING TO RESCUE ME.” I screamed.
Chapter Nine
This time, I did render him speechless.
I could feel the anger as it pulsed through him, and radiated outward from his eyes as they burned into mine. All of a sudden I felt really small, so I broke from his gaze.
“Amy?” His voice was lower, gentle.
“Please, Sean, I don’t need your help.”
“I’m not trying to be the knight in shining armour, here.”
I scoffed, still refusing to look at him.
“I’m not asking for repayment, Amy, because your dad has been good to me over the years. Hell, I practically spent my early twenties in this place. I’ll fix it, it will be done and no one has to know.”
“I’ll know.”
Sean sighed heavily. “Bloody proud, pig-headed Henderson, just like your old man.”
“Well, I would sooner be that than a self-centred egomaniac who thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”
Sean laughed. “I saved you from breaking your neck yesterday, I’m offering to fix your balcony today for free and I’m self-centred?”
“Well, chuck in MacLean’s Beach and you have your heroic trifecta.” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. The last thing I wanted to ever remember was that night. The one where Sean had pulled me limp and lifeless out of the water. It had been a constant source of embarrassment for me. Everyone knew about it and, what was worse, it was exactly the reason I had been sent away. It wasn’t that I was angry at Sean; it wasn’t his fault. I mean, he saved my life, but I didn’t want him to be my constant saviour. I needed to save myself sometimes.
If anything, Dad owed Sean big time, he had said so himself, and apart from the odd free beer, I’m pretty sure Dad had never been in any position to pay him back. So the last thing I needed was for a debt of gratitude to pile up against Sean any more than it already had; it wasn’t fair and I wouldn’t do it. He had done enough.
Sean had stilled, the memory of MacLean’s Beach that night dawning on him.
“Christ! That was the last time I saw you? All those years ago?”
I had done it now, me and my big mouth.
“Yeah, well, that was ages ago.” I could feel my cheeks burning.
Sean shook his head at the memory. “You scared the hell out of me that night.”
This was exactly what I didn’t want – a trip down memory lane.
“That’s settled then, so you will just take it down, right? The scaffolding?”
Sean snapped out of his thoughts, his confused eyes staring my way, a small, wicked smile forming on his face.
“I don’t know, I guess I’m speaking to the wrong person. I mean, it’s your dad who owns the place. I guess I should really be asking him.” He reached into his pocket for his mobile.
Son of a bitch!
“So this is how it’s going to be?” I bit out.
“Lose some of that pride, Amy.” Sean’s thumb hovered over the call button. “Accept a helping hand once in a while.”
My frown deepened.
Sean sighed. “It’s not charity. If you want, I can offer you mate’s rates and you can have your precious little bill. You can pay it back whenever you want and your dad doesn’t have to know. How’s that sound? Deal?”
I thought about it for a moment. I had no idea how I planned to pay it back, but I would. I so would. I squared my shoulders.
“Deal!”
Sean pocketed his mobile with a smile. “Right! Best get back to it then.”
Before I could offer up a forked-tongued retaliation, Sean peeled himself from the alcove and walked out of the door.
***
Being up at this hour when I didn’t have to be was unthinkable, but then again so was pulling out a long line of mouldy hair from the shower drainpipe. I gagged as I placed the vile tendril in the bin and washed my hands with blistering hot water. I cleared the condensation from the mirror and stared at my reflection. My hair was now dampened from the shower, my face was fresh and make-up free. I stuck out my tongue to judge its colour, not that I exactly knew what I was looking for even if I was sick. And I was ill. I was completely revolted by this place, at least.