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Eleven minutes

She felt her gran come up beside her

“They’re going to be fine,” Patricia said

Julia didn’t say anything Her gran didn’t look like she wanted honesty, and anything she deemed acceptable would be a lie

“I was trying to think of some family story I could tell you,” Patricia said “One to help you deal with your past and your feelings for Joe—before you sabotage your future, that is Although breaking up with hi in the bath has probably already done the job”

Julia squeezed her eyes shut She was already aware that Ryan had blabbed about her conversation with Joe to everyone else in their suite There was no end to Julia’s hu

“In the end, I couldn’t think of one,” her gran said “I’ive you thebehind the story I would have told Saves time, anyway”

There was silence Julia knew she was supposed to ask what it was There was no way that was happening She could out-stubborn her gran in a battle of wills, so she kept silent

“Fine” Patricia rolled her eyes “Here’s the ht of one—get over yourself”

“Gran!”

“Don’t you Granyou blow hot and cold with that man for the past few days It’s obvious you’re crazy about hi yourself out of it It’s pathetic, and I’hter was a coward, but now I’ to wonder”

Julia felt the words like a punch to her storan et rid of family when they upset you She knew—she’d tried in the past

“Please, Gran, next tiive me a pep talk, don’t”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake That boy loves you We didn’t need Ryan’s gossip to figure that out You can see it in everything he does He just wants a chance to show you”

“And what happens when he starts to get irritated by the fact I’m shy and introverted and have ran “I’ll tell you what He leaves me in the dust You’ve seen it happen It happens all the ti he’s the one who’s going to accepthe’ll be the one who’s going to fix me Then when he realises he can’t That I’m unfixable He runs”