Tolerance (Heart of Stone) by D H Sidebottom Page A

anything anymore. He seemed
determined to thoroughly break me and the fact that he hadn’t informed me
before it was splattered all over my TV screen angered me.
    My phone rang again “Shut the hell up” I picked it up and
it followed the plate, crunching against the remaining glass and immediately
silencing. I held my arms against my belly “Well we really are on our own now
peanuts” I frowned as I heard my front door unlock and the next second Courtney
rushed through the room door closely followed by Greg. She took one look at the
TV and then one look at me with sad eyes and I knew she had seen the TV
announcement too.
    “Oh Babe” she lifted my head, sat down and placed my head
back down on to her lap as she stroked my hair tenderly and cried with me whist
Greg sat silently in the chair opposite, never moving his sorrowful eyes from
my desolate ones.

CHAPTER 9

 
    The rest of the week passed in a blur and Saturday night
I was squeezing myself into a pale green maternity cocktail dress. It had a
fitted lace bodice with a corset style lace up back, a low sweetheart neckline
and had a long, silk sweeping skirt down to my ankles that gently hugged my
bulge. I had fallen in love with it immediately. I had been quite shocked to
discover the large selection of beautiful dresses, expecting a few but was
happily greeted by at least twenty.
    I had swept my hair up and worn only a light dusting of
make-up, covering my grazed cheek with bronzer and was ready to go as Kade
knocked.

 
    “Wow Ava. You look stunning” he breathed and his eyes lit
up as he kissed me gently on the cheek. I grinned quite hungrily at him. He
wore a simple black tuxedo with a small bowtie and a crisp white shirt, he
looked absolutely yummy. I straightened his tie for him and kissed his cheek in
return “Are you okay Ava? You know…after the…news?” he asked cautiously and I
placed a finger against his lips, silencing him “Not tonight. Tonight is about
us Kade. Me and you” I told him and he nodded but his eyes were full of
concern. “Ready Miss Stone?” he asked cheekily as he held his arm out and I
placed mine in the crook of his elbow “I’m all yours Sir” I grinned back and he
sighed and closed his eyes “God, I hope so” he breathed as he escorted me to a
chauffeur driven Bentley.
    He held my door open and tried to hide his laughter as I
struggled to climb in. I narrowed my eyes on his and scowled and he sucked in
his lips. He climbed in the other side and grasped my hand as soon as he was
sat.

 
    We chatted as we drove there and I was horrified to learn
the party was at one of the most exclusive Stately homes in London “Oh my god
Kade. I’m so out of my depth here” I whispered as he escorted me up the sweeping
steps into the mansion/castle, I couldn’t quite distinguish between the two. He
frowned at me “What do you mean by that?” he looked quite angry at my statement
“Kade, I lived on the street for three years, I swear like a sailor and I can
knock out a 250lb bloke. Do you really think I fit in here?” I asked and he
laughed “Well the way you put it no, but you are a very beautiful, high
spirited and bright young woman Ava so yes, I’d say you fit in here better than
most of the tarts you will have the displeasure of meeting tonight” he said
seriously and my eyes widened at his description but I couldn’t hold back the
beam “You really see me like that?” I asked shyly and he scoffed “Damn right
and so much more Ava” he said tenderly and I squeezed his arm “Why, Thank you
Sir” I tipped my head in mock acknowledgement “It’s only cause I wanna get laid
tonight Ava” he said so earnestly that I thought he was serious until I saw the
wicked twinkle in his eye. I laughed loudly as we entered the great ballroom
and he beamed at me and winked “I’m not fucking joking Sweetheart” he gave me a
slow grin and the need in his eyes halted my breath and I exhaled and he swept
his arm around my