ASHLEY'S P.O.V
"I'm sorry that happened"
"Paula you have nothing to be sorry for"
I force a smile.
"Do you feel okay?"
I feel fine.
"Yer"
"You don't feel light headed or dizzy?"
"No I'm okay"
She's dabbing something on my eye.
"That stings"
She's laughing.
"Sorry Ashley I'm a horrible doctor, I'm meant to pre warn people that it stings, but I always forget"
Now I'm laughing as well.
"Paula I want to explain..."
"You don't owe me an explanation Ashley"
I do.
"I love your daughter and there's nothing I can say that will make what I did acceptable, but I don't regret it"
My eye's burning.
"I've had a complicated childhood and I'm not using that as an excuse, but when I left LA a couple of months ago, I was selfish and I honestly didn't care about anyone but myself"
I can't believe I'm telling her this.
"But then Spencer walked into the hostel we were staying at and everything changed"
Her face is blank.
"Paula I pursued her for all the wrong reasons, but I don't regret it because we've been living in the same city, only fifteen minutes away and we've never met"
I'm not sure how I'm doing.
"You have an incredible daughter Paula and I feel really horrible that I'm the reason this is all happening, but I love her and I wouldn't be sitting in this house if I hadn't of gone after her like I did"
She's being very quiet.
"Look I don't want to be the reason her birthday gets ruined, so maybe it's best I just leave..."
"Ashley you're staying"
She's smiling.
"You really love her don't you?"
"I can honestly say that I've never felt this strongly about anyone else before"
I'm crazy about her.
"I love your daughter Paula"
I love her more that I've ever loved anyone.
"I can see why she likes you so much"
She can?
"Ashley you didn't have to stay today and it would have been a lot easier for you if you'd left, but you stayed... I like that"
Okay.
"Ashley we've all done things we aren't proud of, but every action has a consequence and you being here shows how much you care"
I force a smile.
"So stay, but no alcohol, you have a head wound"
That sucks.
"Hey..."
I haven't actually met her before, but I'm pretty sure it's Matt's mum.
"Are you okay?"
This is so awkward.
"Yer"
I need to get out of this bathroom.
"I'm going to go"
When I get to the door, Spencer appears.
"Are you okay?"
"Yer Spence it's just a cut"
She's just noticed his mum.
"Hi Deb"
"Happy Birthday Spencer"
They're hugging.
"Thanks"
This is an incredibly uncomfortable situation.
"I never meant to hurt him Deb and he has every right to be mad"
I shouldn't be here for this conversation.
"But I'm not going to just put up with him attacking her..."
"Spencer?"
This isn't going to end well.
"Mum I told you I didn't want to come to this fucking BBQ"
She's pissed.
"This is the second time she's ended up with a busted eye and I'm sick of it"
"This has nothing to do with Deb.."
"I know and I'm sorry Deb, but we're leaving"
"No we're not"
When I say that she looks over at me.
"Spence I'm hungry and your dad's grilling his world famous sausages"
Everything he makes is world famous.
"Thanks for fixing my eye Paula"
I'm so dead.
Spencer looks pissed.
"I'm sorry you guys had to see that"
Everyone's staring at me.
"No more drama today... I promise"
I shouldn't have promised that.
Matt's not going to just drop it.
"Let's go Spence"
She's walking away.
"Spencer?"
"What mum?"
She's really pissed.
"No alcohol for Ashley"
This sucks.
"She has a head wound"
When she walk into her room, I follow her.
"Ashley what was that?"
"You're annoyed?"
"Not at you"
She looks pretty annoyed at me.
"Matt's an ass Spence, don't let him get to you"
"You have a busted eye..."
"It's okay I have another one"
She's laughing.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yer"
I quickly lean forward and press my lips over hers.
"Happy Birthday"
When I say that she shoves me away.
"You're laughing, but this stupid BBQ's only just getting started"
Oh god.