Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

There was a whole cavalcade of people who came to see them both off. Bex felt slightly overwhelmed by it all. Even despite the fact that Bex and Faith had spent most of their time together, the people they'd come into contact with had all come out to say their goodbyes.

Mandi, Amelia and Tay stood with a woman in chef's whites who Bex assumed was Chef Guilia. Tay had another picnic hamper for them—"To stop off on the drive home," they said—and Chef Guilia handed over a small coolbox that Bex could plug into her car.

"Some ice cream," she said. "Rainbow colored."

Faith flushed at that as Tay waggled their eyebrows behind Chef Guilia's back.

The older woman didn't even turn around. "Tay, stop that."

"Yes, Chef," said Tay cheerfully, and then they added, "I only told her that Bex calls you rainbow girl, promise."

From Faith's sigh of relief, Bex had guessed that she'd told Tay and Mandi all about their art scene. She didn't mind. She wanted the whole world to know what beautiful art her rainbow girl made.

Luna and Drake had come over as well, and even Derek Hawkins came out of his office to say goodbye. When Luna hugged Bex, she whispered in her ear. "Remember what I said, Tops deserve to feel looked after too. You deserve this happiness."

Bex was too overcome to do anything but squeeze Luna tight, and smile at her when she let go.

Derek strode over and shook hands with them both. "You've had a good stay?"

They both nodded.

"It's been excellent," said Faith. "Truly. And we'll be back to visit, won't we, Bex?"

All heads swung in her direction, and Bex fought the urge to take a step back. "Yes," she said. "For a week, next time. And perhaps, if we're allowed, during some of the holidays—I imagine parties here are an absolute hoot."

"They are," said Mandi. She and Amelia stepped forward to hug Faith.

Her rainbow girl looked close to tears. "Thank you," she said. "For everything. I can't believe how much meeting the two of you has changed my life."

"You've changed your own life," said Amelia. "You were the one who was brave enough to come, all on your own. Look at what that small step has produced." The tall woman hugged Faith. "Come back and visit us any time, and maybe we'll come visit you in the city too."

"Please do," said Faith. "We'd love that."

She slipped her hand into Bex's and Bex couldn't have felt prouder. "Yes," she agreed. "You all should come visit us, any time you like."

They got into Bex's car, and strapped in, set off for Billings.

"It's a four hour drive," warned Bex.

Faith looked nonplussed. "I know, not far at all."

That made Bex laugh. "I forget how you Americans are about travel sometimes," she said. "A four-hour drive in the UK is considered a fairly lengthy thing. It's actually illegal to drive for more than six hours without having a break."

"Well," said Faith. "I don't think we consider anything really long unless its five hours or more. Some people drive twelve hours before taking a break which seems like a doozy to me." She paused. "Are you going to be okay driving for four hours? Although I guess it would be longer if we take a break for our picnic."

"Oh, I'll be fine," said Bex. "Just checking on you." She looked over at her rainbow girl as they waited for the iron gates at the end of the driveway to open. "How about we drive straight home, and then have the picnic at mine? Or at yours, if you prefer."

Faith's smile back was sunny. "How are you so good at coming up with these ideas? That sounds lovely. If we go to yours, it means you can park and then just crash once we're done with the picnic. Why don't we do that?"

She was so sweet and thoughtful. "Fine, but I'm paying for your cab home after, if you don't stay." Bex fixed her gaze on the road and tried to ignore the cheeky grin that spread across Faith's face.

"You'd like me to stay?"

"You know I would, rainbow girl, but I also understand if you're all peopled out after this weekend, and just want to sleep in your own bed."

"I mean, sure I'm peopled out," said Faith, "but you don't count as people."

Well, wasn't that the most adorable thing for her to say. Made Bex feel all soft and warm. "I don't think I've ever been more glad not to count as people," she said.

"Good," said Faith. "Because it's the biggest compliment I can give someone. Now, you said something about bad singing?"

Bex got Faith to open Spotify on her own phone, and search for Bex's favorite driving playlists. They plumped for one filled with 80s rock music, and Bex was delighted to note that Faith knew the words to every single one. She also had a significantly better singing voice than Bex, and it would probably have been more tuneful if Bex had quietened down and let her lead the singing.

Bex was not that kind of singer. She was passionate, she was loud and she was out of tune.

Faith didn't care though. Bex had accepted her, just as she was, and she was determined to do the same—and if that meant enthusiastically embracing singing at the top of her voice, so be it. The two of them sung their hearts out all the way to Billings.