Her voice was getting louder and louder, and it was making Michael’s ears hurt. He wondered how someone managed to speak so loudly and not notice that she was giving people tinnitus. And he didn’t want to hear it anymore.
He looked back at Paula and took her hand, giving her a nod. Then he pressed his key fob and the car unlocked. Stepping aside, he moved towards Marley and Tilly so they had to shuffle back. As he did so, Paula left the house and hurried to the car. Tilly saw her first, and let out a screech.
“Paula! Where do you think you’re going?” She lunged after her, only for Michael to dodge in the way. “Get out of my way, you nosy bastard! She needs to talk to us!”
“She’s made it clear she doesn’t want to talk to you, and if you don’t want to listen, she’s not going to talk.” Michael made sure that Paula was in the car before he locked it again, moving towards the house. “Just fuck off out of here. You don’t have any leg to stand on after your antics. If you want to redeem yourself at any point, apologise to Paula for how you treated her, and then promise you’re not going to set her up with her stalker again.”
“Sam didn’t stalk her! We just said that!” Marley snapped. She stormed towards the car, slapping on the window. “Get out of there, Paula! Stop being a coward and talk to us!”
Michael shut the front door and locked it, not looking away from Tilly as he put the key in his pocket. She could try and take the key if she wanted, but he wasn’t about to give it away. Then he walked towards the car, seeing Marley trying to tug the door open.
“I’d advise you not to do that, Marley. Step away from my car, or I’m going to call the police.”
Marley snorted.
“The police aren’t going to come out for something like this.”
“Would you like me to call and find out? Because, trust me, Paula is going to be telling them why she’s having to leave her home because of your harassment.”
“Harassment? Me?”
“What would you call it? How would you call what you’re doing now?”
Marley pointed at the car, Michael seeing Paula shrink away.
“That bitch ruined my wedding! I had everything set up! Everything was planned, and then her and her brother had to ruin it with her tantrum!”
“You call panicking about being around your stalker a tantrum?”
“Sam is not a stalker!” Tilly was practically shouting in his face. “If you believe that bitch, you’re as stupid as she is.”
Michael looked her up and down.
“Given how sweet and loving I know Paula is, I really wonder how she ended up with inconsiderate and obnoxious friends like you two.”
Tilly looked like she was going to take a swing at him. Marley scowled.
“At least we know the right thing to do. And we don’t make a big fuss over something so small.”
“You call what you’re doing right now not a fuss?”
“We just wanted the best for Paula, and there was a guy who was interested in her. We wanted Paula to stop being so shy and take the plunge.”
“And the fact she said no to you plenty of times didn’t get into your head?” Michael asked.
“Sam and Paula are a great couple. Paula will see that once she stops throwing a hissy fit.”
Michael went around to his side of the car, keeping the two women in sight.
“If you think this is a hissy fit, you are really terrible friends. She deserves better than you. Now, if you touch my car again while I’m getting in, I’m going to be calling the police and saying I have two women threatening violence.”
Tilly’s mouth dropped open.
“When have we threatened violence?”
“I’m not taking any chances with Paula’s safety. Don’t even think about touching the car door.” Michael unlocked the door and got in as quickly as he could, locking up again. “You okay?”
“Just about,” Paula murmured.