Chapter Two
I towel drymy hair as the kettle boils. It’s freezing cold inside the flat. I don’t keep the heating on for long, just half an hour in the evening and again in the morning to take the edge off. As it’s midday, the place is like an ice-box. Thank goodness for Primark and their fluffy pyjamas and socks. As soon as the kettle’s boiled I make myself a cup of tea and head into the living room. It’s not as if I have anywhere to go other than here. Nisha won’t be back from her shift until six and I’m pretty sure she will have a lot to say once she getsin.
I settle myself onto the sofa and drink my tea, trying to figure out why the hell Bryce had turned up at the café, and more importantly, how he’d found me. I’d never had a conversation with the Freed brothers about where I live. They knew about Mum and my shitty upbringing, but aside from that I was no more than a stranger really. I press my fingers against my eyes, squeezing out the images of Bryce calling after me. Part of me had wanted to run into his arms, but an even bigger part had been utterly terrified. I’d closed my heart to the brothers, just like I’d closed it off to everyone else. What is the point of loving someone? They only leave you in theend.
My mobile phone buzzing on the coffee table has me snapping out of these dark thoughts. I pick it up. Nisha isringing.
Sliding my finger to accept the call, I place the phone to myear.
“Louisa, what the actual fuck?” she says. In the background I can hear David cursing my name. Icringe.
“Sorry,Nish.”
“What happened? You sick or something?” I can hear her hand pressing over the microphone and Nisha shouting at David to give her aminute.
“David is pissed off. It’s busy. What were you thinking? It’s not as if you don’t need a job. I can’t believe you ran out because some customer was rude toyou.”
“Rude tome?”
“Yeah, the fit banker bloke with thebeard.”
“Oh no, he wasn’t rude…” my voice trails off at how lame that sounds. I know what she’s going to asknext.
“Then why’d you run off likethat?”
“I…”
“Look, it doesn’t matter,” Nisha sighs. “I think I’ve managed to persuade David to let you start over. Your mum has just died, you’re all over the place. He might be a dick, but he’s not a completedickhead.”
“Thanks, Nisha, but I don’t think I can work there anymore.” I mean, it’s unlikely Bryce will come back to seek me out again, given I’d run off for the second time, but I don’t want to take the chance. I can’t face him, any ofthem.
“Look, I know you’re still cut up over your mum. I get it, you know I do. But beggars can’t be choosers, Louisa. You need the money. If we don’t keep up with the rent payments, the council will be kicking us out of the flat and we’ll have nowhere togo.”
She has a point. It isn’t as if I have a ton of skills that will get me a job anywhere else right now. A night school qualification in administration isn’t going to get me much more than a junior post in an office at barely minimum wage. David is a prat, but at least working at the café is a steadyincome.
“I know, you’re right. I’ll call David tomorrow. Smooth thingsover.”
“Good. See you in a little while,” she says, before abruptly hangingup.
Setting the phone back on the table, I pick up my book and take a sip of tea. The house is a complete tip, but half an hour of reading won’t hurt. The washing hanging over the radiators, hoovering, and dirty dishes in the sink can wait for now. When Mum was alive I was pretty much maid, cleaner, cook and adult in charge. Now, I can give myself abreak.
Just as I’m getting to a particular juicy part of the story I hear a loud knock at thedoor.
“Bloody hell,” I groan. Apart from a couple of families on the estate that cause problems for the rest of us, most of my neighbours are good people and have lived here for years. I grew up with them. So it isn’t unusual for me to get knocks on my door most days, usually to borrow some sugar or milk, or even to have a chat. Mum used to send them away with a flea in their ear unless she wanted to ‘borrow’ some money from them. Since she’s been gone it’s been like Piccadilly Circus. Nisha thinks I shouldn’t answer the door, but I don’t mind really. If Lotta at number twenty-five wants to chat for half an hour and I’ve got the time, then where’s the harm? If the truth be known, I don’t feel so lonely when we havevisitors.
Another loud bang rattles the door in itsframe.
“Hold on a minute,” I yell, placing my book and mug of tea on the table. “I’mcoming.”
I rush to the front door at the insistentknock.
“Jeez, would you just give me a second,” I yell, yanking open thedoor.
Standing in front of me is a huge brute of a man. His bloodshot eyes roam over me lasciviously as a pink tongue snakes out of his mouth. I see a gold tooth catch the light. It matches the chains hanging about hisneck.
“You’re looking good these days, Lorna.” He barks out alaugh.
“Lorna doesn’t live here anymore,” I say, closing thedoor.