“I used to be speculated to be receiving a supply to your sodding shock fiftieth party that Connie’s organising for you,” I blurt out, pushing him out of the way in which, “however you’ve ruined the entire flipping factor now, haven’t you.” There I’ve mentioned it. “Blissful bloody birthday, Daniel. Are you content now?”

And with this I race down the steps and wrench the entrance door open, he kilos down after me. A person in a inexperienced uniform is holding a field and smiling at me.

“Afternoon, supply for Connie Taylor.” I push previous him.

“Audrey wait,” Daniel cries.

“Supply for Miss Connie Taylor?” the driving force says to Daniel.

“Oh, get stuffed!” I hear him say, as he rushes behind me.“Audrey,” he shouts, however I’m already on the pavement hailing a black cab. “Why didn’t you say for Christ’s sake? Audrey.”

“Please,” I gasp on the driver, throwing a frightened look behind me. “Muswell Hill, and hurry.” The cabbie clocks Daniel operating in direction of us, unlocks the doorways shortly and I clamber into the again. We begin transferring, my mouth is dry, my coronary heart is thrashing in opposition to my chest. Daniel is on the window, drumming his knuckles in opposition to the glass.

“Audrey, wait. Please. We have to discuss!” He’s operating alongside the cab, the symptoms clang loudly, “I’m sorry,” he cries. He’s operating quicker, attempting to maintain up, his purple tie flapping over his shoulder. “AUDREY!”

27

The cab driver glances at me in his rear-view mirror as we strategy Fortis Inexperienced Highway. I really feel fully drained. What the hell simply occurred? How may Daniel communicate to me like that? Accuse me of being an obsessed freak? A thief? Our first row…so quickly. I knew he was too good to be true. I lean my head again in opposition to the headrest and it happens to me that in eight years Nick by no means as soon as raised his voice to me like that. In actual fact, I don’t suppose he was ever actually offended with me. I shut my eyes, taking a giant gulp of air.

“Whereabouts in Muswell Hill, love?” asks the driving force.

Proper now all I need is a big gin and tonic and a protracted soak within the tub. I look at my watch. It’s nearly five-thirty. I lean ahead.

“Truly, do you thoughts taking me to Nelson Highway in Crouch Finish as an alternative?”

“You’re the boss,” he says, smiling.

Nick’s new purple Volkswagen Passat Property is parked outdoors. The lounge window is barely ajar. He’s in. I ring the doorbell furiously. Inside seconds, he’s on the door.

“Audrey.” Nick appears shocked to see me. He pulls the door behind him, not fairly shut however sufficient to maintain out the chilly. I examine his face, the bruises are fading, his freshly reduce hair has taken years off him, and he appears good and relaxed in a long-sleeved white t-shirt and light blue denims. “Effectively, this can be a shock.” He scratches his 5 o’clock shadow. “I believed you mentioned you had been out tonight.”

“Change of plans.” I shuffle on the doorstep, feeling awkward. Oh, what the hell am I doing right here? I ought to by no means have come. What was I considering? “I’ve had an arse of a day,” the phrases slip out of my mouth hurriedly, “I may actually do with a drink and a pleasant ear…erm… can I are available?” The wind has blown the door half open. He stands in entrance of it, inflexible, blocking my view, then shoves his fingers into his pockets.

“Truly, it’s not an excellent time. Audrey,” he grimaces. Oh God, he’s acquired a girl in there. I’m wondering if it’s her. I wager they had been simply getting it on.

“Oh,” I stammer. A shot of jealousy comes out of nowhere and nearly knocks me out. “You’ve acquired firm. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have simply turned up like this.” Turning away, I hurry down the steps.

“No, wait,” he says urgently, “don’t go.” I flip and slowly stroll again up. He rubs the again of his neck, a positive signal that he’s anxious. “Are you okay? You look upset.” I inform him that I’m not likely, that I may do with a stiff drink and a chat. “Look, give me half-an- hour,” he whispers, glancing behind him, “we are able to meet up then. I can come spherical to your house when you like.”

“That might be good,” I smile. “However there’s actually no want, I don’t wish to spoil your plans.” And I don’t. He’s acquired each proper to begin courting once more. He’s, in spite of everything, a free agent now. Then simply as I flip to go away, I catch sight of a girl’s silhouette behind him. “Who’s that?”

“No-one, it’s…” He tries to tug the door shut behind him however in his haste, he loses his grip and the door flies open.

“Nick,” a well-recognized girl’s voice says, “who’s it?” She’s in full view now, standing earlier than me daring as brass, a depraved grin dancing on her lips. Nick swings round after which covers his face along with his fingers. A half-naked Connie stands earlier than me, a white mattress sheet wrapped round her physique like a Greek goddess. There’s a black enchantment coronary heart tattoo on her left shoulder that I haven’t seen earlier than, or not less than by no means observed. My abdomen tightens.

“You bastard,” I say coldly, “you promised me.”

Nick appears at Connie aghast. I activate my heel and hurry down the steps. “Audrey, wait. Come again, I can clarify. AUDREY!” However I’m already dashing down the road. I look again as his entrance door slams, and simply then I catch sight of Ronan climbing out of a black cab, in a single day case in hand. I’m wondering what he’s doing right here, discuss dangerous timing. I don’t need him to see me. I hurry down the road, tears of fury spilling from my eyes.

As I attain the underside of the street, I really feel sick. I cease operating and regular myself in opposition to a avenue lamppost, gasping for breath. A bitter gust blows in my face. It’s turned chilly however I’m too wound as much as really feel the chilly.

Timber are raging within the wind, hissing in my ears like chips frying in sizzling oil. It’s rush hour, commuters are heading dwelling, hurrying by, speaking into their cellphones. A gawky teenage boy shuffles previous, throwing me a confused look beneath his lengthy fringe. A mature woman in a enterprise swimsuit stops, asks if I’m okay. I can’t consider that is occurring to me – not multi functional frigging day.

I begin to calm as I attain The Broadway and see the bus cease within the distance, not lengthy now and I’ll be in my heat, secure dwelling, sipping a big gin and tonic within the tub. I wipe the chilly, moist tears off my face with my fingers. Connie and Nick, I can’t consider it, Daniel will likely be livid. Oh, my God, Daniel. My eyes swell with contemporary, sizzling tears. Speak about Jekyll and Hyde.

My thoughts begins racing as my heels click on in opposition to the pavement hurriedly. Daniel didn’t actually appear to thoughts me seeing the outdated images and childhood tokens. It’s the letters that infuriated him. What was in these envelopes? Why was he so anxious? What secrets and techniques is he hiding?

The W7 approaches as I stride as much as the bus cease. The doorways open, folks begin to shuffle on. I push my lengthy fringe off my face. I should go dwelling, get some relaxation, have a drink, a shower – give Tina or Louise a name, inform them what occurred.

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