Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
EMMA
I couldn’t believe what had just happened. He’d stood so close to me, held my face that way and made me want him. The feel of his body so close to mine, the way he looked at me like I was his whole world; it did things to me. And when he’d leant forward, I turned my face because I didn’t want a peck on the cheek. After hearing the threat on my life was gone, I felt free. And I wanted to kiss him, properly kiss him. To taste him, get lost in him. It had been a chaste kiss, our lips only half meeting, but it was enough to send my brain spiralling and my heart racing.
Would he come back in here and claim more?
I wanted him to.
I lay awake in his luxurious spare bed, listening to him pacing back and forth on the wooden floorboards outside my room. I stared at the door, willing him to make a move and take a chance. I hadn’t been this excited about a guy in forever, and considering the rest of the shit going on in my life, that was something. He was something, because he had the power to override all of that and make me think about him. Only him. I wanted him. But I wasn’t sure he felt the same way. I wasn’t in the same league as him, class-wise. And he was a good guy; maybe I’d misread the signs. Maybe all he wanted to do was help me. He’d said himself that he did the same for S.K.A.M., giving him a leg up when he needed it.
Was I the same?
A pity case that he wanted to support?
I really fucking hoped not. I wasn’t a pity a case, and I wanted to be seen as more. But then, the way he looked at me and touched me wasn’t pity. I knew I wasn’t always the best at reading people, but I felt the spark. I saw the fire in his eyes. And he’d told me he wanted to get to know me. That he’d felt the spark too. I needed to stop overanalysing everything.
He stayed outside for quite a while, and it was only when I heard him retreating, and the sound of his own bedroom door closing, that I eventually closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
But as I slept, the dreams I hoped would come soon turned into nightmares of murder, blue boiler suits, and red words painted with blood promising death everywhere I looked. I woke with a start, sitting up in the bed, sweat slick on my body, and I prayed I hadn’t cried out loud in my sleep. I didn’t want anyone to know I’d had a nightmare. Especially Alex.
Instantly, I reached for the bedside lamp to switch it on. Light filled the room, and I lay back on the damp pillow, feeling relief that everything was okay. There was no one here. I was safe.
That night, I slept with the light on.
The next morning, I was woken by the sound of my phone ringing. I sat up, turning the lamp off before reaching for my bag and pulling my phone out. And there, on the screen, was Gracie’s name.
“Where the hell have you been?” I answered, cutting right to the chase.
“Em, I’m so sorry,” she gasped down the phone. “I meant to tell you I was away on a team building thing for a few nights. The wifi out there was non-existent. What can I say? I’m the worst friend ever.”
I wanted to tell her that yes, she was shitty for not telling me, but I couldn’t.
“You’re not the worst,” I replied. “Not the best right now, but you’ll probably climb back up there after this phone call.”
She gave a throaty laugh, and then said, “Congratulations, by the way. It was about time you told that fucking pig to stick his job where the sun doesn’t shine. And is everything okay? I got a few messages to say you weren’t feeling well. Shall I come over?”
“No,” I jumped in. I didn’t have the energy to explain what’d happened over the phone, but I didn’t want her turning up at my door to find out I wasn’t there. “I’m okay. I just had a few days of feeling sick, but it’s passed now. I’m fine. No need to come and check on me.”
“I feel dreadful for not being there. I wish my bloody phone had been working.”
“Don’t worry. It couldn’t be helped. You had no wifi,” I assured her.
“Any news on your artistic stalker?” she asked.
“It’s over. He won’t be bothering me again.”
“Really? What happened?”
“He just stopped.”
“What, just like that? How do you know he’s stopped?”
I had to think on my feet and come up with something that sounded plausible without telling her the truth.
“Because he left me a message to say it was over.” I lied.
I didn’t want to dissect it further, so I tried to distract her by asking, “Anyway, what’s happening with you?” Surprisingly, it worked.
“Mate, I had the strangest night, last night. I went on a date with this guy. He was so fucking hot, Em. He was wearing a suit, definitely designer, but he still had an edge, you know? I could see his tattoos underneath his collar and best of all, he had hand tattoos. You know I’m a sucker for those.”
“Aren’t we all,” I mused, thinking of Alex’s and sighing.
“Anyway, the date was going amazingly. He had crazy eye contact, asked me questions about myself and actually listened to what I said. He was interested. I was too. Em, I really thought this could go somewhere.”
“So what went wrong? Did his mum ring in the middle of dinner?”
“Worse,” she replied. “I got up to go to the bathroom. When I came out, some random waiter told me there was a fire drill and dragged me through the kitchens to the back of the restaurant, where no one else was, by the way. Then after moaning at him to let me back in, he finally did, and when I got to the table, he’d gone.”
“Gone?”
“Yes. Just disappeared. Left a pile of cash in the middle of the table with a note on top that said, ‘You’ve had a lucky escape. Thank me later.’ That was it. I mean, what the fuck, Em. What was that all about?”
“I have no idea, but maybe he was right. Maybe you did have a lucky escape. You don’t need to be dating a guy who can bail on you like that.”
I heard her heavy sigh.
“I suppose you’re right. I’m just so fed up with the dating pool resembling a cesspool these days. I wish we could find a couple of decent guys who don’t come with a whole heap of baggage.”
“I hear you,” I told her, even though a spark inside told me I might’ve found someone who was so far away from a cesspool, he was on another planet entirely. But I didn’t want to make her feel any worse than she already did.
We arranged to meet up for a coffee date soon, and I made her promise she wouldn’t go AWOL again. Then we hung up, and I stared at the door, wondering what today would bring. Feeling nervous and excited to see Alex again.
I showered and got myself ready, putting on a nice yellow sundress that made me feel good, even though it was freezing outside, and I left my room.
I walked down the corridor, my feet sinking into the plush carpet, then made my way down the staircase. Once at the bottom, I could hear male voices and I turned left, following the noise.
As I grew closer, I heard Alex say, “I won’t be coming to Italy on Thursday. I told Tobey last night.”
“But I thought you had an important business meeting?” a familiar voice asked, and Alex replied, “I’m attending by video call. They don’t need me there in person and I have too much on to leave the U.K. right now.”
I walked through the door into the dining room, where a full breakfast spread was laid out on the table, and Alex was sitting at the head of that table, with Ethan right next to him.
“Emma,” Alex said, standing up. “Did you sleep okay? Can I get you anything?”
I sat down on the other side of Alex, opposite Ethan, who currently had a look of shock on his face, and replied, “I slept really well. Thank you. Your bed is really comfy. And this,” I gestured to the table, “Looks amazing. I think you’ve got everything covered.”
Alex smiled and sat back down.
Ethan continued to stare at me with his mouth open.
“You remember Emma, don’t you?” Alex said to Ethan.
“I do.” He smiled then, and after giving Alex a knowing look, as if to say, ‘That was fast work’, he turned to me and said, “It’s lovely to see you again, Emma. I’m glad my friend is looking after you so well.”
I tried to find the words to respond. I didn’t know whether to say that I was only staying for a short while, or that I was grateful for Alex’s help. But my words didn’t seem to want to come. So I smiled, poured myself a cup of orange juice and sipped it to give myself time to think.
“Anyway, I won’t keep you,” Ethan suddenly announced, standing up to leave, but grabbing a croissant from the table as he did. “You’ll be missed in Italy, but keep me updated. I’ll be in touch. Nice to see you again, Emma.” He nodded his goodbyes to us then left
“You’re not going to Italy?” I asked, and Alex shrugged.
“I don’t need to be at the meeting in person. A video call is more time effective. And besides, there’s nothing else there for me. I’m needed here now.”
There wasn’t going to be a show. That’s what he meant.
S.K.A.M. wouldn’t be performing.
“I have to ask you something,” I said, fussing over my cutlery because I felt nervous about my next question.
“Go ahead. Ask me anything,” he replied, putting his elbows on the table, and steepling his hands together so he could rest his chin on them as he gave me a thoughtful look.
“Is it Tobey?” I asked, looking back at him with apprehension.
“Is what Tobey?”
I took a breath, and then added, “I heard you say to Ethan just now that you’d spoken to Tobey last night and told him you wouldn’t be going to Italy. Is that because Tobey is the artist? Is he S.K.A.M.?”
“God, no!” Alex bellowed, and from the surprised look on his face, I actually believed him. “Tobey can barely draw stick figures, let alone produce art.”
“But you saw Tobey yesterday, at the same time you told me you saw him ,” I ventured.
“I spoke to Tobey. I didn’t see him. I called him from the car to ask for his advice about employment law. He’s more knowledgeable about that kind of stuff than me. And we share the same lawyer, so...”
“Oh,” I replied, feeling a little defeated.
Why wouldn’t he tell me who it was?
“Was Tobey helpful?” I asked.
“Not really. But it was good to talk to someone else about it.”
“Did you tell him about the stalking? The messages and emails?”
“Of course not. That’s no one else’s business. I only asked him where we stood on the termination of your employment. But I was vague. He wouldn’t know it was about you.”
I nodded, picked up a pastry from the table and bit into it, but I wasn’t hungry, and my throat had gone dry.
“Why won’t you tell me, Alex?”
He didn’t need me to elaborate.
“Because I can’t. And besides, it doesn’t matter now. He’s gone. He’ll never bother you again.”
But it mattered to me. I wanted to know who it was that had such a hold over him.
Alex sighed and sat back in his chair.
“Let me take you out tonight. To dinner. Everything has been so tough lately; you deserve a bit of fun.”
“I’m not sure,” I answered, but part of me was sure. I did want to spend time with him. Despite everything that’d happened.
“I won’t take you to some lame restaurant that serves tiny portions that’re ridiculously overpriced, don’t worry. We’ll go somewhere more relaxed. It’ll be fun. Come on, Emma.” He leaned forward. “Live a little.”
“Fine,” I smiled, giving in way too easily. “I suppose I can go to dinner with you.”
He grinned back at me.
“I think I might surprise you.” He winked, and then he stood up, and as he walked past me, he brushed his finger across the top of my arm, and I swear I heard him sigh.
That tiny touch sent my pulse racing, and I turned to watch him leave the room. As I did, I noticed a selection of newspapers on the table beside me. I picked one up and saw the front-page story was the murder of Sirius Bell and an appeal for any witnesses to come forward.
‘The heartless murder of a proud man’ it said in the headlines.
They had no fucking idea who they were dealing with.