CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
We were on the road again, heading away from Edinburgh. But this time, there was to be no stop-over in Newcastle. We were going straight home.
‘We’ll make Rori’s dinner. I’m sure we will,’ I told a shell-shocked Billy.
‘Er, the satnav says it’s at least a seven-hour drive?’
‘So? I need to get there before everyone leaves, and we will. Trust me.’ I gripped the steering wheel and hit the accelerator. ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Even with a stop for petrol, we’ll be there by eight at the latest.’
‘There might be hold-ups,’ warned Billy. ‘You know what the A1 is like.’
I glared at him. ‘Billy, there will be no hold-ups. There can’t be. I need to confront her tonight!’ I felt sick, which was hardly surprising since my entire world had just been turned on its head once more in the most gut-wrenchingly emotional way imaginable...
‘It’s been a real shock,’ said Billy. ‘But don’t you think we should go somewhere and talk about it?’
‘We can talk about it now.’
‘Not while you’re driving! Blossom, for goodness’ sake. I’m worried about you.’
Well, don’t be. I’m perfectly fine,’ I snapped. ‘And please don’t think you have to ignore Jenna’s texts out of concern for me. Call her if you want to get back with her. Go on. Just call her.’
‘I’ll call her later,’ he said softly, putting his phone in his pocket.
I gave a bitter snort. So on top of everything else that had happened today, Billy was actually thinking of getting back with Jenna. Maybe he’d already made up his mind. He was an idiot but it was his life! And I had other stuff to think about...
The shock of Zo?’s words was still reverberating through me, driving me forwards on this desperate mission.
To let them know that I’d never, ever forgive them for what they’d done and the lies they’d told me...
*****
We stopped once but were quickly on our way again, even though Billy tried to get me to at least drink a cup of coffee. He wanted to take the wheel for a while but he wasn’t insured, and anyway, I knew it wouldn’t work. I’d get impatient with him if he didn’t drive fast enough.
It was getting dark by the time we arrived back at Rori’s flat. I parked alongside Saul’s car and switched off the engine, and we sat in silence for a moment as I took some deep breaths and tried to compose myself before I went inside.
‘Is this really the time and place to challenge them?’ said Billy at last. ‘Wouldn’t you be better waiting till the morning?’
I was aching with tiredness and I had a blinding headache from concentrating on the road ahead for so long, so I considered Billy’s suggestion. For all of three seconds.
‘I can’t wait,’ I told him firmly, scrambling out of the car. ‘I’d never sleep. I’m going in. Can I crash at yours tonight?’
He nodded.
‘Will you wait here for me?’
‘Of course.’ He gave a helpless shrug, knowing it was pointless arguing.
I ran up to the flat and went in.
Rori came out into the hall. ‘Blossom! You must have driven like the wind to get here. How was Edinburgh?’ A second later she saw my face. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Where is she?’ I demanded. ‘I need to see her.’
‘Ada? She’s in the kitchen. We’re still eating.’
‘Right.’ Burning with a need for confrontation, I charged down the hallway and burst into the room. Ada’s eyes opened wide when she saw me, red-faced, all guns blazing.
But I turned away from her, focusing instead on Skye.
She was laughing at something Saul had said, but when she saw the expression on my face, she froze. I watched as she seemed to shrink into herself, as if she already knew what I was about to say... as if she’d been expecting for years that this dreadful moment would eventually arrive.
‘Blossom?’ Her voice sounded choked. Abruptly, she stood up and reached out her hand to me.
But I hardened my heart and kept my chin up. ‘A family get-together. How nice.’ I was struggling to keep the bitter tears at bay. ‘I’m afraid I won’t be joining you. It’s been a long journey and I’m going to stay at Billy’s tonight.’
I fixed Skye with a glare. ‘I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, mother!’