Chapter 23 #2
Luisa lifted the wine bottle. ‘You’re not staying? We’re in crisis here, Elena.’
‘I know, and I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t have to. Trust me. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’ She kissed Sofia’s cheek before making a hasty exit.
‘Is everything okay?’ Sofia called after her.
‘Everything’s fine!’ Elena shouted back, grabbing her jacket and hoping she wasn’t lying.
She couldn’t sit back and let Danny search for Connor alone.
She knew how much Connor meant to him, and how devastated he’d be if anything happened to him.
Plus, her sister’s happiness was on the line.
She’d be shattered if anything happened to Connor, so like it or not, she had to help Danny find him.
Sod being angry, family was more important.
She was almost out of the door when she saw Sofia’s handbag on the hall table, a bunch of keys hanging from the opening.
Without pausing for thought, she grabbed the keys and googled the address of the community centre as she ran from the house. If Connor loved the community centre as much as Sofia claimed, maybe that’s where he’d be hiding out.
Elena left the house and headed for the tube station, knowing her plan might prove to be fruitless.
But she had to do something. She didn’t know Connor well enough to know where he might hang out, or who his friends were, so she just had to hope Danny and Hugh would have those bases covered.
Part of her wondered if she should tell Danny she was joining in with the search, but the other part of her didn’t want to get his hopes up.
It was hard to stay focused and not allow her thoughts to drift to the worst case scenario as she boarded the train for White City.
If she was struggling to prevent negative thoughts, how must Danny be feeling?
When he’d told her about the night Connor had almost taken his life, the ache in his voice had been awful, and she’d fully understood the depth of his pain.
She’d experienced it enough times with Luisa, that sense of helplessness when someone you loved was suffering and there was nothing you could do about it.
The idea Danny might be in as much distress made her chest ache even more.
She really hoped Connor would be found safe and well. The alternative didn’t bear thinking about.
The White City area wasn’t somewhere she was familiar with, and she had to use her maps app to locate the community centre. It wasn’t the safest area to be wandering about late at night, but she often ran in the evenings, so she was used to staying alert and checking her surroundings.
There was a group of noisy kids messing around on bikes, and a couple of homeless people wrapped under tarpaulins. The traffic noise was heightened by the sound of police sirens in the distance and she prayed they weren’t responding to an incident involving Connor.
At first, she wondered if the community centre was shut as there didn’t appear to be any lights on, but as she approached, the door opened and a woman exited dressed in exercise gear. ‘The step class has just finished,’ she said, holding the door open.
‘That’s okay, I’m looking for Connor Jackson. Is he here?’
‘I saw him heading into the meeting room at the back of the hall earlier. No idea if he’s still around.’
Elena let out a breath. ‘Thanks. I’ll take a look.’
The woman said goodnight and let the door shut behind her.
The entrance lobby was chilly and led into a huge hall with a distinctive draft. It was an old building, with a musty smell and reverberating acoustics. Even in trainers, the sound of her footsteps echoed around her as she crossed the space.
‘Hello!’ she called out. ‘Anyone here? Connor?’
No reply.
With only the security lights to guide her, she headed to the back of the hall and up a few steps leading to a corridor. Light shone from an open doorway, so she went over and peered around the door, her heart thudding in anticipation of what she might discover.
Connor was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor staring at the far wall. There were no signs of any blood or injury, and his posture seemed relaxed and calm. The relief she felt was almost as consuming as the panic she’d felt at being the one to find him.
Worried about startling him, she quietly cleared her throat. ‘Hi, Connor. It’s Elena.’
Connor twisted to look at her, his eyes widening with surprise. ‘Elena?’
‘Okay to come in?’ She waited for his nod before heading over and sitting next to him. ‘Not who you were expecting, right?’
‘I wasn’t expecting anyone,’ he said, with a shrug. ‘How did you know I was here?’
‘Sofia mentioned how much this place meant to you. I thought it was worth a shot.’
He flinched at the mention of Sofia’s name, his eyes drifting away.
‘You do realise your brother’s out looking for you? He’s beside himself with worry.’
‘I needed some space. He doesn’t need to worry about me.’
‘Except you don’t have your phone with you.’
He seemed surprised by this. ‘I don’t?’ His confusion switched to remorse as he patted his pockets and realised she was right. ‘Shit.’
Elena rested her hand on his arm. ‘Look at it from his perspective, you disappeared without a word and left your keys and phone behind. It’s no wonder he’s worried. I imagine this is a bit of a trigger for him.’
Connor turned to her. ‘He told you about that night?’
Elena nodded. ‘But in the strictest confidence.’
Connor closed his eyes. ‘He should know I’m past that.’
‘Logically, he knows that. Emotionally, he’s still recovering. You can’t blame him for being worried.’
Connor rubbed his forehead. ‘Can you message him for me? Tell him I’m okay. I don’t want him worrying, I just needed to be on my own. I hated arguing with him.’
Elena messaged Danny.
Connor’s okay. He’s at the community centre. I’m with him. He’s fine. He just needed some space. I’ll make sure he gets home okay. You can stop panicking.
Danny’s reply was immediate.
Can I come and get him?
Elena replied.
Better if you don’t, give him time to calm down. I’ll look after him, I promise.
Danny’s reply was short and to the point.
Thanks.
Elena pocketed her phone to concentrate on Connor, who was staring at a large painted mural on the wall. It took a moment for her to recognise the style and quirky characteristics. The sight of a tap-dancing fairy sealed the deal. ‘Did Luisa paint that?’
Connor nodded. ‘Clever, isn’t she? It’s like she really gets it. The conflict of light and dark, both fighting for dominance. It’s brutal, and yet hopeful, like she’s captured the inside of my head.’
Elena stared at the mural, seeing all the elements of Luisa added into the design, the cartoon cherubs playing harps, the giant tree filled with lush green leaves masking the dying branches beneath.
Connor was right, this was the good and bad of life captured in art form.
Her sister was very clever indeed. ‘I’d never thought about it like that before, but I think you’re right.
Luisa’s a naturally happy and positive person dealing with a dark cloud constantly looming over her. It’s a lot for someone to deal with.’
‘I admire her. She makes me laugh.’
Elena smiled, a tightness forming in her throat. ‘She makes me laugh too.’
He was silent for a while. ‘I like Sofia too.’
Elena gave him a gentle nudge. ‘You don’t have to sound so morose about it. Newsflash, Connor, she likes you too.’
His chin dropped. ‘I don’t deserve her.’
Elena mulled over the best way to tackle the situation.
Sofia liked Connor, he liked her too, why was it so hard for them to admit this and be together?
She could ask herself the same question.
She knew better than most how exterior factors could derail a blossoming romance. Intervention was needed.
She got to her feet. ‘If we’re going to have this conversation, then I need to move. This floor is flipping uncomfortable and it’s filthy. The stains might never come out of my physio tunic.’ She held her hand out. ‘Come on, up you get.’
He gazed up at her, confused. ‘Where are we going?’
‘I’m taking you home. We can chat on the way. I have no idea where you live, so you’ll need to lead the way.’ She waited until he was off the floor before heading for the door. She was determined one of the Romero sisters would get a happy ending.
Connor remained rooted to the spot. ‘I don’t want to go home yet.’
She turned to him, hands on hips, making it clear this wasn’t a negotiation. ‘Connor, your brother’s worried sick. He knows you’re safe, but he won’t be okay until he sees you in the flesh. I know you’re angry with him, but surely you don’t want him to suffer unnecessarily?’
He shook his head. ‘Of course not.’
‘Then do the adult thing and come home. We can chat on the way, and by the time you get home we’ll have sorted things out, found a cure for cancer, and resolved world peace.’
He joined her by the door. ‘That’s a bit optimistic.’
‘I like to think big.’ She flicked off the wall light and followed him down the corridor leading to the main hall. ‘So, you had a fight with Danny. I’m guessing it was about the ET hearing?’
Connor kept walking. ‘Yep.’
She waited until they were outside and handed him Sofia’s keys so he could lock up. It gave her time to formulate her thoughts. ‘We had the same fight. Well, kind of. I called him a few names.’
Connor checked the door was secure. ‘I’m sure he deserved it.’
‘Maybe. We also fought about you.’
Connor turned to look at her. ‘Me?’
She slid her arm through his and nudged him to start walking.
‘He was livid when he found out someone had told Sofia about your past. He thought that someone was me and he wasn’t happy about it.
Actually, amend that statement, he was furious.
He accused me of betraying him, and you. He’s incredibly protective of you.’
Connor was frowning. ‘Why did he think it was you?’