Page 59 of Faking It (and falling in love)

“Not really,” said Roderick. “We’re heading back. Should we meet you at the office?”

“Yes, I’ll be there around the same time as you by the look of things.” Philippa ended the call and send Alex a text, trying to reassure her that they would make sure she didn’t lose Seren for good.

At last, Philippa was able to turn her car around and drive back down the motorway towards the previous junction. Shecould hardly bear to imagine what she would face back at the office.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Philippa finally left the motorway and began to head towards Birmingham city centre. Sienna’s name lit up on the dashboard.

“Sienna, what can you see?” said Philippa, dreading the response.

“I can see a woman with red hair and a child, filling suitcases in the living room. They look like they’re going somewhere,” said Sienna.

“What?” said Philippa. “They’re still there?”

“Looks like it. What do you want me to do?” asked Sienna.

Philippa took an abrupt left turn, to head directly to Kings Heath. “Call Roderick. I’ll call Alex. We’ll meet you at the house.”

“What if they try and leave?” said Sienna.

“Well, you can’t stop them technically, but perhaps you could try and stall them somehow? Use your creativity.” Philippa wanted to be of more help than this, but it was the best she could do.

She hung up and dialled Alex. “Alex, she’s still at the house, but it looks like they’re leaving for the airport soon.”

“So it’s not too late,” said Alex, her voice thick with tears.

“Not yet,” said Philippa, “but we need to get there quickly. Sienna’s there, but there’s a limit to how much she can do.”

Alex’s voice was grim. “Ok, I’ll go straight to the house.”

Philippa leaned forward, willing her car to go faster. She had to stop this somehow. Ten minutes later she pulled up outside Jess’s house, where she could see a red-faced Jess remonstrating with Sienna.

“So sorry,” Sienna was saying to Jess. “I thought it was the taxi I’d booked and then didn’t need, so I told the driver to go. I had no idea it was yours.”

“We need to catch a flight urgently,” said Jess. “That taxi was taking us to the airport!”

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Look, let me pay for your taxi, I’ll get an Uber for you on my account now,” said Sienna, her performance befitting RADA. She pulled out her phone and looked for the Uber app.

Philippa could see Alex and Roderick walking up the street from the opposite end. Before long, they had all reached the bottom of Jess’s front path. Philippa could see Seren in the living room through the window.

“Jess,” said Alex, “what are you doing? The school said you were taking Seren to France.”

“Yes, I told you I was taking Seren there,” she said, looking around. “Who are all these people?”

“Good afternoon,” said Roderick offering his hand. “My name is Roderick Kent, and I am here to inform you that you do not have legal permission to take your child out of the country without written consent from my client, Ms Fletcher.”

Philippa made eye contact with Alex, who looked shaky and pale. Philippa nodded, to reassure her things would be ok.

“That’s total nonsense,” said Jess, although her voice gave way to doubt. “I’m the primary carer, therefore I can do what I think is best for my child.”

Philippa walked over to Alex and stood beside her. She wanted to take her hand, but at the same time she didn’t want to make the situation any more complicated than it already was.

“Actually,” said Roderick, “my client has full parental rights and can legitimately stop you from doing this. Now, if you want to have a conversation about where your child is educated and how my client can have more access to her, I can help facilitate that.” He looked hard at Jess, whose eyes had gone wide. “But I would suggest you get yourself a solicitor pretty swiftly.”

Jess turned to Alex. “What the hell have you done?” she asked, raising her voice.

“Don’t shout at me,” said Alex. “Seren is watching all of this. I don’t want there to be a scene.”

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