Page 87 of Kiss Me Ever After
Lucas jumped up from the sofa and came over to give me the biggest hug. I sank gratefully into his support and rested my head on his shoulder.
“Thank you. For everything.”
I half ran out of the apartment and headed to the station. There was a train leaving in around half an hour which wouldn’t take too long, and if Amber could pick me up from the station, I’d be back in a little over three hours.
I only hoped I wouldn’t be too late.
* * *
The underground wasa nightmare and I just about got onto the train for home about thirty seconds before the doors locked. It was heaving and short a few carriages, so there weren’t any seats. Crammed in like a sardine, I wasn’t able to check my phone, so didn’t have any clue whether Amber had found Justin. An hour and a half passed before I could sit down, my mind running over a million possibilities. I felt sick thinking about what I might have to deal with when I got back.
Finally, I grabbed my phone from my bag like a lifeline.
Amber: Alex has found Justin. He’s not in a good way, but Alex is going to bring him home. Let me know when you want me to pick you up xx
Lennon: Oh, thank God. I should be there about half past if you can make it? xx
Relief flooded through my body and I almost wanted to whoop out loud. I shuffled in my seat, willing the train to go faster.
Lucas: Hope all is going okay. I’ll miss you. I had to eat ALL the Chinese food on my own :o( Tell me what happens with CompleteDiva, promise?
Lennon: Haha, remind me who’s the complete diva? xx
I could rely on Lucas to bring a smile to my face. I would miss him. He’d turned out to be a good friend.
Unknown: Sorry.
I frowned. It was the same number which had sent me the exact same word a few days ago. I didn’t recognise it. Once could be a random wrong text, twice seemed a strange coincidence.
Lennon: Who is this?
Not expecting any response, I went to tuck my phone back in my bag, but a reply flashed up almost immediately.
Unknown: Lennon? It’s Candace.
What the actual fuck?
What could Candace Barkley want with me after she took Justin?
Unknown (aka Candace): I want you to know I’m sorry.
There was a huge part of me which didn’t want to engage with her, but another part of me that wanted to know exactly what she was sorry for. After a short pause, I started typing.
Lennon: What for? You knew Justin would take responsibility as soon as he found out he was going to be a father.
Candace: Something I’m sure he will do when that happens.
Lennon: When that happens?
I stared at the screen, wondering if I’d understood her correctly. Had she lost the baby? Jumping dots told me she was composing a reply. What a horrible thing to happen. Even if she was a total witch, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Candace: The baby isn’t Justin’s. I told you it was because I wanted you out of the way.
I reread her message over and over.
If the baby wasn’t Justin’s, then…?
Everything that had happened over the past few weeks needn’t have.
