Page 99 of Cut up
She doesn’t look surprised.
“I actually overheard Rhonda talking to you the other day,” she sayswith a small laugh. “I’ve been waiting for you to tell me. I even started looking for other jobs in case you turned it down.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “And of course I’ll work with you. I’d love to. Now spill—tell me everything.” Relief floods through me.
“It’s a beautiful spot on the Esplanade—coastal, earthy vibes. I just ordered all the furniture and equipment. Still deciding on a name, but once that’s locked in, we could be open in a couple of weeks.”
“Oh, Camille, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you. Let me know if you need help with anything, okay?” I nod, overcome with gratitude. We dig into our meals and toss around potential salon names between bites, laughing and dreaming out loud.
Then my phone buzzes in my pocket.
It’s Lucas.
I smile unashamedly. I can’t believe that I miss him already. It’s like he’s always stuck on my brain. I’m nevernotthinking of him. I can’t wait to go home and see him again.
I’m still smiling at my screen when an unknown number flashes across it. I hesitate, then answer.
“Hello, this is Camille.”
“Hi Camille, this is Poppy from Coevey Bay Memorial Hospital. Am I speaking to Camille Torres?”
“Yes… this is she.” My stomach tightens.
“I have you listed as an emergency contact for Sean Abrams. He was brought in last night.”
Sean? Why am I still listed as his emergency contact?
“What happened? Is he okay?” My voice sharpens. I don’t love him anymore—but I did once. That kind of care doesn’t disappear overnight.
“I’m sorry. He was found in the bathroom of a nightclub early this morning. He overdosed. He’s in a medically induced coma. We need you to come in as soon as possible.” I freeze. My mind races.
“I… I’ll be there right away.” I hang up and look to Sarah. Her face is full of concern.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“It’s Sean. My ex. He overdosed. They… they said he’s in a coma.” I can barely get the words out.
“Go,” she urges softly. “Call me later, okay?”
I nod, grabbing my bag with shaking hands and heading straight for my car. My body goes into auto pilot, like I’m not really present.
Halfway to the hospital, I remember—his mum. Sandra should be there, not me. I tap her name on my car’s Bluetooth and the phone rings.
“What do you want?” she snaps.
“It’s Sean. He’s in the hospital. You need to come,now.They called me because I’m still listed as his emergency contact, I’m just getting to the car park—”
“Fuck. Fuck. I’m coming!”
I hear Sean’s dad, Mark—complaining in the background, “whats that fuckin’ boy done now?”
She hangs up abruptly. Sandra’s always been civil, but if she doesn’t like you, she really doesn’t like you. His dad though, he’s even worse. I brace myself for what’s coming.
Inside the hospital, I walk to the front desk and go up to the young nurse with tawny skin who is working at the reception, her name tag reads “Poppy Phillips.”
She’s the woman who called me in.
“I’m here for Sean Abrams. I got a call.”
Poppy, doesn’t miss a beat. “Level 2. ICU. Room eight.” She points to the doors I have to go down.
