Page 105 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
Jess turned, shielding herself as best she could. There was another huge crash and when she turned, most of the panelling had come down. Adam reached in and she took his hand, gripping it tightly as he helped her step over the broken shards of wood into the bedroom. As he let her go, she caught a fleeting expression of relief on his face.
“How did you know I was in there?”
He dropped a small axe onto the ground. “Never mind how I knew.” He turned to her, his eyes glittering with anger. “I thought you’d have learned your lesson after last year, Jess. But this has to be the most stupid thing you’ve ever done!”
CHAPTER 53
Jess was speechless for a few moments. “I told you I was trying to help Afric.”
Adam looked pointedly around. “Where is she? Actually, never mind. I’m more worried about you.”
He didn’t sound worried – he sounded annoyed. Furious, in fact. The relief she’d felt at getting out of the tunnel was quickly being replaced by emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. She brought a hand up to her head and felt around until she located a slight bump.
Holding back her tears, she skirted Adam and walked quickly into the bathroom. “I need to wash.” She turned on the taps, pumping fragrant soap out of the dispenser to scrub her hands before rubbing more soap onto her face.
Adam quickly washed his own hands before handing her a clean, soft towel.
“You’re shaking, I’ll get you some water.”
“I can do it.” She went into the sitting room and managed to open a bottle of water, aware that he’d followed her in.
“Give me that.” Adam guided her onto the sofa before taking the bottle gently from her and pouring some water into a glass.
Oh God, she couldn’t handle Adam’s sudden kindness. She’d prefer if he just shouted. Or better still, let her alone. She drank and tried to take a few deep breaths but her teeth were chattering and she’d started to shake almost uncontrollably.
“Don’t move,” Adam ordered, going back into the bedroom. A moment later he returned with a large, warm blanket, which he draped around her shoulders. Then he sat down beside her and put his arm around her, pulling her close. “I think you’re going into shock.” He took a wrapped chocolate from the bowl of sweets on the coffee table and unwrapped it for her. “Eat this.”
Wordlessly, Jess took it and popped it in her mouth. She chewed, feeling the sugar flood her bloodstream. Then he gave her another. And another. After a few minutes she started to feel a bit better. This was nice, she thought. She might just lean back against the sofa and stay here for a while. Adam could stay too, so long as he didn’t lecture her.
She bolted upright. What was she thinking? Clearly, the bump to her head had been a lot worse than she’d thought. She had to find Afric!
“Afric!”
“Never mind about her for a minute. You weren’t bitten, were you?”
“I don’t think so. No, definitely not – I just hit my head.” She shivered again.
“I’m going to check you, hold still.” He took her head between his hands and turned it gently one way and then the other. “Does that hurt?”
Jess swallowed hard. “No.”
He slipped one hand around the back of her head and ran his fingers lightly over the bump, his lips tightening when she winced.
“Do you know what day it is?” he asked.
Jess sighed. “Tuesday.”
“What’s my middle name?”
“Really?” Jess rolled her eyes, horribly aware of a pulse beating frantically in her neck. “You were christened Declan but Adam is your middle name. The one you use, okay?” She crossed her arms and rested them on her knees. “How did you know I was in the tunnel?”
“Emily told me. She was supposed to take Afric through, right?”
“That was the plan.” She took a quick intake of air as Adam shifted closer to her, lifting her hair and running his hands carefully over her neck, before checking her hands and wrists.
“I can’t see any bites. Bats do their best to avoid people, you must have startled it.”
She tried to focus. “Why didn’t Emily stay?”
