Page 40 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

I don’t answer him again. I just look down at the dirt on the pavement.

“Zed, you are going to need to talk to me. I need to ring West, and he needs to know what’s happened. If he finds out from anyone else, he will kill you. Likekill youdead.”

“So, I don’t want to be married to her, but I can’t seem to stay away from her. It’s only been a few days, and we don’t even know each other properly, but seeing her in that bed and hooked up to all those machines, it just got me thinking…”

“About what?”

“About the fact that for the first time in my life, I actually felt something for someone else. Someone who wasn’t my best friend or family. My whole perspective twisted. I’m not saying I’m in love with her, North, but I do like her. I like her a lot.”

“Well, this changes things a bit, but it doesn’t solve the big question.”

“I know. I know. We need to get the divorce sorted, and then we can see where this takes us. If anywhere.”

“Do you want me to break the news to West?” North grins.

“Nah, its fine. How much respect would he have for me if I don’t deliver this news myself?” He nods, stands up, and wipes himself down.

“I’ll meet you back upstairs, then.”

“Yeah. Wish me luck.”

North boom laughs. “You’re gonna need it.” He walks off to find the entrance.

I take a few deep breaths, take out my phone, and click the name “West”.

He answers before it even starts ringing at my end.

“I’m glad you’ve called me back. I can’t get hold of that doctor. How is she?”

“She’s doing okay as far as I know.”

“What do you mean as far as you know? You’re there with her, aren’t you?”

“No, North and I got thrown out. Kara is with her.”

“What the fuck, Zed? Why did you and my brother get kicked out? You weren’t brawling, were you?”

When I don’t reply, he carries on.

“What was it over?”

“I married your sister.”

Silence.

“Hang on, I think the line went a bit weird. I could have sworn you said you’d married East?”

“Yep.”

Silence.

“You married East?”

“Yep.”

Silence.

And then, laughter.Loudlaughter. I have to check the name on the phone. Yep, it’s still “West” in big letters.

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