Page 86 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

“That’s the thing, East, nothing has happened. Drake is perfectly fine. He’s just been on TV in a live interview. He’s not in the hospital at all. In fact, he looks like the picture of health,” Kara says.

“No, it must be a recording. You know that they pretend it’s live.”

“It’s not. We recorded it and then zoomed in on his watch. It’s the right time for Vegas,” North says.

“Why would Alicia do that? Why would she lie to get Zed halfway across the world?” Kara asks.

I don’t need to answer. I already know. She wants what’s mine.

I look over to North and West, and they both look at me with sympathy as if I’ve already lost.

“What the fuck, you two? Whose side are you on? Don’t look at me like that. If he chooses her over me, then he was never worth it in the first place, okay? I’m a big girl, and I don’t need your sad sack eyes staring at me!” I yell across the room. “Anyway, he’s just texted me. He’s only just arrived, so God help her when he finds out he’s gone all that way for nothing.”

“It might not be nothing, though. She might give him something to remember.” Daisy laughs.

“I swear to God, South, you need to rein in your daughter before I fucking do it for you. That’s your sister she just upset.” Kara growls. South gives Daisy a fierce look to which she simply smiles back.

“Don’t have a go at her. She’s not the bitch in all this,” Sutton joins in. “I swear, one of these days, she’s going to get herself into real trouble.”

“Either that or she might just catch crabs. Check Zed for crabs when he gets back.” Daisy laughs again.

“Will you just shut it? You’re not helping.” West elbows Daisy in her side.

Hearing her talk about crabs like it’s nothing makes me smile slightly.

“I’m going back to bed. If it all goes to shit, then it all goes to shit. What can I do about it? Nothing. So, no point in worrying.” I turn and leave them all to it. I can hear West grumbling that he can’t get through, so he is obviously trying to get hold of Zed. I can only imagine the conversation that will take place.

I toss and turn for a couple of hours, look at the text Zed sent, play a little online poker, look at the text again, and toss and turn a little more till eventually, I fall asleep.

I’m in the meadow, and my dream is exactly as it always is. It’s beautiful and calm, and you can nearly taste the love between me and the guy. The way he holds my hand and fixes my hair. It’s magical. It’s only when I get to the end, and I still don’t get to see who my groom is, that I wake up. It’s bright outside, and I can hear loud voices. No, I can hearaloud voice. West’s. He is yelling at someone, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. I walk out on to the staircase. My heart sinks when I hear him.

“You fucking cunt. Do not come anywhere near my family or my sister again or you will be dead. Do you fucking hear me? I trusted you…”

The person on the other end is trying to speak, but I don’t think West wants to listen.

“Fuck off, I’ve seen the pictures. They were emailed to me this morning. I don’t fucking believe you. I fucking know they are of you. Don’t you think I can tell the difference? Tell it to someone who fucking cares.”

West must have sensed me standing at the top of the stairs. He turns, sees me, and cuts off his call.

“How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to know that you have some photos of someone in a compromising situation. Am I right?”

He just stares back at me. He looks so sorry for me.

“And am I right in thinking that person you were on the phone to just then was Zed?”

He doesn’t answer, but I already know.

“Okay, so, you think he’s cheated on me with Alicia?”

He shakes his head.

“What? Well, what, then? What do the photos show?”

“I’m sorry, East, I can’t tell you. If you want to know, you will have to look at them yourself. I just can’t say it.”

“What? Why? Is he having sex with a pig?”

---