He heads my way and I straighten up slightly.
“Stay back,” I blurt, lifting a hand between us. “I stink of chip fat and,” my voice wobbles and I try to cover it with a laugh, “I don’t feel great. Wouldn’t want to spray you in vomit again.” A broken sound slips out anyway.
His eyes soften for a fraction of a second. “How’ve you been?” he asks.
I nod too quickly. “Good . . . great . . . yeah . . . fantastic.” The words sound ridiculous even to me.
He doesn’t call me out on it. “The police haven’t called you?” he asks. I shake my head. “You should hear from them soon,” he says. “They’ve charged Luke.”
I inhale sharply, my brows furrowing.
“It was him,” he continues. “He gave Anika the overdose.”
My hand flies to my mouth, and a sob escapes before I can stop it. All those nights lying awake, all that fear, all of it . . .
“I can go home,” I whisper.
He nods. “You can go home.”
Relief hits, but it doesn’t feel like relief. Just . . . emptiness.
“Maybe sooner rather than later,” he adds, his gaze flicking back towards the shop. “Your boss was a little hands-on. You didn’t look comfortable.”
I shrug, forcing a small smile. “It pays the rent.”
The look on his face is pure anger, almost like he’s pissed that I’m stuck here or that I’m allowing it.
“Anyway,” I say lightly, because I can’t stand in this moment any longer, “I should get back. Good luck with . . . everything.”
My eyes drift to the car.To her.“She’s really pretty.”
He follows my gaze, then looks back at me.
“Have you met anyone?” he asks.
The question catches me off guard. I smile anyway.
“Yeah, well, sort of. I mean, I’m keeping my options open, you know.” My voice fades, my shoe scuffing against the pavement.
He watches me like he doesn’t believe a word.
“Before you leave,” he says after a moment, “there’s something Anika wanted you to have.” I exhale, fighting my tears. “Would you come by and collect it?” he adds. “Catherine would like to see you. I can stay out of the way if that makes it easier.”
“Yeah,” I nod quickly. “I can come by tomorrow. I want to get home as soon as I can. Aunt Lucy’s been leaving messages.”
“Why is she worried?”
I shrug. “I haven’t really spoken to her. I didn’t know what to say . . . with everything going on.”
“So, you said nothing?”
“I didn’t want to upset them,” I say quietly. “I thought I’d wait until it was all sorted.”
He nods slowly. His eyes flick back to the car again. “I should go,” he says. “We’re picking Sebastian up early.” My heart twists. “He’s coming to live with me. Full-time.”
I force a smile. “That’s great,” I say. “I’m really pleased for him . . . and for you.” I swallow hard. “You finally have your little family.”
Something shifts in his expression, but it leaves as quickly as it came. “See you tomorrow?” he asks.