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With a sigh, I head back upstairs, dig my charger out of my bag, and plug it in at the kitchen counter before filling the kettle.
Waiting for the water to boil, I drift to the French doors, letting my eyes drink in the view. The snow stretches out in an unbroken sheet of white, glittering faintly under the pale morning sky. Tiny animal tracks wind across the distance – maybe foxes or deer? The air outside looks sharp, clean, untouched.
The kettle clicks just as my phone buzzes, and at the same time, the pipes above fall silent as Marcus’s footsteps thud across the upstairs floor.
I pull two mugs from the cupboard and make our coffee, when my phone buzzes again, the screen lighting up with a flurry of notifications.
Five text messages and three missed calls.
Two calls from Angela, and one missed call from an unknown number.
My stomach clenches. There’s no voicemail.
The familiar prick of dread crawls up the back of my neck.
Probably just a scam caller, I tell myself – but the tight feeling in my chest doesn’t go away.
I focus my attention on the five missed texts, all from Angela.
Babe, u ok? Where r u?
Lila I’m worried, plz call me back.
Carter’s asking where u are. What do I say?
Babe do I need to call 999? Call me!
If I don’t hear from you by lunch, I’m calling the police!
Shit.
My fingers hover over the screen. I stand there – heart pounding, the coffee forgotten beside me.
I type a reply, thumbs shaking just a little as I hit send.
All ok. Staying with Marcus until things blow over. Not in the city. So much to tell you when I get back. I’m safe. Plz don’t worry.
Not even thirty seconds later, my phone rings, Angela’s name lighting up on the screen.
“Hey,” I answer, trying my best to sound casual.
“Lila! Where thefuckare you?” Her voice is a mix of relief and fury. “Babe,fuck’s sake,you have no idea, I was fucking worried sick!”
I let out a soft laugh, hoping it’ll settle her. “Please, really - don’t worry. I’m fine, I promise.”
“Where are you? Everyone’s asking about you!!”
“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you. But I’m with Marcus. We’ll be back soon.”
“When issoon? What am I supposed to say to people?”
I hear Carter in the background, asking if it’s me and demanding to know where I’ve gone.
“I told Steve I had a family emergency. Just say that if anyone asks.”
Angela goes quiet for a beat, then her voice drops to something softer. “Lila, are yousureyou’re okay? Just, I don’t know, send me a sign or something if you’re not, I’ll find you, girl.”
I laugh, my heart aching at the fact I can’t tell her everything right now. “Please don’t. I promise I’m okay. I swear, I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can.”