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As soon as Adrienne is out of the room, Yasmin sighs, before dragging herself out of bed and grabbing her running clothes from the beside drawer. ‘I wanted to tell you. But I think I’m going to do it.’
‘So … what about me?’
‘I’m sorry, Stellz. This is important. Adrienne says this never happens. Glenn sees real promise in me.’
‘But this trip –’
‘It’s only a few more days.’
A few days when we’ll miss our hotel bookings, sightseeing dates, flights … everything. Our bonding time cut short. It might be months until we see each other again. But I know what this means to her. This is her passion. If she takes the next step, she could make it her career.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ I mutter, turning away.
‘But you’ll stay too, right? I need you here.’
‘Yeah, no. Doesn’t seem like you do. Make Adrienne your photographer monkey.’ Already my mind is spinning. I can go to California early, spend some time hunting for a new apartment. Maybe I’ll stop off in Manchester. Surprise Pete. Meet his son, like I’ve always wanted. It will be easier without any risk of running into Adrienne, since she’ll still be in Ibiza.
‘Stella, please.’ Her voice is small.
‘What? You got what you wanted. Private coaching. One-on-one attention. Screw me and our time together, right?’
She launches into a stream of curses in French as I stormtowards the door. We’re like this. Fight. Make up. Fight again. When she’s in the wrong, she cooks for me. I wondered what baked goods I’m going to get. I’m hoping for madeleines. When it’s my fault, I get her flowers. Orchids if I’ve been a real dick.
‘You’d better get ready for your session,’ I say. ‘Can’t deny Glenn, can we?’
23
Stella
I don’t know what to do with the bottle of pills now that the sun is up. It was stupid to take it. Emilio is a doctor – I’m sure he has a legit reason to have the drugs. But then he also had that water bottle filled with residue. Why did he keep that? Thoughts ricochet around my brain, giving me a headache. I need to find a way to get a message to Pete. He can find out if Nabil’s death is at all suspicious. If it is, then I can go to the police with the pills. For now, the best thing I can do is stay with the race – and keep an eye on my dad.
In the meantime, all I can picture is Emilio tapping my shoulder and demanding I give him back what I stole. So when someone touches my arm, I leap out of my skin.
‘Wow, jumpy much?’ It’s only Dale. He doesn’t wait to hear my answer; he just rubs his hands together, practically vibrating with excitement. ‘Second day, ready to do it all again? The runners are going up the jebel, where the cars can’t reach, so I’m thinking we leave really early – like, right now – and we’ll have time to climb and set up before the elites get there.’
‘Go for it. I’m staying here.’
He frowns. ‘What?’
‘I’m staying in the bivouac. I’ll find another driver.’
‘Are you kidding? But you’ll miss all the action.’
I grimace. ‘I’ve seen enough, thanks. I’m going to stick to following my fun runners.’
‘Honestly, I kind of expected more …’ He trails off, but I don’t miss his pointed look.
‘What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?’
He leans forward. ‘It means, I know who you are, Stella. I’ve studied my Boones history – and you were a feature at his early races. I figured Boones’s daughter might have a bit more ambition.’
‘Screw you.’
He holds his hands up. ‘Just saying.’
Ali drives up in the Jeep before I can throw my camera at Dale’s head. When he hears I’m not coming with them, Ali is also concerned. ‘Are you certain? We can wait for you – my instructions are to take you both.’
‘No, really. I’m OK.’ I glance around, but Dale is distracted by loading his belongings into the trunk. He’s out of earshot. I lean in close to Ali. ‘Hey, do you know where I can get hold of a phone?’