Page 57

“This is only until I find somewhere,” April says as I make my way to leave.

I shrug. “There’s no rush. As you can see, the room is empty.”

I don’t wait for a reply. Instead, I turn around and walk away, leaving her and Samuel alone.

CHAPTER 25

APRIL

Iwatch as Caleb turns around and leaves, closing the door behind him. Samuel drops onto the bed.

“Wow, how the other half live,” he says, unable to keep the grin off his face. “When he offered to let you stay, I bet you didn’t envisage this?”

He throws himself back, allowing the spring of the bed to bounce him, his arms above his head. The bed must be a super king, as Samuel takes up no space despite his size. On top of that, the bed itself doesn’t take up much space in a room this size. It reminds me of the room I woke in after my night with Caleb. The opulence of the room, with its own sitting area, dressing room, and en suite. The pale grey room has teal and dark grey soft furnishings. It makes for a very tranquil space. Whoever designed it has beautiful taste.

I smack Samuel’s leg and head into the bathroom. A his-and-hers sink unit sits in a granite vanity top, with a ceiling-high mirror on the wall behind it. An enormous walk-in shower takes up the end of the bathroom. The wall is filled with more jets than anyone could need. An internal wall shields the toilet. I smile at the privacy angle.

I catch sight of myself in the bathroom mirror and groan. Samuel appears at the door in an instant.

“You okay?” he asks, his concern touching.

“I’m fine, apart from looking like someone dragged me through a hedge backwards, and I spent most of the afternoon crying about it.”

The red blotchiness around my eyes is more apparent than the tear tracks down my cheeks.

“I shouldn’t worry. I don’t think Cal noticed,” he says, leaning against the wall. “That man was about ready to turn the entire city upside down, trying to track you down. I think he’s spent most of the day hunting for you.”

“I doubt it,” I say.

Although a certain warmth settles in my chest at the thought of him looking for me, caring enough.

What! Where did that come from?

“Damn, we need to call Di. She’s beside herself,” he says suddenly, pulling out his phone and hitting redial on her number.

“Hi Di, yes, she’s safe. I’ll pass you over.”

He thrusts the phone into my hands before walking out of the room.

“Hi, Di,” I say.

“Oh honey, are you okay? We’ve been worried sick. When Samuel said he couldn’t find you…” her voice catches as she breaks off.

“I’m fine. Promise. I dropped my phone during my grand escape,” I say, trying to make light of the situation, although the thought of having to eat into my meagre savings to replace it is a pain. Monday, I’ll need to go to the job centre and sign on. See what I’m entitled to until I can get another job.

“Is everything gone?”

“Yes.”

My throat closes over, forcing me to take a breath before I add, “I saved, Mr Ted.”

I pull the old, dog-eared teddy bear from my pocket and hold it to my chest. It’s one of the few possessions I have left from my childhood. I think losing Mr Ted might have broken me more than losing the business. The only item I have left from my birth mother.

“Well, as long as you and Mr Ted are safe, I’m happy. Do you need money? I can transfer you some if you do.” Di says. “Julian and I, we are always here for you. It might not be much, but know we love you very much.”

“I know, and I appreciate everything you’ve done and do for me. But I’m okay. I promise you. I have some money put aside,” I say, although it’s a lot less than I would wish for.

“If you’re sure,” Di says. The emotion in her voice lets me know how scared she’s been.