Page 144 of All the Forbidden Things

“Chill Aaron. I’m in the flat, I’ve locked the door behind me. I can’t get a hold of Max, or Micky.”

“Okay, stay put, I’ll be there soon. I’ll try and reach Max. And Billie . . . ”

“Yeah?”

“He was put in an awful position yesterday, just know that he’s as devastated as you probably are.”

My nose tingles as I press my forehead against the cold glass. “Was Al, Iwasdevastated. Hopefully, this will change everything.”

“Let’s hope so.”

I breathe heavily on the glass and then draw a love heart in the condensation it causes. My face aches I smile so big. Ending the call, I pull my knees up to my chest as I sit on the windowsill, and watch one of the happiest days of my life unfold.

Max

When we pull up outsideJay’s house we have a welcome party of Jay, Cal, and Jake waiting for us. None of them looks happy. My gut pulls tight as I climb out of the car and Cal is already moving towards me.

“You need to get home; the police are at your place.”

“What the fuck? Why?” I stop walking and stare at Cal.

My first thought is that Whitney might have trashed the place and I run a mental check of anything of value she might be able to ruin. Layla and my guitars are with me, and Billie’s on her way to fuck knows where. Everything else is insured and replaceable.

“There’s been a disturbance. Billie went to her flat this morning—”

“Billie? Is she okay? Why didn’t anyone call me? I swear to god, If that pair of bitches have touched her—” I pull my phone from my pocket as I rant. Dead. I’ve not charged it since I left here yesterday. I checked it this morning to make sure I hadn’t missed a call from my mum or Billie but didn’t notice how much battery I had left on it.

“We tried. We’ve all been trying you and Mick—”

“Battery's dead.” I hold my phone up like I have to prove it to him.

“Who’s with Billie? Who called you? Let me have your phone,” I ramble.

Instead of handing me his phone, Cal just stares. I know he wants answers as to why I’m getting myself so worked up about Billie, but first I need to talk to her myself.”

“Mick, we’re going back to London. Can someone lend me their phone?”

“Aaron’s with her, she’s fine. Call him, he’ll fill you in. And if you’re going back to London, I’m coming with you.” Cal continues on but I’m only half listening.

Jake hands me his phone. “Micky smashed his phone. There were reporters outside the hotel this morning, and mine died. I didn’t know,” I explain to anyone who wants to listen.

Marnie has come out of the house and has taken the baby capsule out of the car with Layla still strapped in it. “I have to go back to London Marn, is she okay—”

“Go, when’s her next feed due?”

“Another couple of hours. Thank you.” I lean in and kiss my daughter before kissing Marnie’s cheek. “Thank you,” I repeat.

I turn and start making my way back to the car. “Have you got Billie’s number on here?” I ask Jake, who for some reason is getting in the back of the car.

“Why’d you need Billie’s number?” Cal asks as he too climbs in behind me. “Why not just talk to Aaron?” I ignore him.

“Yeah. It’s stored under Cal’s Fit As Fuck Sist—oomph. Ow, what was that for?”

Cal saves me the job of turning around and slapping Jake, but I realise I’m not going to be able to call Billie with Cal in the car, so opt for Aaron instead.”

“Talk to me Al,” I order as soon as he answers.

“Why haven’t you picked up—”