Page 74 of Deep Blue Lies

SEVENTY-THREE

“Hi,” I say when Sophia answers. I’m in the corner of the hotel bar now, where my mother can’t hear me.

“How’s it going?”

“I’m not sure. She says I am adopted. But not from Alythos. Somewhere else in Greece, she doesn’t even know where.”

“Wow. OK. How do you feel?”

“I don’t know. I need time to process.”

“OK. That makes sense.” Sophia hesitates.

“What is it?”

“Well…it’s good news. You know Mum asked the nurse to keep us informed if anything changed with Imogen? She’s just called.”

“And?” I hold my breath.

“I told you. It’s good news. She’s awake. She’s out of the coma. They don’t want anyone to visit her now because she’s really weak, but you can visit her tomorrow. You can hear her side of the story. Whatever it is.”

I don’t reply, instead I look over at Mum, who’s sitting up straight, adjusting her hair like she’s about to take a selfie for Instagram.

Mum who said Imogen has nothing to tell me, just drug-fuelled paranoia.

Except, why would she come all the way out here if she had nothing to say?

And why would someone attack her on the beach?

“Ava, you still there?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“Are you gonna go, do you want me to come with you? I can get the day off.”

“Um…”

“I don’t have to come in there with you. I’ll wait outside. Whatever it is she has to say, you don’t have to tell me, or anyone else. Not if you don’t want to.”

I feel myself smiling, I feel the relief in my jaw.

“Thanks, Sophia. That would be good.”