Page 88 of Marley

We’d done nothing more than curl up next to each other, or kiss each other’s cheeks goodnight. I desperately wanted more, but I knew that I had to prove to her that I didn’t just want her here for sex. I had to make her understand that I wanted her there because I couldn’t stand the thought of her not being there.

I got out for a run on Friday morning, then headed into our home gym and lifted some weights, anything to take my mind off sex, specifically sex with Ashley.

I’d just showered and was making Ash and myself a sandwich when my phone rang.

“Madam Vaginas Brothel, how can we help you today?” I answered.

“Please tell me George is with you?” It was Maca.

“Na, mate. Not seen her.”

“Fuck.” I got instant goose bumps.

“Mac, what’s wrong?”

“Dave fucking sat back and did nothing when she left with Cameron King’s minder.”

What?

“What the fuck, Mac? When?”

“Six fucking hours ago.”

“Where are you?”

“At the flat.”

“I’m coming over.”

“Okay. Your dad’s on it and on his way over too.” He was quiet for a few seconds. “You don’t reckon she’s gone back to him, do ya Marls?”

“No mate, I don’t.” I had no fucking clue.

He hung up.

“What’s wrong?” Ashley asked from behind me.

She looked a lot better. She’d actually dressed in clothes rather than her PJ’s. Her hair was all clean and shiny, and she had some colour in her cheeks. She looked beautiful—perfect.

“George left the flat with Cameron King’s minder six hours ago and no one’s seen her since.”

“Oh shit.”

“Yeah. I’m gonna head over there.”

“I’ll come.”

We literally walked through the front door of my sister’s to an entire Layton family reunion.

My dad was on the phone, shouting out orders to someone and my mum was on the sofa, looking worried.

Bailey was trying to shout over my dad to whoever it is was he was talking to on the phone.

“If he touches a hair on her fucking head, I’ll have him and his bald fucking sidekick. They’ll both end up at the bottom of the Thames wearing concrete boots.”

Jimmie was making tea and Len was talking quietly in the kitchen to Maca.

All eyes turned to us.