Page 3 of Save You

My sister just growls.

Mum says I should give her time, but every day, it’s getting harder to watch Ruby suffer.It doesn’t take a genius to come to the conclusion that James Beaufort and his arsehole friends have something to do with this.

But I thought Ruby had got over Beaufort.So, what’s happened?And when?

I’ve tried to analyze the situation the way Ruby would, and I’ve made a mental list:

Ruby was in Oxford for her interviews.

When she got back, everything was fine.

That evening, Lydia Beaufort turned up on our doorstep, and Ruby went off with her.

After that, everything changed.Ruby hid away and has barely spoken since.

Why???

OK.So, Ruby’s list would probably be way more structured that that, but I’ve put things in a logical order, and clearly, whatever happened, it happened on Wednesday evening.

But where did she and Lydia go?

My eyes wander from Ruby, or rather the top of her head, which is all I can see poking out of her duvet, to her phone and back again.She won’t miss it, I’m pretty sure of that.

“If you need anything, I’m next door,” I say, even though I know she won’t take me up on the offer.Then I give an extra loud sigh as I stand up and make a lightning-fast grab for her phone.I shove it up one sleeve of my baggy, loose-knit sweater and tiptoe back into my own room.

Once I’ve shut the door behind me, I exhale with relief—and instantly feel guilty.My gaze is drawn to the wall, as if Ruby can see me from her bed.She’ll probably never speak to me again when she finds out that I’ve invaded her privacy like this.But as her sister, it’s my duty to find out how to help.Right?

I walk to my desk and sit down on the creaky chair.Then I pull her phone from my sleeve.My sister makes a massive secret of everything that goes on at Maxton Hall, but obviously I know the kind of people she’s at school with: rich kids whose parents are actual aristocrats, actors, politicians, or entrepreneurs.People with power and influence in this country, who quite often hit the headlines.I’ve been following some of Ruby’s year on Insta for a while, so I know the gossip.Just the thought of what some of them might have done to Ruby turns my stomach.

I only hesitate for a tiny moment, then I unlock Ruby’s phone and bring up her calls list.Lin isn’t the only person who’s been ringing.A number she doesn’t have saved has called her loads of times too.I make up my mind and find Lin’s details—after all, she’s the only person from Ruby’s horrible school I’ve ever met in person.Hesitantly, I hold the handset to my ear.She picks up after just one ring.

“Ruby,” I hear Lin say breathlessly.“Thank God.How are you?”

“Lin—it’s me, Ember,” I interrupt her.

“Ember?What…?”

“Ruby’s not doing very well.”

Lin goes quiet for a moment.Then, slowly, she says: “That’s hardly surprising, considering what’s happened.”

“Whathashappened?”I burst out.“What the hell has happened, Lin?Ruby won’t talk to me, and I’m so worried.Did Beaufort hurt her?If he did, the dickhead, I’ll—”