Page 46 of Saving Ren

She clears her plate, except for one slice of toast, which she folds in half and dunks into her tea before eating it.

“That’s. . . that is pretty gross.”

“It’s better with jam on,” she says, wiping the tea that dripped off the toast from her chin.

“I’ll take your word for it,” I tell her with a smile while reaching for my coffee.

We eat in silence for a while, and because I don’t want her to feel awkward, or maybe it’s more to reassure her, I clear my throat and speak. “I know this. . . I don’t want this to be awkward Lauren, you can stay as long as you like. I’m actually going away in a couple of weeks so you’ll have the place to yourself. I’ll use one of the bathrooms downstairs, so you’ll have that one to yourself.” She watches me as she chews her soggy toast but remains silent.

“You’re safe here, the gates are key coded, the front door’s locked and bolted, and I’m gonna sleep out here on the sofa just in case, but I just want you to know that your safe.”

“Thank you. I really do appreciate it.”

I nod.

“Leaving Jo’s with a bloke you barely know after what you’ve just been through can’t have been easy. . . I won’t even pretend to have even half an idea, but I just want you to know you’re safe here, you can trust me.”

I watch as she struggles with her emotions, her eyes well with tears and she swallows a few times before blowing out a long slow breath.

We both remain silent.

When she’s finished eating, she slides off her stool and makes her way around the bench. I watch and enjoy the moment she has to roll the waistband of the trackies of mine she’s wearing over a couple of times to keep them from falling down. Despite the shitty situation, I like that she’s here in my home, the way she looks in my clothes, and the fact that I’m able to offer her a place to stay and be the one to keep her safe.

“Pass your plate,” she orders from where she stands at the sink.

“Leave them, I’ll put them in the dishwasher.”

“I’m right here, the dishwasher is right there, it’ll literally take me seconds. Pass your plate.”

I do as she orders, instantly regretting it the moment I see her wince when she leans down to load the plates into the dishwasher.

“Just leave them and come and sit down. I’ve left your pain meds in the truck. Sit on the sofa, and I’ll go down and get them.”

“Anyone ever tell you you’re bossy?” She dries her hands on a towel as she speaks, hanging it over the edge of the sink before she moves around the benchtop and towards the sofa.

“I’m not bossy, you just seem to have an issue following orders.”

“Then stop dishing them out. I’m not a child, I can make my own decisions about what my capabilities are.” She folds her arms across her chest and winces again. The colour she had on her cheeks after her shower has faded, the bruises now a stark contrast on her pale English rose complexion. I find my teeth once again grinding together, something that happens each time I fully acknowledge exactly what this woman has been through over the past twenty-four hours.

“I’m sure you’re more than capable of anything you set your mind to, but just because you can, it doesn’t mean you should. Now sit your arse down while I get your medication. The remotes are on the coffee table if you want to put something on the telly.” When she walks past and has her back to me, I grab my phone from the benchtop and head downstairs to my car.

As soon as I’m outside, I call Jo.

“Hey,” she answers on the second ring.

“All good?” I question.

“Yeah. He turned up ranting and raving that we know where she is, Max was right behind him, so he didn’t pull any shit, then he. . . he kinda broke down. I think he’s genuinely worried, but that doesn’t excuse what he’s done.”

“No, it doesn’t. How was it left?” I lean against my truck as I talk.

“He just asked that we contact him if we hear from her. Even if she’s not coming back, he just needs to know she’s okay.”

“Yeah, his concern is very touching.”

“Hmm. Something’s off with him, he’s not the Jay I’ve known for over twenty years. Anyway, he left believing we know nothing, so Lauren’s welcome to come back here tomorrow if that’s what she’d like to do. How is the patient?”

“Difficult.”