Page 63 of The Lucky Winners

Fifteen Years Earlier

The comprehensive school was big and sprawling, but I’d noticed the girl before. Always alone, always watching. But not the kind of passing glances you catch in the corridors, her gaze lingered deliberately. On me. I didn’t like it.

One day, she approached between lessons, sliding up beside me so suddenly I flinched.

‘I’m Becky. Is it true David Webb’s your boyfriend?’

Her bluntness disarmed me and I stopped walking, caught off guard. ‘What’s it to you?’

‘People whisper about it. At least I’m asking you straight.’

I folded my arms. ‘Yeah. He’s my boyfriend. Why?’

She inclined her head, sizing me up. ‘He used to be my sister’s boyfriend.’

I opened my mouth to tell her I didn’t believe her, but before I could, she leaned in, her breath warm against my cheek. ‘Then he took a fancy to me, too.’

A cold wave of shock washed over me. ‘You’re lying.’

Her eyes darkened. ‘ Am I?’

‘You’re making it up,’ I said, but even I could hear the doubt in my voice.

Becky shrugged. ‘You can believe what you want for all I care. That’s what he counts on.’ She studied her nails. ‘He waited till my sister turned nineteen – that’s his limit, see. Doesn’t like his girls any older than that. Then he ditched her and came for me.’

My skin crawled. Beth’s innocent face flashed in front of my eyes. The way David said he wanted to look out for both of us.

Becky was lying. She had to be.

I turned on my heel and strode away, my heart hammering.

‘If you don’t believe me, why don’t you ask him?’ she called after me. ‘See if he tells you the truth!’

My stomach dipped. ‘When was that? He’s only just come home from uni.’

Becky laughed, sharp and bitter and loud enough that a few passing students glanced our way.

‘ Uni? ’ she echoed, mocking. ‘Is that what he told you?’

‘Yes, he’s been away and only just come back home.’

Becky trained a laser-sharp stare on me. ‘He’s been in prison, you silly cow. For grooming me . When I was fifteen.’