Page 132 of Vying Girls

‘To her mum’s. She messaged the chat early this morning. Snuck out of Elly’s bed, the motherfucker.’

I glance at Elly who skulks guiltily by the lounge.

‘Do you know her address?’ Haz goes on. ‘She’s not answering our messages anymore.’

I shake my head, anger warring with guilt. Has she done this because of me, because of what I said to her on the coach?

Fuck’s sake, Tilda. I didn’t mean it literally.

‘I know she’s midlands but that’s probably not helpful,’ Elly says.

‘No, not really, Elly.’ I sigh, not meaning to snap at her. ‘Alright. Just give me some time. I’ll find her address. Put this on charge, will you.’ I toss them my phone. ‘Be back as quick as I can.’

I hustle from the lodge, kissing goodbye to my morning lecture. Grateful to be wearing joggers, I fall into a run. Won’t take too long to get to Blakely’s. I only hope she slept in her own bed last night. Fina, too.

Fucking Tilda. Does she think this is a game? That Damien won’t make true on his word?

Josephina’s final words whirl round my head.

Just be careful, Nicole. You and your friend. Damien can be really mean sometimes. Especially when he’s scared.

If he’s as desperate and scared as she says he is, he won’t stop at anything to get his hands on my money.

This hold over me infuriates me. I hadn’t been lying back then. Me and Tilda had been nothing. Just an unwanted collision. But now…

I’m gasping like a goldfish by the time I get to their fancy lodge. I knock hard, bending over my knees to catch my breath.

Margot’s face is not the one I expect to see when the door opens. She frowns, looking more disapproving than usual. Does she fucking live here or something?

‘Well, good morning. Nicole, isn’t it? Trying your best to wake the neighbours?’

‘Is Fina in?’ Might as well go straight to the top.

‘It’s eight o’clock in the morning.’

‘Fucking let her in,’ I hear Blakely say before the door’s yanked fully open, her meaty arm gesturing me in. ‘You good, bro? Forgot to write your essay?’

‘I need a favour. Urgent.’

I glance at the sofa where Fina lounges, watching with curious eyes.

She unfolds herself after a moment, nodding to Margot. ‘About time you’re gone, isn’t it? Surely you’ve got classes too.’

‘Oh, charming. Can tell when I’m not wanted.’ She points at Fina.‘Behave.’

‘Sleepover with the teachers?’ I ask once the door’s shut.

Fina smiles humourlessly. ‘My new mummy. So. A favour.’

I nod, running my hands through my hair. Might as well be completely honest. I owe them one after last time. ‘My cousin. Damien. He’s after Tilda. Well—me. My money. But he’s decided Tilda’s as good a way as any to get it. We’ve been watching out for her but she’s fucked off back home on her own. I need to get my hands on her address.’

Fina runs her tongue over her front teeth as she considers my words. ‘Racking up debts here, Nic. You and your friends.’

‘This is important. Wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t.’

‘Well’—she reaches her hands out, cracking her knuckles—‘good job Daddy’s away then, isn’t it?’

I plop down on the sofa after she’s jogged upstairs to get dressed. I’m pretty sure Tilda’s got a 9am this morning. Why did she feel the need to go homenow?What’s so urgent she needs to know today? I rack my brains, trying to find a clue in our conversation.