AllFreeNovel
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If I sit around here, I’m going to lose my damn mind. Counting the money in my purse, I have a grand total of twenty-three pounds and sixty-five pence to my name.
The clock reads just after four o’clock. Plenty of time to get to the shop before it closes.
The local supermarket isn’t far from my house, so I walk the short distance, fighting back tears when I have to stick to my strict budget and buy for one. I wander up and down the aisles, taking my time picking up bits to get me through the next couple of days.
It starts to rain on my walk home, and I finally let the tears fall. No one will notice.
My phone rings as I juggle around the shopping bags to unlock the door. Giving up, I drop the bags and the keys, slump down onto the cold, wet doorstep, and answer the private number.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Lexi. How are you getting on? How’s freedom?”
During one of the worst moments in my life, it’s Lexi Mitchell who cares enough to call and check in.
“Freedom’s great,” I chirp, digging deep to give her my best cheery tone.
“You’ve seen Thomas, then? I bet he was over the moon to see you.”
I nod, forgetting she can’t see me. “Yep. He couldn’t believe I was home,” I say, but my voice cracks, betraying me.
“You haven’t seen him, have you?”
Choking on the air I need to survive, I break. The tears come thick and fast, and I can’t even stutter out a complete word.
“Evie, babe, it’s okay. It’ll all be okay,” she soothes.
“My mum moved houses, and won’t tell me where she’s moved to. She’s saying she won’t let me see him until I have a job and prove myself. I have no idea where my son is, and I have to trust she’s keeping him safe, and…” I stop. This isn’t her problem. Deep down, I know my mum is taking great care of Thomas. It's just my pain speaking.
“I’m sorry. You don’t need me unloading this crap on you.”
She’s known me for two weeks, albeit under the weirdest circumstances. I’ve spent so long not having many friends, I forget what it’s like to have someone there for you.
“Hey, how many times do I have to tell you we’re friends? What’s your address?”
I rattle it off before what I’m doing registers. “Why do you want to know where I live?”
Only, I don’t get an answer. She hangs up, and yet again, I’m left on my own.
