“I need to talk to him about something.”
“Sure, because that’s just what we need, even more injuries before the wedding,” she scoffs, rolling her eyes.
My stomach turns over at the reminder. If I find out I was wrong all these years, blaming him for something he never did, then I don’t know how I’ll forgive myself.
“Shush a minute, this shit in Surrey is getting wild,” Isla says, pointing to the TV.
“ ... East Surrey Hospital said that they have a zero-tolerance policy and have suspended a member of staff based on the allegation that medical supplies had been taken without authorisation over a period of time. They will be conductingtheir own internal investigation. However, after toxicology reports showed traces of propofol in one of the bodies found in Banstead Woods, police are not ruling out that the two investigations may be linked.”
“I don’t give a shit about what’s going on in Surrey, Isla. Where is he?” I ask again through gritted teeth.
“Gone. You missed him,” she says, casually sipping her coffee like that one word didn’t just slice through my chest.
“Gonewhere?”
“There’s been issues at the office. Jake needed to go back to Cumbria to speak to his staff about the temporary manager. Bailey offered to go instead.”
“He’s gone home? How long ago did he leave?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest. Richard was told like an hour ago. Apparently Jake offered Bailey the car, but he insisted on taking the train. Said he needed the time to himself to think about some things. What’s going on?”
“Text me his number and address,” I shout, already jogging up the stairs. I’m working on autopilot, practically vibrating out of my skin as I throw clothes into a bag. There’s no plan. I just need to find him.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Robbie makes me jump, standing in the doorway, arms crossed, looking far too serious.
I shake my head. This is between me and Bailey. “No, Rob. I’m good.”
“You sure?”
Zipping up my bag and throwing it over my shoulder, I turn to him. “I need to figure something out. I’ll make sure we’re both back in time for the wedding, it’ll be fine.” My phone dings, and I see Isla sent me Bailey’s details. “I gotta go—can you let Luke know I’m going to be off work tomorrow and that I’ll call him when I get to Bailey’s?”
“Of course I can.” He pulls me to a stop. “Theo, I don’t like it. If he’s the reason you were so messed up when you came back to Skye, I?—”
I put a hand on his shoulder. “Stop. My head’s so fucking messed up right now, Rob. I thought Bailey did something bad, but I think I was wrong. We need to work that out together,alone.”
He frowns at me. Then, slowly, his face relaxes. “Fine, but I want a hug before you go.”
“You don’t need a hug.”
“I want a hug, Theo.”
“No.”
“Yes. Or I’ll tell Isla that you lied when you said you liked her wedding dress.”
“I did not lie! I just—” My eyes narrow. “Fine, hurry up.” I stand still and let him wrap his arms around me, squeezing me tighter than a boa constrictor. I pretend it doesn’t affect me, and that I’m not ten seconds away from hugging the clingy bastard back.
We pull apart and head out to my car, followed by Isla. As I throw my bag in the back and get into the driver's seat, I’m met with twin looks of concern. I sigh and turn the engine over. “It’ll befine. I’ll tell you everything when I get back.”
Isla leans in through the open window, smiling sweetly. “If either of you come back with a black eye or split lip, Theo, I’ll slap you both myself.”
I frown, then put my hand on her face, shoving her away from the car. “Goodbye, Isla.”
After setting the satnav for Bailey’s home address, I pull out of Robbie’s drive and head down the A87. Only a few minutes pass before I’m debating calling Bailey to ask how far he’s got. I wonder whether I should warn him I’m coming, or just turn upon his doorstep. I’m not sure if he’d turn me away after how I acted yesterday.
As I pass a bus stop, a flash of blonde hair snaps me out of my thoughts. I slam on my brakes, then reverse back. Bailey stares, wide eyed, hands gripping onto the bus stop seat.
“Get in,” I tell him.
