I turn around and go back into the house.
I find Holly lying on her bed, curled up into a ball, facing the wall. I sit next to her and put my hand on her hip. Her fists are right up against her eyes.
‘Are you all right?’
She shakes her head. ‘No.’
‘Why?’
She sits up. ‘You know why!’ she hisses. Her face is wet; her eyes are swollen.
I pull her to me and give her a hug. ‘We’ll figure it out.’
She shudders in my arms. She can’t break down right now. Not with Teri downstairs. I release her. ‘Listen. Teri is going to stay here tonight,’ I say.
Her eyes widen in alarm. ‘Why?’
‘Because her bedroom is upstairs and she can’t walk properly yet. She’ll go home tomorrow.’
‘What about…?’
‘I can’t do anything about it tonight.’
‘But you said?—’
‘It’s fine, Holly. I’ll do it…some other time.’
She wails softly. ‘When?’
‘I don’t know. Please don’t worry, Holly, okay? I’ll handle it.’
‘Handle what?’
Holly gasps out loud.
My heart somersaults. I turn around.
‘Jesus, Teri. You scared me half to death.’ I put a hand on my chest. My heart is galloping. ‘How did you get up here?’
‘With great difficulty.’ She winces, then smiles. ‘I thought I heard you crying up here,’ she says to Holly.
She sits on the edge of the bed next to me. I shuffle aside by a few inches.
‘So, what’s the problem?’ she asks, looking concerned. ‘I know I’m putting you two out. I realise me being here is very much an inconvenience.’
I start to argue.
‘No, Kate. Please. I can tell by your faces. Both of you. If you want me to go home, that’s perfectly fine.’
Holly looks at me, her eyes pleading,‘Make her go home.’
‘Is it your dad?’ she asks, frowning, and Holly’s face turns a shade of grey I’ve never seen before.
‘Yes,’ I say quickly. ‘The thing is, Max – Holly’s dad – he’s very strict. He would be very upset about what happened. That’s why Holly is upset.’
‘I’m so sorry, sweetie,’ she says, patting Holly’s leg and shaking her head sadly. ‘It’s my fault. I’m always running with my earbuds in. My sister used to say I’d get hit by a car one day.’ She gives Holly a small smile. ‘I hope it doesn’t sound weird, but I’m glad it was you.’
‘You have a sister?’ I ask.
