‘I don’t know. I was up in the attic and I heard the front door slam. I thought it was you so I came down. When I saw it was your children, I wasn’t sure what to do. But Sonny was really cute and friendly and asked what was for lunch. So I thought I’d make them something – hope that was okay? I couldn’t think of what to talk to them about at first, so I just asked about school. Ryan said he had some really hard maths homework. I offered to help him with it after lunch.’
‘Well, I’m grateful.’
‘Not as grateful as I am.’ Sophie looks down at her barely touched pasta and sets down her fork. ‘Actually, I’m not really very hungry. Do you mind if I…?’
‘No, that’s fine. Leave it if you don’t want it.’
‘Sorry. It’s a waste.’
‘No, it’s…’ I shake my head. I seem to have lost my appetite too. I put my tray on the coffee table. ‘Actually, Sophie, we should probably have a chat about what you want to do next.’
She gives a brief nod and stares down into her pasta bowl.
‘Have you managed to have a think about it?’
‘I don’t know.’ Her voice is small and wavery.
I feel like such a bitch for pushing her. But she can’t stay here indefinitely. Especially as I don’t even know what it is she’s running from. ‘Can you at least tell me what kind of trouble you’re in?’
‘It’s complicated. It’s better if I don’t tell you.’
I don’t like the sound of that. By helping her out, could I have put myself and the kids in danger? ‘Look, you know I’m taking Sonny and Ryan to the regatta tomorrow, so you’re welcome to stay here another day. And then it’s Sunday, so you may as well stay here for the weekend. But let’s work out a plan for Monday, okay? We’ll ring round a few shelters and get you fixed up with some proper help.’
Sophie nods again without looking up. ‘Thank you.’
I feel guilty for putting a timescale on this, but I can’t have her living with us permanently. ‘So you’re okay with me contacting a shelter?’
She shrugs.
‘I think it’s for the best.’
‘I don’t know. But you’ve been really kind letting me stay. There aren’t too many people like you in the world.’ Sophie’s tone suddenly turns bitter.
‘I’m sure there are.’
Her lip curls into a cynical sneer and she shakes her head. I notice her fists are clenched. ‘People are mainly horrible. And that’s me being nice about them.’
‘Well, hopefully your life will get better and you’ll meet some good people.’
‘I doubt it.’
A series of heavy thumps on the front door makes me sit up.
‘Are you expecting visitors?’ Sophie asks, her eyes wide.
‘No, I’m not. Unless… it could be my friend Tia, but she’s never thumped on the door like that.’
‘Don’t answer it!’ Sophie slides her tray off her lap and onto the sofa cushion next to her before jumping to her feet. ‘We should go upstairs. Hide.’
My heart starts racing at the fear in her eyes. ‘Hide?This is my house. Whoever it is can’t get in. The doors and windows are all locked.’
‘That won’t stop him.’
‘This is ridiculous.’ I stand and try to think what to do. There’s another series of thumps on the door. ‘I’ll have to answer it. Whoever it is, is going to wake the boys up and I don’t want them involved or frightened. You go on up to the attic and don’t come down until I tell you.’
‘Aren’t you coming with me?’
‘No. I’ll get rid of them.’
