‘I’m getting your top all wet,’ I sob.
He hugs me tighter. ‘Let’s get you into some dry clothes. Then you can tell me what’s happened.’
I nod as he lets me go.
I take a quick hot shower and change into a pair of Laurence’s joggers and a sweatshirt that he hands me through a crack in the bathroom door.
‘Tea?’ he asks, as I emerge feeling a little more together.
‘Please.’ I head over to the breakfast bar and sit heavily on one of the stools. I’ve finally stopped shaking, but I now feel hollow and strange.
Laurence doesn’t pressure me straight away to tell him what happened; he busies himself making the tea.
I love how we can be together without talking and it never feels awkward. I finally blurt it all out, hardly believing that I actually stood up to Damian. That I kneed him in the balls! I realise I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.
‘Bloody hell, Alice!’ Laurence’s eyes widen and then narrow as he takes it all in. He straightens up. ‘Stay here. I’m going to see if he’s still hanging around.’ He takes a step towards the door.
‘No!’ The thought of Laurence confronting Damian makes me feel ill. I want nothing more to do with the man.
Laurence frowns. ‘But he might be—’
‘Please just stay. I ... I can’t cope with any more drama. And anyway, I told him I won’t put up with his shit any more. I left him doubled-up on the pavement.’
Laurence’s shoulders drop. ‘Fine. But we should at least report him to the police.’
‘I don’t know,’ I reply, my heart gradually slowing. ‘I can’t face doing any of that right now.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Please. I just can’t.’
‘Okay, I guess. Well done for standing up to him though. What a prick.’ He brings my tea round to the lounge area where we sit next to one another.
I cradle my tea, letting the warmth seep into my fingers, which are already cold again despite the hot shower. I realise I should probably be getting back to work, but I just can’t do it. The thought of trying to act normally after what’s just happened is impossible. I’ll text Miriam in a bit, let her know I won’t be back today.
‘Anyway,’ I say, glancing up at Laurence, ‘how have you been? How’s your nose?’ I instantly regret asking the question as my mindis abruptly transported back to that terrible afternoon when Seth punched him and we had to drive to the hospital.
‘The nose isn’t too bad,’ Laurence replies, tweaking it. ‘Almost back to normal now.’
I notice it’s still a little swollen, but most people would never know the difference. Seth was right; the A & E doctor confirmed that Laurence’s nose was broken. Thankfully, it wasn’t bent too much out of shape. And his ribs were all fine, no fractures or breaks.
‘I’m sorry you’ve had such a horrible experience,’ Laurence says, sipping his tea. ‘But I’m really glad you came round. I’ve missed you ... and Daisy, of course. It’s been lonely without you guys.’ He gives a sad laugh.
Laurence is talking about our friendship rather than his declaration of love. Is he going to mention that at all, I wonder, or will we just act like it never happened? Move on.
‘I really screwed up, didn’t I?’ He puts his drink down on the coffee table and gazes at me with an unreadable expression.
I don’t reply. My heart is beating so fast and so loud, I can’t believe he doesn’t mention it. I’m not sure what’s happening to me. My emotions are flying all over the place.
‘Look, Alice,’ he says, taking a breath. ‘If it’s easier for you, let’s just pretend I never said anything aboutus. Go back to how things were before.’
My skin is still cool but my blood is suddenly hot, my nerve endings tingling, lighting up like little firecrackers. I lick my lips and swallow. ‘What if I don’t want to go back to how things were before?’ I ask.
Laurence pauses before leaning towards me. And suddenly we’re kissing, his hands on me, finding the skin beneath my sweatshirt, my fingers tangling in his hair.
A voice in the back of my head is telling me that this probably isn’t the best decision to be making right now. But, as Laurence carries me into the bedroom, all rational thought flies away.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
