Page 107 of Brighter Together

I gave Lee all of that.

One last favour.

One more thing to keep the peace.

Now the thought makes me feel sick.

I should have told Tommy last night.

He gave me the perfect opportunity when he asked why I left Manchester.

I could have told him everything.

But I didn’t.

Instead I let him hold me while he told me he wanted Sunday mornings and éclairs and some ridiculous future involving bungee jumping.

I feel worse every time I think about it.

We reach the glass-fronted building.

Tommy’s hand leaves mine before we enter.

The loss of contact is instant.

Necessary, but still noticeable.

I have walked through this lobby hundreds of times, yet stepping into it now feels completely different.

Maybe because I’m no longer the woman arriving early and wondering what mood Lee will be in.

Maybe because this time I can leave. Because this time Tommy is by my side.

The receptionist is new.

She smiles brightly at us without recognising me.

“Name?”

“Thomas Atkinson. Greenview Manor Hotel.”

She checks the screen, hands us two visitor stickers and points us towards the lifts.

I stare at mine.

Visitor.

For years this place consumed most of my life.

Now I need permission to walk through the door.

The lift closes behind us.

Tommy looks down at the sticker in his hand.

Then at me.

His mouth twitches as he takes the sticker from my hand.