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Chapter 46
Leyna
January
While the week withJack over Christmas had been so special, I’d known it couldn’t last forever. I knew that I would eventually have to face this place once more. I thought that by coming into the office at half seven in the morning I could avoid everyone, but as soon as I get to my desk Lorna appears out of nowhere. She comes marching over to me.
‘And just where has Miss High-and-Mighty been all this time? More sick leave?’ Lorna spits the words out at me.
Here it comes. I had known this day was coming for a while and I’d thought very carefully about how it would go, what I would say. In the end, I’d decided not to draw anything out or get into any sort of altercation with Lorna. But I did have one line I’d been desperate to say for months.
I set down my notebooks and pens inside the box and looked up at Lorna. I smiled sweetly. ‘For someone who considers herselfin the know, I’m surprised you didn’t you hear?’ I say it like a question. I think, let her wonder for a second before I drop the bomb. ‘Lorna, I quit. I’m only here to collect my things.’
It was exceptionally satisfying to see the look of shock pass briefly across her face. She recovers quickly, of course. ‘You don’t have to sugar coat it, Leyna. I heard what happened a few weeks ago. Been caught with your hand in the biscuit tin one too many times from what I heard...’ Her words hang in the air like the stench of toxic slime.
I always said to myself that I wouldn’t take the bait, wouldn’t give in to her cruel taunts. But this was one time I just couldn’t stand aside. ‘I’m not sure what you heard, Lorna, but I’ve gotten a better offer. And to be frank, I’d literally do anything, work anywhere, if it meant I didn’t have to put up with your poisoned, vile rants day after day.’
Maybe she never expected me to fight back, but I’d never seen her look more stunned. I continue to fill the box with all of my work things. A picture frame, pens, notepads, a spare water bottle. There isn’t much and that probably speaks to just how little I am connected to this place and this job. I hoist the box up and start to walk away before turning around once more for my final parting shot, ‘You can stick your shitty job up your arse. I’m off!’
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JACK AND I SPEND THEmorning running around the town, collecting everything that we need. We fill up the Range Rover with the last of the supplies and make our way to the community centre. Jack had been on the phone most of last night calling his friends. As I watch them all start to turn up in the car park of the community centre, I am starting to realise that his professor mates were an eclectic bunch, to say the least. But each of them had two things in common—they were really decent guys, and they would do anything for each other. Jack had had no trouble in rounding them all up and co-opting them into our plan.
I pull the long, fold-up tables out of the boot.
‘I’ll get those.’
I turn around and look up at the smiling Bruno. I give him a smile, ‘Thanks for this. Jack and I really appreciate all the help.’
Bruno picks up the two tables with ease and even grabs a case of water bottles for good measure. ‘It’s my pleasure.’
Dalton appears ready to help, ‘Hey Leyna. How can I help?’
Before I can reply, Bruno shouts over his shoulder, ‘Leyna, be careful with him, he’s only a little guy—give him something light!’
I look at Dalton and try not to laugh. Dalton must be nearly six feet tall.
He shrugs, ‘Everyone’s a little guy next to Bruno.’ Dalton grabs the final table and heads into the community centre.
‘Leyna!’ I turn around and see Bryony with Jack’s friend, Iain, plodding along behind her carrying a large box of food.
Bryony gives me a big hug. I’d only met her once before, when we’d had dinner with her and Iain at his bookshop, but she was the type of individual you couldn’t help but like.
‘Are you okay?’ Bryony asks.
I nod, ‘Yeah, I’m fine, but there was so much damage done to the building that I think they’ll have to knock it down.’
Iain grumbles. Bryony turns to him, ‘Honey, is that box getting too heavy?’ she says with a smile. ‘Why don’t you take it inside and say hello your friends.’ Iain scowls at her and I laugh at the way the two of them interact, like they’ve been dating for years.
