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It’s been two days since the funeral. A week since my father passed. And I can’t spend another second rattling around in that big empty house.
He’s everywhere, in everything. Haunting me.
When the headteacher of All Hallows’ doesn’t answer, I add, “Please, I’m begging you. Money isn’t an issue, you know that.”
Ironic really, that my father, as a well-respected judge, earned more money than we could spend. But it couldn’t save him.
It couldn’t cure the disease addling his body.
“Fine, yes. Of course. You can move into the dormitories.”
“Thank you. Thank you.” Relief sinks into me as I wipe my eyes.
I’m surprised I have any tears left to fall. It’s all I’ve done for days. Cry and sleep and cry some more.
After the wake, the girls wanted to stay with me, but I didn’t want them too. I couldn’t bear it. The pity in their eyes, the utter hopelessness.
Besides, I don’t want them to know that I’m slipping. Falling into old habits and dark places. And I definitely don’t want Elliot to know. I don’t want him to try and intervene and play that big brother role that I so obviously mistook for something more.
I inhale a shuddering breath, thanking Mr Porter again. “When can I move in?”
“As soon as?—”
“Today,” I blurt out. “I already have my things.”
“Okay, okay.” He concedes. “Mrs Danvers will get you settled. Let me call her.”
He does and I wait. Desperate to get to my new room—my new home I suppose.
The house is legally mine now as are most of my father’s money and assets. But I can’t think about that yet. Can’t deal with any of it.
All I want to do is sleep and forget. Just for a little while. Until the pain recedes and I feel like I can breathe again.
“She’ll be right over,” he says, standing. “As for your class schedule, I’ll speak to your teachers. See if we can make some allowances, maybe look at coursework extensions.”
“Thank you.”
He gives me a small nod. “Your father was a good man, Abigail. His absence will be felt by all of us.”
There’s a small knock on the door and I’m saved from having to say anything else when the dorm aunt Mrs Danvers appears.
“Oh, Abi.” She rushes over to me and takes me by the shoulders. “I’m so very sorry.”
“Thank you.”
“Come on, let’s get you settled. I have a lovely quiet room for you in the Bronte Building.”
“Take good care of her,” Mr Porter says.
He’s never been an easy man to deal with, but his words seem genuine.
People liked my father. An intelligent and revered man, they respected him. Even if he didn’t always make the right choices. Like trying to secure my future by marrying me off to Reese Whitfield-Brown.
I suppress a shudder.
It was an act of desperation. To make sure I had someone to take care of me when he was gone. But Reese and I weren’t right for one another and when I realised he had fallen in love with Olivia, I begged my father to change his mind.
And for a while, I thought that maybe Elliot would?—
