by J. B. Leigh
“Okay, thanks.”
“I'll give you a lift home.”
“No. I'll walk. You look for Kerry.”
Before he could argue, she had hurried away.
Brice pulled up at the bus stop.
“Jimmy! Get in.”
“Who was that waiting for you?” Jimmy jumped in beside Brice.
“Kerry's mum.”
“Where are we going?”
“Kerry's missing. We have to find her,” Brice said.
“Where is she?”
Brice gave Jimmy a look.
“Sorry. Stupid question. How long has she been gone?”
“Three days.”
“Is she dressed as blonde punk?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Certain. I'll drop you in town. You check the library and anywhere else you can think of. I'll shoot over to Toppers and the other coffee bars.”
“I can't see her being at Toppers,” Jimmy said.
“We've got to check. Call me if you spot her.”
“Will do.”
Brice dropped Jimmy in town, but before he could set off for Toppers, his phone rang.
“Hello?”
“It's Kerry's mum.”
“Any sign of her?”
“No. I said I'd call, so you have this number.”
“Right.” He added the number to his contacts: 'L' for Lizzie.
“Call me if you find her.”
“Don't worry. I'll find her.” He hoped he sounded more confident than he felt.
Chapter 56
Carol Stafford hadn't expected to see Kerry again quite so soon. Kerry hadn't told her about Lizzie or her D.I.D.—it wasn't something she cared to share with anyone. Instead, she'd told Carol that she'd fallen out with her mum, and had been thrown out of the house. Kerry hadn't been sure what kind of reception she might get when she turned up unannounced. After all, she'd only known her auntie a matter of days. She needn't have worried. Carol hadn't hesitated to take her in. Kerry was her brother's daughter, which meant she was her flesh and blood. The children seemed only too happy to share a bedroom for a few days while their new cousin stayed. Clothes weren't a problem—Carol was a similar build to Kerry.
“Shouldn't you let your mum know where you are?” Carol said.
“She doesn't know I've traced my biological mother and father.”
“Don't you think you should tell her?”
Kerry shrugged.
“She'll worry,” Carol pressed.
“I'll call her later.”
“What about Brice?”
“It didn't work out.”
“Really? That's a shame. He seemed like such a nice young man.” Carol would have liked to ask more, but let it ride.
“How long are you staying, Auntie Kerry?” Jane—the youngest of the two girls asked.
Even though they were actually cousins, Carol had told the kids to call Kerry 'auntie'. Kerry thought the kids, Jane and Susan, were great. They took to her straight away; she enjoyed playing the part of an auntie.
It was Kerry's third day at Carol's, and she knew she couldn't stay much longer. Carol had been incredibly kind, but Kerry couldn't expect her to put her up indefinitely.
“Is it okay if I stay one more night? I'll leave first thing tomorrow.”
“Of course. Stay as long as you like.”
“Thanks, but I think it's time for me to leave.”
“What will you do?”
“I'm going to go back home. I've spoken to my mum, and we've sorted things out.”
“That's good.” Carol hadn't heard Kerry phone her mum, but didn't feel it would be helpful to challenge her.
“I can give you a lift back.”
“It's okay. I'll get the bus.”
“Nonsense. I can drop you somewhere a little way from your house if you don't want your mum to know about me.”
Kerry didn't argue. She'd already planned to leave early the next morning. She had no intention of going back home.
There was a knock at the door.
“Can you get that, Kerry?” Carol called from the kitchen. “I need to watch this doesn't boil over.”
“Okay.” Kerry stepped over dolls which were scattered across the floor, as she made her way to the door.
“Brice?”
Chapter 57
“I'll take the kids upstairs, so you two can talk.” Carol scooped Jane into her arms.
“I want to stay with Auntie Kerry,” Susan protested.
“Auntie Kerry needs to talk to Brice.” Carol grabbed her eldest daughter by the hand.
“Is Brice Auntie Kerry's boyfriend?” Susan said, as she was being dragged upstairs.
“Yes I am,” Brice shouted.
“Hurray!” Susan said.
“I thought—” Kerry looked puzzled. “I didn't think you wanted—”
“Shhhh!” Brice put his finger on her lips. “Never mind what I said. I talk a load of rubbish. I want to be with you.”
She turned away. “We can't. It would never work.”
He put his hands on her shoulders, and turned her around, so she was facing him again. She still couldn't look him in the eye.
“Kerry.” He put two fingers under her chin, and tilted her head, so she was looking at him. “I'm sorry for the things I said.”
“You were right,” she said. “It can never work.”
“No, I was wrong. We can make it work—if you want to.”
“How? She'll wreck it.”
“Lizzie?”
Kerry tried to dip her head again, but he wouldn't let her.
“She can't wreck it if we don't let her,” Brice said, and then pressed his lips against her forehead.
“What happens the next time?” Kerry wiped away a tear.
“We'll have to take it one step at a time. The only thing I'm sure of is that I want to be with you. Nothing else matters.”
“I wish I could believe it.”
“Then, believe it.” He leaned forward, and they shared the longest kiss.
“Thanks for everything,” Kerry said.
“My pleasure.” Carol smiled. “It was worth it to see you two back together. Make sure you take care of her, Brice, or you'll have me to answer to.”
“I promise,” Brice said.
“Come here girls. Come and give Auntie Kerry and Uncle Brice a kiss,” Carol said.
Susan threw her arms around Kerry while Jane leaped into Brice's arms.
“Uncle Brice,” Kerry said when they were outside. “It suits you.”
Brice laughed. “I have to call your mum to let her know you're okay.”
“She doesn't have a phone.”
“She does now.”
Chapter 58
“Are you sure you know what you're doing?” Jimmy said. “I thought you were well shut of crazy knickers.”
“Her name is Kerry.” Brice said.
“You've got to admit, she's a sandwich short—”
“Jimmy!”
“Okay, okay. I get it. I'll be nice.”
“Good. I also need you to do me a favour.” Brice pulled into the university car park.
“I'm listening.”
“I don't want you to say anything to Kerry about the damage to the car or about blonde punk.”
“You mean you want me to pretend like it never happened?” Jimmy asked.
“Yeah.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
“I want you two to be friends. No giving her a hard time.”
“Hey, if you can forgive and forget, I'm sure I can. I'm not the one who has to pay for a re-spray.” Jimmy jumped out of the car. “How come you didn't give Kerry a lift?”
“She missed a few days last week, so she's coming in early to catch up. She'll probably be in the library.”
“No, I don't think she is.”
“What do you mean?”
Jimmy gestured towards the main entrance. Kerry was standing by the doors.
/> “Remember what I said,” Brice whispered, as they approached her.
“What was that?”
Brice gave Jimmy a stern look.
“I'm kidding. I'm only kidding. Take a chill pill.”
“Hi!” Kerry beamed.
“Hi.” Brice leaned forward and gave her a peck on the lips.
“Hello, Jimmy.” Kerry sounded nervous. Their last encounter was still etched on her mind.
“Hiya, Kerry. Hey, are you thinking of keying any cars today?” Jimmy grinned.
Brice, his face like thunder, turned towards Jimmy.
“Not today.” Kerry laughed.
“Good plan. I'll see you guys later.”
“I'm sorry about that,” Brice said.
“What? He was just being himself. That's what I want. I don't want him to treat me like—like some kind of special snowflake. What exactly have you told him?”
Brice looked around to see if anyone could overhear.
“He knows you damaged the car and made the calls, but he doesn't know about—” He hesitated. “About Lizzie. He just thinks you were acting a little crazy. He doesn't need to know anything else.”
Chapter 59
Brice and Kerry were in Toppers. They should have been revising for the upcoming exams, but they'd decided they deserved one night off.
“I saw Jimmy this morning,” she said.
“Unlucky.” Brice smiled.
“He was complaining he never sees you these days. He said I was monopolising you.”
It was almost a month since Brice and Kerry had got back together. Since then, they'd spent most evenings and weekends in each other's company.
“Poor guy. We need to find him a girlfriend,” Brice said.
“Is there anyone in particular he likes?”
“Just take a look around.”
“Who?” Kerry tried to see who Brice was looking at.
“Any of them. Jimmy isn't fussy. Anyone in a skirt will do.”
“That's not fair.”
“Trust me. Just as long as she has a pulse.”
“That's a horrible thing to say.” Kerry smiled. “I like Jimmy. He's sweet.”
“Sweet? Jimmy may be many things, but sweet isn't one of them.”
“He's been sweet to me.”
“Only because I threatened him.”
“Does he have a type? Blonde? Brunette? Big bust? Long legs?” Kerry studied the crowd of girls congregated near the front of the coffee shop.
“He seems to have a thing about Courtney Jerome.” Brice pulled a face. “I can't think why?”
“She has a great figure.”
“Which she likes to show off to all and sundry.”
Kerry had seen Brice react this way before. Most guys were attracted by girls who wore short skirts or low cut tops. Not Brice— he appeared to be repulsed by them.
“How would you feel about me wearing a shorter skirt?”
“Why would you?” He looked puzzled. “What made you ask that?”
“I just wondered—”
“You look great just the way you are.” He stood up. “I need another coffee. Do you want one?”
“I'm thinking of calling Dawn,” Kerry said when he returned with the coffees.
“Dawn?”
“My biological mother.”
“Of course. Sorry.”
“I thought I'd ask if I could go over and see her again. Would you like to come?”
“It might be better if I don't. At least not until you two have had the chance to build your own relationship.”
“Yeah, you're probably right. I'll give her a call tomorrow.”
Chapter 60
Kerry didn't have a class until the afternoon, so she had spent the early morning in the library. She was supposed to be revising, but she'd spent most of the time talking to Brice, who'd skipped a lecture. He'd have still been there if she hadn't made him go to his second lecture. Kerry checked her watch—it was just after ten. Leaving her books on the table, she made her way to the main cafeteria where there were five pay phones—all of them free. She was one of the few students not to have a mobile phone. That was due to change soon—Brice had persuaded her she should invest in a cheap smartphone, so he could always get in touch.
Dawn had said she could call after ten.
“Hello?”
The voice on the other end wasn't Dawn's. Kerry hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should speak or hang up. The female voice was deep—much deeper than Dawn's. Could it be Dawn's partner? For some reason, Kerry had assumed Dawn's partner would be a man, but thinking back, she realised Dawn hadn't mentioned a name. Maybe her mother was gay? Might that explain the breakdown of her first marriage?
“Hello?” the voice said, louder this time.
“Is Dawn there?”
“Who's this?”
“It's Kerry.”
“What do you want?”
The question took her by surprise. Before she could answer, the voice continued.
“Why are you bothering her? She's got better things to do than waste her time with you. Why do you think she gave you up?”
“Dawn said I could contact her—”
“Fuck off, and don't call again.”
Kerry continued to stare at the phone long after the line had gone dead. Two girls giggled as they walked past. It took Kerry two attempts to replace the receiver because her hand was shaking. The woman's words had shaken her to the core, but there was another reason for Kerry's tears. Moments before the call had terminated, Kerry had recognised the voice on the other end of the phone.
Chapter 61
Kerry thought Brice had been in a lecture—he hadn't. He'd driven into town to buy a phone for her. It was an entry level, pre-owned smartphone which he'd picked up for next to nothing. It wasn't all singing, all dancing, but it would do everything she needed. They'd be able to text, call, and email each other any time they wanted.
They'd agreed to meet up in the library at lunch. When he arrived there, Kerry was nowhere to be seen, but her books were in a pile on her usual table. While he waited for her to return, Brice entered his phone details into 'contacts' on her new phone. Next, he typed and sent a short text message from his phone. Almost instantly, Kerry's phone beeped to announce receipt of that message. Brice allowed himself a smile as he imagined Kerry reading her first ever text.
He'd been waiting almost an hour. Even if she'd gone to the cafeteria for lunch (she usually brought sandwiches from home), she should have been back. If only he'd bought the phone last week, he'd have been able to call her. He was on the point of going to look for her when his phone rang. It made him jump, and drew a disapproving look from the librarian who pointed to the 'Phones must be turned off' notice. The caller ID displayed the letter 'L'. It was the phone Kerry's mum had called him on—it was Lizzie's phone. For a moment he froze—he hadn't heard or seen Lizzie since he and Kerry had got back together. He'd always known this moment would arrive, and had wondered how he'd handle it. He was about to find out.
“Hello?” he said, and then swallowed to clear his dry throat.
“Brice?”
It wasn't the hate-filled, aggressive voice of Lizzie. He should have been relieved, but there was something in Kerry's mum's voice which told him everything was not well.
“Is Kerry okay?” he said. “Is she with you?”
“Sort of—”
“Lizzie?”
“Yes.”
“Is she there now?”
“She's getting changed. I'm not sure where she plans on going.”
“Keep her there until I come over.”
“I'm not sure if I can.”
“You have to try!”
Brice paid little heed to the speed limit as he drove to Kerry's. When he was close to the house, he kept his eyes peeled in case he spotted the familiar leather-clad blonde. When he arrived, he saw Kerry's mum at the window. Her hand gestures told him what he needed to know—Lizzie was still in the house. Hi
s heart was racing, and his mouth was dry, as he knocked on the door.
Chapter 62
“I'm going out,” Lizzie shouted to her mother, who was staring out of the window.
Before she reached the door, someone knocked.
“What do you want?” she said.
Brice was staring at her, but he said nothing.
“Well?” She spat the word. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see—”
“Kerry? How nice! What are you? Stupid? How many times do I have to tell you Kerry doesn't want to see you? You're a loser. Why don't you do us all a favour and fuck off!”
“Kerry and I are an item,” he said.
“An item? What does that even mean?”
“I love her.”
“How nice. How sweet. I've got bad news for you—she doesn't love you. She hates your fucking guts. She just doesn't know how to tell you. She doesn't want to hurt your feelings. I said I'd do it for her. I said I'd tell you.”
“You're wrong. Kerry does love me.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
“So why did she ask me to wreck your car? Why did she ask me to make the phone calls?” Lizzie screamed.
“It doesn't matter what you say. I love Kerry, and she loves me. Why don't you ask her?”
“Why don't you fuck off?”
“I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to wait right here until Kerry comes back.”
“Do what you want. You're wasting your time.”
She pushed past him, and stormed off down the road.
Chapter 63
“Are you okay?” Kerry's mum appeared in the doorway. Brice didn't respond for several seconds—his gaze was locked on the leather-clad blonde in the distance.
“I think so.”
“Come in.”
“Shouldn't I go after her?”
