Never A Choice (The Choices Trilogy (Book 1)) (45 page)

I spend the first few days recovering in the guest room at Sofia’s parents. I catch up on all my reading and Mr Wilson was kind enough to get all the Lecturers to email their notes and assignments directly to me. It was like having private tuition. I spoke to Mags, I felt bad for not having spoken to her sooner, she must have known I had stopped taking calls; she probably wanted her phone back. She didn’t and she was really sweet, told me the phone was prepaid and still booked until the end of the month so to keep it and maybe pop it back next month because she’d really love to see me and catch up. I know it didn’t really work out but she didn’t make a big deal about that and sounded like she really wanted to see me so I promised I would pop round next month to do just that.

I have been at Sofia’s parents’ house for a whole week and really I feel much better. The bruising on my face is a nice greenish yellow and I still have two black eyes but my nose is back to its normal size, it is very tender though. My ribs are the same shade as my cheeks and are still bound with strong sports tape and the cut on the soul of my foot is healed. It’s not those injuries that has Sofia’s judgemental brow raised as I lift myself from her bed and head to her bathroom. The welts are now thin red lines and they peek out of the bottom of my pyjama shorts.

“So Miss, you gonna tell me about those railing marks?” She quips.

“No.” I quip right back and shut the bathroom door to take a pee. She bursts right in as I take a seat.

“Sofs! A little privacy here! I’ve been prodded and poked with no chance at modesty for almost a week so now I’m home I’d like to regain a little of my dignity.” I huff.

“You can ask for privacy with your arse looking like the rear end of a Grand National winner?” She has a point but I don’t know how I would begin to explain
that
night because that would mean explaining Lola and that I am perhaps a kinky bitch. I know she’s my best friend but I don’t think that means she needs to know everything about me, especially when
I
don’t know everything about me.

“You know Sofs, I think I can and I think you should let me have it. All you need to know is, I’m Ok.” I look dead into her eyes and see that she is only worried about me. She doesn’t really want to know the gory details, well maybe she does, but she really just wants to know I’m Ok.”

“You sure, it’s important Bets, you sure you are Ok, you’re not just saying that?” Her need for extra assurance is why I love her so much. She really cares enough to ask the awkward questions even if I don’t want to give her the awkward answers.

“I’m sure, promise.” I cross my heart and blow her a kiss and she walks to me when I hold my hand to stop her. “Wait right there Mrs! I am not cuddling you while I’m sat on the loo!”

“Right right.” She laughs still not leaving. My eyes widen unbelieving that she doesn’t know I want her to leave. “Oh, sorry.” She scuttles back into her bedroom and I laugh, she has no shame but that doesn’t mean I don’t either.

Sofia’s mum has cooked the most amazing meal. I look at the table and I am sure there must be at least another ten people joining us with the amount of food piled in the centre but no, it’s the six of us; Sofia’s mum and dad, Sofia and Paul and Marco and me. She has cooked a roast and I know that’s because it’s my favourite non Italian meal. Roast lamb stuffed with rosemary and anchovies, crisp roast potatoes, rosemary buttered carrots, cauliflower cheese, spring greens with leeks and broccoli. My eyes are definitely too big for my stomach as I pile my plate with the delicious smelling food. Sofia raises her glass of wine for a toast, I’m still on pain medication so I have water but I raise it all the same.

“To family and no more hospital food.” There is a light laughter and we all chink glasses. I am so grateful to this family that literally saves my life on a daily bases. We all begin to eat.

“How have you been Paul, I mean you look well?” I ask as I try to slow down shovelling food into my face like I haven’t eaten in a week.

“I am all good sweetheart, good as new eh babe?” He nudges Sofia and she instantly blushes. It’s sweet but Paul quickly carries on when he sees her father’s scowl, I chuckle. “I’m back to work I mean.” Nice recovery. “I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you, my doctor said I should avoid hospitals, you know avoid possible infections, but if you look like this after nearly two weeks, honestly, I am glad I didn’t get to see you then.”

“Paul!” Sofia elbows him in the ribs and he winces but I laugh.

“What? What did I say?” He looks affronted but then it sinks in what he said. “No Bets it’s not that you look like shit, it’s just you know-” Marco interrupts.

“You want a shovel with that Paul?” He snickers and I can’t stop laughing as Paul squirms with embarrassment.

“Take no notice Paul.” I shoot him my sweetest, I’m not offended smile. “I’m glad you’re all fixed, anyway enough with the drama; what else is new?”

“Well,” Sofia’s dad joins in. “The restaurants are all coping with out you Bets so there’s no need to hurry back, you just take your time getting better.” He reaches and grabs my hand, his hands are massive and he completely covers mine and holds it. “You’re very precious to me, to all of us.” I can feel tears building and he senses this too and quickly continues. “Marco has some news.” He nods to his son and I turn to look next to me as Marco puts the largest potato in his mouth, whole. He grins. We all stare at him will he chews and swallows, he loves the attention.

“Oh yes, yes I do. I’m moving.” He seems really pleased but I hope he isn’t moving too far.

“Really, where?” I sound apprehensive.

“Not far, two streets over, a little nearer to the restaurant actually and it’s bigger, has two bedrooms.”

“Ooo fancy! That’s great though, nearer to the restaurant, not that it’s much of a commute but still and extra five minutes in bed is not to be sniffed at.” I nudge him and he puts his arm around my shoulder and hugs me. I decide now is as good as any to mention going back to my place. I am much better and as much as I love being here I do miss my own space. “I was thinking I would head back to mine tomorrow, it must need a bit of a clean by now.” The table falls silent and I look at all the faces staring at me like I had just suggested we eat babies for dessert. I press on regardless. “I am much better and-”

“You’re not moving back there.” Sofia’s dad informs me and it would seem it’s the consensus of the table with the general head nodding.

“Oh, Ok may I ask why?”

“Sure.” It’s Marco’s turn to join in and I turn to face him.

“Why?” I direct this specifically at him.

“Oh right, because we said so.” He narrows his eyes as a challenge.

“You know you can’t keep me here right?” I am a little irritated, I hate decisions being taken unilaterally, but Sofia’s mum speaks and takes all the irritation away.

“Bets, honey, I don’t want you living there alone. I won’t sleep again if you go back there but I also know you can’t live here either, not that we don’t want you because, you know we do. So we were hoping you would move in with Marco now he will have a bigger place.” Her smile is warm and loving and I can see the genuine worry in her eyes. I don’t want her to worry. I don’t want any of them to worry but living with Marco, he doesn’t have a flat he has a shag pad, I know I’ve seen the pictures! I look at him sceptically with my brows raised hoping he knows where my thoughts are right now.

“I’ll tone it down a bit if you move in Boo, you know I will.” He wiggles his eyebrows and flashes the cheekiest grin that makes me laugh. “Beside I’m going to need help with the rent now, the landlord’s a real ballbreaker.” He nods in the direction of his father who scowling but with a huge smile.

“Oh.” Now I understand the whole set up and I couldn’t love this family any more if I tried.

“You would be doing me a huge favour.” Sofia’s mums’ voice is soft and kind, “Keep an eye on my baby.” It’s Marco’s turn to blush, and like his twin he also has no shame so this is a rare occurrence and it makes me laugh loudly.

“Mum, enough!” He grumbles and picks up another potato.

“It’s really kind.” They all look my way obviously expecting me to decline, I’m not so great at accepting hand-outs but this time I want to. I want to share with Marco because I think I need to feel safe for a while. “I’d really like that.” My voice is quiet and is quickly drowned by cheers and raised glasses, wow they really thought I was going to say no. “When do you move in?”

“Oh.” He finishes his mouth full. “Next week, it’s just being redecorated, so you get to pick a bedroom colour but I’m choosing the living room, none of that pink shit!”

“Marco! Language!” His mother clips his head with her palm. He is lucky he is down her end of the table, his dad is not so gentle dishing out his discipline.

“That’s fine by me, I wouldn’t do pink all through the place.” I giggle because I probably would. “I’ll go to mine tomorrow and start packing.” I lift my glass and suggest another toast.

“To family.” My eyes well as we clink glasses again.

The next day is Sunday and it’s late evening when Marco drops me at my apartment to begin my packing. I have been at his place all afternoon supervising his packing and I got so excited that I wanted to make a start on my own. He dropped me before heading over to Rose for the night. I promised I’d call Sofia or her dad to pick me up when I’m done, ensuring I wouldn’t work too late. The flat really isn’t big enough for it to take too long anyway but it is always surprising how many boxes you accumulate when you start putting everything you own in them. I start in the living room with the easiest items, my university books and files. I have been steadily packing for half an hour when I hear my door bell. I run down thinking that maybe Rose wasn’t in after all or maybe Marco was consumed with guilt for leaving me to pack on my own when I had been helping him all day, that he returned. I laugh at that thought and open the door without looking. My reaction’s far too slow to shut it and prevent the heavy boot from kicking it back open. I fall against the corridor wall as Kit walks past followed by her ape with the big boots but that’s not what makes my stomach drop to the floor and my heart sink. It’s the bruising around his bloodshot eyes and the smell of stale smoke.

I LOOK AT my hands and can see them tremble. He stands at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me to follow Kit up. I blow out the breath I had been holding to avoid gagging on the stench of his breath and make my way up and into the living room. She is sitting on the sofa, her expression fails to hide her distain at being in my home. She pats the cushion beside her, like we are going to have a nice little chat.

“Are you going somewhere?” She indicates the boxes.

“Um yes, I’m moving but I’m staying at Sofia’s tonight.” I don’t want her thinking I am going to be here alone, well I don’t want Clive the ape thinking I will be here alone. He takes a seat in the armchair his face a dark scowl, he makes my skin crawl.

She shakes her head and a chilling smile spreads across her face. “Not tonight you’re not, you need to call her and let her know you are staying here tonight.” Her tone is utterly chilling. “And Boo,” She snarls. “Make her believe it, if she shows up, well I can’t promise . . .”