Page 80 of Meet Me in Berlin

I cut in. ‘I absolutely will tell Holly. She’s coming over on the weekend. I’ll sit her down and explain everything. It’ll be easier in London.’

‘You still haven’t broke it off with Eva!’

More people have arrived at the departure gate, and I lower my voice. ‘I’m doing that the minute I get back. Which reminds me, she’ll totally kick me out, so can I have your couch for a bit? It’s just closer to work than Mum and Dad’s.’

‘You’re in luck because my flatmate is about to move out.’

‘No way. Why?’

‘Moving to Manchester. Just been offered a new job up there.’

‘Brilliant. Thanks. Catch up later for a bevvy?’

‘Yeah. Meet me after work about half five, at the Pig and Butcher near my place,’ she says.

‘You’re the best, Jazzy. Good luck with your meeting.’ I hang up and check the overhead screen. A few minutes to spare until boarding, so I stick in my headphones and FaceTime Holly.

‘Hello, you,’ she says with a broad, beautiful smile. Her hair is damp and clinging to her bare shoulders. ‘Calling me already?’

‘I miss you,’ I say, my voice tinged with longing. ‘Are you naked?’

Holly angles the camera to show the towel wrapped around her chest. ‘Not quite.’ She returns the camera to her face. ‘When’s your flight?’

I glance up at the departures screen. ‘Leaves in about twenty minutes and boarding very soon. What are you doing today?’

‘I might go to some museums. I haven’t done that yet, so…’ She shrugs. ‘And I need to find somewhere to stay in London.’ She sits on the bed. ‘Are you okay with me staying close to where you are? Islington, right? Is that cramping your space?’

‘Of course I don’t mind.’ I’ve already given her Jaz’s address, thinking I’d be staying on her couch, not moving in. ‘And it will be nice if you have somewhere close, because I’m about to move in with Jaz, and you do not want to be in the flat when she brings someone back. So if we’ve got somewhere else to go, that will be good.

She laughs. ‘I’m looking forward to meeting Jaz.’ Her brows knit. ‘Why are you about to move in with her?’

I swallow. Shit. ‘Oh, long story. I’ll tell you about it at the weekend.’ A voice crackles over the loudspeaker. ‘Hey, I’ve got to board. Maybe we can catch up later? If you’ll be about…’

‘Where else would I be?’

I shrug. ‘Out.’

She shakes her head. ‘Other than getting food, I’ll be here. I want to call Mum.’

I stand and get in line. ‘I’m meeting Jazzy for a drink after work, but I’ll call when I’m home.’

‘Okay.’ She blows me a kiss. ‘I can’t wait for the weekend.’

‘I can’t either.’ I hang up and release a drawn-out breath, my stomach churning over what’s waiting at my destination.

Chapter 27

Casey, London

When I walk into the flat, I’m surprised to hear the sound of the telly drift from the sitting room. Instantly my hackles rise that Eva couldn’t be arsed replying to my messages asking after her dad. I leave my case by the door and head into the sitting room. ‘Hello,’ I say. ‘You’re here.’

Eva is on the sofa, one foot up on a towel, nail polish in hand. ‘Finally, you’re back.’ She strokes the brush over a toenail, places the polish on the side table and walks over to me. We exchange an awkward half-cheek, half corner-of-mouth kiss before she resumes her position, pulling up the other foot and grabbing a nail file.

‘Why haven’t you replied to me? Is your dad okay?’

She sighs a dramatic sigh. ‘Sorry. I was really stressed, and I’ve been with Mum and Dad most of the time. A stupid driver ran a red light and smashed into the side of Dad’s car.’

‘Shit,’ I say, perching at the opposite end of the sofa. ‘Is he badly hurt?’

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