Page 92 of Saved By Two

She shakes her head as if to argue; I agree with Caleb. The allegations show this isn’t something new, and if anything, the police force has failed by not pursuing the ones raised in the past.

“Sweet girl, he’s right. This is not your fault. But if you still want to report him and make a statement, we’ll support your decision.”

She’s blaming herself for actions outside of her control. Jessica wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s pure and selfless, the way she’ll give you the last biscuit and see to your needs before her own. She feels so deeply, and I’m in awe of her empathy, even more so after how she’s been treated.

“Yes, I have to report him. I need to do this.”

Caleb pulls her into his chest. “Then we’ll take you,” he says, holding her tightly.

“We can keep a track of him as long as he’s using this phone,” Elliot says, looking towards me.

“Thanks, man.”

It’s another forty minutes before the guys all leave, and it’s just the three of us left in the living room. It’s almost six in the morning, and I know I won’t have a chance in hell at getting back to sleep. I’m still way too wired.

Jessica is curled up on the end of the sofa, a vacant expression on her face.

“Jax knows someone who can come do a cleanup and gut the room, but they’ll need two days.” I glance back to Jessica before focusing on Caleb. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to be here while that’s happening,” I admit.

He rubs the stubble of his jaw, a frown on his face. “The new surveillance will take a couple of hours. Elliot called in a favour, so they’re coming here at nine.” I notice it’s the first time he’s ever mentioned Elliot without a hint of hostility.

“I was thinking we get her down to the station, let her make her statement, and then we could take her to Camber Sands for a couple of days, at least until everything is sorted out here.”

He nods. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. I’ll have my meetings rescheduled.”

“Okay, I’ll get a hold of Bishop and ask him to get in some essentials.”

He’s the guy who maintains and looks after our property there. It sits in between Viking Bay and Louisa Bay—a stone’s throw away from the beach—with a sea view from the master bedroom. I think some sea air is just what Jessica needs. What Caleb and I love about it the most, other than it being right by the beach, is that everything local is within walking distance, so there is no need for a car.

Jessica showers while Caleb and I get dressed and pack a weekend bag.

“Shit, what about clothes for Jessica?” I ask as Caleb ties the laces of his trainers. “I don’t think she will want to touch anything he had his hands on. She has a clean pair of leggings and knickers on the airer.”

Caleb straightens, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Give her one of your T-shirts. And I’ll see if Wendy can grab her some essentials, and then we can swing by the office on our way out of the city and grab them.”

I reach for the back of his neck and pull him towards me. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” And then he kisses me, letting go when we hear the water from the shower shut off.

* * *

It’s after two in the afternoon when we finally finish at the police station. After discussing it with Caleb, we also decided to report the break-in. The more evidence against that cunt, the better.

Caleb left about an hour ago to run some errands while I sat in with Jessica as she gave her statement and gave them the clothing we had bagged from that night she first came to us.

She looks exhausted by the time we step through the automatic doors onto the pavement. I wrap my arm over her shoulder and kiss her temple. Squinting up at the cloudless blue sky, the sun shining, I know it will be gorgeous weather in Camber Sands. I just wish we were taking her there under better circumstances.

It feels like this is a huge relapse from all the self-healing over the last few weeks, and the one place she found solace in has now been tainted. Caleb admitting he would take Curtis out was said in anger, even though I know if he had to, he would do it in a heartbeat.

And that’s a conversation maybe we need to have with Jessica. The thought of her feeling at odds with Caleb scares me because I don’t want to lose this, lose her.

Caleb pulls up outside, I open the door for Jessica to climb into the back, and then I take the front passenger side.

“I got you both one of those iced coffee’s you like,” Caleb says as he pulls away. “And there are some snacks in the bag. We can stop if you’re hungry or eat when we get there.”

“Thank you.” I pick up my coffee, grateful for the caffeine fix, and take a huge mouthful.

“Get where?” Jessica asks after it registers what he just said.

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