Page 83 of Cuts Like An Angel: Part 3

“What happened?”

“He was laid off. I didn’t want to go back home, so they helped me get another job. I moved out, got my own place. Not because it was bad there, but they’re a married couple with a baby. They didn't want a stray looking at them all the time.”

Rosie didn’t know when in the conversation Mark had grabbed himself a legal pad and began to scribble down various items, but he nodded at her and wrote more now. “You know to the normal world this isn't a contract with Peter, it’s a …”

“It’s a contract,” she said quickly. To name it anything else would be to make it more important than it was.

Whether Mark understood or not, she didn’t know, but he nodded. “Okay, well this contract, Peter is in breach of it. You know it is him who’d have to pay.”

“But it is me who wants to get out of it.”

“Yes, but because of his actions, right?”

That wasn’t the only reason. She’d never wanted in on it in the first place. But she told Mark yes. It was easier that way.

“And you have proof?”

“Yes.” Rosie nodded. She’d got pictures and emails and things she didn’t want to see or ever look at again, but she would.

“Then this one is easy enough. It’s him who owes you the fifty thousand.”

“And the visa? If I get sent back home,” she took a breath, let herself pause again, “I’m pregnant.”

“It’s William’s?” He put his hand up. “I have to ask, sorry. You learn in this job to not ever make assumptions.”

“Yes. It’s William’s. Can they make me go home? If I’m carrying a baby?”

“Well, congratulations,” he said, smiling. “I have an idea,” Mark said. He got up from his seat, taking Rosie’s papers with him, and went to his desk. How the man could find a damn thing was beyond Rosie, but he managed to find whatever it was. A business card. “Can you call your parents, make it sound like you’re agreeing, but ask them for a week?”

“They said tomorrow.”

“Yes. But if they think you’re cooperating? Tell them you need to finalise affairs here. Hand your notice in, close bank accounts and god knows what else. Just tell them you need a week to put your affairs in order. It's not an unreasonable request.”

“You don't know my parents.”

“No. But trust me. If they are going to report you, it’ll take them longer than a week--if anyone listens to them. What you’ve shown me …” He shook his head. “Can I get a contact for your friend? Stephanie?”

Rosie narrowed her eyes. She didn’t want to bring them into this. “Will he get into trouble. He’s been saying I still work there.”

“Not if I can help it. I promise Rosie. The only people going back to America are your parents, and the only fifty thousand passing hands is going to be into your account.”

Maybe she didn’t know she was holding it all in. Perhaps she didn’t know how much it was bothering her, but her whole body relaxed. “Thank you,” she said, “Thank you so much.” She was about to say something else when her phone rang. A number she didn’t recognise.

She clicked accept on the call.

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