Page 143 of Take My Hand

“God I love…” I almost said it. Even as a throw away comment, it felt too much. “Love chicken nuggets.”

“I know.” He wiggled his eyebrows and gave me a grin that made me want to push my thighs together. “Believe me I know.”

As he raced away to try and find Liam, Liv started to laugh.

“What?” I asked turning away from gazing at Zak.

“You two are so damn cute. And he so wanted to say it back.”

“Say what back?” I felt heat rise up my neck, hoping she hadn’t realised what I nearly said.

She knew me too well. “You know, Madeline, and if it helps, I think if you’d owned it, he would too. Now,” she said, linking arms with me. “London outfits let’s discuss.

Chapter Fifty-One

Maddy

Ihadn’t led a sheltered life, even though I had lived in the same town for most of it. Going to London, though, I was grateful that my hand was firmly in Zak’s. The masses of people pushing and pulling on the underground had been cloying, to the point that I wasn’t sure I had enough breath in my lungs.

Sensing my tension, Zak had curled his fingers around mine and didn’t let go as he pulled me through the crowds until we got onto the overground train, which we’d just gotten off. Heading for the exit, Liam had a hand on Emma’s shoulder following us, while Liv dragged a huge suitcase behind her, evidently forgetting we were only staying for one night.

As we made it out into the cold grey day, I heaved a sigh of relief and Zak smiled down at me.

“Okay?”

“Yeah, I just can’t believe how busy it is.” I glanced back to where dozens of people were milling around, coming in and out of the station. “It’s manic.”

“Welcome to London, babe.” He grinned proudly, clearly pleased to show us his ‘home city’. “You alright guys?”

Liam wrapped his arm around Emma’s neck and pulled her against his chest. “Yep, all good.”

“I can’t believe Ana didn’t turn up for the train.” I sighed, giving my phone yet another glance just in case she’d finally called me. “I hope everything is okay.”

“You sure she’s not in Liv’s case,” Zak replied sarcastically. “It’s fucking big enough.”

Liv rolled her eyes, running a hand down her pink wool coat with a deeper pink fur collar and cuffs. “Essentials, Zachary, and have I asked you to pull it?”

“No, but?—”

“Then there’s no need to discuss it, is there?” She did a ninety degree turn and pointed with a pink gloved finger. “I believe this is the direction we need to go in.”

Blinking, I looked at Zak. “Do we?”

He scratched his ear. “Yeah, actually she’s right.”

As she took the lead, we all followed, and I couldn’t help giggling. “How does she know where we’re going?” I asked Zak.

“No idea. I mean I put it on the message for everyone to pass onto their parents, so maybe she googled it.”

“She isn’t even looking at her phone, though.”

“I think she has a photographic memory,” Emma said. “Because have you noticed how she never forgets anything.”

“I don’t think that means she has a photographic memory, Em,” Liam replied. “That just means she holds a grudge.”

“I heard that,” Liv called over her shoulder making us laugh. “I wouldn’t need to hold a grudge if you lot weren’t such vile people. Right, it’s just around here.”

Zak shook his head and chuckled as we all trailed behind her and the bump, bump, bump of her suitcase on the pavement. Within ten minutes she pulled up at a wrought iron gate leadingonto a black and white tiled path at the end of which was a black, front door with a shiny chrome letterbox and number seven. There were shutters at the bay windows and a holly tree standing proudly in a black pot next to the step.

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