Page 63 of Pit

I shrug. “I don’t really know. My mother used to read stories to me from the Bible when I was a kid, but we didn’t go to church or anything.”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret, Tessa. I didn’t believe either a few years back. Then someone came along and saved me, and now, I want to do the same for you. Six o’ clock.” And he turns and walks away.

Maybe he’s right. Maybe it’s the fresh start I need. And God knows I need a job right now. I laugh to myself at my play on words. It’s clearly a sign.

I check my reflection in the glass door before pulling it open and stepping inside. I inhale deeply, trying to calm my nerves before releasing slowly. There are a few people milling around at the front of the church, but it’s nothing like I expected—it looks more like a community centre than an actual church.

Lucas spots me and excuses himself from a bunch of older ladies, heading over with a huge smile on his face. “You came,” he states.

“Well, I thought I should at least find out what the fuss is about.”

“Let me introduce you to everyone,” he says, striding back towards the others. When he senses I’m not following, he turns back to me.

“Erm, I’m a little shy,” I mutter, shrugging. “I’m not comfortable around lots of people.”

He frowns slightly but nods. “That’s not a problem, Tessa. We’ll start slow. Come and meet my wife. She’s in the office, and she’s our careers expert.”

I follow him into a small office where a woman is sitting behind the desk, tapping away on a laptop. She looks up when we enter and smiles warmly. I instantly relax. “Mary, this is Tessa.”

“Hi, Tessa, come in, take a seat.” Lucas gives me a reassuring nod, and I take a seat. He slips out, leaving us alone. “So, what brings you here tonight?”

“Erm, your husband mentioned you’re a careers expert, and I really need a job.”

“I can help you out there. What was your last role?”

“I’ve some experience in retail, and I’ve done some office work. Just filing and answering the telephone.”

“And you have an address?” I nod, and she smiles again, tapping away on her laptop. “We’ve had some new jobs just come in today. How do you feel about cleaning?”

“I can clean,” I say with a nod.

“We do also have a receptionist role not far from here. Are you local to this area?”

“Five minutes up the road.”

“Do you have a curriculum vitae?” I shake my head. “Let’s get that sorted first, then we can apply for some of these positions.”

By the time I leave almost two hours later, I am smiling from ear to ear. Mary and Lucas made me feel so much more positive about my future, and once I have some money coming in, I can pay rent to Pit and even find my own place and move out.

I get home and shower. I don’t have many outfits, so I get into my pyjamas and put my clothes straight in the washing machine. Mary helped me fill out an application for financial help while I’m looking for a job, and if I get approved, she says I can also ask for a clothing grant to get an outfit for interviews. Everything I owned was in a suitcase with Alec, so lord knows where that is now.

I make myself some toast and sit in the front room. I put the television on because some background noise helps me stay calm, and then I type out a text to Pit. I have no idea if he wants to hear from me anymore, but it makes me feel connected to someone.

Me: I don’t even know if you have your mobile phone. Maybe you changed your number so you don’t have to hear from me. But messaging you makes me somehow feel less alone in the world so for now, I’m going to keep updating you. Unless you tell me to stop. Today I met a man! Don’t panic, he’s a vicar . . . I think. He didn’t wear the collar and the church wasn’t some grand place of worship. He has a wife, she’s really nice. They helped me look for a job and apply to the government for financial help while I get back on my feet. I really feel like this could be a fresh start. I miss you, Pit. x

Pit

I miss you, Pit.I stare at the last sentence and clench my jaw. She misses me . . . but she shouldn’t. I am everything that’s wrong in her life. She allows pricks like me in and then she thinks we’re good for her. This is the reason I had to get away, because that kind of text would have had me straight back intoher life. One text. That’s all it would have taken for me to screw the rest of her life up.

My mobile rings in my hand and I answer, putting it to my ear. “Lucas,” I greet.

“Just letting you know she turned up tonight.”

“I know,” I mutter, staring out over the water.

“She’s nice. Damaged but nice.”

I prickle at his words. “Damaged?”

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