Page 60 of Pit

“Right.”

He then pulls out his own mobile. “The pictures,” he mutters, and he shows me the photos of me on my knees by the deadbody, “I don’t need them.” And then he proceeds to delete them one by one.

“I appreciate it,” I say, unsure how to feel about it. “And this isn’t goodbye, right? I mean, you’re gonna be my landlord for a short amount of time.”

He gives a stiff nod. “Yeah.”

“So, I’ll be in touch.”

He starts the bike and flips the visor down. I watch as he turns the bike and speeds away. Why does it feel so final?

I don’t know why I thought this would be easy alone. As I sit in my new bedroom, with the small lamp glowing and tears soaking my cheeks, I realise this is the first time I’ve been properly alone in months. It’s almost two in the morning and I’ve lost count of the times I’ve picked up my mobile to call Pit but then slammed it back down and gave myself a pep talk. I’m a grown woman, and I have to do this because whether I like it or not, I’m all alone in this world.

My mobile vibrates across the dresser, and I jump with fright. Reaching for it, I see it’s a text from Pit, and my heart immediately speeds up.

Pit: Goodnight, sweet dreams, Tess x

I smile as more tears blur my vision. Surely, if he texted me first, it doesn’t count, right?

Me: I wish. I can’t sleep. X

His response is immediate.

Pit: Me either. Fancy company? X

I hold the phone to my chest for a second. Idowant company.Badly.It’s my first night, and I can be more independent tomorrow.

Me: Okay x

Pit: I’m outside x

I frown, slipping from my bed and grabbing a shirt I’d stolen from Pit. I rush downstairs and unlock the door to find him already there with his hands stuffed in his pockets, looking sheepish. I smirk. “Ummm, stalker much?”

“Guilty as charged,” he murmurs as I open the door wider for him to come inside. “I brought gifts,” he adds, picking a bag up from the floor. “Hot chocolate powder and milk.”

My frown deepens. “And you just happened to be in the area with that stuff?”

He grins, heading for the kitchen. “I went for a ride cos I couldn’t sleep. Stopped at the twenty-four-hour shop to grab these and headed here in the hope you’d be awake to keep me company.”

I take a seat at the table while Pit sets about heating the milk in a pan and adding the chocolate powder. “How come you couldn’t sleep?” I ask.

He shrugs. “A lot on my mind.”

“Me too.”

He pours the hot chocolate into two mugs and joins me at the table. “Maybe speaking to someone would help?”

“Maybe,” I say, “but the thought of telling a complete stranger everything that happened . . .” I shudder. “I just wanna forget about it.”

“I’m so fucking pissed,” he eventually says, meeting my eyes. “Killing them once wasn’t enough. I wanna do it over and over again.”

I reach across and place my hand over his. “I’m glad they’re dead.”

“They didn’t suffer enough.”

“I just have to find a way to move on.”

“How?” he asks, shaking his head slightly and staring down at his mug. “How the fuck can you move on from that shit?”

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