Page 75 of My Heart to Find

“I’m sorry,” he says. “Paul’s said it’d cost you more in legal fees if you try and do anything than if you just let it slide.”

“Even though he sacked us unfairly?” Lizzy asks. “Like, we didnothing.”

“You’ve only been working there a few months,” he says. “That works against you in cases such as this. And there’s little evidence—I mean, I know I was there and saw him fire you—but I mean even then it’ll be my word against his. And he’d probably try and drag up all other reasons to justify his decision.”

I let out a low growl of frustration.

“Sorry it’s not better news,” Trevor says, and he looks genuinely disappointed.

“It’s okay. Not your fault.” I try to give him a smile, but my heart’s just not in it.

“I’m still sorry.”

*

LIZZY AND I END UPbuying a basketful of ice cream—it was on offer at Co-Op—and we head back to mine. River has indeed cleared all her stuff out, and it’s amazing how empty my apartment is without her stuff. Her ornate lamp. Her books on the bookshelf. Her elephant ornaments on the fake mantelpiece.

“Phia should be here soon,” I say, glancing at my watch as we spread out the ice cream cartons on the coffee table. And sure enough, no sooner have I said the words, when the doorbell rings. Phia texted me earlier to say she’d be calling around after finishing work. Mr. Richards is trying to keepThe Red Pandaopen on a Sunday for as long as possible.

“I’ll let her in,” Lizzy says. She’s already halfway to the front door.

I peel back the lid of the salted caramel ice cream and dip my spoon in—and hear Phia crying.

“What’s the matter?” Lizzy’s voice is high-pitched.

Holding my ice cream, I run into the hall. Phia’s still in her waitress uniform, complete with the apron that Mr. Richards is very particular about not leaving his premises, and tears are streaking her winged eyeliner down her cheeks. Lizzy pulls her into a hug.

It takes several moments for Phia to calm down enough to tell us why she’s upset. And, when she does, my blood boils.

“He didwhat?” I stare at Phia, my hand frozen in mid-air. The spoon in my grip slackens, and the glob of ice cream on it nearly falls. I shove the spoon back in the carton and turn my whole body toward Phia.

“I don’t think he meant to,” Phia says quickly. She shakes her head, then looks down at her hands. She’s laced her fingers together. “I mean, he probably just slipped or something.”

“Slipped and his hands landed on your chest?” I snort.

“Don’t defend him,” Lizzy says. “That’s sexual harassment. You need to report him.”

Phia’s shoulders drop a little. “But he’ll know it was me reporting him—given I’m the only waitress now. And then he could be worse in the next shift.”

“Uh, girl, you ain’t going back there.”

“Jana’s right,” Lizzy says. “You can’t. He’s a creep.”

I swallow hard, feeling sick. We never should have left Phia on her own after Lizzy and I were sacked. We should’ve persuaded her to quit or something. “Have you reported it to the police?”

“The police?” Phia looks shocked. “No.”

“Well, you need to. He can’t get away with this.”

Phia’s eyes water. “It’ll just make things worse. And, anyway, what good will getting the police involved actually do? They’re not going to believeme.” She shakes her head. “No, no police.”

“Let me call Trevor then.”

“Trevor?” Phia frowns at me. “How is he going to help?”

“His brother was helping me and Liz.” No point telling Phia that that case was pretty much closed though.

“Yeah, withunfair dismissal,” Lizzy says. “Not sexual harassment.”

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