Page 64 of The Bodyguard

I’m vaguely aware of the taxi driver asking if everything’s alright; of Bodie telling him I’m fine, even though I don’t feel fine, and then my eyes lock on his – on Bodie’s – and I reach up and cover his hand with mine.

“You’re going to be okay. Do you hear me?”

I nod as I try to swallow down small gulps of air.

“It’s all going to be okay, I promise. It’s just – I really need you to trust me, Lena. I really need you to do that.”

For a moment or two it feels like everything’s gone into slow motion. But I can finally feel my throat opening up now, my chest isn’t quite so tight. My heart’s still beating fast but not as wildly as before. I open my mouth and exhale, short, sharp gasps, and his hand is still cupping my cheek.

“Okay?” He smiles, and I try to nod as I feel breath rush back into my body. “It really is going to be okay, Lena.”

His thumb strokes my skin, and I don’t know what I’m feeling now.CanI trust him? Does it matter? I’m here. It’s too late.

He pulls his hand away and I turn my head back to look out of the window. We’re heading towards Newcastle, and I once more lean into the glass, and try not to second-guess what’s happening here.

Your family are lying to you…

My eyes are heavy, I’m exhausted. I just want to sleep and wake up to find that this is nothing but a bad dream.

They’ve been lying to you for a long, long time…

I feel my eyelids closing, and I let them. I allow myself to drift off, despite the fear and the confusion. I want to escape, for a little while. So I let the darkness take over…

~~~

“Lena! Wake up.”

I hear his voice. Feel his hand gently touch my arm. But for a second or two I keep my eyes closed, just in case thisisa dream; that blurry, unfocused moment between sleep and full consciousness.

“Lena.”

No. It’s very real.

I slowly open my eyes and glance out of the window.

“I don’t understand…?”

We’re home. We’ve come home. Back to the house. What’s going on…?

I look at Bodie, but he doesn’t say anything. He pays the driver and we step outside.

“Get your passport. Pack a small bag, no suitcase, hand luggage only.”

“Bodie, what’s happening…?”

“We haven’t got a lot of time, Lena. Your parents could come home at any given moment, and once they realise you’ve gone…”

I just stare at him, I’m so confused now. And he thinks I’m having second thoughts, I can tell, he’s nervous. And it’s possible Iamhaving second thoughts, everything’s suddenly starting to feel just a little too surreal.

“If you don’t want to do this, Lena, you don’t have to. But either way, I have to go. I have to leave…”

“Why?”

He’s on edge, his eyes darting this way and that. “I’ll explain everything once we’re safe.” He looks at me. “Once we’re away from here.”

I don’t know. This all seems too fast. A little rash. “Just tell mesomething, Bodie.”

He frowns as he takes another look around, but there’s nothing to see. It’s all quiet here. “I’m not who you think I am.”

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