Page 67 of The Bodyguard

“No.”

“Is he in the cottage?”

“I don’t know. I assume so.”

I know he isn’t. I saw him leave just a few minutes ago, walking on foot in the direction of the town centre. He’s leaving. And I don’t know how I feel about that. I don’t know how I feel about anything anymore.

He told you he was falling in love with you.

He’s a liar.

You were falling in love with him, too.

He’s a liar.

“Listen to me, Lena. You need to stay away from him, do you understand me?”

“You want me to stay away from my bodyguard?”

I’m just trying to pretend I don’t know the truth, about Bodie. Jonah. Whatever his name is.

“Just stay where you are. Ollie’s coming home.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want you left alone with that man. Not anymore. Jesus, I can’t believe I let this happen…”

“Letwhathappen?”

“Nothing for you to be concerned about.”

I’m so tired of hearing those words. That excuse. So fucking tired.

“What’s going on, Dad?”

I’m asking a question I know I won’t get an answer to. But everything that’s happened tonight, with Bodie, it’s made me realise that something bigger than even I could’ve imagined is going on, and everybody knows about it but me.

“I need you stay there, Lena.” His tone is slightly agitated. I’d possibly go as far as to say there’s a hint of panic in there. “You don’t leave the house until I tell you to. Okay?”

I’ve had enough. I’m tired of it now, the secrets. The lies. The keeping me out in the cold, I’m tired of it all.

“Have you been lying to me?”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and I can hear my father give a heavy sigh.

“What are you talking about, Lena? Nobody’s been…”

“You. Mum. Ollie. Have you been lying to me?”

“About what?”

“I don’t know.Youtellme.”

There’s another pause, and this one – this one is filled with menace and dread and a terrifying realisation.

“What’s really going on with you and Stefan Novak?”

“That’s not your concern.”

---