Page 90 of The Rescue

I don’t want to even think that my mum could’ve possibly stolen from my business. I look at my mum, and she looks worried but not in a guilty way.

“Have you looked everywhere?” I ask Nellie.

“Aye, in all the places that I think I could’ve put them. I’m sorry Rabbie. I will replace the money if we can’t find it.” Nellie starts to cry.

I rush over to her and give her a hug like a big brother would, and I try to comfort her.

“Dinny fash, Nel. They will turn up, besides those tips belong to you and David. Without you two there’d be no Sweet Treats.” I look her in the eyes.

She sniffs and wipes her eyes, and smiles up at me.

“Go on, you go home and I’ll have a look for them. Try not to worry about it.” I give her one more hug.

Nellie grabs her coat from the hook, and gives Crystal and my mum a sheepish smile before disappearing out the door. I let out a long sigh to try and calm myself down.

“Rabbie, I hope yo—”

“No, mum. I don’t.” I cut my mum off before she can finish her sentence.

I don’t know why I believe her given her track record but I have a gut feeling she didn’t take the money. Crystal shifts on her feet, she still hasn’t said anything and my mum looks around awkwardly.

“I should get going if I’m going to make the bus,” my mum grabs her coat off the hook next to the back door.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I smile at her.

She smiles back at me as Crystal moves out of the way to let her past. Crystal offers her a half-hearted smile. The tensionbetween them is still there, and I feel on edge from the turn of events. Crystal and I watch as my mum disappears down the small lane at the back of Sweet Treats.

Crystal turns to me with her lips between her teeth, and the look in her eyes tells me that whatever she needs to talk to me about isn’t good. Has she changed her mind? Does she want to go back to Boston after visiting her family? My mind and heart racing makes me feel sick. You’re never prepared for the stomach churning nausea of a difficult situation.

Crystal can see me spiralling and she closes the gap between us and wraps her arms around me. I can feel her heart beating fast too, but her eyes are soft as she looks up at me.

“It’s not what you think, Rab.”

She’s good at reading my mind.

“Well what is it then?” My voice is shaky.

She steps back enough to fully look at me, but doesn’t let me go. I can see on her face she’s trying to find the correct way to explain whatever she needs to say.

“Well, when I was out for my run, I was running past your nan’s house when I saw her standing at her door speaking to someone. She didn’t look pleased to see this person, and she looked a bit freaked out. I didn’t hear the exchange but your nan was a bit shaken by it. She’s fine, I got her in the house and made her a cup of tea and sat with her for a while. I was going to call you, but she made me promise not to. She didn’t want you to worry about her.”

Of course she did, that old woman is gonna be the death of me.

My stomach drops, and the rage starts to build. Who the fuck is knocking on my nan’s door and yelling at her.

“Who was the person?” I try to keep my voice steady.

Crystal looks down and swallows, but when she looks back up at me the look on her face is stony.

“It was your dad.”

The world tilts upside down, and my hearing is muffled. I feel like the rug has been pulled from underneath my feet. I know I haven’t fainted because Crystal still has a firm grip on me but I’ve staggered back and I’m now leaning against the kitchen island. With my head in my hands I try to steady my breathing. She doesn’t say anything which I appreciate. She’s letting this information sink in. I have so many questions rushing through my mind.

I haven’t seen my dad since the day my mum dropped me off at my nan’s house when I was ten years old. He never came with my mum when she would occasionally turn up. I remember him being mean, and always shouting at someone. He was never happy with anything, and was always looking for money. I used to be terrified of him, as a child he would stand over me and yell loudly. I was even more scared of him because I remember that everyone would say that I was his twin, and I never wanted to be like him. I didn’t want to look like him, and I definitely didn’t want to act like him.

“Are you okay?” Crystal finally says into my chest.

She still has her hands firmly wrapped around me. I place my hands back on her, needing to touch her. I kiss the top of her head, and she leans back to look at me. Crystal always throws a blanket of calm over me, she’s quickly become my safe space. I’ve never met someone as fiercely protective and loyal as her.

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