Page 75 of The Vanishing Place
Effie forced the muscles in her neck and body to move—to nod and stand up.
“Of course.”
There was nothing to do but walk out. Right now, trust was all that Effie had to offer the girl.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Effie walked along the hall to the living room. The bedroom window had been bolted, and the only way out was through the locked front door. To escape, Anya would have to find the key and walk straight past the living room.
“Hey.”
Lewis’s voice jolted her, and Effie spun around.
“You’re still here?”
He nodded. “June has gone out for a bit.”
Effie walked into the room and stopped in front of him. “Did you put a blanket on me?”
Lewis shook his head. “I didn’t want to risk disturbing Anya.”
It was her then.
Lewis smiled, but not properly. There was a sadness to him, hanging heavy in his eyes and shoulders.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
His smile faded. “I loved them too, you know.” He swallowed. “Four and Tia.”
“Lewis…”
“I’ve never been quite as tough as you.” He wiped his face. “Never been as good at hiding my—”
“I’m sorry.” Effie sat next to him.
“Me too.” He squeezed her hand. “About your brother and sister.”
She moved closer, close enough to feel the warmth of him. Close enough for her heart to remember, for it to hurt. But still, she couldn’t make herself move away. She rested her head on his shoulder, and Lewis pulled her into him, the act of kindness a fraction of what she actually wanted.
“I’ll watch the door,” he said.
“You should sleep.”
He smiled. “There isn’t a single part of me that could sleep with you this close.”
Heat flushed through Effie. “You shouldn’t say things like that. You’re…”
You’re married.
She took a breath. “What about Charlotte?”
“Charlotte and I are separated.” Lewis paused. “We split up about eight months ago.”
“But June said—”
“We tried, for two years we really tried. But we could never…” He closed his eyes. “June knew that things had been tough, but I never told her we’d officially ended things.”
“I’m so sorry, Lewis.” Effie leaned into him. “June said Charlotte was nice.”
He managed half a smile. “I moved to Christchurch about two years after you left. I just couldn’t stay in Koraha. You were everywhere I looked. Then the earthquakes happened.” His body stiffened. “One hundred eighty-five people dead.”
