Page 77 of North (The Moral Compass 2)

“Erm, I just want to check something.” She walks to the reception desk and speaks with the officer. He leans forward, looks at me and North, and nods with a smile.

“Okay, he said you two are okay, but only until my mum can come home.”

“Okay.”

***

Daisy’s face was a picture as we drive up the lane, and the house comes into view. It’s the same whenever we bring someone here who doesn’t know us properly or understand who we are.

Sutton, East, and my mum all look in wonder at the young girl standing between me and North.

“Everybody, this is Daisy. Paula’s daughter.”

Chapter 52

Kara

ThevisitwithXandergoes as well as can be expected. He’s waiting to find out if the powers that be are happy with his recent work and if they will consider letting him out.

I’m just getting into the car when a text comes through.

Sherie: Hubba hubba, Kara, I’ve just arrived at the station. Fancy picking me up?

Kara: Okay, it will take me about forty minutes to get across town. I’ll text you when I’m outside.

Sherie: Merci, xxx

Kara: I thought you weren’t coming until Sunday?

Sherie: I got a cheaper ticket.

Kara: Okay. See you soon.

I click on North’s name and call him. I want to let him know what’s going on and that I will be a little longer than normal, but he doesn’t answer. Hmm, he must still be at the police station. So, I send him a text.

Kara: Sherie is here earlier than we thought. I’m just going to the station to pick her up. K? xxx

North: Take your time. Don’t hurry back.

What the fuck? Don’t hurry back? I hope these drugs get out of his system pretty quick. I can’t cope with the frigging personality disorder. One minute he’s a stalker watching every single move—I have a driver and security with me every time I leave the house—and now it’s like he doesn’t give a crap. My head hurts. I need a freaking break. I should grab Sherie, get back on that train, and go to France for a weekend. Hmm. Nice thought, but I wouldn’t do that, either. I’ll just chop his balls off when I get home. Nowthatthought makes me smile.

Kara: Here and outside the station. Hurry up, we are double parked.

She doesn’t reply, but I see her pulling a huge suitcase and bags and bags of stuff towards the car.

How long is she staying for?

Sherie talks excitedly all the way back to the house. She tells me of her trip to Spain and then the guy turned out to be a dick. She’s not upset, though. She got a tan out of it. She’s thinking of taking a job in London working for an art dealer. He’s promised her good money and even an apartment above the gallery. She’s so excited, but I know the minute I mention it to North, he will have him checked out both for security and for finance. It’s just how he is.

The driver and security guard help Sherie and I with the bags, and as we enter the house, I can tell there is something not quite right.

Liz looks mad. Liz never looks mad. East just looks up and half-smiles.

“This is Sherie. Sherie, this is Liz and East. I can’t remember if you have met before or not?”

“No, we haven’t met before, but it’s a pleasure, Sherie. Your room is ready for you, but we weren’t expecting you till Sunday,” Liz says frankly.

Is this why she’s mad? Because Sherie came early? It’s usually the more the merrier.

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