Page 55 of North (The Moral Compass 2)

In my pocket, my phone vibrates as a text comes in.

Sherie: I’ve just got back from Spain. Are you okay?

Shit! Sherie. I forgot all about her coming back from Spain today. With everything going on I didn’t text her or ring her to tell her me and North had made it up. It’s all been so busy, and I wanted her to have a good holiday and not worry about me.

Kara: Yes, I’m fine. I had to come to London to see the solicitor and bumped into North…

Sherie: So, you went back then, yes? I come back from Spain, and you are gone. Thank you for the note. Oh yeah, there was no note!

Shit!

Kara: I’m so sorry I didn’t leave a note. I was going to come straight back after I met with the lawyers, but then things got a little crazy. They are still crazy. I have so much to tell you. Can we talk later?

Sherie: No need.

Kara: What do you mean no need? Are you really mad with me?

Sherie: Yes.

Kara: Fine.

Sherie: Fine.

Kara: Good.

Sherie: I’m coming to see you. I want to make sure you’re okay. Oh, and to see the beautiful girls. I have spoken to Sutton. She keeps me informed.

Bitch! She knew all along.

Kara: That’s brilliant. When?

Sherie: I’ll be there by the end of next week. I have things to sort out here. Can you ask North to sort out a guest room for me, please?

She knew that the last text would get to me. Why would I ask North? As if there was something going on between them. I know she is only pulling my strings, so I’ll play along.

Kara: Of course, he said you can have the adjoining room to ours if you want xxx

Sherie: That would please me.

Kara: Bitch! You will sleep with the cars if you’re not careful.

The last text I receive is a screen full of crying emoji faces.

I look over at South who is scrolling through his phone, looking wistful and quiet.

“You okay, South?” I ask gently. He just nods, locks his phone, and puts it back in his pocket. “Yeah, I’m fine, Kara, or I will be, anyway. I’m going for a swim.” He stands and leaves the three of us all looking at each other in wonder.

“Did he say anything to you when he came to stay with you in New York?” I ask East.

“No, nothing, but he did do a lot of scrolling through his phone and checked it every two minutes,” East replies. We both look at North.

“Oh no… I am not getting involved with anything else until we have sorted out our own stuff, Kara.” North shakes his head.

“Oh, how wrong can a guy be?” I laugh. “You’re going for a swim and finding out what’s going on and why he keeps looking at his phone. If anything, it’s a good distraction from what’s going on with us,” I plead with North.

“Fuck’s sake. I’ll go get my shorts,” he grumbles as he, too, leaves the room.

“How the hell do you do that?” East asks.

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