Page 76 of North (The Moral Compass 2)

“No, Paula, I’m not mad. I’m fucking disgusted. I’m furious. You nearly killed my brother, and for what? So that you could have some attention from a sick criminal like Jaxon?”

“I’m sorry. I was just lonely, and then when Jaxon said you were marrying Alicia, I lost it. You told me you never wanted to marry, but then, hey, a month after you leave me, you’re engaged. It broke my heart, South.” She sobs.

“I am not engaged. Never have been. Never fucking will be. I have never been with Alicia, nor will I ever be with her. Jaxon lied to you. Just like he’s lied to you about everything else. But if you’re truly sorry, you will do whatever the police tell you to do and sign the statement they bring in.” I stand to leave.

“South… Will I see you again?”

I don’t answer or even look at her. I turn the handle on the door, walk out, and slam it behind me.

I meet North in the reception area. His statement obviously took less time, seeing that he didn’t remember anything. The young girl is still sitting in the same position, her black curly hair scrunched up on the top of her head. Her clothes look three sizes too big for her tiny frame.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“You’re South McGarry, aren’t you?” she asks back.

“Yes, how do you know that?”

“My mum has a photo of you in her purse,” she replies as if it’s normal for someone to carry a picture of a stranger around with them.

“Really? Why would your mother have my photo?”

“She’s your girlfriend. Paula. I’m waiting for her to be released. She’s had a mix-up over some drugs or something.”

Oh, fuck! Oh no.

“How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

Shit, she’s too old for social services to even help her out.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

“What? Oh my God. She never told you about me, did she? She told me she had and that one day, we were going to move into a big house and…” she stops speaking.

“I’ve got to go.” She jumps up from the chair.

“Wait, where are you going?” I gently catch her arm.

“I don’t know yet. But I get the feeling she isn’t coming home, is she?”

“No, she’s not. Not anytime soon, anyway. Sorry, you still didn’t tell me your name.”

“What does it matter to you? You didn’t even know I existed until five seconds ago. Just let me go, and I’ll never bother you again.”

“Hey, wait up, little one,” North intervenes. Probably for the best, he’s the charmer of us brothers.

One smile from him, and she is putty in his hands.

“What’s your name?” He bends down so that he is closer to her small height.

“Daisy,” she says quietly, looking at the floor.

“Okay, so, Daisy. I know you don’t know me or my brother, but your mum does, and she must think South is a good guy to carry a photo around of him, yeah?” he asks, and she nods.

He looks up at me with his eyes wide and his brows up, waiting for me to speak.

“Daisy, why don’t you come home with us until this mess gets sorted out? I need to tell you what has happened anyway, and I think it will be best coming from us than anyone else. At least that way, you will get the truth.” I feel like I’ve met this girl before.

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