Page 82 of Girl Violence

He pushes her hair away from her face, studying her for a moment. “We’re not getting an ending.”

At first, Josette is confused but then knows and laughs. “Don’t even say it.”

He smiles. “Say what?”

“That we’re not getting an ending because this is just the beginning. I can read you like a book,” she teases, but on the inside, she couldn’t be happier.

“Fine, no more cheesiness. Just as long as you’re my girl.”

“I’m your girl.”

“Promise?”

She sighs, “I promise.”

EPILOGUE

Three Weeks Later...

The storm most thought would be just a little wind ended up being the worst Graycott has had in sixty years. Ironically, the abandoned building with the baby cribs caved in on itself, and it’s been on the news for weeks.

THE TOWN’S HISTORICAL OLD ORPHANAGE BLOWN TO PIECES BY STORM MONICA.

Josette shakes her head at a fretting elderly woman the news reporter is interviewing. She’s still harping about losing the “heart of the town,” even though it’s nowhere near the centre.

Taking her eyes off the screen, Josette stares at her phone sitting on the coffee table in front of her. She’s been doing this for an hour, and the more she looks at it, the more her mind tries to distract her from what she’s trying to do.

Who decided that phones should be a rectangle? What would life be without them? Josette knows the answer to that; peaceful.

Sighing, she reaches for it but then snatches her hand back. No, she’s not ready.

Glancing back at the TV, she sees old news clips of other things the storm damaged. A few roofs missing, trees blocking the roads, and some kid’s trampoline on top of the local supermarket. She laughs at that one, even if it is unfortunate for the kid.

Somehow, Vince managed to get them home that day. He didn’t want them to stay stuck in the car all night. They’d crawled home, moving around broken tree branches and people’s bins toppled onto the road. Thankfully they made it to his house, and he kept her in his bed for the rest of the night.

The following day couldn’t have been more awkward when Diane accidentally walked in on them to ensure Vince got home safely. Thankfully, they weren’t doing anything but sleeping, but they were both naked under the sheets when she let out a startled wail, waking them both up.

“Mum!” Vince complained, his voice husky from sleep as he pulled the cover over their heads.

“I’m sorry! I was just checking to see if you were back,” she paused. “Hi, Jo.”

“Hi, Diane,” Josette replied awkwardly, hiding her face behind her hands. She was beyond mortified that she’d been caught in bed with her son.

“Can’t say I’m surprised.” Diane cleared her throat. “I’ll, uh, make breakfast. See you two down there.”

She rushed out of the room and slammed the door closed. Josette looked over at Vince, and a few seconds later, they both burst out laughing.

Diane had invited Josette’s dad over for breakfast, probably for it to be less awkward. During all the drama between she and Vince, their parents had become good friends, and while it was a little strange, Josette liked it. They’re both helping each other be okay again, and she’s honestly not seen her dad this happy in a long time.

That evening, after going home to shower and collecting her thoughts, her phone lit up with a notification. She’d been tagged in something on Instagram and felt uneasy as she opened the app, but relaxed when she saw it was only from Vince and that he’d added her in a picture. She was sleeping in his bed, cocooned peacefully in his blankets. The caption: My girl, with a love heart emoji next to it.

She immediately texted him and called him lame, to which he replied with a laughing face. But the post on Instagram attracted attention, and it wasn’t a shock when Josette got an angry message from two people.

Elizabeth’s message came through first, and it sounded like she’d lost her mind.

ELIZABETH:Hey. I know you don’t know me, but I just saw Vince called you his girlfriend. I hope you don’t take offence, I don’t want you to get hurt, but I’m a little confused because he’s still in a relationship with me. He hasn’t broken up with me or anything. I’m sure you’re a nice person and all, but as far as I know, he’s moving back to London and we’re together.

Josette didn’t reply. Thankfully, she didn’t message her anymore, but the next day, she got a message from Rosie, which she had responded to...

---