Page 130 of You Had Me At Thirteen

‘I know, I’m sorry too. Let’s get back inside.’ I rub her arms, trying to warm her up.

Once we’re inside, I lock the back door, passing the broken glass on the floor. Tomorrow I’ll get the locks changed, and maybe some security cameras. And I’ll clean this shit up.

The light to my dad’s office is on, which I know I didn’t leave on as I didn’t come into this room. The bastard hasn’t been home since before Mum’s funeral, and so far I’ve had no response from him.

Maybe I should be more worried, but if anything I like him not being in my life. There’s already enough shit to sort through, which reminds me I need to speak to Matilda. At some stage, I need to decide about the house. My inheritance from Mum will cover the mortgage, but I’m not sure I want to stay here.

After I check all the windows and doors twice, I head back upstairs to Matilda.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I put my head in my hands. My dad has royally fucking screwed me, and I know I don’t know the full extent. He’s obviously having money issues because of his gambling addiction, considering he had to resort to fraud to get the money.

Matilda presses into me and kisses my shoulder. ‘Should we call the police?’ she says.

‘And say what? I think someone broke into my house, but I’m not really sure.’

‘We know someone was in here, Wren.’

Flinging myself back on the bed, I pull Matilda with me. ‘I know, but I want to know what they were looking for before I involve the police.’

‘Do you think it was the same person from a couple of weeks ago? The one I chased away?’

I kiss the top of her head. ‘I don’t know, maybe. Could be a coincidence.’

But I know it’s not a coincidence. My dad has gotten himself into some heavy shit. And I’d bet my life that Eli is involved somehow, which now puts Matilda’s life in danger. And Sue’s. Not that I’ll let anything happen to her, but my anger towards my father is enough to wish he never fucking comes home.

Matilda traces circles over my chest, leaving my skin tingling all over. ‘What if they come back?’

‘I don’t think they will tonight. They bolted when they heard me, so they’ll steer clear while someone’s home. I don’t think they’re dangerous, but they’re looking for something. They were in my dad’s office.’

Matilda lifts her head, resting her chin on my chest, a frown pulling her eyebrows in. ‘That’s… weird.’

‘He’s gotten himself into something,’ I say, scrubbing my face with my hands. ‘But I intend to find out what.’

‘Do you think that’s why he hasn’t been home?’

‘Maybe. He re-mortgaged the fucking house to pay off gambling debts, so I’m sure he’s pissed some people off along the way.’

‘He what?’ Matilda bolts upright. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I didn’t want to worry you.’ I pull her back to my chest. ‘Let’s get some sleep, okay? We’ll talk about it tomorrow.’

Matilda agrees but makes me lock the door, as well as pushing my dresser against it so if someone tries to murder us – her words – we’ll wake up first.

I offered to take her home, but she refused to leave because she didn’t want to hear her mum having sex.

My girl would rather get murdered than listen to her mum getting off.

Like I said, too many murder documentaries.

She finally falls back into a deep sleep, but I can’t manage to close my eyes. I’m not sure I’ll sleep again until I found out what the fuck my dad has gotten himself into, and what Eli has to do with it.

FIFTY-SEVEN

Wren

* * *

Fuck.

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