Page 36 of The Engagement

‘Having kids changes everything,’ Grant says. ‘You’d do anything to protect them.’

I nod. It’s true. Although I feel as though I’m doing the opposite right now. ‘I’d better go,’ I say. ‘I need to pick up my daughter.’ I don’t let on that I have no idea where she is.

‘How old is she?’

‘Sevent— She’s just turned eighteen.’

‘All grown up,’ he says with a smile. ‘My lads are eleven and nine.’

I offer him the best smile I can manage and stand up, putting on my wet mac. I reach down and have one last glug of my drink, thanking him again.

‘Here,’ he says, half standing up and taking his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. He pulls out a small card and gives it to me. ‘In case you need any more help,’ he adds. ‘You know, with Mr Angry.’

I glance at it briefly – just a handwritten mobile number and his name. ‘Thanks,’ I say before heading out to my car.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

BELLE – NOW

‘I can’t believe you’re not coming back to school,’ Jenny says. She’s sitting cross-legged on Belle’s bed, peering into a hand mirror as she messes about with the new contouring set Belle was given for her birthday.

‘I’m just done with it,’ Belle replies, ignoring the one or two niggling doubts she’s been having. She peers into her wardrobe, flinging items out and dropping them on the floor. ‘God, can’t believe I ever wore this,’ she giggles. ‘What was I thinking?’

‘You’re getting rid?’

‘Yup. Looks like something from a cheesy teenage high school movie.’ She pulls a face at the pink sweatshirt with butterflies all over it.

‘I’ll have it,’ Jenny says, reaching out.

Belle turns to her. ‘Tell me you’re just going to sleep in it, not actually wear it in public?’

Jenny hesitates. ‘Yeah, that’s what I meant.’ Her cheeks colour up.

‘Jack’s taking me shopping. He’s going to treat me to some new stuff, for when I start working for him.’

‘Nice,’ Jenny replies. ‘What’s the job again?’ She’s asked once before, but Belle was vague at the time. In fact, none of their friendship group knows much about her these days. She’s not been replying on their WhatsApp chat lately – since before she went to France. They’d all been sworn to secrecy about her going away with her new boyfriend instead of staying with the French family.

‘Jack has his own business,’ Belle says vaguely. ‘He says I’ll be in management, generating new clients.’

‘What kind of business?’

For a moment, Belle seems unsure herself. ‘It’s hospitality and entertainment,’ she replies. ‘He told me that I’ll be perfect for the role.’

Jenny appears thoughtful, sucking in her cheeks as she tries to blend out the rusty-brown marks on her face. She never wears make-up and the colour doesn’t suit her.

‘But don’t you think you should finish school first? We only have a year to go. With A levels, you’ll be better set for—’

‘Jen, I know you mean well, but it’s non-negotiable. I’ve made up my mind.’

‘Or Jack’s made up your mind for you,’ Jenny mutters.

‘What is it with you?’ Belle says, folding her arms. ‘Aren’t you happy for me? I’m getting married to the man of my dreams.’ She thrusts out her ring finger, as if Jenny needed reminding about it. She’s plastered the ring all over Insta these last couple of days.

‘Me and the girls…we’re just worried about you.’ Jenny gets up and plucks a face wipe from the packet on Belle’s dressing table. She rubs it all over her skin, glad to be rid of the stupid contouring. ‘He’s so much older than us.’

‘Are you jealous – because you don’t have a boyfriend?’

‘Belle, no. It’s not that at all.’

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