Page 91 of Silver Tears

We leave the derelict mill and climb into Seb’s car, and he speeds off through the streets as we race to my mum’s house. Please let her be safe.

* * *

When we pull up outside mums, all the lights are on in the house, and it sounds like a party is in full swing.

“What the hell?” I’m out of the car and halfway down the path before Seb has stopped the engine. The front door opens, and a guy staggers out, drunk. “Hey beautiful!” He grins at me, winking.

Seb clears his throat, coming up behind me, glaring daggers at the drunken man.

“Do you think he could be here?” I ask Seb, pushing the door open wider and cautiously looking inside.

“Nah, he’s not daft enough to come back here,” Seb says, following me inside. The house is full of strangers, all drinking and partying. I frown when I scan the room and find my mum dancing with some random guy, her arms draped around his neck.

“Mum, have you heard from Lenny tonight?”

She glares at me through drunken eyes. “No, thanks to you. You drove him away. Were you jealous? Is that it?”

I flinch at the venom behind her words. “Of course not, mum. I’m with Seb, remember.”

Her cool gaze moves from me to Seb. “You,” she says, wagging her finger towards him. “You promised to lend me some cash and you let me down.”

Seb shrugs his shoulders. “Sorry Andrea. I had my reasons. “

“Humph!” she grumbles. “Go on, both of you can fuck off out of my house!”

“Mum!” I exclaim, shocked at the way she’s speaking to us. Who is this woman and what has become of my mum?

“I don’t need either of you, so go on fuck off and leave me to have fun.” She waves her arms towards the door and the guy dancing with her steadies her when she staggers. “Unless you have money for me, don’t bother coming back!” She wraps her arms around the guy’s neck and whispers something in his ear that has him grinning, as she dismisses us.

Seb reaches for my hand and urges me towards the door. I glance back when we get to the doorway to see my mum leading the guy up the stairs to her room. I shake my head in disappointment. Seb remains silent as we pull away, and I stare out at the house. The last time I’d been in that house, Lenny tried to rape me. This time my own mum yelled at me and threw me out.

MILLY

We arrive back at the beach house, and I head straight for Charlie’s room, needing to check on him. I know he’s safe here, but I need to see him.

When I head back into the main living space, the boys are all standing around the island discussing the night’s events.

“How’s he been?” I ask Rafe, who hands me a warm cup of tea.

“He’s been fine. Little man hasn’t woken up once. Oh, and by the way, that elephant cuddly toy. Does he always have it with him?”

“Pretty much,” I reply. Chops loves all three of the teddies that Seb got him at the zoo, but I would say the elephant was definitely his favourite.

“Ah, good. I inserted a small tracker in it, just as a safety measure.”

I blink in surprise. It’s a good idea and will help us keep him safe. “Thank you for doing that.”

“It was nothing,” Rafe says nonchalantly. “No sign of him, then?” Archer had rung Rafe earlier on the drive back here and filled him in on Lenny slipping through our fingers.

“Nothing.” Seb growls, thumping his fist on the marble worktop.

“He can’t hide forever,” Rafe comments.

“What time is it? I have to be home by midnight, remember?” I ask Seb, realising I don’t have a clue what the time is.

“We have an hour. I’ll drive you home about twenty to. You look tired. Why don’t you crash in my room? I need to make a call to our PI.”

I am exhausted. The events of tonight and the last few days are catching up on me. “I am tired,” I agree and, picking up my cup, I leave the room and make my way to his room. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I fight to keep my eyes open.

---