Page 76 of The Girl in Room 12

When I get upstairs, she’s holding the door open for me, pulling me inside. Shooting pains almost cripple me.

‘What’s the matter?’ she asks. ‘You don’t look right.’

‘I fell. Tripped over something. I’m okay, though.’

‘Jesus. When?’

‘Just now.’

‘But where have you been? I’ve been worried! You’ve been gone for ages. You said you’d be two minutes.’ She hands me my phone. ‘And you left this. I was about to call the police.’

‘I’m fine.’

‘But why did you rush off like that? Where did you go?’

It occurs to me that Sarah might have been watching me from the window. ‘I saw someone I knew. An old friend I went to school with. Sorry. She’s not on Facebook and I haven’t seen her for years.’

‘Oh, okay.’ She looks a bit doubtful but she lets it go. ‘Poppy woke up as soon as you’d gone. She said she was thirsty, so I got her some water.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Then she freaked out because you weren’t here, so I sat in there with her until she fell asleep. She’s only just drifted off now.’

‘I’m sorry. I would have messaged you if I’d had my phone.’

‘Well, you’re okay. That’s all that matters.’ She sighs. ‘I’m not sure Max is okay, though. Sorry to say this but I have to be honest.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘He’s not answering his phone or replying to any of my messages. When does Max ever do that? He always replies. He’s anal about it. And I don’t think it’s just because I’m your friend.’ She shakes her head. ‘I’m sorry, Han, but I just don’t get how you can do this. The man was attacked. He could have been?—’

‘Stop! Please. You don’t…you don’t know everything.’

Sarah studies me carefully. ‘What are you saying?’

I usher her into the living room so we don’t disturb Poppy. I sit down, but Sarah hovers by the window. ‘What is it?’ she asks. ‘Just talk to me!’

‘Max was having an affair.’

Silence falls heavily around us. I can’t think of a time when Sarah’s ever struggled to find any words.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she says. ‘How do you know? Did he tell you?’

‘No. He doesn’t know I found out. And I don’t want to go into details. But now do you understand why I’m leaving him?’

She nods, and joins me on the sofa. ‘Yes. Who was it? Someone at work?’

‘I don’t know her name.’Alice. ‘But most likely.’

‘Shouldn’t you tell him you know?’

‘I’ve got to think about Poppy. I don’t know what to say to him right now; all I know is I need to be away from him. To sort my head out.’

She frowns. ‘I get that. But I’m still worried about him. He’s not answering the door, or returning calls or messages. Has he even spoken to Poppy?’

‘We tried him earlier. He didn’t answer.’ I swallow my lie.

‘And you’re not worried? I know you’re probably angry with him, but what if something’s happened to him? I know it’s late, but maybe I’ll pop over there on my way home. Just check he’s all right.’

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