Page 27 of Straight to Me

He’s giving me the answers freely. Time to step it up a notch.

Me: Did you get arrested at the BBQ?

VP: Yes. They held us for 24 hours. Had no evidence

Me: Why did you message on Sunday night? Why not go straight home?

VP: I rode to the house I dropped you off at the night before to make sure you were okay. Guessed you hadn’t been in a police van before? Saw two people upstairs. Wondered if it was you

He came to check if I was, okay? This bad boy has a soft side. My cheeks blush at the thought. He must have seen Bex and Kyle from the window. Was he jealous thinking it could’ve been me with another man?

VP: Is that all?

Me: Yes.

VP: So, you’re coming North?

Me: I am

VP: Text me when you get here

I did it. He knows I'm moving. With a renewed sense of purpose, I resume my search until gone midnight, skipping dinner and holding in a pee for the longest time. Time is of the essence. Once I start something it needs to be finished. I figure it’s best to just get it done all in one hit.

I email my boss my resignation, apply for the new job, and email the letting agency about the cosy, little one bedroom place overlooking the beautiful River Ribble. Now all I have to do is wait. For the second time in almost five months, life as I know it is about to change, for better or worse.

Chapter Ten

It’s Tuesday morning and my heart aches as I pack the last of my belongings into my rucksack. I’ve been so used to seeing Bex every day, that I can’t even fathom how I’ll manage without her.

After a very teary breakfast all together, Kyle helps me load my car. My little Ford Fiesta’s packed to the rafters, blocking every mirror that I’m going to need.

The last week has been stressful for everyone. Bex couldn’t stop being sick, leaving her grouchy and unable to help with most of the moving prep. Poor Kyle was working, packing and looking after her all at the same time. It was a lot for him.

My belongings were easy to pack by comparison. I had it done four days after the news they got the house. That meant I could be the cook, cleaner, job distributer, and basically an all-round spare pair of hands to help wherever Kyle and Bex needed.

Yesterday morning I received an email inviting me to an interview on Wednesday. My heart broke and sang at the same time. Going meant I would miss Bex’s moving day. I called to rearrange the interview so I could stay and help, but Bex snatched the phone away and convinced me that everything that’s been happening, has been for a reason.

I had to just go for it and enjoy the ride.

I put my handbag on the front seat as Bex comes up behind me, swinging my car keys in her hand. “Please let me know when you get there,” she says.

“Promise. Will you let me know how the move goes? I’m so sorry I won’t be there.”

Kyle walks up beside Bex, wrapping his arm around her waist. She rests her head into his shoulder as she starts to cry. “Bex, don’t, you’ll set me off again.” I grab my keys off her and pull her into a hug.

Kyle stays put, opening his arms to encircle us both. “Girls please, pull yourselves together.” Neither Bex nor I look up, but we know there’s not a dry eye in our trio. We hug him tighter to let him know we love him.

When I’m ready, I pull away, wiping my face with my already tear dampened sleeve. Then I get in my car and start the engine, sniffing all the while as I pull myself together. Kings Of Leon comes on the radio, instantly making me smile as I remember one of our best nights together at Hyde Park, watching the band perform live.

Bex had dragged me to the front of the crowd and flashed her tits on the big screen. It was funny to start with, but was made a thousand times funnier when we got back to Kyle and realised he'd seen.

I’m going to miss them.

I turn up the radio and stick my arm out the window to give them a final big wave goodbye before getting under way.

It’s time to hit the reset button.

The journey north takes over five and a half hours to this point. I’m so very close to my destination as the truly breath-taking sight of Pendle Hill comes into view.

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