Page 136 of Come Back To Me

Bex: Me too. We’ll speak before I see you x

Me: Okay. Night x

Tapping my phone against my chin, I remember the message I received before Bex called.

Mollie: Hi, it’s me. Fancy a visitor?

I’m tired, but going out might clear my head a bit. Perhaps Mollie can help put my mind at rest.

Me: I can come to you?

Mollie: Sure. I’m flat 50, last building on the left past the station.

Me: See you soon

Mollie’s place really doesn’t take that long to get to. Having made sure Lauren was okay before I left, I park up and enter the building, wondering if Mollie grew up in the area. The flat I’m now riding the lift up to, really doesn’t suggest that she did. It’s a stone’s throw away from the terraced houses and cobbled lanes, yet it screams inner city living.

With modern amenities, marble floors and spotlights brighter than the sun, everything about it reminds me of Mollie. From how smartly she dresses, her job, her tough exterior. All of it.

The lift dings, and the doors slide open. I step out and walk to number fifty, finding the door already slightly ajar. Having buzzed me in, Mollie knows I’m on my way up, but I feel less than comfortable just walking into her place. I try to knock as best I can, only for the door the start opening.

I call out her name, willing her to appear. She doesn’t. I take a look behind me, not liking the silence or the stillness of the hallway. Seeing no other option, I walk inside, closing the door gently. “Mollie?” Still nothing.

Wiping my feet, I’m not entirely sure whether I should just go and find her. My eyes roam around the entrance. Beautifully decorated, there’s an air of cosiness as my eyes scan my surroundings. The flowers sat in a glass vase underneath a large mirror give off the smell of early spring. The colours are feminine, the pretty sight making me take in a deep breath,filling my lungs with the rich, sweet smell.

My eyes continue to trail over her things as I step forward. A bunch of keys are in a small dish. Beside that I spy a family photo. I bend to take a better look, but a knock from down the hall makes me stop.

With a guilty fright I stand up quickly, turning on my heels to see Mollie. “I did knock,” I say panicked, my finger pointing to the door as if that will attest to my being found out.

Mollie smiles, slowly brushing her hands on her thighs as she moves closer to me. Once she reaches me, her eyes fall to the photo. She smiles looking down, then collects it in her hands, tracing her index finger over the glass. She takes a deep breath. “This was taken six years ago.” Her face lights up.

“May I?”

She hands me the photo, and my stomach clenches at the sight of the little boy. My suspicions were correct. Mollie has a child. His dark hair is messy, the front a little bit too long as it falls in his face. “What’s his name?”

Without a shadow of doubt, Mollie’s breath hitches as she blinks profusely. “Riley.”

I look back at the photo. My heart swells noticing his familiarity. The little boy has round chubby cheeks, his head’s tilted slightly upwards, trying to gaze at the grownups stood above him. There is so much love bouncing between the three of them. My only thought in this moment is how on earth has she been coping without her husband?

“I’ll put the kettle on,” she whispers gently before I can ask.

I place the photo back down then turn, following her.

In the kitchen, I stand on the other side of the island in the middle of the room. “Have a seat,” she says.

Pulling out a stool, I shrug off my coat and sit down.

“Milk? Sugar?”

“Please.” I smile pulling out my phone, checking for anymessages. Placing it on the counter, I rest my elbows down and look around.

“There you go.” She holds out her hand, passing me the mug.

I immediately take a sip, letting the warmness sooth me.

Mollie takes a seat opposite me. “So, Dean’s home?”

With a slight smile, I take another sip of my tea then place it down. “Apparently so.”

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