Her self-enforced isolation was there to stop people finding out about her, why she was in Severton, but it had meant she’d shielded herself from any interaction apart from what work required.
Today there was nothing to do. Scott and Sorrell wanted her to take time off; Scott especially wanted her to stay away – if someone was looking for her then it could mean trouble for him. She got that. But how did she occupy herself? She wasn’t one to sit around and do nothing.
Her body ached in the right places, places that hadn’t seen any action for a long time until now. Her chest contained something more than worry when she allowed herself to think about Alex but there was no point hoping. She needed to find out what happened to her sister and then move on to a life that she could recreate and that might not be in Severton.
Alex’s shower was powerful and hot. He’d installed solar panels on all the houses in this row which made her feel less guilty about spending a long time in it, thinking about him, how he’d been with her. How they’d fucked.
She didn’t want to take advantage. She didn’t know if she’d be able to take advantage: everything she knew about the quietest Maynard was that he was stubborn and unmoveable when he wanted to be. He made his own mind up. But she didn’t want others to think she was trying to take advantage either. Alex was housing her, protecting her, being her friend.
She dried off and dressed, applying a tiny amount of make-up and headed outside. Hiding away would likely cause more talk in the town. It was better to be out and about and stop some of the speculation. Maybe try to make a friend.
A football sailed past her head as she walked across one of the maintained parks, followed by a yell.
Abby laughed. Sadie Grace's sweet voice split the air as she told off her brother, the lisp she’d used to make adults melt having disappeared properly now, and only brought out for unsuspecting adults who didn’t know that it was all an act.
“Sorry, Abby.” Rayah Maynard appeared next to her wearing running gear. Charlie was somewhere ahead, sprinting for a hundred metres or so and then slowing. “I have two boys who think they’re going to become professionals at something, but only one will make it in sports.” Harry, the middle of the Graham children, had lost interest in the ball he’d miskicked and was instead on his hands and knees looking down some animal-made hole.
“How are the holidays?”
“Lacking in structure and routine which was great for the first couple of weeks, but now we’re all bored. Are you coming to Jake’s barbecue tonight?”
“Alex has asked me.” He’d also messaged her a few minutes ago to remind her and asked her to pick up some beers. She hadn’t responded yet, not sure how he would react to her worrying about whether she should go or not.
Rayah smiled, her gaze on where Sadie Grace was collecting daisies. “You should come. I take it you and Alex are more than friends now?”
Abby felt heat colour her face. She was a horrific liar. “He only has one bed and I refuse to let him sleep on the sofa and he’s too much of a gentleman to allow me to sleep there…” She stopped talking because Rayah was now giggling like a schoolgirl. “What?”
Rayah shook her head. “Alex is a master manipulator when he wants to be. He could easily have borrowed at least a mattress from Jake. So I take it you know him a lot better than you used to?”
Abby nodded. Looked at her feet. “I don’t know about coming tonight. Scott’s already worried about me bringing trouble…”
“And stop right there. Scott is a big grumpy bear. He’s pissed he wasn’t around when you walked home and thinks it’s his fault. Let him think that. He will be worried if someone’s after you because of how protective he is, but that’s over you as well. Keren was saying he’s going to town buying security cameras and he’s made me get extra for around your house. This is Scott. He’s a protector. And grumpy with it.”
Abby gave another nod and felt unsure what to say. In her old life she’d have been good friends with someone like Rayah. She was vibrant and energetic, a little bit wild and totally free – just like Abby had been.
“Alex told me you climbed.”
The words jolted her out of her musings. ‘What?”
“Nothing else, mind, but I have an idea. He’s not the only person good at playing detective. He just said you’re a pretty decent climber and we should go out – the four of us – at some point. Maybe up to the Trossachs.”
“I’m… not sure…”
“Not sure about what? Alex?” Rayah’s tone was total schoolteacher now.
“Imposing. Or how long I’ll be here.” She wanted to get over herself because the words sounded pathetic even to her own ears. “Sorry, Rayah. I’m not the best company.”
“Then be the best company. Change it.” Her head snapped round. ‘Sadie Grace, do not put that over your brother’s head!”
Rayah looked to where Sadie was about to dump a handful of mud over Harry’s already dirty shock of fair hair.
“You would’ve done that to Jake when you were that age.” Abby knew her well enough to know exactly what Rayah would’ve been like.
“Yes, but now it’s me who has to make sure the washing’s done and Harry actually has a bath and that child does not like bathing.”
It was too late. The deed was done and Sadie Grace was running across the field laughing fiercely while Harry merely dusted himself off and carried on staring down the hole.
“If it makes you feel any better, he was filthy anyway.” Abby chuckled. “Can’t you make it Jonny’s responsibility?”
