‘Doctor Sexton?’ It’s a woman’s voice I don’t recognise.
I exhale heavily. ‘Yes, that’s me.’
‘My name is Lucinda Wright. I’m a social worker. I’m looking after Lily-May’s case.’
It might not be Archie, but this could just be the second-best thing.
‘You got my messages?’ I’d left one every day for the past two weeks, urging her to call me back.
‘I did.’ Her stern voice echoes down the line. ‘You know I’m not supposed to discuss the child with you. I know you were there with Lily-May when her mother died, and I admire the interest you’ve expressed in wanting to foster her, but I can’t help you, I’m afraid.’
Can’t or won’t?
I never pull the family card. The thought of it usually turns my stomach, but in this case, I’ll pull any string I can if it means helping Lily-May.
‘Lucinda, I’m not sure if you know who I am, but I’m offering to change Lily-May’s life forever. Give her a home. Provide for her. Shower her with love and affection. I know there’s a huge amount of red tape to get through but, I can assure you, the child will not be better cared for by anyone else.’
‘That may be the case, Doctor Sexton. I’m well aware of your family’s fame and fortune, but that doesn’t change the fact you’re not a blood relative.’ Her clipped tone rings through my ear.
I push my glasses higher up onto my nose. My eyes have been too dry for contact lenses the past month due to all the tears. ‘But in the absence of one—’
Lucinda cuts off my protests mid-sentence. ‘Someone came forward.’
‘What? Who?’ My spine stiffens.
‘I’m afraid that’s confidential. But she’s no longer in the care of the state.’
I don’t know if I’m horrified or relieved.
Both, probably.
‘Good day, Doctor Sexton. Please don’t call me again.’ She disconnects the call with a definitive click.
Am I destined to lose everyone I care about?
Three raps sound from outside my door. It can only be my sisters.
‘Come in.’ The thick plush carpet dips beneath my feet as I cross the enormous room to greet them.
My sisters look equally stunning in their graduation frock glory. A simple but stunning topaz Alexander McQueen dress clings to Sasha’s slim frame. Chloe, never one to blend in, wears a flared hem Valentino in a shade of fire engine red.
Their glamorous attire entirely complies with the image the media paints of them.
‘Oh, honey.’ Sasha’s worried eyes take in my puffy ones.
Chloe clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth. ‘Come now, sweetie, let’s get you fixed up. We can’t have you crying at your own graduation. Sasha will be bawling enough for all of us,’ she jokes.
‘I could cheerfully throttle Archie, you know.’ Sasha holds up a bottle of champagne. ‘Ryan almost did. He gave him hell for leaving you that night.’
A jolt of something powerful surges through my sternum. ‘Ryan spoke to Archie?’
‘Of course. Archie called to tell him he was resigning.’ Sasha smooths the hair back from my face while Chloe fetches some champagne flutes from the minibar.
‘Did he say where he was going?’ I’m only torturing myself, but I can’t help it.
‘To stay with his family. Ryan said he sounded devastated. Archie isn’t a bad guy, you know. Okay, he messed up, but haven’t we all, at some point?’ Sasha’s slim fingers dust imaginary fluff off her dress. ‘I thought he’d have come back for you, you know.’
So did I. Clearly, we were both wrong.
