I paused. Then added a line beneath it, almost as an afterthought.
“Not sure if you’ll give a shit. But… figured I’d let you know anyway. P.S. You snore.”
I placed it gently on the pillow beside her, taking her in one last time before heading for the door. Outside, the rain had started again. The sky hung low and miserable, matching the heaviness in my chest. As I stepped into the street, I pulled the hood low over my head, unable to shake the strange twisting feeling in my stomach. My mum wanted to see me away from Danny? And Misfit was still inside, asleep in my bed. Had I somehow fallen into a weird alternate dimension when Danny kicked the shit out of me?
By the time I reached the cafe, I was fifteen minutes late. Taking in shallow breaths as I pushed on the door of the cafe. The bell above gave a weak jingle; the warmth from inside was a welcome feeling against my rain-damp clothes. The place was mostly empty, just a couple of old timers nursing tea by the window. She stood up the second she saw me.
Her eyes widened, hand flying to her mouth, muffling her words. “Jesus, Screech!”
She was on me before I could say anything, arms wrapping around me in a sudden, desperate hug. I flinched, sucking ina sharp breath as pain ripped up my side. She pulled back instantly, her hands hovering now like she wanted to hold me but didn’t know how.
“Sorry … I didn’t mean to, are you okay?”
I glared at her, “Do I look ok?”
Her eyes scanned my face. The swelling. The busted lip. The bruises blooming down the side of my neck.
But what caught my attention was the mark under her eye, barely covered with makeup. A yellowish bruise.
"What about you?” I asked, quieter now. My voice losing some of its edge, “Danny?”
She looked away, jaw tight. “It’s nothing. He’s just been… stressed.”
I nodded, pressing my lips together, “Right,” I said, deadpan. “Stressed.” She turned and gestured for me to follow her to a booth tucked in the corner, away from the windows. I limped after her, easing down onto the bench with a hiss.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” she said after a beat, folding her hands on the table.
“I didn’t either,” I admitted, “Kinda thought you forgot I existed.”
She tilted her head toward me. “I didn’t,” she said. “It’s just… Danny, he watches everything. It’s hard.” Looking down at her hands.
I leaned back, ignoring the sharp stab of pain in my ribs. “You called me here for a reason. What is it?”
She hesitated, meeting my eyes, “You can’t come back to the house. It’s too dangerous for you. Danny won’t hesitate to take things further if you turn up again.”
I blinked slowly, not surprised by her words. “Fuckin let him.”
She snapped, “Screech, don’t be fucking stupid!” Curious eyes shifted around the cafe, landing on us as her voice rose.
I leaned closer to her over the table, lowering my tone, “You honestly think I’d just fuck off and leave Squeeks.” My finger jabbed into the table, “Yousigned us up to this shit.Youcould have walked away from that cunt and stopped all of this, but no!Youkept us in the gutter after dad bailed.”
She reached out for my hand over the table as I snatched it away. “Baby please… I’m just trying to—”
I quickly interrupted, my own anger spilling from me. “Don’t fucking baby me now. You haven’t treated me like I’m worth anything to you for a long fucking time. Unless ya mates needed a quick fuck.”
Her guilty eyes darted around the cafe before landing back on mine. Rage written all over my battered face, I leaned back just waiting for her next excuse. We sat in silence for a beat.
Her fingers curled tighter around her cup. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you better,” she said suddenly, voice breaking. “When you were younger. When we started bringing you into things, I should’ve—”
I looked away from her. “Don’t,” I cut in, voice sharp.
She whispered, looking down at her hands, “I don’t want him breaking you too.” Too late, I thought to myself, but I didn’t say it. Instead, I just stared at her. For the first time in years, she seemed genuinely present. Not dulled out or numb.
“I need to get her out.”
Mum's eyes rose, an instant fear glowing in her eyes. “You can’t.”
“Why not?”
