Prologue
Erin
“Rain?”
“Erin, hi.”
“Could you … could you come to the pub?”
“Something happened? Are you all right?
Everybody okay?”
“Yes, everybody’s fine, Rain. I need…” I take a
deep breath, trying to hold in the tears.
“Something’s happened and I didn’t know who to
call.”
“You’re making me worry.”
Rain’s voice is a trembling whisper that
instantly makes me feel like a moron for calling
her.
“I need a friend, Rain. I need you. Please, I’m
desperate.”
“Okay, take it easy, I’m on my way.”
“I’ll be waiting,” I say, while the hot tears start
running down my face.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Thanks,” I blurt out, but she’s already hung up.
I close the conversation and let my telephone
slide into my jeans pocket. I’ve been locked in the
bathroom for ten minutes. My break is finished by
now and I have to get back to work. I take a look
in the mirror and it’s just what you’d expect: a
disaster. My mascara has run down my cheeks and
my eyes are dressed in dark circles due to the lack
of sleep, the uninterrupted crying last night and the