“Do you have the letter?”
“No, I left it, grabbed my gear, and fled.”
He takes the few steps into the room and lifts my chin, digging his fingers into my cheeks as he explores my face like a map. “You’re certain you’re Gavin’s girl and nothis?” The wordhis,spits from his mouth like poison, as if just the mere thought of Kane brings a sour taste to his mouth.
I nod, gulping down the growing lump in my throat.
“I can’t trust a word that comes from your whore of a mother. I’ll need proof before I believe it. She told everyone you were his.”
My body vibrates. “My mother was no whore.”
“Easy, Letty,” Jack says, pulling me closer to his side.
He laughs in my face. “All right little orphan, I take it back. She wasn’t a whore.”
My shoulders relax and some of the tension leaves my body.
“She was a slut.” He belly laughs, louder than before. “Why’d you think that piece of shit killed my brother?”
My eyes widen. I can’t get the words out in between the venom spouting from his lips.
“Because she preferred my brother’s cock. She couldn’t stand being lonely while he was off playing soldier, she wanted a real man to keep her full. She probably had half the town while he was away. You could be anybody’s.” He laughs again, but it’s menacing and laced with hatred.
I won’t stand here and listen to lies about my mum, everything he’s said is the opposite of how Kane described her. I pace around him and out of the room, heading towards the door.
“Letty, wait up.” Jesse calls after me. “Where are you going, your cars still at the cafe?”
“Calm yourself down. I’ll get a DNA test and settle this once and for all,” Gareth says, catching up with us.
“In the meantime she’s staying here. You don’t want her staying with him again do you?” Jesse tenses his jaw. Communicating with his dad without words.
“Fine. Stay. If youaremy brother’s girl, he wouldn’t want you anywhere near the Harding farmhouse.”
“Let’s get your car,” Jesse says and guides me towards the front door.
“Hey kid,” he shouts.
I glance over my shoulder.
“Nasty business what happened to your parents. He’ll pay for this one day. Ten years in the slammer doesn’t make up for the life he stole.” He dips his head and walks back towards the games room.
33
VIOLET
The monotonous beep of the checkout drones out all other sounds. I swivel side to side in the chair as I scan each item off the conveyor belt. A continuous cycle of disappointment. Time slows at the checkout. It’s the worst job in this miserable store.
I’ve asked if I can work with Jesse at the cafe, but trade is slow in winter. Besides, I don’t fancy seeing Marie again. Lucy said she’s out for blood and still thinks I’m after Jack. The thought of it makes me nauseous, especially when I think of kissing Jesse. Of all the people in this town, I had to pick the one person off-limits, not to mention fucking Kane, my mother’s boyfriend. Although that one never bothered me until I found out I’d been played all along.
I press the total button on the till. “£112.36, please.” Absently, I chew the gum in my mouth, then blow a bubble while the old dear fumbles with her purse and her fella packs the bags.
“Thank you, dear.” She shuffles off with her trolly, tucking her purse away.
“Thank you.” I don’t look up at the next customer, just focus on the products, swiping them over the scanner one by one.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“How’s Kane?” Lilly’s voice makes my jaw lax.
