“Right, so I’m staying here for now,” he said, pulling at his collar. “I might as well take my exams like everyone else. ” “Fair enough,” she replied, but there was something in her voice—hesitation, worry. “Your name keeps coming up, you know.
” He shrugged. “So I sent him a text. Told him to watch his back. Whatever.
” “Maybe so, but I’d still like to take a look at that builder’s yard. ” “Anything else? ” “See you then. ” He walked away, but his mind was elsewhere.
He’d sent her three messages, and she hadn’t replied to any of them. Then she showed up at his door, looking uneasy. “You all right? ” he asked.
“Not interrupting anything, am I? ” “I think I must have left something here. ” “It’s just… you don’t need to apologize for anything. But we both know things got a bit weird.
” He sighed. “Look, if you’re still going on about what did or didn’t happen between you and David—it was a misunderstanding. Nothing more. ” “I’ll let you crack on, then.
” “All right. ” But the tension lingered, heavy in the air. Later, in a small room, an officer sat across from him. “I hope this won’t take too long.
I’m going to have to rebook my flight because of this. ” “Why? Because I work with children? I’ve been nothing but professional my entire career.
No, I have never had a sexual relationship with Will Driskoll. ” The officer scribbled something. “See if anybody has more information on Miss Walsh. ” “Well, if she does get arrested, you might have to go to court and give evidence.
” “I understand this might be upsetting. ” But he was already thinking of her—the way she always looked so calm, like nothing could touch her. He remembered the day she told him she needed a break. “My client’s been under a lot of stress recently,” her voice echoed.
“I needed a break from all that. That’s all. ” Then the officer pushed a paper toward him. “Two thousand pounds was taken from the pub safe just before you tried to flee to Sojourn.
Will says he gave it to you for you both to go away together. ” He shook his head. “It’s not like he hasn’t done it before. I told him over and over again that nothing can happen between us.
Then, all of a sudden, he changes his story. ” The officer’s eyes narrowed. “Well, you didn’t reply to any of my messages. ” “Well, what I’ve got to say won’t take long.
I need to talk to you about something first. ” But he was tired of the games. He knew what was coming. CPS was going to decide whether they had enough evidence to charge her.
If they did, she’d go to prison. But the officer said, “She only booked one ticket. She doesn’t love you, and she never did. ” That cut deeper than he expected.
He tried to push back. “I think you need to understand you’re facing some serious charges here. It’s going to take as long as it takes. ” “You’ve got this all wrong,” he insisted.
But then Adam—older, sharper, someone from the past—stepped in. “Adam, that was a long time ago. Let me finish. In fact, you were the one chasing after me.
” “You should have been with somebody your own age, not sleeping with a kid. It should never have happened. ” The words stung, but he held his ground. “Because you seem fine from where I’m sitting.
” “I’m doing all right. ” “Well, I’m sorry, but I’m not prepared to take responsibility for any mistakes you might have made years after we knew each other. Just look after yourself, Aiden. ” The conversation left him hollow.
Later, a friend tried to comfort him. “Look, if you want me to leave…” “No, it’s not that. Told them I’m still away and I’ll speak to them when I get back. A few other people too.
” “Well, I think it says you’re someone who trusts other people. ” “It just means you’re going to get hurt from time to time, because unfortunately not all people should be trusted. ” He snorted. “Says the woman who broke into my flat.
” She ignored the jab. “Well, basically told her that what she did to me was abuse and it should never have happened. ” “After all these years and she still won’t admit what she did to you was wrong. ” “I know what happened between us, and that’s enough.
” “Good luck with getting a response. ” He felt the weight of it all pressing down. Then he saw her again—Fizz—and asked, “Well, I just wanted to check if you’re okay, because I saw Fizz earlier and she was talking about the police coming into school and asking some of the pupils about Megan. Did they talk to you at all?
” “Why is that so hard for everyone to understand? ” He sighed. “No, it won’t take long, but thanks. We’ll tell Will.
” He snorted. “If there’s anything else, I’ll be in touch. ” But then he heard the words that shattered everything: “Why the long face? Even if she gets found guilty and gets sent down, it’s not going to affect Will, is it?
It broke his heart having to tell the police what she did to him. What it’s still doing to him. And in fact, now that she was going to leave without him, he’s not the same lad he was. ” The room spun.
“THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT. ” He looked up, meeting cold eyes. “You’re like a proper little rat, aren’t you? ” “I’ve not disposed of any evidence.
” “Oh, I’ve got that search warrant here after. Do you mind if we take those with us? ” And as they took his things, he realized it was all falling apart—and he didn’t know who to trust anymore.
