Page 32 of Tears of Gold

Nine

The shower runs cold, the damn hot water tank running out again. Soap suds still run from my hair. Shit. I hate it when this happens. It’s always me. One. Two. Three. I shove my head under the cold blast of water. I know by now if I can get to thirty seconds, the pain isn’t too bad. It’s just cold water at the end of the day.

When my hair squeaks, I snap off the water. Shit, it’s cold. Shivering, I push back the shower curtain and reach for my towel, my fingers only finding empty air.

Shit.

My towel.

It was here.

My bedroom is just next door. Stepping out of the bath, trying not to let the freezing shower curtain touch my skin, I edge my way to the door.

I’m going to have to dash for it. The house is empty anyway.

Holding my breath, I crack open the bathroom door. My skin is met by a chill blast of winter air. The heating isn’t on high enough. I keep telling Dad it’s too cold during the day.

I open the bathroom door and run for my room, but instead glance straight up into dark eyes waiting for me on the landing.

“Hello, Faith. Need this?” He holds my towel in offering, but I don’t take it.

His eyes are on me, burning, hateful. I slam into my room, my heart pounding, thrumming so hard I can’t even breathe.

My skin crawls as I dive under my duvet and wrap it tight around my wet body.

Then I begin to sweat and shake as uncontrollable sobs take a hold of all of me.

I want to hide myself so no one will ever see me again. Protect myself behind an armour that will never be penetrated.

Fuck.

I sit up, my eyes adjusting to the hazy sunlight streaming into the bedroom. It takes a moment to place where I am. All the gold and cream is unfamiliar. Eli is gone, but that’s good.

I drag in a deep, painful gasp of air.

It’s been months since I had a nightmare. Not since Eli arrived and chased them all away.

Gah, where did that come from?

My heart slows and I reach for my phone. Half eight. I didn’t even hear Eli leave, but then I don’t know how much sleep we got last night. I feel like I shouldn’t have distracted him quite so much with Melanie’s case going on. Tonight, I shall have to ensure it's hot cocoa and an early bedtime. I chuckle as I scroll through my contacts, imagining Eli in bed in his striped pj’s with a mug of cocoa in his hands. I’d still find that sexy. It’s a worry.

I hit dial on Tabitha’s number and then look about for any clothes I can slip on so I can make it to our packed wardrobes before Miss Beesley comes in for the day. The shirt is still there, so I grab and struggle it on.

“Hey,” Tabs answers.

“Hi. I was just checking in and to tell you we’ve moved.”

There’s a pause. “What do you mean moved?”

“Your mother decided to throw me a little curve ball yesterday. I managed to rise above it.”

“She’s mental.”

“I know. It’s not hereditary is it?”

Tabitha laughs but it doesn’t sound at all genuine.

“How’s Lewis?” I ask. I hold my breath and wait for her answer.