Page 244 of Double or Nothing

Somewhere far below us, the doors are opening and Alice is stepping out, carrying everything that made her part of this place.

“I’ll get another coffee on the go,” Jack says, and leaves me standing there.

I’m glad about that.

It would only drive the humiliation home harder if he got to see me cry.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

ALICE

The front door opens the very second I knock. No sign of Helen, just Mum there, ready to pounce. She’s smiling as though I’ve come home for Christmas rather than a shitty welcome home party.

“Alice, darling. There you are!”

Christ, I feel sick.

Her gaze drops to the big black case beside me.

Jack’s case.

It contains every single thing I packed from his place. Clothes I’d stashed between his shirts. Toiletries from beside his. My charger. My sketchbook. My paint-covered mug.

I planned to unpack it at mine and get a more sensible selection together, but I couldn’t bring myself to empty the contents. I couldn’t face it.

“You brought plenty,” Mum says. “That’s good. Well prepared.”

I can’t be bothered with questions. My insides are already shrivelling up enough already, without a standoff about how long I’m staying or why.

“Come inside,” Mum says. “Christopher is already here.”

Fuck, how her words slice through me. I really do want to puke.

Mum steps aside, and the house closes in around me. Horrible. Fake. Forced.

She reaches for my case.

“I’ll ask Helen to take that upstairs.”

“No. I’ll take it.”

The words come too quickly. Weirdly possessive over a bloody suitcase.

She studies me, and for one terrible second I think she sees everything. Developed the power of telepathy overnight.

Then she smiles.

“Your old room is ready. I’ve hung a green dress on the wardrobe door. It will be perfect. Christopher always liked you in green.”

“Liked me in green? He hasn’t seen me in years.”

“He remembers more than you might think.”

“Like trying to stone my cat to death? Excellent. Can’t wait to catch up on the memories.”

Her lips purse. Pissed off.

“Alice, please. Stop it. He’s in the drawing room with your father. Take your case upstairs, then come and say hello.”