Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 134212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
After I’ve stripped down to my knickers, I climb under the sheets, missing the warmth of Boris, who normally snuggles up to me most nights. Making sure I never sleep alone.
But tonight, I’m alone.
Alone and empty.
Chapter Four
With my hands wrapped around my mug, I stare out of the kitchen window, my mind on Boris. It’s a momentary respite from my mind being on Billy.
As I hear the front door open, I empty the last inch of my coffee into the sink, looking back when Magda wanders into the kitchen. Her eyes are not on me. They’re on the dish sitting on the hob. The dish that is still full of sausage casserole.
I wince, placing my mug on the drainer. “I got a good night’s sleep.” Such a lie. Between my words with Billy and my walk with Boris, I didn’t sleep a wink.
“Where’s Boris?” Magda asks, looking down at her feet where he would usually be circling her thick calves.
“He had a heart attack.” I say it so matter-of-factly, like shitty news is all I have to tell these days.
“Oh, that’s terrible, Lo. I’m so sorry.”
“Me too,” I breathe, heading for the hallway to get my coat. “The vet said they’ll call with an update this morning. I’d better get going.”
“Walking again?”
I turn back toward the kitchen, shrugging on my coat. “Yes.”
Magda nods, lips straight. “Lo,” she says, taking a deep breath. “I didn’t want to bring it up, but, well, it’s been two weeks now. I have bills to pay myself.”
“I get paid today. I’ll make sure it’s transferred before the end of the day.” I scoop up my bag. “I’m sorry, Magda. Things are—”
“I know,” she says, looking at me, full of sympathy that I just cannot bear. “And I wouldn’t ask, but—”
“Magda, you don’t have to explain yourself.”
“Lo, far be it from me to interfere with that part of your life, but am I an expense that you could do without? I mean, I just pop in twice a day and make a nuisance of myself. Billy has made it clear that he doesn’t want me here.”
“I feel better knowing someone is checking up on him while I’m at work. Making sure he eats.”
“Very well,” she concedes, slipping off her gloves. “I’ll get to making his breakfast.”
“Thank you.” I turn on my heels and brace myself for the cold, pulling the door open and shivering when it hits me. “Jesus,” I mutter, taking the steps down to the street. My hands go to my pockets to find my gloves, but I find something else instead. Something cardboard. Stopping in my tracks, I pull out what I’ve found and stare down at the silver card.
Luke B Williamson
Managing Director
LBW Security
M: 07951 902877
E: lbw@lbwsecurity.co.uk
My heart slows, my nerves getting the better of me. I don’t have the money to pay him back, even though it’s payday. I’ll call him. Ask if I can have more time. It’s not a call I’m relishing making. I’m asking a perfect stranger for a favor. Or maybe I don’t have to call at all. I scan the card for the email, thinking that would be the perfect solution. Yes, I’ll email him. Just as soon as I get to work. At least then I won’t stutter over my embarrassment.
I swear, I feel like a snowman by the time I make it to the office. This winter is brutally cold. I let myself through the security barrier by swiping my card and join a crowd of people at the bank of elevators. While I wait, I wriggle my toes to life, looking up to the ceiling to flex my neck, which I’m pretty sure is stiff from frostbite. Something catches my eye in the corner where the ceiling meets the wall, a small black dome. I frown as I squint, trying to decipher the type on the glass.
“LBW Security,” I say to myself, looking across to the other corner and finding another dome.
“Well, yeah.” Matthew laughs from beside me, and I slowly drop my stare to his. He pushes his glasses up his nose and points to another dozen cameras dotted around, and then to the security room on the other side of reception, which I know to be kitted out with the most intelligent security system, monitors, and control panels. A private bank operates from the third floor, and I know there’s a bank of safety deposit boxes somewhere beneath this building. “If you’re serious about security, only LBW will do,” Matthew goes on. “They keep ninety percent of commercial buildings in the city safe and sound.” The doors to an elevator open and he gestures me to go ahead, which I do, spotting yet more cameras in the lift. I’ve never paid much attention to the security in our building, but now, everywhere I look there’s a camera. A camera with his initials on it. Luke B Williamson. He owns the company? I let out a puff of disbelieving breath and let my back fall to the wall behind me. No wonder he cast off that vet bill as if it was nothing, because to him it actually was nothing. But I’m still paying him back.