One Small Mistake(30)

Yours,

Florence Pine



And though she doesn’t know it, her question, written with heart and sincerity, makes me feel sick to my stomach. The seed of my little white lie has grown into a spiky, tangled thicket.

Panic wraps its slim fingers around my throat and squeezes until I can’t catch my breath. I clutch the wall for support.

A hand grips my shoulder, making me jump.

It’s Jack.

‘Take a breath,’ he tells me. ‘Breathe.’

But I can’t. I can’t. I …

‘Do you trust me?’ he asks, taking my face in his.

I nod.

‘Elodie, I’m going to make this right. I’m going to fix everything. I promise.’





Chapter Twelve


The Day Of


Elodie Fray

After the state I was in post-Florence’s letter, Jack insisted I stay with him for a few nights, the equilibrium between us apparently restored.

Tonight though, Jack’s in London with his family, watching his brother’s husband, Tobin, in a West End show, so I’m back in my tiny house and it turns out it’s not just the security light that’s broken, the lock on my front door isn’t working properly either. I worry about my stalker and push a dining-table chair against the door. It’s a pathetic attempt to make myself feel safer but my landlord has ignored my panicked emails. If I don’t hear from him by tomorrow morning, I’ll call a locksmith myself. I haven’t told Jack about the door; he’ll only worry. I’m already missing Jack and his place. It’s such a gorgeous space, nicer than anywhere I could ever afford to live. His offer for me to move in with him is tempting. If I can’t find another job and my parents discover the book deal is a lie, he might just be my only option.

I’m just climbing into bed when Jack sends me a photograph of him and his brother in the theatre, waiting for the show to begin.

18.45 Jack: You’re missing out



I send him a photograph of the laptop and tea balanced on my bed.

18.46 Elodie: I’m partying hard here

18.46 Jack: Wild, Fray. Wild

18.47 Elodie: I need an early night – I’m having lunch with Ada and Mum tomorrow. If I show up with dark undereye circles, Ada will spend an hour trying to convince me to buy a luxurious eye cream she knows I can’t afford …

18.49 Jack: Is that guy still following you? You’re being careful, right? You can sleep at mine tonight. I’m not back until tomorrow evening. Place is yours.

18.52 Elodie: Haven’t seen him since the party. I’m fine, please don’t worry. Enjoy your show! X



The sound of creaking wakes me. It’s dark, moonlight creeps between the gap in the curtains, though I could’ve sworn I’d fallen asleep with the lamp on. I lie still and listen, but I’m greeted only by silence. As though even the wind is too terrified to make a sound. But I’m not alone. I sense someone in the room with me. Close. Slowly, I turn my head. I see him a second before the damp cloth comes down hard over my nose and mouth. My body reacts before my mind can catch up; heart galloping, muscles tight, breath short and fast. When the fog of confusion clears, the fear is immediate. A scream rips its way up my throat, muffled by the cloth.

I thrash and flail, I kick and throw my weight to the left, rolling off the bed and landing hard on the floor. Air whooshes out of me and I’m on my back, struggling to breathe. I don’t have time to move before the weight of him hits me. He’s broad and strong. Wearing something over his face. I raise my arms to fight him off, but he knocks them away with bruising force and presses into me so hard, I think my ribs will crack. My mind races, but all I can think is fight, run. My cry for help is cut off again by the damp, tangy cloth he smashes into my mouth. I taste blood.

Desperate, I reach up and claw at his face. The mask he’s wearing slips and he rears back. I scramble to my feet but I’m heavy and slow, the sting of the chemical-sodden cloth still clinging to the back of my throat.

I must get out.

Must get help.

I lurch forward. Everything around me shimmers and greys. A scream bubbles in my throat. He bulldozes into me and I crash into the wall-mounted mirror by the door. It splinters; a crooked spider’s web of broken glass across its face. Agony flares in my shoulder; there’s a two-inch shard of glass stabbing into the meatiest part of my upper arm. It’s alien and hot. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I stagger for the door. My hand curls around the cool metal handle just as arms clamp around me from behind.

I struggle but I’m weak and dizzy. Helpless. A newborn fawn.

‘Please,’ I beg. ‘Stop.’

This time, when the cloth goes over my mouth, it doesn’t come away.

Slowly, reluctantly, I sink into the dark.





Chapter Thirteen


1 Day Missing


Elodie Fray

I’m trapped in a car. Have been for hours. I woke alone on the backseat under a sheet. I haven’t seen my abductor since I was taken; I’m terrified he’ll return. Thankfully, my arms and legs are unbound so if he comes for me again, I can fight him off. Maybe this time I’ll be successful.

There’s a huge gash on my arm where I smashed into the mirror, and dried blood crusts on my skin and pyjamas. The wound has been haphazardly bandaged. The thought of him handling me in my sleep makes my stomach roil. I don’t know what he wants with me, but if he wanted me dead, why patch me up first?