Part 13 (1/2)

Chapter 48.

Here it was, the rest of her life. Sylvie knew she was changed forever. It wasn't that innocence had been lost, G.o.d knew she'd been long past innocence but deep inside a dark place had been created. It was, she knew, a place of hate and for now she let it sit. She believed she had a right to hate; she also vowed to take revenge.

Lennie brought her tea and toast. The girl looked haunted, her eyes were teary and her face pale save where dark smudges witnessed the sleeplessness of the past night. She plumped pillows, tucked the covers and squeezed Sylvie's hand.

”How is it?”

”b.l.o.o.d.y sore, all over. I think the bleeding might have stopped though. I can hardly move. s.h.i.+t.”

”Can I help?”

”No, no it's okay just let me sit up.”

”Just stay where you are today, stay in bed. I 'ave to go out later but you'll be alright here. Least I think you will.”

Sylvie shook her head.

”I can't, I have to get away from here. They know where I am, I'm scared stiff they'll come back. I don't know where I'm gonna go but I have to get away.

”Lennie, please don't keep on blaming yourself. I know, I know you didn't have a choice. You've been good to me and I don't blame you.”

The short speech reduced the other woman to yet more tears but she smiled in spite of them and leaned in to hug Sylvie gently.

”Come on, let me take your plate. So, what are you gonna do?”

”I can't go to the police. I can't go back to the hospital or the hotel. I really need to know how Samuel is and I need to get some money.”

”Can you use the internet, transfer money from your account?”

”Yeah, if I can remember my pa.s.sword. It's ages since I did it but yes.”

”Well, if you like you can transfer it to mine and I can get some out for you. I can only get a hundred pounds a day but I can get some today and some tomorrow, will that work?”

”That'd be great, it really would. I need some clothes.”

”Well, I have some stuff but it won't really fit you, you're welcome to anything but if you'd rather I can go and get some for you. I can get it on my card and then you can pay me back. s.h.i.+t, I feel bad asking you to pay me back but...” She shrugged.

”No, no that'd be great. I need everything, would you mind?”

”I'll go now. Tell me what you want, your size and stuff, and you have another bath if you like.”

They hugged again and Lennie dragged on her jacket. ”My computer's on, over there and you can log on, I piggy back on the bloke downstairs' wifi he doesn't mind.”...

The outside door slammed and Sylvie jerked from her half dream, scuttered in panic to the bathroom and fumbled with the door lock. She leaned against the wood breathing rapidly her heart pounding against her ribs. She knew she couldn't stay here, would have no peace of mind in this place where she was vulnerable.

”Sylvie, Syl. It's me Lennie. I'm on my own, it's okay, are you in the bog?”

Lennie stood in the middle of the room her hands full of plastic bags, a concerned look on her face.

”I thought you'd gone.”

”Sorry Lennie, I'm just jumpy you know.”

”Course you are. Anyway look I got some stuff, I hope it's okay for you. I got some money as well, did you manage to do the bank stuff?

”No, you didn't leave me your account details.”

”What am I like? Right, here you look at the stuff, I can take any of it back if you don't like it. I just went to the ordinary shops for most of it. It's cheap stuff, M & S for the undies though. I don't know what you usually do.”

”Oh it'll be great. Just to have something of my own'll be great.”

”Right, you get dressed, I'll put the kettle on and make us a b.u.t.ty.”

”Sorry.”

”A b.u.t.ty, you know a sarni, I hope ham's okay, I got cheese as well.”

”Oh, oh right. Yeah great. Then we'll do the bank and then, will you do me a favour?”

”'Course I will anything.”

”Will you ring the hospital for me? See if you can find anything out about Samuel”

”Yeah, but they probably won't tell me anything. I had an idea though. My Aunty is a cleaner there, I could ask her to see if she can find out anything.”

”Will she be okay? It won't put her in any danger or anything? The police are there at least I suppose they still are.”

”It's fine. Look let me ring her now, I think she'll still be in work. You have a look at the clothes.”

Sylvie came out of the bathroom where she had taken the plastic bags. Jeans, top, socks and trainers, simple things but they made such a difference, she felt human again, almost normal. On the outside.

Lennie was busy in the kitchen alcove b.u.t.tering rolls and slicing cheese. She turned as she heard the bathroom door closing.

”Oh, they're great. Are you happy with it all?”

”Yeah they're fine, thanks. You even thought to get me spare socks and knickers. How much do I owe you?”

”The receipts are there, I tried to keep it reasonable. You can just transfer some money into my account and then I'll take out the difference in cash from the hole in the wall. Like I said I hate to ask you for money, I feel so guilty, but, well you know.”

”Yeah, I know and anyway I wouldn't feel right not paying for the stuff. Did you ring your Aunty?”