“Fine.”
“See you soon.”
I hang up and march downstairs.
“What happened?” Daniel asks as he sits up.
“Elliot is handling the press tomorrow, Andrew is picking me up. They won’t leave until I go.”
Daniel’s face falls. “So you’re just going to go to him? Just like that, he snaps his fingers and all is forgiven.”
“No, I’m not stupid. I’m getting the hell out of here and he’s the only way I can do it.”
Daniel rolls his eyes.
“Have you got a better idea, Daniel?” I cry. “Because if you do, please let me know it.” I throw my hands up in the air. “If I stay here, tomorrow morning they follow me wherever I go and make up more lies.”
He stares at me.
“Oh, and don’t forget, you are the boyfriend I’m supposedly cheating on, so expect them to follow you too.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “This is a fucking nightmare, Kate.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I cry.
Rebecca comes out of her room, half asleep. “What’s happening?”
“Daniel and I are in a relationship, and I’ve been sleeping with Elliot behind his back,” I tell her in frustration.
Rebecca scratches her head as she looks at us both. “You are?”
“No!” we both cry in unison.
“Oh.” She frowns. “What a relief, thank fuck.”
Daniel shakes his head. “Go back to bed,” he snaps.
“Okay, shut up then, will you both? I’m trying to sleep here.” She walks into her room and closes the door.
I run up the stairs to pack my suitcase and Daniel follows me. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” I throw my suitcase onto the bed; I already know what I’m doing but I don’t want to tell Daniel just yet, not until it’s done.
This is my decision, and mine alone; I don’t want anyone to cloud my judgment. After Daniel and I crossed the friendship line last night, I know I have to think on my own from here on in. I begin to pack clothes into my suitcase at speed, run into the bathroom and pack my toiletries. I throw in my shampoo and conditioner, hairdryer. I put my hands on my hips as I look around. I take my framed photographs of me and my parents and put them in my suitcase.
“How long are you going for?” He frowns.
“Until things die down.”
His eyes are wide. “How long will that be?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to stay in a hotel or something for a few days. I’ll call you when I know where I’m staying.”
“Okay.”
“Are you working tomorrow?” I ask.
“I think.” He frowns again. “Maybe . . . I might go to my parents’ for a few days too.”
“Alright.” My eyes hold his. “I’m so sorry to drag you into this.”
“Hey.” He smiles as he puts his arms around me. “It’s not your fault.” My eyes search his and he cups my face. “Just be careful with him . . . okay?” he whispers.
“He’d never hurt me.”
“He already has.”
I drop my head. “I know.”
My phone beeps with a text.
Kate, it’s Andrew.
I’m coming around the corner now.
Stay inside until I come to the door to get you.
Ask Daniel to stay out of sight.
I text back:
Okay, thanks.
“He’s nearly here, he said for you to stay out of sight.”
“Shit, okay. I’ll go to my room.” His eyes hold mine. “Be careful, babe.” He hugs me.
“Call you tomorrow. When are you going to go to your parents’?” I ask.
“First thing in the morning.”
“Okay.”
With one last look he disappears down the stairs. A sense of urgency fills me and I quickly text Brad.
Are you home?
Can I get some things dropped at your house?
A reply bounces back.
Yeah sure,
I’ve been waiting for you to call.
I’ve seen the news.
What the fuck is going on, Kate?
I shake my head.
A whole lot of lies,
I’m fine.
Fill you in tomorrow.
Love you.
X
A reply bounces back.
Love you too, see you soon.
X
Ten minutes later I hear a knock on the front door and I open it. Andrew smiles and walks in and closes the door behind him. “Hello Kathryn.”
“Hi.”
“Are you ready?”
I nod.
“I have security with me.”
My face falls.
“They will block the photographers and let us get to the car. I’m going to hold this umbrella up in front of you and you are going to put your head down and walk straight to the car. Do not look up, do not acknowledge anyone. We will both get into the backseat and security will drive us away.”
Nerves dance in my stomach. “Okay,” I whisper.
“Do you have a jacket with a hood?”
“Yes.”
“Put it on.”
I run up the stairs and whizz through my closet at full speed. My heart is hammering, I feel like I’m about to rob a bank or something. I put on my big jacket and walk back downstairs. “Ready.”
Andrew gives me a kind smile and lifts my hood up over my head—my scared eyes hold his. “Don’t worry, they’ll all disappear as soon as another scandal arrives. This will all be over soon.”