camera. I recognized the scar. A very young girl, lying up on her side, faced him, wearing a flirtatious smile.
My heart sank to my feet. I ran out of his study. Blake was coming down the hallway. The blood drained from his face. He must have guessed what I’d seen.
“Penny!”
I ran into his bedroom, grabbed my shoes and jacket and ran out onto the pavement.
Blake followed me out and held me. “Where are you going? Let me explain.”
I shrugged out of his arms. “Don’t touch me. She’s a fucking child.”
A pair walked past and turned.
“Not here, Penny. Come inside. Let’s talk about this.” He grabbed my hand. “I’ve been set up.”
I yanked my hand away. “I feel sick. She looked really fucking young. And what about all those young girls at that club where I first saw you?” My eyes pooled with tears. Having been on a high, the fall was steep, crashing me down to the gutter.
A cab happened to come by, and I hailed it.
Barefoot, Blake watched on helplessly, his hair uncombed and looking like we’d been fucking hard all morning. Which, of course, we had.
Was it just sex disguised as love?
That thought bounced around in my frantic mind, which switched between that image of the young girl on her side and Blake pleading innocence.
I arrived at Sheldon’s. That was the only place I could think of going to. Being at my new home didn’t feel right, and I just couldn’t stomach the thought of the estate.
“Sweetie,” said Sheldon at the door. “What’s happened? Your exam results weren’t good?”
“I did really well,” I said flatly.
“But that’s brilliant, isn’t it?” He let me pass.
I followed him into the kitchen. “Sorry for barging in like this.”
“No. It’s good. Roger’s just left.” He smiled sweetly. His policeman boyfriend had finally owned up to their relationship, and I couldn’t have been happier for him.
I hugged him. “You look so well.”
“Mm… that’s what a little morning rough and tumble will do for one’s day.” He giggled, but then his face became serious again. “I’m sorry to be so upbeat when you’re clearly not. What’s happened?”
I grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down, hoping to dilute the bitter taste of anguish. “I’ve left Blake.”
His eyebrows contracted. “Why?”
“It just happened. We were so good, in such a great place. He was sleeping with me. No nightmares. I was—or should say am—in love with him.” I buried my face in my hands, and sobs gave way to a deluge of tears. Just hearing myself say that had finally broken me.
Sheldon passed me a box of tissues. “You found him cheating?”
I blew my nose. “I discovered an image of him in bed with a girl that looked very underage.”
Sheldon grimaced. “Really?”
I nodded.
“Let’s have a coffee and think this through.”
“Thanks Shelly for being here.”
He hugged me, and tears erupted again.
I blew my nose. “He said he was being set up.”
Sheldon lifted the espresso from the stove. “Then he might be. You don’t know for sure.”
“I felt like fainting. It was disgusting seeing that young girl…”
“He’s very rich and powerful. It’s feasible that somebody might have set him up.” Sheldon poured coffee into two cups.
I picked up a cup and sipped. “But they were in bed together,” I reiterated. Each time I uttered those ugly words, it didn’t get easier.
“What about Photoshop?” asked Sheldon.
“That thought did cross my mind, and Blake mentioned it, but I don’t know what to believe.”
“Has he been calling?”
My phone was off. I turned it on out of curiosity, and sure enough, there were some messages but only one from Blake.
I listened to his first.
“Penny, I’ve been set up by Dylan Fox. You saw how he threatened me at the ball. That was photoshopped. I’ll do everything to prove it.”
“It’s from him?”
I nodded glumly, staring down at a mysterious number. I listened to the message.
“This is Detective Constable Stephens. I’m calling about your mother. It’s urgent that you call.”
My hand shook.
“What’s wrong, Penny? You look pale.”
“I’ve got to make this call.”
I pressed on his number, and he picked up straightaway. “Detective Stephens.”
“Um… yes, this is Penelope Green. You left me a message about my mother, Sandra Green.”
“Yes, I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news.”
My legs started to tremble. I fell into the chair and took a deep breath.
“Your mother died from an overdose a few hours ago.”
“An overdose?”
“Yes, heroin, I believe. Can you come into the station now?”
“Yes.” Tears splashed over my lips. “Um, can you text me the address, please?” My throat