I heard Vicki calling, squealing at me to go back, but there was only one place I was headed.
“Let’s go where we belong, Case,” I said. “Let’s go find Sophie.”
Her waggy tail sure agreed with that idea.
***
Took me a fair while to get there, but it didn’t matter. I took the time to plan it out, rehearsing how I’d sit down with Sophie and tell her everything, all about the Stoneys and Vicki and the trouble I was in. I’d ask her for help and I’d pay her back. I wished I had some cash to buy her something nice, something to say thanks. Passed by some hotels with them posh plants outside and took the opportunity, pulling off some pretty flowers and bunching them inside my hoodie. I’d never got flowers for anyone before, never felt like I’d wanted to, but Sophie deserved all the flowers in the world, even if they were nicked.
I tried to push the fear away. She’d be cleaning, or summat. Having a girl’s night in with Raven where they could talk and laugh and share stories about all their BDSM stuff. Maybe she had something special planned, some special outfit or something like that. An image of that twat Roger came to mind. What if she was … no, Roger wouldn’t be there. No fucking way.
It would fucking destroy me if he was.
Was gone seven by the time we reached Canary Wharf. Casey picked up pace, bounding along ahead until she’d squat on the pavement with her tail going, itching for me to chase her. I shot after her several times and she’d bark her head off, jumping up on her back legs with her paws against my chest, tongue lolling like a goof while I fussed her.
“Good girl,” I’d say. “Know where home is now, don’t ya? Know where we belong.”
I felt a prick over Vicki, but she’d asked for it. I’d make it up to her, and I’d show her, too. Show her what a nice person Sophie Harding was, and all the great things I saw in her. Maybe they could be friends one day.
Casey bolted straight through the foyer and into the lift, she even pawed at the right button, knowing the drill by now. “Hold your horses,” I laughed. “She’s only upstairs. We’ll be there in a minute.”
I got the flowers ready, purple and white things with a couple of roses. They were a bit battered but I straightened them out best I could. I pictured her face, smiling at me like I’d brought her the crown jewels. She’d like them, for sure.
My heart stuttered for a minute outside the door, ears straining for a hint of Roger. Of course he wouldn’t be there. Not a chance.
Sophie opened the door straight away, but rather than smiling she jolted backwards, eyes fucking wild. She was dressed up smart, in a posh little suit like she wore to work, her make-up all perfect and hair curled under her chin.
“Surprise,” I said, shoving the flowers at her. She took them, but didn’t smell them, didn’t say anything. My heart dropped through the floor, but I smiled anyway, pushing past her to get inside.
“We said I’d call,” she snapped. “I’m not ready yet.”
“You said you’d call,” I said. “I just went along with it, thought it’d be a surprise and I could help.” I looked around the place. It was clean right through, with no sign of Casey’s bowls or the cushions she’d trashed. The sofa was turned the other way around, to hide where she’d been scratching it. I choked back the dread, stomping on through to the bedroom where the few bits of shit I had were missing. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she hissed. “I’ve just got some things to do.” She looked at the clock, nervous. “You need to go, Callum, just for a few hours.”
“Why?” I folded my arms, throat all tight.
“I’ve got someone coming. Trust me, you won’t want to meet them.”
I fucking knew it. Deep down I knew. “It’s Roger, ain’t it? You’re seeing fucking Roger.”
Her pretty face turned dark. “Of course it’s not fucking Roger! What the fuck, Cal? Are you fucking serious?”
“Who then?”
“My sister,” she spat. “She’s coming over.”
The relief flooded over me like the fountain of fucking life. I smiled. “Shit, Soph, you had me worried pissing sick there. That’s cool about your sister, should have said.” I went through to the kitchen, flicked the kettle on. “I could’ve helped tidy up.” I took a