Just My Luck by Parks Adele

Author:Parks, Adele
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Relationships
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-04-19T14:00:00+00:00

27

Lexi

Tuesday, 21st May

I want to move into a hotel right away and stay there until we find somewhere new to live, but Jake says I’m overreacting.

‘Easy for you to say. You weren’t the one face-to-face with them in the kitchen.’ I haven’t slept, not surprisingly, so his normal everything-will-be-all-right manner isn’t reassuring me, it’s annoying me.

‘We’ll hire security guards. I have a contact. The people who are doing the security at the party might be able to help.’

‘People who routinely search teenagers’ bags for vodka and know how to put a puking adolescent into the recovery position might not cut it,’ I mutter crossly.

‘They are big guys, ex-army. We’ll all be fine.’

I want to talk to someone who will sympathise and reassure me, but I don’t know who to call. That thought is sobering. Cold. I don’t want to ring my parents because I know I’ll make them anxious if I tell them about the intrusion. As people who grew up poor and brought a family up on not much at all, they are dwelling in a happy, uncomplicated bubble, staunch in the belief that our lottery win is the answer to all problems. I consider calling Ellie but we haven’t spoken since she asked me to leave the office. We’ve exchanged two or three emails, the tone of which have been remote, strictly professional. Whilst Ellie said it was just a temporary leave of absence, I’m not sure there is a place for me at the bureau anymore. Not for the first time I grieve for what I had with Carla and Jennifer. For so many years they were my go-to friends. The people I shared every thought, feeling, crisis and triumph with. Then I feel such a huge wave of ferocity, it nearly swipes me off my feet. As though truly underwater and out of my depth, I kick and flounder and try to find firm ground. I never really knew either woman, despite the fact we have been friends for fifteen years. In the end I call Gillian from the lottery company. I liked her from the moment I met her. Right now, she feels like the only person in the world who won’t want something from me and therefore might just be in a position to give me something.

Gillian doesn’t let me down. Sensible and serious, she acknowledges that the incident must have been incredibly frightening.

‘Can we meet to talk about it?’ I ask, feeling weak and silly but knowing I really need her.

‘Of course.’

‘Today? Can I take you for lunch?’ And then, so I don’t sound hopelessly cloying, I add, ‘I’d like to thank you for everything you’ve done.’

‘We can certainly meet today but you can’t take me for lunch, I’m afraid. We’re not allowed to accept any gifts from winners. We can go for lunch if I pay my way. Would you like to do that?’

‘Yes, please, I really want to get out of the house.’

We arrange to meet in a pasta chain restaurant in town.

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