Page 79 of Second Chance Summer
Ouch, thought Lily, remembering her obsession with the phone and rudeness to Sam afterwards.
‘So, you disliked me and thought you’d spook me?’
‘It wasn’t just that!’ Morven said then swallowed. ‘I suppose I was jealous.’
‘Jealous?’ Lily exclaimed. ‘Why?’
‘Because Sam never has time for me. He never has time for anyone, but all of a sudden, he’s all over you and everything is about you …’
‘I’m his guest,’ Lily said gently. ‘It’s his job to look after his guests.’
‘Sure it is,’ Morven said. ‘And I feel stupid now, but I was worried that you and he were getting too close and you’d take him away and I’d be kicked out and have nowhere to go.’
Morven hugged her knees again and cast her gaze downwards. When she looked up, her eyes were shining with unshed tears.
Lily couldn’t reply for a moment as a lump formed in her throat. Morven was exposed as a scared, lonely, abandoned child. Lily had experienced similar feelings after the business on the web, and again when it had resurfaced. She had a loving family and friends and colleagues who cared, yet she had felt that no one could understand her situation or what she was going through.
‘That would never happen,’ she said firmly. ‘Never. He’s a good guy, your uncle,’ she continued, reminding Morvenof their relationship. ‘He’d move heaven and earth to help you. He’s got so many people out looking for you now.’
After a dramatic sigh, clearly calculated to keep Lily in suspense, Morven nodded. ‘OK. I suppose he must have been a bit worried.’
‘Abitworried …’ Lily restrained herself from swearing and blowing up the fragile bridge she’d built with the girl. Besides, Sam and Elspeth would make her fully aware of the anguish she’d caused, without Lily adding her thoughts. ‘The most important thing now is letting Sam and Elspeth and your friends know you’re safe. Believe me, they care about you more than you could ever imagine.’
Morven started stuffing rubbish into a bag and Lily joined in, aware of Sam and Elspeth waiting nearby, sick with anxiety. At any moment they might call the police.
‘I’m going to call Sam on my radio to say we’re heading to the retreat, OK?’ she said finally.
‘Yes.’ Morven nodded, still looking apprehensive.
‘Good.’ Lily exhaled in relief and pushed herself up to her feet.
‘On one condition,’ added Morven.
‘What’s that?’
‘You like Sam, don’t you?’ the girl said, her eyes gleaming with triumph. ‘Admit it. You fancy him.’
‘Morven!’
‘True, though?’
Lily was in turmoil. There was no way she was admitting a personal detail like that to anyone.Or to herself.
‘Yes, I like him, but today,’ she said, deploying apolitician’s tactic, ‘is about you. Your welfare and your future. So, come on,’ she added, ‘before your auntie has a heart attack and your uncle goes out of his mind.’
Clutching her rucksack to her chest, Morven started to move towards the door, then said, ‘Wait!’
Lily’s heart sank. She gripped the radio, about to push send. What now?
‘For what it’s worth, that Tyrone deserved what you said. He is totally devoid of talent.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Lily set off for the retreat with Morven, making her radio call on the way.
‘I knew they’d be like this!’ the girl cried, seeing her aunt and uncle come hurrying towards her.
‘It’s because they love you,’ Lily said, hoping Morven wouldn’t run away again.
