Before Another War

Chapter Seventeen

Alex grabbed the edge of the toilet seat as she dry heaved. 

She'd been there for about half-an-hour in complete agony. It was morning sickness. Or at least, she hoped it was. She couldn't afford to be ill now.

After a few minutes, her stomach settled down and her headache cleared. Just as she went to stand, her phone chimed in the bedroom behind her. Using furniture to help her walk, she stumbled back into her covers and switched it on.

How are you doing? Can we meet again yet? The text read. 

Alex sighed. She wasn't ready to see David again, there was way too much going on. Besides, it wasn't like he was really going to help. David would do his usual. The minute there was a problem, he'd disappear in the blink of an eye.

I'm fine. Maybe next week. She replied, hoping that Nadia would be found before then. 

David took some time to respond. Wednesday? At my place?

She racked her brain to think of an excuse, but Alex knew she had to go sooner or later. Lying back on the bed and beginning to feel queasy again, she made up her mind.

Okay.

Great, I'll see you then!

Groaning, she chucked her phone onto the floor beside her and closed her eyes. At least she didn't have to go into work today. Kirk had given her some time off so she could take care of Sapphire. For some reason, Matt had told him that it was Alex who was looking after her, making her suspect that she wasn't just babysitting for the night. 

With her day off, though, she wasn't just going to sit at home. Alex was going to get to the bottom of that note. She owed Nadia at least that much.

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The bus wheezed to a stop and Alex dragged Sapphire off of it. She couldn't blame her for not wanting to return, but she needed to talk to the others. They were the only ones who might be able to help her figure out what this thing was. 

As Sapphire followed her across the car park, Alex felt a pang of guilt at putting the girl in danger. There had to be somewhere safer for her to stay. She thought about her mum's house, but she was getting old, and a hyperactive ten-year-old might be too much for her. Besides, it wouldn't be fair on Sapphire to have to move about again. But if it came to it, Alex guessed it was an option. 

In a determined fashion, she paced up to the automatic doors, gripping Sapphire's hand. She was in another one of the pink dresses Raf had brought round. Alex was planning to raid Sapphire's wardrobe when they got to her house. At least then she wouldn't look so ridiculous.

 They whizzed up the staircase to the seventh floor. She hoped Kirk wouldn't spot her. Coming into the office with a child on her day off didn't paint the best picture. 

It was hard to tell that just yesterday, the office had been an active crime scene. The police had swept in and out, collecting everything they needed in the process. 

Alex checked around for her friends. Of course, Raf wasn't in yet. He was usually on Nadia's bad side, being late most mornings. Fortunately, Alex spotted Matt from across the office, setting up at his desk. She rushed over to him, dragging a reluctant Sapphire behind her. He glanced up, puzzled.

'I thought you were staying home today?'

'We were, but I need to tell you something.' Alex scrabbled around in her bag for the note. Her hands found the paper but she hesitated. She didn't want to divulge too much information in such a public place.