Before Another War

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Alex was starting to find her feet. She'd spoken with David over the weekend and she thought she might even be beginning to forgive him. All it had taken was a baby. Once this had blown over, she would tell Matt and Raf about the baby. They'd find out in the end anyway, and they might even be willing to help. Still, she hadn't heard from them since yesterday morning, before her appointment.

Alex was still no closer to figuring out what Nadia wanted her to do. Every time her mind drifted, she felt herself going back to that warehouse, with Nadia. There had to be some way of getting her out. But she'd refused to involve the police.

Alex didn't tell this to Sapphire, who was walking beside her on the way to school. Although she had been getting to grips with sign language, she didn't want her to worry. Knowing that her Mum was in danger would do more harm than good.

'Do you remember what's happening after school?' Alex signed, she'd already practised this conversation by herself in her bedroom, making sure she got it right.

Sapphire nodded. 'I'm getting picked up by your mum.'

Alex smiled, hoping she would be okay. 'I'll see you later.'

And with that, Sapphire ran off into the playground, quickly falling back into her group of friends. Alex hoped she'd made the right decision. Surely it would be safer if Sapphire stayed at her mother's for a few days. Sapphire hadn't been too happy about it when she'd first been told, but Alex needed to focus on helping Nadia.

Now, she made her way to work. Life was slowly starting to return to normal, even if Kirk had said she could come in later for now. He was being surprisingly lenient at the moment—though Alex suspected it was simply because he had no energy left.

It was a crisp, cold morning as she walked up to the office block, one of the more welcoming Edinburgh days. It wasn't windy for once, which Alex appreciated. Breezy weather was always a trial with long hair. She strolled past the benches, remarking that she had never once seen anyone sat in them, and continued to the doors.

As she approached, Alex stumbled over something weaving between her legs. Looking behind her, and regaining her balance, she saw the cat. She bent down and held out her hand, how's he gotten here?

Sauntering up to her, Cornelius gave her a haughty look, sitting down and wrapping his tail around him. She pulled back her hand and grinned. What a strange little thing. He didn't really act like a cat, always hanging around people. Something about him reminded her of Ernie.

Alex sat down on the pavement, hoping no one was watching her. 'You're not just a cat, are you?'

She joked. But Cornelius didn't take it that way. He abruptly began pawing at her knee, desperate to make her understand.

She furrowed her eyebrows. No, she thought, no chance. Yet, the cat continued. She sighed, feeling stupid.

'Alright, if you're not really a cat, lie down.' He did. She narrowed her eyes, he can't be...

'Cross your paws over,' she said, thinking it had just been a coincidence.

He did. No, no, no.

'Flatten your ears.'

He did. Alex let out a shuddering breath. It was true. She leaned forward,

'Do you know something about Nadia?'

Then, the cat nodded, and Alex knew she wasn't wrong. Maybe she had a place to start after all.