One Plus One

Chapter Thirty-Eight

HARRY'S POV

The space beside me was empty when I woke up. I rolled out of bed and first walked to the bathroom. With no sign of Marlie in there I inspected the kitchen, thinking maybe she had started breakfast but she wasn't there either. I found her, asleep on the windowsill of the living room. My angel seemed more petite than ever. She was curled into a ball, leaning against the frame of the window. The scratches she had inflicted on herself were visible from where I was standing. There were probably going to be some lasting scars after they'd healed.

I quietly crept over, giving her a gentle shake on the shoulder. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. It took her a second to register where she was.

"Morning, gorgeous."

"I must have fallen asleep out here. I had a bad dream. I didn't want to wake you so I came out here."

"It's alright. Don't look so worried."

Marlie reached for her wrists again but I stopped her before she could begin to scratch.

"Let me sort these out for you."

Marlie's silver gaze connected with mine. She almost looked scared. I gave her a kiss to try and reassure her that everything was ok. She hopped off the windowsill and went with me to the kitchen. I sat her up on the worktop whilst I raided the cupboards for some anti-septic cream and something to cover up her wrists so she didn't do it again.

As I rubbed the cream over her cuts, I discovered old scares from where she'd done it before. It broke my heart to see such permanent reminders of her emotional pain. As if the memories themselves weren't enough, she had physical reminders to match.

"I feel like a baby." she giggled.

"Why?"

"These things are like adult versions of scratch mitts." she replied as she pointed to one of her bandaged wrists.

"Well maybe it will stop you from hurting yourself now then."

Marlie swung her legs in the air as she sat on the worktop. I could hear her faintly whispering to herself. She suddenly silenced when we both heard my phone ring.

"Stay here." I told her before pressing a kiss to her cheek.

I left her in the kitchen to find my phone. I held it to my ear and waited for Brody to begin talking.

"Haz, mate, where's Marlie?"

"She's here, why?"

"Jamie's out. He's looking for her."

"What?"

"Jamie made it. He's just got out of hospital and is looking for Marlie."

"Fuck."

I felt another presence in the doorway. I turned and held my hand over the speaker to see Marlie staring at me expectantly.

"Brody, I'll have to call you back."

I threw my phone to the side and broke a smile at Marlie.

"What did he want?"

"He was just checking in."

Marlie looked unconvinced. Not only could I tell when she was lying, she knew when I was too. She brushed some strands of hair behind her ear before crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against the doorframe.

"Come on, Harry. I know that's not true."

A thump on the front door prevented me from speaking. Marlie tried to move to answer it but I quickly took hold of her hips and pulled her back, squeezing past her. I slid open the door, but only enough so that I was the only person who could see whoever was waiting on the other side.

"Is she here?" asked Lily.

I slid the door open further so as not to alarm Marlie. Lily caught sight of her and shoved me out of the way, charging towards her. She almost knocked Marlie off her feet as she flung her arms around her. A sense of relief blew over me that it wasn't Jamie who'd been pounding on the door. I could relax now.

MARLIES POV

"Lily, easy. I can't breathe."

"Sorry." she giggled as she let me go. "How are you?"

"I've been better."

"Well, listen, you need to get your shit together because you're moving in with me."

"What?"

I stared at her in disbelief. Did she really think I'd move out of that house? The house that held so many memories. Jaz had brought me up for the past three years in that house and I had no intention of letting someone else take it.

"No, Lily. I'm not moving out."

"You don't have much choice."

"And why is that?"

Lily turned her gaze to Harry. Annoyance stained her hazel eyes. Her hands went on her hips as she widened her eyes at Harry. He didn't seem to care that she was so annoyed, laughing the death stare off.

"Harry, this isn't funny. You haven't told her have you?!"

"Told me what?"

"Nothing." Harry interjected.

"You're unbelievable!" Lily shouted at him.

Harry was slightly taken aback by the sudden raised town but then I saw his features tense. He was getting annoyed himself. Whatever he was keeping from me obviously had something to do with his earlier conversation with Brody. If he wasn't telling me, he must have been trying to protect me.

"Marlie, you have to move out of the house, just for a little while."

"I don't have to do anything, Lily."

"Harry will you tell her, for fucks sake!"

"Tell me what? You're scaring me."

My heart was pounding at the speed of a train. I could see Harry fighting an inner battle. Lily was staring him down, trying to intimidate the information out of him.

"Will one of you please just tell me what is going on?"

"It's Jamie." Lily finally said.

"What about him?"

"He's out of hospital. He's looking for you."