Racing For Love

Chapter Twenty Six

I make my excuses and leave the group, who already seem to have forgotten about me being there as they continue chatting. I walk back to my table quickly to find my bag. Despite me rushing, I'm suddenly stopped by a couple of family friends who knew my parents and we chat - I politely try to leave their company several times to no avail - all I want to do is leave and listen to my voicemails, but they keep talking.

I manage to leave their company eventually and pick up my bag, giving my excuses to Toby and Lydia who are the only people left at our table - everyone else is either at the bar or mingling. I wonder if Lorenzo noticed my distress and quick exit, and look around to see if I can spot him. He's still over by his father's table, but he is now sat with Isa Federici - their fathers long gone. I can see their knees touching whilst deep in conversation. Despite my urgency to check my phone, I find myself watching them - they seem so transfixed with each other. Their heads bowed close to each other as Lorenzo gestures with his hands, passionately explaining something to Isa. Maybe I should have been concerned about what I saw, but I haven't got time to register anything other than the panic I'm feeling about the multiple missed calls.

The ballroom is dark with loud music pumping through speakers now as people attempt to dance. I need to get out of here and I walk down the corridor trying to find somewhere private to make a call. I find a side room - dark panelling covers three walls and a fourth is filled with a myriad of leather bound books. Comfortable wingbacks are positioned around the room with low lighting and it's most importantly quiet. I check my phone and see that I've finally got enough signal listen to my messages. Panic rises further as I finish listening to the messages and nervously call Joe's nursing home. I hear the ringing before the familiar voice of the shift manager.
"Hi, it's Annie Stephens - I had a couple of missed calls?"

"Ah - Annie, sorry to disturb you so late. Joe had a fall. We put him to bed earlier, but he must have got up for a glass of water or something? He was unable to weight bear on his leg, so Dave has taken him to A&E. I don't know if you're able to come?"

I feel sick. My head spins as I try to work out how quickly I can get to him, wanting desperately to be by his side. I was so stupid to think that I could have some time off from my life. I feel like I've neglected Joe and what felt like a fairytale earlier now feels like self-indulgent bullshit. "Of course. I'll be there as soon as I can. I'll probably be around 3 hours? I'm not at home at the moment" I admit, embarrassed.

Panic rises further as I try to book an Uber - there's surge pricing and I have two trips cancelled almost immediately. "Fuck" I shout loudly in frustration.

"Annie Stephens? Such language from a beautiful girl" the familiar voice of Andrea Bianchi comes from one of the wingback chairs. In my haste to find somewhere private, I didn't check that the room was empty, and now it is just Andrea and I in this room. Alone. He stands and crosses to me, my skin prickling in his presence.

"I heard you needed a lift - I can help with that. My car is just around the corner, I can take you all the way" he says, coming closer to me. I back away from him, finding the wooden sideboard behind me and gripping it as Andrea continues to approach.

He's too clever to say anything blatant, but the subtext is there with every word. I can feel his stale breath as he gets closer, and I visibly recoil. He reached out and places his hand on mine, his arm outstretched. One step closer and he'll have me pinned, unable to move. Panic rises in me and I don't know how I'm going to get out of this.

The door clicks beside me and swings open - I see the familiar face of Jono, his eyes wild as he searches the room before noticing Andrea and me. Andrea moves his hand and twists so that he is still close to me, but his body is moved away - the scene less compromising. Jono must see the panic in my face as he walks towards us and into the room. "Andrea. How are you?" Jono shakes his hand and manages to subtly turn Andrea away, allowing me to move towards the door. "Thank you for the offer Mr Bianchi, but I'll get it sorted." I interrupt them before quickly escaping and hurrying down the hallway to the ladies loos. Once in a cubicle, safe - I let out a sob, shaking hard as I try and make sense of what just happened.