Always on the Run

26. Time out

Hi guys, hope you enjoy the chapter. There will probably only be about three more chapters left. After that there will be a special announcement. But you will have to wait. ;) enjoy and happy reading!

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"This is all my fault!" Anais cries, pacing the carpeted floor. "If I hadn't-" she cuts off and groans, clutching at her hair.

"Anais, don't worry," I console, taking a step forward and prying her arms away from her hair before she does permanent damage.

Her eyes land on mine and I can see the genuine worry in them. I'll never fully understand how jealousy could have provoked her to spill the beans to Prisca but I'm not going to let it bother me. What's done is done and I can tell this is bothering her.

"If I hadn't-"

"Stop," I interrupt. "You can't change a thing so please, stop stressing." I sigh heavily then smile sadly. "I just have to go through with it unless a miracle occurs."

Or unless Jamie follows through and gets me out of it.

Before either of us can talk, Toby bursts through the door. His face is dark and angry and I can tell it didn't go well.

After my disastrous dinner, I came straight back here. Once I'd relayed everything, Toby said he'd go talk to his mother. Apparently it didn't go well.

"I have no idea who that woman is," he says, pointing at the door. "That is not the mother I know." He shakes his head and runs his hands down his face. "I don't know what's got into her. She wasn't even this bad when I tried to reason with her in the past." He walks across and pulls me into an embrace. "Rese, I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault," I say, wrapping my arms around him. "What's done is done." We pull away and repeat what I said to Anais, "I just have to go through with it."

His face lights up and he steps away. "Jamie!" he exclaims. "Yes, he will figure something out, I know it."

I know I need to trust Jamie but it's so hard when I have no idea what he's doing. I hope like hell Toby is right. If only I could

Snapping my head in Toby's direction I ask, "Can I borrow your phone?"

His brow furrows in confusion but he nods. I run over to the phone and pick it up, dialling Mum's number. The likelihood of Jamie still being there is very low but perhaps Mum will know something. It's a longshot but right now I'm willing to try anything.

"Hello?" Mum answers.

Tears burn my eyes when I hear her voice. I realise how much I've missed her. "Hi Mum," I greet, my voice cracking slightly.

"Teresa!" she exclaims happily. "What are you doing calling? You're supposed to be keeping a low profile."

"It's great to talk to you too, Mum," I say sourly even though I'm not really angry. "And Jamie said he's been let off so why does it matter?"

Mum laughs on the other end and I imagine her relaxing in relief. "You're right," she says with a sigh. "I'm still a little paranoid though. These things can change so quickly. Listen, can you tell me what's wrong with Jamie? When he spoke to you he hung up, muttered something about you getting yourself into trouble again and left without saying anything else. I tried to call you but you must have been out."

Jamie is such a jerk sometimes.

"He didn't tell you? So I'm presuming he's left too." Disappointment courses through me but it's still nice to talk to Mum again.

"What was he supposed to tell me? And no he's not here." Mum sighs then says, "It is nice to talk to you, Teresa. I've missed you."

I smile sadly and sit on the bed. "I've missed you too Mum."