One Plus One

Chapter Sixty-Two

HARRY'S POV

Something was wrong. When I'd gone to Marlie's house, she wasn't in. I went to Brody's and she wasn't there either. She hadn't been answering her texts or calls which only worried me more. I walked into work and Brody was stood talking to Lily. One of them had to know what was going on.

"Have either of you spoken to Marlie today?"

"Nope. Today is Marlie's 'cut myself off from the world day'" Lily replied, much to my confusion.

"What"

"You won't get anything out of her today."

"Why?"

"Don't know. It's been like that for the past few years. This one day she doesn't talk to anyone and no one knows where she is. But then tomorrow everything will be completely normal."

It clicked inside my head. There could only be one reason. Her mum. This was the day she had died.

"Brody, I have to go."

"What about work?"

"This is important."

I jogged back to my car without saying another word. Marlie was more important than work. I wasn't going to let her be alone on a day like this. I cared about her, and she needed to know that for real.

The first place I tried was her house, she kept a spare key under the doormat so I had a look around but no one was in. I had a check around the house for any clue to where she might have gone. The only thing I could find was a telephone number. I typed the numbers into my phone and waited to see who replied.

"Hello?" spoke a gruff voice.

"Hello, I'm looking for Marlie. I don't know if you know where she is?"

"Who's asking?"

"Her boyfriend."

"She's here."

"Where's that?"

"The old warehouse by the dock."

"Thanks."

I was quickly out of the door again and into my car. The engine jumped into gear and I sped down the road.

MARLIE'S POV

July 24th. It was that day again.

The water was calm. There was a slight breeze that made me shiver each time it blew across my back. I dangled my legs over the edge of the dock staring out to the other side. Time for me was at a standstill whilst for everyone else it was flying by. It had officially been four years since my mum killed herself. Four years.

The wall beside was where it had happened. They had never bothered to rebuild the parts of the old wall that had fallen. Some glass from the car windows still remained on the floor. I came to the same spot every year to lay flowers and spend the day thinking. It was the only day I had a chance to be on my own. No one else knew. Just me.

It was strange. I never ever cried on the anniversary of my mums death. I guess I'd figured she wouldn't want me to. I spent the time talking to her instead, telling her things that had happened, and things I wished she could have been there to see.

"I live on my own now. It's strange, the house feels too big and I can't sleep at night knowing I'm on my own for good. But it's not all bad. We've got our showcase coming up so hopefully there'll be a few more jobs for me this summer and then maybe I can get myself somewhere smaller, cosier. I liked our old house. Right next to the park and there was a good view of the lake from my bedroom window. I still go to that park when I feel down and I sit on that hill you used to watch me and Jaz roll down when we were little."

I could picture all the memories so clearly in the stillness. Nothing was interrupting me.

HARRY'S POV

I followed the directions that the guy on the gate had given me. I could faintly hear a voice being carried by the breeze. It was Marlie's. I saw her sitting on the edge of the dock. Her hair was tied back from her face in a ponytail and she was wearing my t-shirt tucked into her denim shorts.

I crept closer so that she didn't hear me coming. I looked beside her and I knew that was where it had happened. She had laid down some pink roses and a teddy bear at the foot of the wall.

My gaze snapped back to her when I heard her speak again.

"Oh, and I have a boyfriend now. His name is Harry. I met him at a party. He's the most beautiful guy I've ever seen. He's got adorable curly hair, when he smiles he gets the cutest dimples and his eyes win me over every single time. They are the most amazing shade of green I've ever seen. A lot of people have said a lot of things about him, but I know they're not true. He's a good guy, I just don't think he's ever found the right girl. I didn't think I'd ever get a boyfriend, not after what happened. But Harry's different. He's special. He cares."

My insides were warm. I just wanted to walk up to her and take her in my arms but something prevented me from doing it.

"I miss you, mum. Every single day something happens that I wish I could run home and tell you about."

I recognised her actions. Her hands were beginning to tremble and she fidgeted in her seated position. A cold breeze blew and she shivered. My feet moved before I could think. I took off my hoody and once I reached her I wrapped it around her shoulders. She startled but recognising my aftershave she looked up into my eyes, tears brimming hers. I quickly sat down next to her a pulled her in to me. Her head fell into my chest as she cried. I cradled her with one arm and kept hold of her hand in mine.

"How did you find me?" she spoke quietly.

"I'll always find you. No matter where you are. I'll find you."

A new feeling then came over me. I'd never felt it before and it scared me when I realised exactly what it was. It was something that had been building in me for weeks and it was only now when Marlie was so vulnerable that I could see it clearly.

"I love you, Marlie."

Her whimpers began to die down as she raised her head from my chest. Her silvery gaze pierced mine. My words had shocked her.

MARLIES POV

My heart was pounding. A knot of nerves the size of a watermelon resided in my stomach. Harry had spoken words I never thought I'd hear him say. I thought perhaps I was more attached to him than he was to me. The sparkle in his green eyes messed with my brain function, making me unable to string together any thoughts let alone a sentence. I disconnected my gaze from his as a few more tears fell. Harry gently wiped them away as I finally found myself able to speak.

"Marylin." I said, still looking to the floor.

"What?"

"My name...it's Marylin. I've used Marlie ever since my mum died. She was the only person who ever called me Marylin."

Harry's hand caught my chin, tilting it up towards his beautiful face.

"In that case, I love you, Marylin."

"I love you, Harry."