I Spy

Chapter 14

Paris is a very intimidating place in the middle of the night when you have no money, no food, no phone and no jersey.  After I had sprinted away from the building and chose streets at random, I had collapsed in exhaustion outside something that looked like a park. 

Everything that had happened to me in the last few weeks suddenly caught up with me and I place my head in my hands and burst into tears.  What else could I have done?  I sat there for twenty minutes trying to calm down, but nothing worked.  I just kept having flashbacks of memories that I had tried so hard to forget. 

“Excusez-moi, mademoiselle, c'estque tout va bien?”  I lifted my head slowly and saw a lady who was probably in her forties looking down at me.  Was everything okay?  I had no idea, but I didn’t bother to think what she would be doing out at that time of night, I simply jumped up gratefully. 

“Puis-je éventuellement utilise votre téléphone?” I asked, wiping my face with the back of my hand.  Since I couldn’t ask her for money, why not ask to use her phone? 

“Bien sûr, quiallez-tutéléphones?” she asked, reaching into her handbag. 

“Mon copain,” I replied softly, taking it gratefully and typing Ant’s familiar digits into the phone. 

“Pick up,” I quietly begged the dialling tone. 

“Hello?”  My heart skipped a beat as I heard his comforting voice. 

“Ant,” I chocked out, managing to keep my tears back.  “It’s Marley.” 

“Marley, where are you?  Is everything alright?” he demanded. 

“No,” I whispered.  “I’m in Paris and Jess is dead and I have no money and I think Ryan is also dead and I think my dad is evil and I’m cold.”  Everything started to come out at once.  I suddenly blushed and laughed quietly.   “Is there someone you know who could help me?” 

“Of course,” he replied.  The sympathy in his voice made me want to cry again.  He gave me an address and I quickly memorized it. 

“Can you try and come here?” I asked softly, hoping he would agree.  My heart dropped when he sighed. 

“I can’t,” he said simply.  “I really wish I could, but I honestly can’t.” 

“Where are you?” I asked. 

“I’m in New York,” he sighed.  “After Mr Grey told us about the break in, I tried to get Stan to let me come, but he refused.  So I can’t come down there, but I wish I could.” 

“Me too,” I mumbled.  

“But don’t worry, go to that address and Jamie will look after you,” he promised. 

“Alright, thank you.” 

“It’s a pleasure,” he paused.  “I love you.” 

“I love you, too,” I smiled into the phone before hanging up and handing it to the waiting lady. 

“So have you got a place to go?” she asked. 

“You speak English?” I blurted out.  She laughed and nodded. 

“Yes, I didn’t think you did.”  Her voice was kind and had a thick French accent.  I smiled. 

“I’ve got somewhere to go, but could you tell me how to get there?” I asked. 

“Here,” she handed me a few notes of crumbled money. 

“I can’t take this,” I said kindly, but secretly hoping she would give it to me anyway.