My Lost Hero (Angels of War Series #1) REWRITING 2024

Chapter Twenty-two

I wandered around the library in the dusk, running my eyes over the bookshelves, deciding which area to tidy up first. It was early morning and way before I was due into work, but I was going mad stuck in the flat. This routine had been my life for the past five weeks, eating, sleeping, working and barely living. Work was a pleasant distraction, along with the regular visits to and from my sister.

"If you get here any earlier, you might as well never go home."

Diane said walking up to me with her coat thrown over her arm, handing over a cup of coffee to me. I reached out to take the drink, sipping on it as I followed her across the open-plan space towards the desk station. Every morning this past month, Diane found me in here early and brought me breakfast. It was a kind of ritual now.

I took greedy gulps of the coffee now, hoping that it boosted my energy levels. I ran on empty just recently, depending on the caffeine to get me through the day. "It's too quiet back home. I'd rather be here."

"Quiet here too considering we're the only people in the building apart from the cleaners. Want to tell me what's the real problem?" she replied, perching her bottom on the edge of the desk.

"I don't know." I glanced down at my hands, studying the way my veins protruded out of the skin before looking off into the distance. "There's an eeriness about the flat now I'm there on my own. I can't settle down like I used to and when I try to, I end up getting upset about what's lost."

She reached out to squeeze my elbow. "Oh, Tabitha. You're bound to feel this way. It's only early days yet, but have you considered maybe moving?"

"Yes, to be honest, I've been on the lookout for a new place for a few days. The lease is almost up, and I thought it would be the perfect excuse for a fresh start," I replied, not knowing how to feel about the chance of changing my life again.

Diane smiled, sipping her coffee. "What would it hurt to search around? There's some nice little two-bedroomed houses up on the new estate down Fairview Drive and they're going cheap too."

"I was searching those on the internet last night, actually. They're gorgeous. I could book a viewing on my day off to take a proper look. It shouldn't be too hard to get a mortgage, right?" I said.

"How's your credit score?" she asked, pulling out her mobile phone.

Moving away felt like I would lose the memories forever. It probably wasn't rational of me, but I couldn't help it. "Good, I think. I always try to pay bills on time."

Diane showed me the phone and the company selling the houses popped up. "You'll have no problems getting a mortgage then. If I were you, I'd discuss it with the estate agents selling the properties because there's a new government pay scheme going around that might suit you better."

"Thanks, Diane. I'll check it out today."

"That's okay, honey. I've been in your position one time in my life, so I know how you're feeling. If I give you any advice, it would be to allow yourself time to heal and don't dwell on the bad days, because believe me you are going to have a lot more of them."

Over these past weeks, Diane had grown to be a friend that I could turn to aside from my sister. It didn't matter if it was two in the morning or eleven at night, she was there for me even if her husband and kids were in bed. It was never a problem to her.

"I'll make this up to you one day. I promise," I replied, trying not to get upset. I was over the tears.

Giving me a soft smile, she appeared to want to give me a hug, but thought better of it when I warded her away. Sympathy made it worse somehow. "Keep doing your job the way you are and you'll never have to thank me. I'm so pleased we've found you, Tabitha."