If heart ache was a physical pain, I could face it.

Part Nine

Sophie’s POV

“Let’s start brainstorming, list all the places he could have gone to, and then start phoning around everyone he could have gone to. We’ll find him.” I say as Charly joins the rest of us around the kitchen table.

“We could ring the B&B down the road and see if he’s gone there.” Roxie says.

“And then there’s Dan, Chris and Nick. They live local, and I have their numbers.” Jay joins in.  The list keeps growing and growing as everyone starts throwing names and numbers around. And I start to allow myself to hope. We’re going to find him!

“And lastly there’s Jack.” Charly says.

“Do you really think he would have gone that far? Manchester’s miles away!” Jess replies.

“Well if we ring around everyone else first and get no luck, we’ll ring him and see.” Nathan says.

“Let’s get started then.” I smile a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.

Roxie’s POV

“Good evening, Baytree hotel, how can I help you?”

“I think one of my friends may have booked in with you this afternoon. Would you be able to tell me if did?”

“Of course. What’s his name?”

“Max. Max George.” I can hear her tapping away at the computer, and the wait is killing me. Please say he’s here.

“I’m sorry Miss, but no one under that name is staying with us.”

“Oh, okay.” I try not to be too upset. This is only the first place on the list after all. “Thanx anyway.” I say before hanging up, and turning to face my friends; shaking my head sadly.

“No luck with Dan either.” Sophie says.

“Or Chris.” Says  Jess. Slowly and without success we start making our way further and further down the list, and my hope starts to rapidly disappear.

“Only Jack left.” I say sighing. Feeling defeated.  

“I’ll ring him.” Says Jess.

Max’s POV

I turn up outside Jack’s flat and knock on the door. I really hope he’s in. Maybe I should have rang him after all, I think beginning to worry. But that’s when the door opens and my brother’s standing there looking shocked.

“Max?”

“Can I come in?” Clearly telling that I am upset about something, Jack steps aside, letting me in without saying anything more.

“Can I get you a drink?” He asks in concern, eyeing my suitcase suspiciously.  I make my way to the living room and nod once before taking a seat on the sofa.

Shortly he returns handing me a cup of coffee and he sits opposite me.

“What’s happened Max? You were so happy yesterday.” Yesterday. Was it really only yesterday I rang him up to tell him my amazing news?

“Jack you’ll never guess what!”

“What?” He asks laughing, noticing my excitement.

“Me and Anne are engaged!” I shout down the phone to him.

“Congratulates! That’s great news!”

“She was cheating on me Jack. With Tom.” He leans forward, to hold me tight in a brotherly hug. And because I’m finally away from anywhere were Tom could catch me crying, and because I’ve now actually walked away and left her and my home; the tears come with a vengeance, and they, just. Won’t. Stop.

Jess’ POV

Please be here. Please be here. We don’t know where else you could be.

“Hello?”

“Hi Jack. It’s jess. A friend of Max’s. I was just wondering if he’s with you?

“Yeah he is.” Jack relies, sounding concerned.

“Oh thank god.” I breath out a sigh of relief, mouthing “he’s there” to everyone in the room, and I can visibly see the tension leaving their bodies. “Well could you please tell him that we’re all thinking of him and hope that he’s better and comes home soon. We’re here for him anytime.

“Sure, will do.”

“Thanx Jack.”

“Thanx for checking on him, bye Jess.”

“Bye Jack.” As I put the phone down my earlier joy and relief at finding him starts to fade away. He went all the way to Manchester to get away. Surely if he was planning on coming back he would have went somewhere closer to home?