Given Up

Chapter 30

"So, how are...things...at home?"

Mr Evans leant over the kitchen island, as I tucked into my second helping of probably the best ribs I have ever tasted.

We had been chatting for the last half an hour whilst I waited for Cassie to get back from Dance. Topics had been neutral so I figured that he wasn't going to bring it up. I guess I was wrong.

I wiped my hands and mouth on some kitchen roll as I continued to chew, Mr E not taking his eyes off me for a second.

I swallowed the delicious pork before I answered: "Ok, I guess."

Kate's face filled my mind. It had been almost a full week since the whole incident and she was still so quiet at home. That is when she was home anyway: the last few days she had picked up a few extra shifts, I suspect to keep her busy and not missing Scott.

"Did you end up going to the Police?" His face was somber.

I put my fork down, my appetite well and truly gone.

I shook my head. "No...but he did move out."

Mr Evans sat back and looked pleased: which was the opposite of how I felt.

"I am hoping that we can sort it all out and he will come back soon though."

He crossed his arms and a frown passed over his features. "Hmmmmm."

"I'm sorry for turning up here in a mess. It really was all just a misunderstanding."

His eyes flicked to my arms. I'd no reason to cover them: Mr Evans had seen them that night, though they looked worse now: the bruises dark like thunderclouds on my skin.

He looked away with the shake of his head.

"You'll come to me...if there are any more 'misunderstandings' like this one?"

I nodded, my face heating. As much as I didn't want to hear his mistrust of Scott, it was nice to have someone looking out for me.

I heard noise from outside and the sound of the door opening. Phew, I'm saved from any more awkward conversations.

"You are being ridiculous." Cassie's shout radiated through the hallway.

"Cassie, I am not discussing this further..." Mrs Evans voice got louder and as she came into the kitchen I saw her share a weary look with her husband before clocking me.

"Hi Kyle," she said with an exhale.

Before I could reply in kind, Cassie came into the room with a face filled with anger like I had never seen on her before. She didn't register me at all.

"You are being totally unreasonable." She was decked out in her dance kit of black on black: it perfectly matched her expression. "I need to take the extra classes."

"You are doing too much darling, you aren't going to get over this cold if you keep training this hard." Mrs Evans rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"I have to. I've only two weeks left until the competition." Cassie threw her hands in the air.

"Your Mum is right, you look knackered." Mr Evans unwisely entered the fray.

Her nose was still red from all the tissues she'd been using this week.

"Oh for God's sake, I am fine." She rolled her eyes.

"You also won't get over this cold if you aren't getting the proper nutrition."

"Oh my God, is that what this is about? How many times do I have to tell you I am eating fine. I am not turning into Jen."

Mrs Evans looked pained at her mention.