Lost and Found

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Amelia heard the knock at the door but was in no rush to answer it, she blew dry her freshly washed hair, dressed, even applied a little lip gloss. Then, when she was ready she strode across the room to greet him.

Before showering she’d found her phone. It was out of charge and powering it up she found several increasingly frantic phone calls from Li and her father. It was then that she realised just how Sol knew she was there, and what the hell he was talking about. She’d slept so heavily that no one could get hold of her. Worried Li must have contacted Sol. He’d had as little chance of contacting her from inside the same hotel as she’d had from London...the irony.

Pulling open the door she was once again mesmerised by him, his beauty, his concern...everything.

                “Hi Sol!”

He shook his head, “you are the most self-centred pain in the arse on times Amelia Parkin!”

                “Excuse me?”

Stepping into the room allowing the door to slam shut, he invaded her personal space instantly, “Don't give me ‘Hi Sol’ when I’ve been trying to contact you for most of the night. If you hadn’t emerged by nine am the reception staff had agreed that security could forcibly enter your room. You are one infuriating lady!”

She shrugged, “that maybe so, but I was shattered, I fell asleep. Let’s not forget I literally dropped everything to come here Sol Tanner, so don’t come all attacking on me. Ok?”

Sol had started to pace, “well you had people worried. Why are you here anyway? I thought you said all there was to say months ago.”

Amelia shook her head, “no, I said what was right at the time. I came here so quickly because I wanted to tell you that you’ve finally been cleared! Alex...” she gave him a brief resume of the wedding scenario. It still pleased her to know that everything had come out in the open, this was the chance for them, and this gave them time.

Sol was surprised, “You hit him? In front of everyone?”

Laughing she nodded, “I almost floored the bastard.”

                “So you finally got your jewellery back. You must be pleased.”  He stepped back towards the door. “I’ll sleep well tonight knowing that Maxwell Parkin doesn’t blame me anymore. Everything is restored, hey?”

The bitterness of a teenage boy was still there, still raw, and suddenly she realised this really wasn’t the walk in the park she’d hoped for. Reaching out she laid a hand on his arm, swallowing as a warm sensation washed over her.

                “It was never just about the jewellery, in fact I don’t care if I never see it again. Sol, don’t be angry, please!” the words were weak, but she couldn’t vocalise all that she wanted to say.

                “Oh no!” he announced in a tone that oozed sarcasm, “I did angry months ago, after I did devastated, hurt then destroyed all after your father had ruined my life...AGAIN!” He lifted her hand from his arm, then turned to open the door.

                “Sol, you can’t just walk away!”

He smiled at her in an unfriendly manner, “Hot-Meal-ia I am a red blooded man...I cannot put myself through any more torture, turning my emotions on and off like a tap. I’m glad that everything is sorted, but I really can’t step back into this.”

                “But I love you!” The words burst out before she could even rationalise her thoughts. “You can’t leave! Don’t I mean anything to you?”