Page 139 of The Grand Duel
“It’s gone midnight. Why are you out?”
“I had a shift.”
“You’re finished already? I can come home.”
“No. Don’t come home. It’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” I quickly hang up, knowing it’s not fair when I’ve not given him an explanation.
But he never gave an explanation either.
He had so many opportunities to tell me.
I get home just after twelve thirty, my eyes heavy after the few days away and my head pounding. I text Jovie and ask her if she’s awake, but I already know she’ll be at work and won’t reply for a while.
She still hasn’t called me back.
I have missed calls and texts from Charles, but I don’t open them. Instead, I shower and crawl into my bed, wrapping myself in my duvet.
Charlie
I stare up at her window, wondering whether she’ll answer if I call. She didn’t answer the last ten times, but she’ll be leaving to head into the office soon, and I want to catch her.
She came to my home last night, and I wasn’t there. She sounded sad, and it only confirmed what I thought in the car yesterday, she’s still upset with me.
“Uncle Charlie, we see Daddy now?”
I feel Ellis’s feet knocking into the back of my seat. I twist, finding he’s reached across to hold his cousin’s hand. Ave smiles back at me.
“I just need to send a text, and we’ll go.”
I’ll be late in today. 11:30/45. Do you need a lift?
I’m already in the office
Everything okay?
When nothing comes back, I head over to Mason’scityhome, taking the lift up to the penthouse with Ellis and Ave in my arms.
Mason waits on the other side, dressed in his suit, his phone to his ear. “No, that’s perfect,” he says, taking Ellis and kissing his head before leaning in and rubbing Ave’s full head of hair and then kissing her cheek. “Yes, cash buyer.” I follow him into the living area, letting Ave down when she wriggles out of my hold. She tots over to Mason and clings on to his legs until he bends to pick her up, making the phone conversation and kids in his arms look like a breeze. “If you can… Yes… Offer three point four cash and see what they come back with… Thanks. Bye.”
He hangs up and instantly starts fussing the kids. “Hello, Miss Waverley,” he says, tipping her back over his arm and tickling her with his face in her belly. She throws her head back, laughing.
“Daddy,” Ellis says, pushing against Ave so that he can get to his dad. “Daddy.”
Mason sits, placing each child on a thigh before looking up at me. “How’s Scar?”
“She’s okay. Said she’ll be done just after two.”
“Perfect. You free this afternoon?”
I shake my head. “I’m in court. Why’s that?”
“Doesn’t matter. Thanks for bringing them back and staying last night. Nina was shattered when she got here.”
“They both looked tired. Scarlet is working a lot. I missed these two anyway,” I say, leaning down to ruffle the kids’ hair. “You okay?” I ask.
“All good, my friend.” He gives me a knowing smile. “You?”
I nod, keeping my smile well hidden this time. “What’s?—”