‘I thought you’d be pleased to see me now you’ve split up with your fiancé.’
‘How do you know about that?’ I ask, my heart lurching.
‘Everyone knows. You had a breakdown on your wedding day. He obviously wasn’t the right man for you. I could’ve predicted it. You’re fragile, little one. You need a tender hand.’
His words make me shudder. Make my gorge rise. I remember this is how he used to be – making out I was helpless, that I couldn’t do or be anything without him. But I’m not that person any more. I’m not about to put up with his crap all over again.
‘Piss off, Damian.’
He puts a hand to his heart as though wounded. ‘That’s not very nice. Why don’t we go somewhere warm and dry. Talk about things. Make up.’
‘I’m not going anywhere with you. You need to leave me alone, or I’ll—’
‘You’ll what?’ He gives me another slow smile. ‘You won’t do anything, little one. You haven’t got it in you. Look, I’ll come clean, okay? I’m here because I miss you. I heard about your wedding day and I realised it was an opportunity to make amends. We loved each other once. I want a second chance.’
‘You’re out of your mind.’ Despite the icy rain, I’m suddenly hot with anger. ‘I don’t want to see you again. Ever. Don’t talk to me, don’t call me, don’t follow me or threaten me. If you come anywhere near me again, I’ll call the police, get a restraining order, whatever it takes to keep you out of my life.’
Damian’s features darken. ‘You think you’re too good for me now, is that it? Now you’ve been engaged to a rich London doctor.’ He lets the brown paper bag containing my lunch fall on to the wetground and he takes hold of my hand, starts to drag me along the pavement. ‘Come with me. We’re going to talk about this properly.’
‘Let go!’ I try to free my hand, but he’s holding on too tight. I plant my feet and refuse to budge. If he wants me to move, he’ll have to drag me along the ground. My arm is almost wrenched out of its socket, but he’s forced to either let go or stop walking. He chooses the latter and turns to face me, leaning in close.
‘Don’t worry, little one,’ he croons with malice in his voice. ‘I’ll break it out of you.’
I bring my knee up as hard as I can between his legs. He lets go of my hand and I drive the heel of my palm into his solar plexus.
‘I’m not the same person!’ I cry with more courage than I feel. ‘You don’t scare me any more, Damian.’ Leaving him gasping on the pavement, I stagger away and break into a run towards the closest safe place I know.
Moments later, panting, soaking, crying, I stand in the still-pouring rain and press the buzzer to Laurence’s flat.
I haven’t seen Laurence since that terrible afternoon three weeks ago when Seth punched him and we had to drive to the hospital. Since then, Laurence has texted me a couple of times, asking to meet up. But I’ve refused, unable to face it. Aside from worrying about everyone else’s opinions, I haven’t felt in a strong enough head space to make any kind of relationship decisions. Not yet.
I feel bad landing on his doorstep like this, in such distress, but he’s the only person I want to see right now. I only hope he’s home.
Seconds later, the door opens and I almost collapse with relief as Laurence stands there, hitting me with his devastatingly familiar smile, his light-blue eyes crinkling.
‘Bloody hell, Porter, you’re drenched.’ His voice is deep and soft with a hint of humour as he takes in my bedraggled state. But then he sees my face and his expression creases with concern. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Sorry to show up like this out of the blue,’ I say, trying not to sound as hysterical as I feel.
‘No, no, that’s fine. Come in.’
I follow him up the stairs into his flat where I instantly feel ten times safer. ‘What about Francesca?’ I ask, looking past him into the living room in case she might be around.
‘She’s not here,’ he replies with a shake of his head.
I wonder if that means she’s not here at the moment, or she’s not here permanently. Laurence enlightens me. ‘She moved out the same day we broke up. She’s renting a room from a girl from work, and she won’t return my calls. I’ve missed you, Porter. I’ve missed our friendship.’
I nod, not trusting myself to say anything else without sobbing. Now that I’m safe, every last drop of adrenaline has fled and I feel as though I might dissolve into a puddle on the floor.
‘Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?’ he presses.
‘Damian.’ I give a violent shiver.
‘What?’ Laurence’s expression darkens. ‘Has he been in touch?’
‘Worse.’ My voice is hoarse, ragged. ‘I wasn’t imagining it before. He’s been following me. He just ... he was just ...’
‘Hey.’ Laurence pulls me into a hug.