Broke (33 page)

Amy shook her head again. ‘No, you shouldn’t get involved.’

‘I know Steve, and he won’t leave you here like this, so you’ve got no choice,’ said Layla. ‘If you still want to go after that, he can drop you off somewhere.’

Overwhelmed by the woman’s kindness, Amy burst into tears again.

‘Come on.’ Layla put an arm around her shoulder and led her gently back to the car. ‘Whatever’s wrong, we’ll soon sort it out.’

Steve’s flat had been laddish and a bit stark, but the small mock-Georgian house he’d moved into since Amy had last seen him was furnished like a show home. There was stylish patterned paper on the walls, a plush carpet underfoot, comfortable-looking couches, and lamps instead of the harsh overhead light.

Steve saw her gazing around and grinned as he switched on the lamps and the fire. ‘It’s all Layla’s doing. Not really my taste, but I suppose I’ll get used to it – eventually.’

‘Oh, be quiet, you love it,’ Layla admonished him playfully. Then, looking at Amy as she slipped off her coat, she said, ‘Sit down and make yourself comfortable while Steve puts the kettle on. If you’re lucky, he might even stretch to a butty.’

‘I’m not hungry,’ Amy lied, perching on the couch.

‘Well, I am,’ said Layla, deciding not to mention the loud gurgles and groans she’d heard coming from Amy’s stomach when they had been in the car. ‘This little one demands food on the hour every hour, and I feel like a right greedy so-and-so eating by myself.’

‘Okay,’ Amy agreed. ‘But I’ll go after that.’

‘Where to?’ Layla asked, sitting beside her when Steve went off to make the teas.

‘My mum’s,’ Amy lied.

‘At this time of night? Won’t they be in bed?’

‘Probably, but it doesn’t matter.’

‘Look, why don’t you stay here?’ Layla suggested. ‘We’ve already done the spare room up as a nursery, so there’s only a cot in there. But you’re welcome to sleep on the couch.’

Amy shook her head. She was already warming up, and the couch was very comfortable, so it was tempting. But if she stayed she would be putting them at risk, just like she had Kelvin.

Layla smiled an understanding smile and held out her hand. ‘I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. My name’s Layla, and I’m a busybody.’

A frown of confusion flickered across Amy’s brow.

Steve had just walked in, and he chuckled softly as he placed their teas down on the coffee table. ‘She means she’s a bossy bitch, and she won’t take no for an answer,’ he explained.

‘So, that’s settled, then,’ said Layla with finality. ‘You’re staying on the couch, and you and me are going to have a nice girly chat.’

‘Tomorrow,’ Steve said firmly. ‘You can have your tea and your butty, but then you’re going to bed – and no arguments. We’ve had a long drive, and you need some rest. And so does Amy, by the looks of her.’

Layla rolled her eyes at Amy. ‘And he calls
me
bossy.’

Steve grinned and went off to make the sandwiches. Then, while the girls were eating, he busied himself finding a quilt, a pillow, and one of Layla’s spare nighties.

When the couple had said goodnight and left her, Amy undressed quickly and lay down. She didn’t think she would be able to get to sleep, but the combination of food in her stomach and the feeling of being safe for the first time since being parted from Kelvin did the trick.

Upstairs in bed, Steve pulled Layla into his arms and kissed the top of her head. ‘Have I ever told you how amazing you are?’

‘Lots of times,’ she purred, cuddling up to him. ‘But what have I done to deserve it this time?’

‘Letting Amy stay, and that. Not many women would have done that for someone they don’t know.’

‘She’s your friend, and she’s in trouble. What was I going to do, tell her to get lost? Anyway, my instincts are good, and I reckon she’s nice under all that dirt. Do you think we should have asked if she wanted to take a shower?’

‘She does honk a bit, doesn’t she?’ Steve chuckled. ‘But it might have seemed a bit rude when she’d only just walked in. I’ll suggest it in the morning.’

‘I bet she’s really pretty when she’s clean,’ Layla mused. ‘Damn sight prettier than that sour-faced little madam Mark’s hooked up with now.’

‘You’re not wrong there,’ Steve agreed. ‘But you can’t knock Jenny for the way she’s stepped up to the mark with Cass and Bobby.’

‘Maybe not, but I still don’t like her. And I don’t reckon Mark’s as happy as he makes out, either.’

‘Well, he definitely won’t be happy when he finds out Amy’s been here,’ said Steve. ‘It’s funny, but I blamed him when they split. And I didn’t really believe it when it all came out about her being on smack and going on the game, and that, ’cos she wasn’t that kind of girl. But now I’ve seen her again, I’m not so sure.’

‘Mmmm,’ Layla murmured. Then, in a whisper, she asked, ‘You don’t think she’s got any drugs on her now, do you?’

‘Wouldn’t have thought so,’ Steve said, frowning in the dark. ‘Judging by the way she wolfed that butty down, I doubt she’s eaten in days, so I can’t see her having the money to score.’

‘That might be why she looked so desperate when we found her,’ said Layla. ‘’Cos she’s withdrawing. Oh, no!’ she added when something occurred to her. ‘I left my bag by the couch.’

Steve pulled his arm out from under her. ‘I’ll go and get it.’

‘Knock before you go in,’ Layla cautioned as he pulled his dressing gown on.

Steve nodded and tiptoed out. He crept down the stairs and was about to tap on the living-room door, but hesitated when he heard soft snores coming from the other side. Easing the door open, he checked that Amy was sleeping before picking up Layla’s handbag from the side of the couch. Then, looking around to make sure there were no valuables or money lying around, he went back to bed.

‘Spark out,’ he told Layla.

She grimaced guiltily. ‘I feel terrible now.’

‘Don’t,’ said Steve. ‘The old Amy would never steal off a mate, but I haven’t seen her for ages so we can’t take any chances. We’ll see how she is in the morning, and if we get any bad vibes I’ll tell her to go. But I think I’ll set the alarm a bit earlier,’ he added, reaching for his phone. ‘Just in case.’

Amy slept right through to noon the next day. Refreshed when she woke, she stretched long and hard. But when she opened her eyes and saw the unfamiliar surroundings, she sat up in a panic.

‘Morning.’

Amy snapped her head around when she heard the voice and gazed at the woman who was sitting on the other side of the room. It took several seconds for recognition to sink it, but when it did she smiled shyly.

‘Sorry, I was dreaming about home. Didn’t know where I was.’

‘Oh, I do that all the time – it’s a bugger, isn’t it?’ said Layla, pushing herself up off her seat. ‘Steve’s nipped out to do a bit of shopping, but he shouldn’t be too long. Fancy a coffee?’

‘Shall I do it?’ Amy offered, feeling guilty as the other woman waddled towards the door.

‘Thanks, but it’s best I don’t sit still for too long.’ Layla rolled her eyes and rubbed her enormous stomach. ‘The baby seems to be most comfortable when it’s lying on my bladder, but I end up having to go to the loo every five minutes. Suppose I don’t need to tell you, though, seeing as you’ve already been through it.’

‘Yeah, twice,’ Amy said quietly.

Layla saw the sadness in her eyes and wished she could bite her tongue off. ‘I’m sorry,’ she apologised. ‘That was really insensitive.’

‘No, it’s fine,’ Amy lied. ‘It’s been a long time and I’m used to it. How long have you got to go?’ she asked now, following as Layla made her way to the kitchen.

‘Five weeks, give or take, but we both reckon it’ll come early,’ Layla told her as she filled the kettle. ‘We’ve just been to my mum and dad’s cottage in the Lakes for the weekend, and weren’t supposed to be coming back till later tonight, but I started getting pains so Steve dragged me off to hospital. It was only Braxton Hicks, and I felt like such a hypochondriac. But Steve’s such a worrier, he insisted on bringing me home early.’

‘It’s hard to tell the difference,’ said Amy. ‘But you’ll know about it when the real ones kick in.’

‘That bad?’ Layla gave her a
please-tell-me-it’s-not
look.

‘Sorry, but yeah.’ Amy smiled apologetically. ‘And I’m only telling you ’cos I wished someone had told me. But as soon as it’s over, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world,’ she added wistfully.

‘You must miss them,’ Layla said softly as she spooned coffee into the cups.

‘More than I ever thought possible.’ Amy sighed. ‘And it’s been ten times worse since I came off the drugs. I’m guessing you and Steve know about that?’

‘A bit.’ Layla shrugged. ‘None of my business.’

‘I’m not proud of what I did,’ Amy told her. ‘And if I could turn back time . . .’ She trailed off and stared down at her feet.

Layla saw her bite down on her lip and guessed that she was struggling to hold it together. ‘Look, why don’t you have your coffee, then get a shower?’ she suggested. ‘I put a wash on while you were sleeping, so your clothes are nice and fresh. And, when you feel like it, we can talk. But only if you want to.’

‘Why are you being so kind? You don’t even know me.’

‘No, but Steve does, and I trust his judgement.’

A tear trickled down Amy’s cheek and she quickly swiped it away. ‘God, you’re nice. No wonder he loves you so much.’

‘Oh, don’t worry, he knows how lucky he is.’ Layla chuckled, handing one of the coffees to her.

Amy sipped it and looked at Layla over the rim of her cup. Her stomach was huge, and her ankles were bloated, but her face was beautiful, and Amy guessed that she was stunning without the baby weight. Gorgeous, genuinely lovely, and to cap it all she’d bagged herself a wonderful man who clearly worshipped the ground she walked on. Amy would have hated her if she didn’t already envy and like her.

Layla gave a curious smile when she noticed Amy staring at her. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yeah, fine.’ Amy shook herself out of it. ‘Sorry, I was miles away. Do you mind if I go and take that shower?’

‘Help yourself,’ said Layla. ‘There’s a clean towel on the rail. Oh, and try that shampoo on the shelf – it’s to
die
for.’

When Steve came home a short time later, he paused in the living-room doorway and frowned when he saw Layla alone in there. ‘Let me guess . . . she did a runner?’ He peered around with narrowed eyes. ‘What did she take?’

‘Sshhh!’ Layla put a finger to her lips, then pointed at the door. ‘She had a shower, and now she’s making a brew. Oh, and she wants to cook dinner tonight,’ she added with a smile. ‘To thank us for letting her stay.’

‘Oh, right.’ Steve looked suitably contrite as he put down the shopping bags and sat down. ‘I just thought . . . Well, you know what I thought. How’s she been?’

‘Bit subdued. But it’s to be expected, considering what she’s been going through.’

‘Why, what’s she said?’

‘You need to talk to her,’ Layla said quietly. ‘She only told me a bit, but her side of the story is nothing like Mark’s version.’

They stopped talking when Amy walked in, and Steve smiled up at her. ‘I believe we’re going to have the pleasure of your cooking tonight?’

‘It’s been a while, so you might not think it’s such a pleasure when you taste it,’ said Amy, putting two cups of coffee down on the table. ‘I heard you coming in, so I made you one. Hope you still take two sugars?’

‘Yes, he does. And I’m sure whatever you make will be lovely,’ said Layla, standing up. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a wee.’

She touched Steve’s shoulder as she walked past the couch, and gave a surreptitious nod in Amy’s direction.

Steve grinned at Amy when she’d gone. ‘Think that’s her subtle way of saying we should talk.’

Amy smiled and twisted her wedding ring around on her finger. She felt shy all of a sudden, and that was weird because she’d known Steve for ever. But having spent a bit of time with his wife, she’d realised that she didn’t really
know
him any more. It wasn’t just the house that was new, his whole life seemed to have changed. He was a married man now, with a beautiful wife, and a baby on the way. But one thing definitely hadn’t changed: he was still rock solid, reliable, honest and lovely.

Steve had been watching Amy closely as she sank into her thoughts, and it saddened him to see how troubled she looked. The Amy he knew had been feisty and bubbly, and more than capable of dealing with whatever life threw at her. Hell, she’d survived all the shit Mark had put her through during their ill-fated marriage when lesser women would have crumbled. But the light seemed to have been extinguished from her eyes and there was an air of hopelessness about her, as if she’d taken as much as she could take and was just waiting for the final blow.

‘Want to tell me what’s been going on?’ he asked, his voice soft and low.

Amy gave a non-committal shrug and gazed down at her entwined hands. She’d already said too much to Layla, and she didn’t want to drag Steve into the mess.

‘At least tell me about last night,’ Steve persisted, sensing that he was going to have to drag it out of her slowly and gently. ‘You don’t have to go into detail if you don’t want to, but I can’t get it out of my head that you tried to get yourself killed. Is it really that bad?’

Amy’s eyes flooded with tears. Steve saw them and reached for her hand. ‘Look, we’re mates, so anything you say to me
stays
with me. I’m not an idiot. I know you’re scared of something – or someone. Is it Mark? Has he been hassling you?’

‘No.’ Amy shook her head and swiped at a tear. ‘I haven’t spoken to him in months.’

‘Well, is it your boyfriend, then?’ Steve probed. ‘Mark told me you were seeing someone. Has it finished? Is that what’s up? ’Cos you know no man’s worth trying to kill yourself over, don’t you?’

‘Oh, God,’ Amy moaned. ‘Stop being so nice to me, I don’t deserve it.’

‘Why?’ Steve frowned. ‘What have you done that’s so bad? If you’re talking about the drugs, we’ve all dabbled. That doesn’t make you a bad person.’

‘You don’t know the half of it,’ Amy said in a whisper.

‘I know
you
,’ said Steve. ‘And I know you’re not the kind of girl to do what you’ve done without a bloody good reason. You love your kids too much.’