Falling For You by Giselle Green Read Free Book Online Page A

Could it be him? I only left his office fifteen minutes ago. A jobs-worth if I ever met one. As predicted by Lazerev’s Registrar, I got nowhere. I pressed my case, I admit it. I accused him of incompetence, of maladministration; damn it, he as much as admitted to me that there’s at least one space on that last flight out of here on New Year’s Eve. Sunny could be on that. But pen-pusher Lestat said it didn’t matter; all the forms that have to be filled in, in triplicate, have not been filled. I told him I didn’t give a damn. We’re talking about a young lad’s whole life here, but he wouldn’t budge. I know there are protocols and procedures that have to be followed - there always are. And more than that, there are logistics that have to be sorted; Sunny won’t just need a sponsor. He’ll need medical care put in place, immediate assistance for when he lands, accommodation and so forth.
    But … I sit up rigid on the canvas chair that Dougie’s just directed me to, and will myself to breathe normally while my precious minutes are ticking away … sometimes protocols and procedures can be expedited. Paperwork can be pushed through at miraculous speed. Helpful and willing voluntary medical staff can be located, I know this. I’ve seen it happen before, where there’s enough goodwill and co-operation between people; miracles can happen.
    I look up at my boss and the discomfort I’ve been feeling grows a little stronger.
    What’s Dougie so mad at me for?
    I can see his jowl wobbling from here. He’s usually this big-hearted Northerner, who can’t do enough for you, nothing’s too much trouble for him. Usually, we get on like a house on fire; he likes me because I work hard and I’m good at what I do. I’m damn good at it, actually. I get the job done and I don’t clock watch. But right now he won’t even look at me. He’s got his eyes downcast, and his mood - I can feel it - is growing blacker by the moment.
    I think back a minute. I didn’t say anything so bad to that Lestat dude. I pushed it as hard as I could but I could tell fairly quickly he wasn’t going to budge, that I’d need help. That’s why I’ve come to Dougie, who’s got the clout to move things if he wants to.
    Man I’m biting my nails again, and they’re already down to the quick.
    ‘Am I in trouble?’ I try and get eye-contact but his face is closed, his mind still on the caller. I’ve been in trouble before. If this is just about what I said to Lestat I can handle it. If it’s about … that other thing, then that’s a whole other deal. My whole life might be about to unravel if that ugly matter has somehow managed to find its way to the surface. I search his eyes for clues, but what I see there doesn’t leave me much room for hope. Dougie looks absolutely devastated. Has someone found out who I am? The police have cottoned on to where I am - is that it? I thought - I’d let myself come to believe - that nobody cared anymore. It was a terrible thing I did, I know it was. But … time moves on. I’ve put it all behind me, made a new life - what else could I do?
    Finally Dougie puts the phone down. Something in his voice is cracked and broken.
    ‘Why did you do it, Lawrence?’ I don’t answer. Do what is the question? What does he know?
    ‘Come on ,’ my boss stands up abruptly and he’s a formidable six foot six. Eighteen stone. And getting angry. ‘I want some answers, Lawrence, and I want them now.’
    I bite my tongue. Fine. I admit I’ve lied to him about some things. At my job interview, some truths had to be stretched. Not about my experience, I’m fully qualified for this job, but about other things …
    ‘That man almost had my ear off do you realise? He’s doing his nut!’ I stare at the ground, at the same pink and grey plastic sheeting that looks like a carpet that graces every tent down this row and I think; a detective who was looking for me, who maybe thought he’d caught up with me after all