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foot,’ I panted as we heaved the large case into the boot and slammed
it shut.
    ‘We don’t have time to strap in your other case.
Stick it on the front seat and go without me.’
    ‘Brooke!’ I looked at her surprised.
    ‘He’s going to know you were with me anyway, I’ll
go and run interference, but he’s likely to go to mine looking for you. Book
into a hotel somewhere, then ring me and tell me where. I’ll sort out your
stuff that you left at mine and come and meet you there, then we can get you
organised for tomorrow. Don’t argue, you have argue face.’ She wedged my second
case in the foot well and shut the door. I blew her a kiss and pulled out into
the main street. As I looked in my rear view mirror I saw Zac standing next to
his car, his hands on his hips as he looked around, when he spotted Maisie he
ran around to his driver’s side. I looked back at the road and put my foot down.
When I looked back Brooke was standing with her hands on his bonnet stopping
him from moving. ‘You’re the best, Brooke Hanson,’ I whispered as I sped off. I
remembered that the Marriot in Regents Park had parking, so I headed there and
dragged in my two cases and asked for a twin room.
    ‘Is there another guest?’ asked the Receptionist.
    ‘Yes, she’ll be here later. I’m so sorry to
trouble you but she has my iPad and I lost my mobile and can’t remember her
number. Would you mind if I logged onto my iCloud account to retrieve it?
    ‘Not at all,’ she smiled.
    ‘Can I leave the spare room key here for her? It’s
Brooke Hanson, she’s a redhead.’
    ‘Not a problem, she’ll need to quote your name and
room number so we know it’s genuine.’
    ‘Thanks.’ I quickly scribbled her number on the
back of my hand, then headed up to the room, dumping the cases just inside the
door. I contemplated throwing myself on the bed and crying, but I didn’t have
time. When Brooke arrived I had a new laptop to set up, clothes to sort and I
needed a shower, all that humping of cases and the stress had left me hot and
bothered. I stripped off and had a steaming hot shower to help ease out some of
the tension kinks, keeping my hair tucked up out of the way then wrapped myself
in a towel and put on the complimentary slippers. I had a thing about walking
on hotel carpets where other people’s feet, and goodness knows what else, had
been. I opened my cases and sorted out what I wanted to take away and what was
staying behind. I needed to ring Brooke to make sure that she brought
everything, the new clothes bags, and laptop as well as my small case that I
had taken to hers. I dialled her mobile from the hotel room phone.
    ‘Hey Brooke, it’s me.’
    ‘Hi Steve, can I call you back, it’s really not a
great time.’
    ‘Shit, are you with Zac?’ I whispered as I
recognised the engine purr again.
    ‘Yes, on my way home now, I’ll give you a ring
when I get there, ok babes?’
    ‘Marriot Regent Park, room 115,’ I whispered in
case Zac overheard.
    ‘Love you too babes, speak soon.’
    ‘Ok.’
    Shit! Zac was driving her back to her house? Knowing
him he probably won’t leave as he’d assume that I’d either go back there or
ring her. He knew I was a creature of habit and who I’d run to after a fight
with him. I had my passport so I guess I could just go with what I had here, but
it would mean not saying goodbye to her and I didn’t want to leave like that. I
opened the minibar and took out the small bottles of Baileys and knocked one
back in one go then finished sorting the clothes I had here with me, before
having a second Baileys. I rang room service and asked for a bottle of
champagne to be sent up. I needed to toast to a new start. I jumped when the
phone rang back.
    ‘Sorry babe, I was in his car,’ Brooke whispered.
    ‘I figured. Don’t tell me he’s in your house now?’
    ‘Yes, he’s refusing to leave as he reckons you’ll
come here or ring me. I’ve come to the bathroom and put the taps on so