Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

SEVEN YEARS EARLIER

L aurie stumbled from the heaving pub. Wobbling on her stiletto heels, she grasped the door while her stomach lurched and gurgled as nausea overwhelmed her. She needed fresh air.

‘Come on, Laurie,' someone called. ‘One for the road?'

‘I feel sick,' she said, clutching her stomach. The cold night air breathed into her face, its iciness sending her reeling. She leaned her hot body against the pub's cool walls and took several deep breaths. Her low-cut top and short skirt did nothing to ease the fire burning within her. It was that last shot that had finished her off.

No one noticed her slouching against the wall out of everyone's way in the pub's side alley. Why would they? Who didn't get wasted on a Friday night? People swayed and zigzagged out of the pub, laughing and bumping into her. That's when she saw him, but somehow he seemed different. The charm he'd shown in the pub had gone, as had the friendly sparkle in his eyes. Without her noticing, he must have followed.

He was now so close that she could feel his breath on her face. He grabbed her breast, and whispered into her ear. ‘Take off your knickers.'

A stab of fear shot through Laurie, and her heart raced. The man wasn't behaving as he had earlier. He'd been different to the others. Considerate and thoughtful.

‘I'm Laurie–' she began.

‘Don't need your name,' he said, breathing heavily. He swept her hair over her ear and kissed her neck roughly while pushing her back against the wall. Laurie's insides turned cold. This wasn't right. This wasn't the funny man who'd told her jokes over the music; he wasn't the gentle man who'd held her hand in the pub a few moments earlier when she'd said she felt ill. Her body froze as he began to pull at her underwear.

‘No, don't.' Laurie pushed at his chest. Her heart was pounding so hard and fast she thought it would explode. He moved his head back to meet her eyes; his were so full of disgust that Laurie couldn't bear to look into them.

Everything Laurie despised about herself was mirrored back in those eyes, and the truth was unbearably painful.

‘No?' he mocked. ‘You've been gagging for it all night. So don't start that fucking prick teasing with me. You're just a bit of rough from the gutter, girl. If you think Prince Charming is waiting for you, forget it. Welcome to your life, one-night stands, lonely regrets. It's what slags like you were made for.'

Tears blurred her eyes. Why was he being so hurtful? It was true, of course. A bit of rough from the gutter, that's exactly what she was, an uneducated, useless failure at everything . I will always be a target for people like him , she thought sadly. Then, his words hit her like a red rag to a bull. He might believe it, but he had no right to say it. No right to abuse her like that.

‘Get off me, you piece of shit,' she snarled before lifting her knee hard into his groin. Maybe she was a bit of rough from the gutter, but that didn't mean she couldn't take care of herself.

He doubled over, grimaced and growled, ‘Bitch.'

Laurie tugged down her skirt and turned to run, only to collide with someone else. Strong arms held her firmly, and the familiar aftershave made her feel safe.

‘Hey, Laurie, are you okay?' said a steady, deep voice. Laurie saw his eyes turn to the angry young man at her side. ‘What's going on?'

‘She's a fucking tease, that's what's going on,' said the young man angrily. ‘Not that it's any business of yours.'

‘She's fifteen,' the man shot back.

The young man laughed. ‘Fifteen my arse. You can have the little slut,' he spat before limping into the night, clutching his crotch.

Laurie looked into her rescuer's eyes and thought that no feature makes a man handsome, but his eyes came close. From them came an intensity, an honesty, a gentleness Laurie had never known. Suddenly, she became conscious of the shortness of her skirt and the low cut of her top and wished the lights outside the pub weren't so bright.

‘It's a friend's hen night,' she lied. ‘Everyone has had too much to drink.' She didn't want him to know this was her regular haunt.

He smiled. He had a friendly smile. I bet he never gets drunk or loses control , thought Laurie. He's clever, educated, and undoubtedly on his way home to his lovely detached house and equally pretty and intellectual wife.

‘Don't you have a coat?' he asked.

Laurie shook her head.

He pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around her. ‘Would you like me to walk you home?' he asked. ‘In case that guy is still hanging around?'

God no. The last thing she wanted him to see was the hell hole she called home. His scent was all over the jacket, and she inhaled deeply. ‘I'll be fine,' she said.

‘If you're sure,' he said, and she realised he was gazing at her breasts.

‘Honestly.' She nodded, pulling the jacket tighter around her body.

‘I'll see you Monday at six,' he said. ‘You can bring the jacket then.'

‘Yes,' she said, tugging at her skirt again. Then, as soon as he turned the corner, she threw up violently into the gutter.