‘Oh my God, Poppy. Where are you? I’ve been so worried.’

‘I’m safe. I’m okay. Where are you?’

‘At Lance’s house, would you believe it? Dad chased me, but Lance was in the street. He stopped his car and drove me to his house. He’s out at the moment. He said he was going out to look for you. So I’m waiting for him to get back.’

‘Are you sure you’re okay? I mean, with Kendall’s dad? After all, we hardly know him,’ questioned Poppy.

Brooke laughed. ‘It’s funny you asked that because I feel safer with him than our own father right now. I’ll text you Lance’s address. Can you come over? By the way, who are you with? I didn’t know you knew someone called Arty Stafford?’

Poppy looked across at Liam and Arty. Both could hear the conversation. Arty nodded to her and whispered that he and Liam would take her over to where Brooke was staying.

‘Listen. There’s too much to tell you on the phone. Brooke, don’t try to contact Mother. She ran me over. Actually, she nearly killed me! I’ve been in the hospital. I’ve a broken ankle, but I’m fine, I promise. As for where I am, we’ll catch up on all that when I see you. I can’t wait, sis.’

‘Fucking hell, Poppy, what were we really born into? Are you sure you’re okay?’

‘Yes, honestly, I am. I’ll see you soon. Text me the address.’

Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Zara was in an uncertain mood when she awoke from a sleepless night. The ramifications of her conversation with Victor were the cause of her malaise.

She looked at the missed calls and just couldn’t bring herself to call anyone back. Neil had rung four times. That was an hour ago. It crossed her mind that perhaps he would turn up on the doorstep if she didn’t answer him. But she knew she wouldn’t have been at his door if the situation had been reversed.

Victor’s words whirled around inside her head, and now she was slowly doubting her alliance with the Lanigan family. Even Mike. Why hadn’t he called to see if she was okay? Surely, he would have questioned Eric’s injury? And if he knew she’d been responsible, wouldn’t he have called to check she wasn’t hurt?

Just as she was about to make her way upstairs, there was loud knocking – more like a banging sound – at the door. This time, in her resigned state of mind, she didn’t check the CCTV, assuming it was the decorators. She opened the door to be hit by a bracing wind that blew the hair from her face and took her breath away.