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Back Violet Save as PDF
Chapters (50)
  1. Cover
  2. VIOLET
  3. VIOLET
  4. Dedication
  5. Epigraph
  6. Contents
  7. Prologue
  8. 1
  9. 2
  10. 3
  11. 4
  12. 5
  13. 6
  14. 7
  15. 8
  16. 9
  17. 10
  18. 11
  19. 12
  20. 13
  21. 14
  22. 15
  23. 16
  24. 17
  25. 18
  26. 19
  27. 20
  28. 21
  29. 22
  30. 23
  31. 24
  32. 25
  33. 26
  34. 27
  35. 28
  36. 29
  37. 30
  38. 31
  39. 32
  40. 33
  41. 34
  42. 35
  43. 36
  44. 37
  45. 38
  46. 39
  47. Epilogue
  48. Acknowledgements
  49. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  50. Copyright

‘You like it?’ the stylist says, holding up a mirror so I can see the back. He’s grinning now, pleased with his work. ‘I really like it.’

I stare at myself in the mirror. At the black, sweeping fringe, edged with a neon pink tint. I turn my head side to side, taking in the swept-back sides that blend into the shaved back. I blink, not quite able to believe it. I’ve had many transformations, but none quite so bold. I want to laugh at how ridiculously un-me it is; but on the other hand, it’s absolutely perfect. No one is going to link me to that blonde from the rooftop sex party. No way.

‘Danke,’ I say, ‘it’s perfect.’

It’s only when I pull out my purse to pay that I realise I’ve lost my new bank card. Shit. Shit!

Luckily I took the extra precaution of withdrawing a load of cash, so I pay, leaving him a generous tip, and head out of the shop, trying to keep the panic that is beating a loud, rhythmic drum in my chest.

I think about heading back to the bank for a replacement card – but worry that this would be too conspicuous, after only getting it yesterday … and I worry about where I might have dropped it. I know I had it when I went out last night, because I used it to pay the cab there – but I walked back, winding through the streets, trying not to draw attention to myself. I didn’t want a cabbie to remember picking me up from near that place. If I dropped the card in the rooftop bar, then there’s a good chance that it’s been found – and if it’s been found, there’s a good chance that someone might already be looking for me.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: WHERE ARE YOU??

CARRIE!! Please call me. I’m so scared for you! I know you’re not with her now, but she’s all over the news! You were right to be suspicious … Her name’s not Violet.

HER REAL NAME IS VERONICA DELAUNEY, AND SHE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!

They’ve been looking for her for almost two years. She’s killed people, Carrie … She’s been on the run, but they’ll find her. They found her ID and bank card and they know she’s in Berlin.

PLEASE reply as soon as you get this.

I’m scared that she’s going to come looking for you!!!

Please call me. Please come home.

Lxx

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