Killing Me Softly Read Free

sat still and silent, wrapped in a blank world of her own making; a silence as unnerving as the noises coming through the door. But for a chance of mistaken identity, Lexi knew that could be her, shut away from the world, enfolded in an emotionless blanket. But it wasn’t. She’d had to face the world alone, ugly memories her constant companions. Sometimes she envied Cat her ability to shut everything out. Other times she resented her twin for leaving her alone.
    Lexi sighed and rubbed at tired eyes, gritty with lack of sleep. She knew she should be excited now she was finally fulfilling her promise. If her parents had been alive, they’d have been thrilled. Ten years of hard work had brought her here. But if she was honest, she hadn’t been driven to succeed only by the desire to help Cat. A need to prove herself, a driving passion for music: they had carried her through, too. She’d always wanted to perform, but crippling stage fright had put an end to that dream. So she’d turned to the only other avenue that interested her.
    Composing, mixing and producing. They had become more fulfilling than she could ever have imagined.
    A loud scream pulled her out of her musings. Shuddering, she turned from the window and walked over to shut the door. The sound was muffled but not completely shut out. She began to sing under her breath. Music in any form always helped.
    She just wished she had something else to think about at the moment. Some new project or band to work with. But she didn’t. There was nothing for another couple of months at least. This time had been put aside to get Cat settled.
    Now it was here, she wished she were an ostrich and could bury her head in the sand, ignoring every bad thought this day dredged up. Guilt sliced through her. She pushed it away, changing the song she was singing to Muse’s ‘Guiding Light’.
    Yeah, that was better. She’d always loved that song. She’d been sifting through the back catalogue of music on her iPod the other day and had rediscovered it. And right now, it was just the right song to express her relationship with her sister – a little depressing, yet with a hint of hope for better times.
    Billy would still say it was a morose choice. With his Irish-band obsession, he’d probably choose something more upbeat for this moment, like U2’s ‘Beautiful Day.’
    He’d be right of course. It should be a beautiful day, despite the depressing reality of the English weather.
    What was wrong with her that she didn’t feel that way?
    The door behind her swung open. She jumped, turning from the window, then smiled in relief at the man entering the room.
    ‘Sorry I startled you, lass,’ he said, his soft Scottish brogue like a warm caress.
    ‘You didn’t startle me. I was just lost in my thoughts.’
    ‘I expect you were. Did Vivien offer you some refreshments?’
    ‘Yes, she did.’ Lexi’s smile widened as he hurried across the room. Doctor Carlton’s short-stepped walk always reminded her of a skittish colt.
    ‘Excellent.’ He dropped the pile of manila folders he carried on the edge of his already overburdened desk then looked around, patted his pockets, shuffled some papers on his desk and scratched his chin. ‘I seemed to have misplaced my glasses.’ He smiled his absent, slightly twitchy smile and shrugged his shoulders.
    Lexi had to hide a grin as he pushed his hands through his thick grey hair and found the glasses perched on top of his head.
    ‘Ah, there they are.’ He settled them firmly on his nose and sank back into his chair, waving his hand to indicate she should take the one opposite.
    She shook her head. ‘I don’t want a seat. I just want to know if she’s ready to go.’
    Doctor Carlton looked at her seriously. ‘Yes she is. But before you go running out of this room to get her, Alexia lass, there are a few things I want to talk over with you.’
    Lexi cleared her throat. ‘Has she had another setback?’
    He stared at her.
    As she sank