True Colours (The You Don't Know Me Trilogy Book 2) Read Free

mistake.’
    I glance at the doorway.  Perhaps I should just slink off back to my bedroom, simply close the door on the rest of the day.  And perhaps I should do it quickly because I can hear Lucy breathing now, big deep breaths, in and out, and I know she’s building up to something else.
    ‘Clive says he’s in love with you.’
    My heartbeat accelerates, blood pumps and suddenly, I’m feeling dizzy.  I close my eyes and I’m back outside my parents’ house in Limmingham, and Dan’s in front of me, his face twisted with anguish.  She knows exactly where to hit me.  She’s got me cracking now … and I can’t crack.
    ‘He’s not in love with me, Lucy.  He doesn’t know the meaning of the word.’
    ‘Well, perhaps he’s learning.’
    I open my eyes again.  I seem to be looking straight at Lucy’s face, only she’s a blur, and that can only mean one thing.  I’m crying.
    ‘You’ve had a shock,’ she says quietly.  ‘I understand that.  And now you’re dealing with it the same way you deal with everything: sling up the defences and avoid the issues.’
    ‘Just leave it, please.’
    ‘He deceived you, and I get why you’re angry, but that’s not the real problem, is it?’
    ‘As far as I’m concerned, it is.’
    She shakes her head.  ‘Wrong.’
    ‘So what is the real problem, Luce?  Get on with it.  I’m sure you’re dying to tell me.’
    ‘You’re acting like you’re determined to move on but …’
    ‘But what?’
    She takes in a breath before she flings her answer at me.
    ‘You’re deceiving yourself.’
     

Chapter Two
    I’m dreaming.  This isn’t real.  I’m back in Limmingham, back in my place of sanctuary.  These are my woods … and yet they’re not.  For a start, the branches are too bulky, knotting overhead like giant fists, almost blocking out the light.  I blink, once, twice, aware that there’s something in the shadows.  Something or someone, hovering, watching and waiting.  Sensing a prickle, I know that whatever or whoever it is, they’re determined to destroy me.  My mouth dries up as I realise this is no sanctuary at all.  I need to get out of here.  I need to run.  I try to move but my legs are weighted by fear.  I force out a scream, a silent, choking scream for help, but there’s no one here to save me.  And then I call a name.  It comes out mangled, but I know who I’m calling.
    I’m calling for Dan.
    The tree trunks disintegrate, darkness scatters and with a shiver, I open my eyes.  I’m back in reality, lying on top of crumpled sheets, listening to the steady hush of raindrops and staring at a cobweb on the ceiling.  I will my body to relax.  Slow it down, I tell myself.  Control the breathing, control the heartbeat.  There’s no need to panic.  It was just a dream.  It meant nothing.
    At last, I raise my head and glance at the clock.  It’s nearly six and my stomach’s rumbling.  Finally, I’m hungry.  On my way to the kitchen, I stop off at the lounge door.  It’s open: so that Lucy can keep an eye on me, I’m sure.  Poking my head around the door, I find her splayed out on the sofa, watching a film.
    ‘I’m making fish finger sandwiches,’ I inform her.  ‘Want any?’
    She shakes her head.  ‘I’ve had beans on toast.’
    ‘What’s on?’
    ‘ Pretty Woman .’
    I stare at the screen: Richard Gere and Julia Roberts on a piano, shagging their way towards a perfect, romantic ending.
    ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Maya.’  Lucy sits up quickly, her face plastered with worry.  ‘I didn’t think.’
    I shrug, determined to be apathetic about the whole thing.
    ‘That’s fine.  Just because I’ve been shafted, it doesn’t mean you can’t watch slushy films.’
    Before she can argue that I didn’t get shafted, I close the door.  I’m not in the mood for further discussion and anyway, in spite of all my bravado, I’m not entirely sure I can deal with romantic slush at the minute.  Back in the kitchen, I