Free Inevitable by A.S Roberts

need to roll things up and choose light fabrics. I’m sure I can fit enough in there for seven days.’ I watched as she started to busy herself going through my clothes. I decided to leave her to it, as quite frankly the very idea of packing light left me in a cold sweat. I plonked my bum down next to Frankie and gathered her into a hug.
    ‘Someday soon, you and I will get to spend some actual time together, without me running off somewhere.’ I squeezed her a bit harder to reiterate my point, and pushed her long hair away from her face, smiling gingerly at her.
    ‘Seven days? California is a long way away, Bella. You’ve never even been on a motorbike for seven bloody minutes, how the hell will you cope with seven days of riding?’ We both glanced up at the sound of Aunty Jean as she tutted at my underwear drawer.
    ‘How you girls wear these things is beyond me.’ We watched as she held up a pink lacy thong, pinched in between her finger and thumb of both hands. She wiggled the flimsy scrap of material around in front of her eyes. ‘But, on the bright side they will pack up really easily.’ She wasn’t talking to us, but to herself and she busied herself again with the huge task of trying to pack everything she thought I would need.
    I looked back at Frankie and grinned at her. God only knows what I would end up with in the miniscule bag, but I had neither the time nor inclination to care.
    ‘Truth be told, Frankie, I’m terrified of going on the bike but they’re right, it is the easiest way for us to disappear. I trust Nathan… it seems like the best option. I just need to know that you will be safe and looked after while I’m gone. Hopefully this whole situation can be sorted out and we can move on.’ I sounded so much braver than I actually felt.
    ‘I’ll be fine; you know that Alex won’t let anything happen to me?’
    I stood up suddenly. ‘I call bullshit, listen to us trying to convince the other one that this is all going to be OK, when really we haven’t got a bloody clue that it is!... I’m so sorry I brought this to your doorstep, Frankie. What’s that old saying “Never shit on your own front step?” That’s exactly what I’ve done to all of you.’ I’d sat despondently back down next to Frankie on the bed, when Aunty Jean interrupted. She didn’t turn from her task, but continued to collect clothes and roll them up, so they could be stuffed into the almost full bag.
    “The saying, my dear is “Never shit on your own doorstep” and you haven’t, we are all family here. From what I’ve seen so far, the fact that you now have those Blackmore men for back-up, you will stay safe, we will all stay safe.’
    I couldn’t believe she had sworn and burst out into a cathartic laugh.
     
     

     
     
    I picked up my rucksack, sunglasses, phone and the leather jacket Edwards had dropped off for me. On the way out of my lovely blue bedroom, I caught sight of myself in the mirror. I was wearing leather trousers, so skin tight I reminded myself of the character Sandy in the film “Grease”. It was laughable. I understood the need for wearing leathers on a bike, but surely not this tight. I was convinced Nathan had chosen them. I made my way out and down the stairs, listening to my boots clop on the marble stairs. The echo was the only sound I could make out in the otherwise peaceful silence. Silence that was suddenly broken by a very loud, perceptible wolf-whistle. I stopped walking immediately and leant over the rail of the banister to fix my “you didn’t just do that” glare at the culprit. He was leant against the large oval table in the middle of the foyer, leather-clad legs extended in front of him and thumbs pushed down into his front pockets. He had a clear view of the sweeping staircase and had obviously been watching my every step.
    ‘Well, darlin, you’re a fucking sight for sore eyes, I must say… you really shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. I can remember every