Free Beautiful Liar by Tara Bond Page B

part of the care order, Maggie had arranged for me to see my sister every Tuesday evening for two hours.
    As we said goodbye, April asked me the question I’d been dreading: “When do you think I’ll be able to come and live with you?”
    â€œSoon, I hope. I’m doing everything I can.”
    I couldn’t say more than that, and fortunately she didn’t press me on the subject.
    After that, it was time for me to leave the B&B. I needed somewhere warm to sit—preferably where I wouldn’t have to pay for coffee—so I headed over to the John Harvard Library, near London Bridge, which was thankfully open on Sunday. I’d just selected a newspaper from the rack, when my mobile phone beeped. I mouthed an apology to theglaring librarian, but as I took my phone out to put it on silent, I saw that I had a message from Jas. It read:
    Doing the walk of shame! Will give u FULL deets when I c you.
    She’d added a smiley face with a wink. Usually I hated it when people did that, but with Jas it made me smile. I was pleased that despite my naysaying she’d obviously had a good time. It was clear I’d be hearing all about it later.
    The events of the previous evening were still running through my head—mostly that conversation outside with Alex Noble. I wasn’t sure why he’d singled me out. All I knew was that I needed to stay away from him. I had enough problems in my life without developing a crush on some womanising bad boy with too much time and money on his hands.
    Having a boyfriend had never held that much interest for me. My mum had spent the past six years fawning over a never-ending parade of losers, desperately trying to alleviate her loneliness. I had no desire to let my happiness revolve around a man.
    But obviously Jas didn’t feel the same way. When I walked into the staff changing room at Destination the following Wednesday evening, she came bounding up to me, dying to divulge everything about her night with Hugh.
    â€œHis flat was a-may-zing.” She dragged me over to one of the benches, clearly settling in for a good gossip. “Honestly, babes, you should’ve seen the place. His bed’s bigger than my bloomin’ bedsit!”
    â€œShush.” I gave a quick glance round to check that no one was eavesdropping. I didn’t want Jas to get into trouble for fraternising with a customer. But she didn’t seem to care.
    â€œWhat’re they going to do, sack me? I can’t see Hugh standing for that!”
    I didn’t like to point out that it was possibly a bit too soon to start relying on him. Even if I had, I’m not sure she’d have listened.
    Luckily, before she could go into further details about what had happened at his flat, Mel came in.
    â€œCome on, girls. Let’s get moving.” She clapped her hands. “It’s going to be a busy one, I can feel it. But remember, however tired you are, don’t let the customers hear you complain.”
    I rolled my eyes at Mel’s catchphrase. I turned to Jas, expecting her to make a sarcastic comment at our manager’s expense, but instead she was already up, pulling me to my feet and across the room.
    â€œWhy’re you so eager to get out there?”
    She turned and fluttered her eyelashes at me. “Because Hugh’ll be there.”
    â€œYou’re such a tart.” I punched her affectionately.
    â€œAnd proud of it!”
    * * *
    Mel was right. By midnight, the place was heaving. We were all pretty much rushed off our feet collecting dirty glasses and bringing the clean ones back from the kitchen, so there was no time to chat. But every now and then I’d pass Jas, and she’d whisper to me, “Have you seen him?” and I would shake my head.
    It was almost one in the morning, and I was rushing over to clear and clean a table that had just been vacated, when Jas grabbed me.
    â€œHe’s here!” Her eyes