Silent - Rock Bottom

Two Years Ago, Gavin

Sorry, back with Aidan.  x Philippa

Just like that.  Dumped by text. No explanation, nothing.

The words  Back with Aidan meant she had been his girlfriend all along. Philippa had lied from the moment she'd introduced me to him. Aidan had told the truth from the start.

My hands were shaking.  Not putting up with this. I dialled her number.
She answered after four rings. 'You're wasting your time, Gavin.  I've already made up my mind.'

She ended the call. I tried again, but this time voicemail took over and I couldn't think of anything to say.  I stared at the silent phone, sweat pouring down my face. How could life have turned so drastically in a couple of hours or so?  I had to accept the truth. It was over, over, over.  Philippa was selfish and immature, and she'd finished with me. No, she'd dumped me. Used me, then thrown me away. We were never an item in the first place. She'd just used me to make Aidan jealous, that's all. I hated her.

In the shelter, I curled up on the bench and began to cry. Quietly.

I was alone, totally alone.  At least, that's what I thought.  But with my eyes shut, I sensed others… piano student Paul watching, asking if I was alright.  At some point, mentor Dawn was there with Paul. She or Paul must have gone to fetch Terence Harlesden, because next moment Terence stood in the shelter, saying, 'I warned you, didn't I, mate? I said Philippa would trample all over you. She does the same to everyone. You've had a nasty shock, but you've got to get over it and move on, mate. You could have a great career ahead. Crash out and get some rest. And don't you dare miss the morning session at the theatre.'  To the others: 'Let him sleep. I'll check on him later.'

I must have crashed out after that.  Into a deep, dreamless sleep.  

***
Sounds woke me. Car doors opening and shutting.  Agnes Harlesden's voice in the distant, followed by Terence's. The students getting ready for the evening performance at the Grand Theatre. Taxis arrived to escort them into town.  I sat up, groggy and heady from the wine and lack of food.  

Everything flooded back to me. Groaning, I stood up and glanced at the time on my phone.  Quarter past seven on Wednesday evening, and no further texts from Philippa to say she'd changed her mind.  I'd slept for more than an hour, and my head and neck were sore. The air smelt heavily of grass and sun. I felt parched with thirst and unsteady on my feet. I waited for the last taxi to leave, then went back indoors.  Back to my room.  First thing in the morning, I would leave, return to London.  

Tapping at the door.

'Gavin?'  A voice.  

Groggy, I answered.

Jace and Lucy.

***
Last time I'd seen Jace, he'd prevented his mate Steve from beating me up.  But he was still partly responsible for what had happened.  He and Steve had followed me from the barn and Jace had jumped me first, spinning me around and saying I hadn't asked his permission to return to Lyme House. He'd searched my pockets for cash. He'd made fun of me, just like my peers had done most of my life.

And now, he was standing at my door with Lucy. Grinning away, like a kid with a bag of chewy sweets. All toothy and innocent.

I don't like to describe what happened next.  I lost it, like really went mad, completely mad…shouting, screaming, overturning the bed.  

Lucy backed off, but Jace dived on me and got me into one of his locks.  'I'm sorry about the other evening, yeah?  But you've got to calm down, mate. I'll only release you when you calm down.'