Chapter 25 – Sweet Croydon
Sunday March 11th, 2018 – 01:45 am
Central London
Lauren rode through the streets of London, she knew how to get to Bo's hotel well enough now to navigate to it quickly, and it wasn't long before she was pulling up out front. Bo swung her legs around and stood by the kerb, Lauren instantly missing her touch, "Home sweet home, safe and sound as promised."
"This is not my home; it's another suitcase in another hotel." Bo handed back the helmet to Lauren, "Thanks for getting me back safe."
Bo walked toward the entrance, afraid to look back.
"Bo, erm, Bo," Lauren mumbled. Bo stopped walking. "Please, I screwed that up. I'm not good at opening up, and I know I don't deserve you." Lauren slowly walked toward her love.
Bo was frozen to the spot, conflicted. Part of her wanted Lauren back; the other part didn't trust her not to hurt her again. Lauren saw the turmoil in Bo's eyes as she tenderly clasped her by the waist and pulled her closer to her body, never losing that eye contact. Trailing her gaze from eyes to lips. Lauren bit down on her mouth and slowly took Bo's face in her hands and pulled her near, "I don't deserve a second chance, but I'm begging you to please give me one."
Bo had no time to reply when cameras flashed in front of her face.
'BO, BO, LOOK THIS WAY. WHO IS THIS? HOW ARE YOU? DID YOU ATTEMPT SUICIDE TWO WEEKS AGO? BO, BO, WHO IS THIS YOU ARE WITH? BO, BO, WHERES TAMSIN?'
Lauren handed Bo back the helmet, "Get on."
Bo jumped back on the bike and put the helmet on without hesitation.
Instantly they were surrounded by more paparazzi, in cars and on bikes. Lauren swerved through the streets of London, using the side roads to lose those chasing behind. Lauren went over Trafalgar Square, narrowly avoiding the few people who were still out this late at night. A cat and mouse chase as she swerved the bike to dodge them, speeding down the old narrow streets. Past Houses of Parliament and Westminister Abbey. Over the Thames, back past the club in Vauxhall that still had huge crowds outside. Driving through the familiar streets and alleyways, each turn, cars that followed lessened until only one bike remained. The motorcycle behind was determined, as it followed Lauren street by street, turn by turn.
Lauren was a bit ahead as she travelled through West Norwood. Hitting the brakes hard, she parked the bike between two cars and turned to Bo. "Stay on the bike."
Lauren hunched behind a car further up, and as the bike passed, she jumped, yanking the driver to the ground. They both rolled on the road before eventually coming to a halt. Lauren punched her fist into his jaw, making his head wobble. "Stay down."
Dazed and Confused, he nodded.
Lauren stood, wiped herself down, then ran back to the bike and Bo. She hopped back on, and they rode away.
Laurens' Flat - Croydon
Twenty minutes later, Lauren parked again, this time in front of a block of flats on the outskirts of Croydon. "This is my home, and you're welcome to stay here tonight."
Lauren held out her hand to help Bo off the bike, but Bo didn't take it, instead simply handed her the helmet back. "Thank you."
"Well, maybe you want to wait before thanking me. The flat isn't much. But I am one hundred per cent certain no one will think of looking for you here."
They walked in, the stench of urine immediately filled their nostrils. Lauren was embarrassed, but it was all she could afford in London. There wasn't a lift in the building and Lauren lived on the fourth floor. Bo broke the silence, "Is this Notting Hill Lauren. Do you have an idiotic roommate who will announce me staying here down the pub?"
"No," Lauren laughed. "Just my brother, but he won't say anything." Lauren made a mental note to text her brother to make sure he didn't bring anyone back, that was the more likely scenario.
Entering the small flat, Lauren showed her around, pointing out Vex's room, then opening the door to her own, "You can sleep here. I'll take the sofa."
Walking to Laurens room, Bo took in her surroundings. She had stayed in bigger hotel suites than this flat, but she was too polite to say anything. The Bo from a few days ago, the angry and hurt one, would have commented, but even Bo was disliking her recently. Bo sat on the edge of the bed and felt the covers, "Ohh, nice." It was not one thousand Egyptian cotton soft, but it was soft.
"Marks and Spencers finest," Lauren replied. "Please make yourself at home here."
Bo wandered around Laurens' little bedroom. It was decorated in soft pastel furnishings; it was warm and homely. A double bed, two side tables and fitted wardrobes filled the room. A small writing table was by the door. Phone chargers plugged into the wall, and Bo decided to make herself at home as instructed and plugged in her phone. "It's a nice room, Lauren."
"Well, it's all yours tonight." Lauren brushed past Bo, deliberately making sure they touched, and opened up her top drawer, "you can change into these. They're clean. Do you need anything else, a drink maybe, hot or cold?" Lauren was talking fast, she was nervous, but she couldn't help it. Bo was sleeping in her bed, and she was ecstatic by the thought.
"No, thank you, I'm fine, just tired." Bo took the garments.
"I'll let you change." Lauren turned, holding the handle of the door, she whispered. "I'm sorry about earlier and well everything. We can talk properly in the morning. You get to ask me anything you want. Goodnight."
Bo lay in Laurens' bed and tried to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, the soft fragrance of Laurens' perfume evaded her senses. An hour had passed, and she was still awake and wired. Bo sat up, turned on the bedside lamp and looked around the bedroom. On the side table was a picture of a young Lauren with a woman that Bo assumed was her mother. The bookshelf was filled with crime and thrillers writers. There were also DVD's and Bo's eyes lit up when she saw that Lauren had all her TV shows, even Due South. Sweeping the duvet off her, she walked to the shelf and grabbed the box. Flipping it over, seeing her four-year-old self looking back at her. Bo was learning more about Lauren from her bedroom than what she told her the few weeks they spent together.
Bo shook her head; it was no use she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight until she talked to Lauren. As no matter how broken they were, the millions of shattered pieces longed to be with her.
Bo opened the door.
The open planned kitchen and living area was bare and the room silent. A small lamp was on in the corner, and Bo saw the large sofa facing the TV just to the left of her. Slowly she edged her way nearer, unsure if Lauren would still be awake. Bo spotted a figure lying on the couch.
"She'll be back in a few minutes." Bo jumped back, realising very quickly the figure in front of her was not Lauren. Vex was lying on his back, clothes on and hair poking up in all different directions.
Opening one eye, Vex continued. "Lauren passed me on the way out, asked me to lay here in case you woke, to tell you she popped out for a run."
Vex stood up from behind the sofa, scratching himself, "Hello, again." He looked her up and down, "Those Harry Potter pyjamas look good on you."
"Thanks." Bo smiled, "We haven't officially met. I'm Bo."
"Hello Bo," Vex smiled back, "I'm Laurens' brother, Vex, and it's a pleasure to meet you finally."
"Oh, right, her brother." Bo loved the British accent and how polite people were. "She told me she had a brother. It's nice to meet you too."
"Surprised she mentioned me, as being secretive is kind of her thing." Vex flashed a grin.
Bo rolled her eyes knowingly, "Do you know how long she'll be?"
"Not sure." Vex glanced at the wall clock, "She sometimes takes long runs to help clear her head."
"She probably needs to make up some believable stories."
"So, what's with you two?" Vex patted the seat next to him, "Still angrily hate-fucking her?"
Bo shook her head, "Does she share everything with you?"
"Only the juicy stuff."
Bo huffed. She was annoyed that Lauren was the liar, she was the one who broke her heart, yet she was being called out for hate-fucking her. "Well, share with her that I've gone back to the hotel."
Vex leapt up, knees on the back of the sofa and arms draped over the edge, "So, you're leaving, no explanation?"
Bo spun back, stormed towards him and pushed him from the edge of the sofa, "No, that's her M.O. I'm tired of this shit. She talks a good talk, but she's a liar, and I don't know if I can trust her. She puts her job first, herself second and only if I'm lucky I will be placed third."
"Has Lauren not spoken to you, explained what happened? She said she was going to." Vex took hold of Bo's hand.
"Yeah, she mumbled something about my career." Bo melted her resolve a little. She was tired, emotionally and physically. "But I already know what happened."
"Really?" Vex relaxed his hold, "And what's that?"
"She made a deal with my manager Evony Marquis." Bo tilted her head, "Evony told me that she agreed to stay away from me if the man she had arrested, Massimo, signed her police deal."
"Oh," Vex looked stunned, "I don't know what actually happened, she never said, but what I do know is after you left, she was a shell of her former self."
"What do you mean?"
"Come here, let's talk." Vex still had Bo's hand, and he gently pulled her back toward him. "After you left, she asked me to go to the North where we have friends and stay there. When I returned, she was painfully thin and throwing herself into work, so much travel, returning every few weeks all bruised and broken."
"She got hurt?"
"Yes, many times." Vex pulled Bo closer, "She looked like a woman with nothing to lose."
"Well, because of our affair, she did lose her job."
"She didn't lose her job; she gave it up, a difference," Vex smiled, "because she loved you."
"Loved me?" Bo tutted, "She discarded me for a deal? A deal that meant she had to break me, just to get an arrest?"
"Lauren has always been, erm, coy, I suppose with her feelings. She is a woman of logic, and her head rules her heart. Some have called her emotionless and heartless." Vex hugged Bo close. "But she is not; she is very loving and just needs a gentle nudge to open up."
Bo slumped against Vex's chest, tears falling freely. "You weren't there, Vex, in France. What we had, it was, magic. And she just gave me up, like I was nothing to her!"
"Let me tell you this story, "Vex held Bo close and felt as she nodded. "A few years ago, late at night, we were walking home when out of nowhere we were attacked. Officially it's recorded as an attempted robbery, but they were not out to steal from us. They wanted us dead. And even though there were five of them, she didn't back down, and one by one, they stayed down. That day neither of us came out unscathed. I had a broken arm and was stabbed. She had broken ribs, and every inch of her was cut and bruised. I saw her fight. She was a woman with nothing to lose, as all she cared about she had already lost. She wouldn't let you go for an arrest. There is always more to a story."
Bo remained rooted. If she fell back in Laurens' life, then she risked her heart-breaking again. But if she walked away, she knew she would never feel how she feels when she is with her.
As if Vex could see her turmoil, he gently lifted her head to face him, "She made a mistake, and I don't know why she does the things she does. I wish I could shake her, but to love her means understanding that part of her. She does love you; she will just show you differently."
Just at that moment, Lauren walked through the door to see Bo hugging Vex. They turned, and as they saw her, they moved apart. Vex whispered in Bo's ear, "Hear her out."
Lauren cursed her brother, she knew he was telling her something, and Lauren didn't like being spoken about. "Is everything okay?"
Vex smiled. He knew that face as he had seen it many times before. Lauren was pissed. But he didn't care. He had inadvertently saved Bo from leaving and maybe their relationship.
"Bo," Lauren placed her phone on the counter and stepped closer. "What's the matter?"
"We need to have that talk, now," Bo walked to the bedroom, leaving the door open.
Vex turned to Lauren, "Evony told her that you broke her heart for an arrest, that you put your job first. You need to open up and tell her everything, the good, the bad and the ugly."
Lauren hugged her brother, "I will. Thanks."
Lauren followed Bo into the bedroom. Inside she found her sitting on the edge of the bed. Slowly walked in, desperately trying to think of the right thing to say, but words were failing her. Instead, she knelt in front of her. "I'm sorry, Bo."
"Do you even know what you're apologising for?" Bo knelt also, "Vex told me I needed to hear you out. So firstly, did you break my heart for an arrest? Simple answer, yes or no?"
Lauren took a deep breath; it was the most challenging conversation she had ever had because it would be honest. "Yes, but it is not that simple-"
"It never is with you. I don't know why I let you back in. I want to go back to the hotel. I want you to stay away from me." Bo stood and folded her arms
Lauren reached up for Bo's hand and gently pulled her back down. Bo felt broken and allowed her to be pulled to the floor. Resting on her knees she couldn't look at Lauren, as was convinced she would see her heart breaking for a second time.
Lauren ached. This was her last chance."Can I tell you the full story from the beginning? And if after you still think I am a piece of shit, then I will take you back to the hotel and respect your wishes for me to stay away." Lauren looked up and was happy to see that Bo was nodding.
They both sat, back resting against the side of the bed. "Evony visited me at my apartment that morning, threatening to ruin my career unless I left you."
"That's Evony for you." Bo smiled over to Lauren, "So, you did pick your career over me?"
"No. I laughed in her face and told her that I had already resigned. What I didn't tell her was that I had an interview for Toronto PD." Lauren half-smiled. "I wanted a regular life and to date you."
Bo gasped, "You resigned so that you could date me?"
"Yeah, as soon as I returned home, I knew that we couldn't work if I stayed with the NCB, a celebrity and an undercover cop. I had these stupid ideas that we would work out if I had a regular job."
"I don't understand." Bo turned to face Lauren, "So, if you wanted that, then why did you break us up?"
"She then told me about your relationship with Tamsin and how it started almost immediately after I left." Lauren sniffled, "I knew we weren't exclusive, but that hurt."
"It was also not true." Bo hugged Lauren, "Tamsin and I were not together in France; I told you that at the station."
"I know, but that isn't the reason either." Lauren stroked Bo's cheek, "I would have fought for you."
The corners of Bo's lips rose, "So how did we end up the way we did?"
"Evony then threatened something that I couldn't allow to happen." Lauren looked up. "She said she would ruin your career, Bo."
Bo gasped and lifted her hand to her mouth.
"Evony said that if I didn't stay away from you, then not only would she not renew your contract, but she would make sure that nobody in Canada did. I knew how much you loved the show, and I wasn't going to let it fall apart because of me."
"She said what?" Bo stood and paced the room, "She threatened my contract?"
"I knew how important it was to you." Lauren jumped up and followed Bo around the small room, "You told me in the mountains that you feared losing it."
"You were important too." Bo hung her head low, "You should have spoken to me."
"I'm so sorry. I made a mistake." Lauren paced the small room, "I didn't know what to do."
"You should have spoken to me, Lauren." Bo inhaled, "I had feelings for you, and you broke my heart."
"I had feelings too, and I wanted to make you happy, "Lauren paused. "There's something else too."
"Really?" Bo turned, "There's more to this story."