Chapter 26 – The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth

Sunday, March 11th, 2018 – 03.10 am

Lauren's Flat, Croydon

Lauren told Bo the whole story, every word spoken in the flat and how Evony had followed her to the station and was in the adjacent room for the entire conversation. And that the deal with Massimo was only made after Lauren had agreed to stay away in return for Bo's contract to be renewed.

"So, what you said in that room, you intended to break me, us, so that I could get my contract renewed?"

"Yes." Lauren looked down, unable to stand the way Bo was staring at her. "Evony lied and told me that the contract procedures could take months, and at any time, she could pull the plug on it."

"It did take three months," Bo rubbed her temples, "It was a long-drawn-out process. They wanted so much from me to get it, and at the time, I was hurt, so I did all that they asked."

"Really?" Lauren asked. " I thought you signed a deal the day we broke up, in Evonys office."

"No, the producers were being awkward, they wanted Tamsin and me promoting our brand 'Aston', and I had to wear designers' clothes that I hated. It was a horrible time, but then a year later, I am known worldwide and winning every fucking award." Bo huffed, "So I guess they knew best."

"That makes no sense," Lauren remembered Jack saying the contract was signed. Was it a lie, a lie to get her compliant and working for him? Making sure she had no reason to follow Bo. "Have you seen a copy?"

"Yes, course I've seen a copy," Bo replied.

"From the producers of the show?" Lauren asked.

"No, only the one Evony gave me," Bo replied; these questions were making her think.

"You put far too much trust in her." Lauren shrugged, "If I was you, I would get a copy from the show."

"I will ask them on Monday." Bo assessed. Lauren was right with that; she had far too much trust in Evony. "So if you thought the reason for us being apart was my contract, and you learn it has been signed, then why did you not try and speak to me?"

"Good question. Truth is, I was following you. My brother and friends clubbed together for a ticket to Toronto." Lauren gave a half-smile and noticed that Bo's face had softened. "I was all packed and ready to win you back from Tamsin when I saw a photo of you on top of Evony, on top of her desk, semi-naked. I never knew you were intimate with her also." The idea of Evony and Bo together upset Lauren more than she would admit. She loved Bo, always had and always will, and anyone touching her made her heart rush and stop simultaneously.

Bo placed her hands on her hips, "How on earth did you find out about that?"

"I erm, well—" Lauren was back in the room and feeling like a spotlight was on her. This was meant to be about making Bo understand her choices that day, making sure Bo knew she wasn't at any fault and not about her and her own jealous feelings.

"Lauren, if you have even a glimmer of hope of us even being friends, don't dare lie to me."

Lauren saw a stronger Bo in front of her and respected her more for it. "I was approached by a former colleague, and he told me basically that I had fucked it up and was too late."

"How on earth did he take that? Her office is in her suite, the same floor as me, on the twenty-first floor." Bo paced the room, aggravated that someone had been spying on her again. They must have used a long-lens camera and been in an adjacent building, or worse, hidden cameras. "And if you remember that day, I was hurt, I felt alone, and yes, Evony and I had history."

"Ohh, so that is true, you and Evony-" Lauren sat with a thud on the bedroom floor. "I, erm-"

"Yes, history." Bo interrupted, "We were lovers on and off for three years, but we broke up a few months before I even met you. That day she asked if I wanted to go down an old path; we unbuttoned our shirts and got on that table. But what your colleague missed was me stepping back and redressing."

"You didn't have sex with her?"

"No, not that is any of your business Lauren. Who I sleep with after you is not your concern. Now my question. Why would your colleague show you that?" Bo was finally getting to understand moments in her life. Moments when things fell apart, it felt good piecing them back together. But she wasn't going to allow Lauren off the hook easy. She had lied to her and spied on her on numerous occasions.

"Good question." Lauren drew her hand through her hair, so much didn't make sense. Why was the world against them? "He wanted to recruit me to join his team, and I guess with us split up, I was more likely to say yes."

"You speak of us being split up, but be honest. Looking back on it, were we even a couple? It lasted a day, and we both harboured secrets." Bo sat again beside Lauren. "I had feelings, yes, but it may be that I romanticised it? You were the first person that I felt saw me, the real me, and maybe, just maybe, I held on a bit too close to you and what we could be and not what we actually were."

"That is not how I remember it." Lauren held a gaze firmly to the carpet, "I wasn't looking to meet anyone. I have been comfortably alone for a long time, and I had a job to do. But you took my breath away the minute I saw you. I tried to hide it, stay professional, but you're truly captivating."

"Really?" Bo murmured.

"Yes, Bubba." Lauren looked up and into Bo's eyes.

Bo met her gaze. It was as if those words healed her heart, and it pulled to Lauren again. Bo had to remain strong. The last time she ran towards Lauren with an open heart, she broke it. This time she would be more careful. There was still so much she didn't know. The drugs were also in her system, and Bo needed to think clearly.

"I wish I could have told you up on that mountain what I was really doing there." Lauren held Bo's hands. "But I was scared your loyalty would have been with Evony and Massimo, and then it would have ended, and I would have lost you anyway."

"You don't know that," Bo whispered.

"I was going to tell you that final day." They continued to sit side by side, albeit now a bit closer. "Then Kenzi turned up, screaming about Siobhan. Then Massimo, shouting about Karen and waving my fake passport."

"Your face that day, you didn't say anything."

"Neither did you." Lauren rubbed her temples.

"I wish you had said something sooner." Bo bowed her head.

Tilting Bo's face up using the tip of her finger, Lauren spoke, "So do I."

Bo brushed Laurens' cheek with her thumb, "You should have told me. Let me choose. At least we wouldn't have been manipulated into thinking the worse of the other."

"Manipulated?"

"Your colleague with you. Evony with me." Bo reasoned, "And what did Tamsin say to you?"

"Apart from the bathroom, I haven't seen her since—" Lauren stopped.

"Since the Baftas?" Bo asked. "I heard what you said to Tam and wondered when you two spoke. She saw you at the Baftas, didn't she? You don't need to answer Lauren. It's written all over your face. That explains why Tam was so eager to kiss me. Did everyone plot against us?"

"It seems that way." Lauren smiled, "But we also did a pretty good job at making a pigs ear out of it."

Bo laughed, "your way with words always amuses me. Thank you for telling me what happened. There is so much more I want to know, but not now. Can we continue this talk in the morning?" Bo knew that the drug still coursing would keep her awake the rest of the night, but she needed to process what had been said. Make some kind of sense of it.

Lauren stood and walked to the door, "Of course, and if you need anything, I will be just outside."

"Lauren, don't go." Bo stepped forward, placing her hand in Laurens. "Can you stay with me, just to sleep? I don't want to be alone."

Lauren had to bite her bottom lip to stop herself from smiling, "Okay. Sure, I'll shower, change and be right back."

"Lauren, I don't trust you yet. But I want to. I just need some time." Bo slid under the duvet covers and patted the side of the bed beside her, "Hurry up, I'm cold."

Sunday, March 11th, 2018 – 08.55 am

Laurens' Flat, Croydon

Bo woke and reached for her phone, seeing her clock reading nearly nine am. Despite the cocaine, Bo had slept for a few hours, and felt more rested than she had in a long while. Gently she turned so as not to wake Lauren. Looking down at her, she couldn't help but smile. She couldn't deny it any longer, she was still in love with her, and she knew it would always be her. All that was there was there still. As if Lauren could feel her stare, she opened her eyes, making Bo slightly jump back.

"Are you watching me?" Lauren asked voice husky, which Bo found adorable.

"Not nice, hey?" Bo smiled. She couldn't help but tease her.

"I deserved that."

"No, you didn't. I was joking." Bo brushed a stray hair from Lauren's face, "I was thinking, Evony is behind most of this mess. She had her eye on you since France, and your rejection of her must-have pissed her off more than we knew."

"Speaking of her, did you show her the note I wrote to you?" Lauren asked, "It's just she knew that I worked for NCB and my home address."

"No," Bo frowned, "I didn't know how to find you. I walked into every café until I found someone who thought they knew you. And they were right."

"I don't get it?" Lauren sat up higher in the bed and rested against her arm.

"I remembered you said you drank your tea near Millbank. I asked around about you, keeping it vague if you were not who you said you were. The last café I visited, the owner said to check in the New Scotland Yard Training Centre. My heart raced, and it wasn't until I saw my pink cardigan that I knew I was in the right place."

"But you got my note?"

"I did," Bo leaned over to her bag and pulled out her purse and the note, "Here."

Lauren looked down at the small torn paper and quickly opened it. "Fuck, this is just the end. Where's the rest of it?"

They both looked at each other and said in unison, "Evony."

Lauren lay back on her bed, trying to process it all. "That makes sense."

Bo placed her arm over Laurens' chest and leaned onto her, making them only inches from each other's faces, "What did it say?"

"It told you everything. That I worked for the NCB, why I was France, everything." Lauren replied. "I also gave you my home address, phone number, and…."

Lauren paused.

"What?" Bo asked. "Your email?"

"No," Lauren laughed. "That explains why we didn't attend the BAFTA's together like we talked about."

"Talked about? Do you mean what we said on that Mountain? That I would pick you up in a ridiculously long limo, and you would wear a coral dress." Bo lifted her leg, resting it on Lauren's stomach, Lauren instinctively holding it in place.

"Exactly that."

"Lauren, I'm sorry, I didn't know how to contact you."

"Don't apologise. Evony must have got to it before you. I was stupid to leave it in plain sight." Lauren stroked Bo's leg, "No wonder you hated me. You thought I left you with just two words."

Both Lauren and Bo lay silent for a moment, just digesting what had been said last night and just now. Doing nothing in each other's company felt so natural for them both.

"I don't get something." Bo shot up and sat on her knees. "Why didn't you try and contact me?"

"I couldn't," Lauren replied.

"Why?" Bo probed. She wanted no more secrets between them.

"Truth?" Lauren asked.

"Please, finally," Bo replied, laughing and gently slapping Lauren's leg.

"After Morzine, I was flown back to London and de-briefed. I expected a few hours, but I was kept under lock and key for a few days. Then they transferred me to a secure room, under the training centre, where I was kept for a further nine weeks in solitude. Each day they asked me the same questions. They wanted to know every second that I was in Morzine, including-."

"Ahh," Bo interrupted, realised what Lauren was trying to tell her. "They wanted details about us. So that's why you wrote that monster report?"

"No," Lauren watched as Bo's face formed a frown. "If I had, then maybe I would have been let out earlier. The truth is, I didn't say a word. I lied to you that day. The folder I showed you was full of blank paper and recently printed pictures never shared. I was only released the night of the Bafta's."

"ohh," Bo didn't know how to reply to Laurens revelations, so simply continued to stroke her leg.

"Do you believe me?" Lauren looked up, afraid to see any doubt in Bo's eyes.

Bo looked at Lauren and felt her tense, immediately wanting her to feel trusted. "Yes, yes I do."

Lauren leaned in, unsure of Bo's reaction if she kissed her. Lauren stopped breathing, her heart beating so fast, she was convinced that Bo could hear it. All her fears dissolved when Bo smiled, leaned in, and closed her eyes. They were only centimetres from each other's lips.

"Isn't this nice seeing you acting like normal people." Vex was standing at the doorway. "I 'eard talking so made you both a cuppa. And I know money is tight, Laur, but can we put on the 'eating, please. My dick is so small I couldn't even hold it to piss."

Lauren screamed internally, she was moments away from kissing Bo, and her buffoon of a brother ruined it. "Leave the cups on the table, put the heating on if you must, but leave."

"I made you a black coffee, Bo," Vex added while doing what Lauren asked, backing away slowly as Lauren gave him the death stare. Only then did he realise his poor timing. "Sorry, it's instant, but Kenco, not that savers shite."

Bo smiled at their exchange; she also knew what Lauren would be thinking. They were only milliseconds away from sealing their relationship status back on with a kiss before Vex had interrupted them. Bo was secretly pleased, as she was feeling all kinds of nervous now that she might be actually back together with her love.

"Thank you. I'm sure it's fine. And Vex, I never asked before. Did Kenzi and Tamsin get out okay?" Bo asked, avoiding eye contact with Lauren. She felt how her body tensed beside her on hearing Tamsin's name.

"Both back at the 'otel, princess," Vex answered, also noticing Laurens' tight jaw. "The blonde was pissed that I scuffed up her daisies and 'ad a right ole barney. But was delivered 'er safe 'nd sound."

"Vex," Lauren threw a cushion at him. "Speak English. Bo doesn't get your cockney."

"Really?" Vex replied, "you know what I'm saying, don't ya, dear?"

"No," Bo laughed, "But I guessed that meant that they were back at the hotel."

Vex grunted, "Yes, both back at the hotel as promised."

Lauren stood and collected the hot drinks, purposely kicking Vex's ankles as she passed him.

"So, you two had a nice chat then?" Vex asked, rubbing his now sore foot. "I can't believe she spoke about me. I'm honoured, sis. So, what charms did she speak of about me?"

"Only that she would beat you at four in a row," Bo laughed, "Sorry, I forgot you call it connect four."

"Bollocks," Vex grabbed the tea towel that was laid across his shoulder and whipped Lauren across the bum, "You spread lies about me. I'm the C4 champion."

Lauren yelped and placed the drinks on the bedside table. "Piss off Vex." grabbing the towel from him and punching his arm.

Bo watched their interactions and laughed along, leaning over to grab her coffee. She really had missed Lauren.

"Now, what about breakfast?" Vex asked. "Got some lovely stories I can tell ya, Bo if ya still wanna get to know all about my sister?"

Lauren quickly answered. "No, Bo and I are going out."

Bo raised her eyebrows but said nothing, only hiding her smile behind her coffee mug.

Vex smiled and stepped back, "Bye then, see you later."

Lauren climbed back on the bed, crossed her legs under her and held her tea in both hands.

"I hated that smell." Bo placed her hand on Laurens' leg, "Reminded me too much of you."

"Kenzi said you banned it?" Lauren smiled into her cup, "A bit excessive?"

"Maybe," Bo returned the laugh. "So, you're taking me for breakfast, hey?"

"Yeah, thought we could talk more, hang out today?" Lauren blushed, "Unless you're busy?"

"No, today is my day off. I have a hiatus from my play rehearsals." Bo smiled and drank more of her coffee. "Is this finally our first date Agent Lewis?"

"Would you like it to be?" Lauren replied. "I mean, I would like it to, but whatever you want."

"No promises, Lauren," Bo replied. "But I would like to get to know you more and see what happens."