I uploaded chapter three close to chapter two so you might want to go back and read that as quite a lot happens in that chapter. This is a continuation of that chapter so before you read it, read the previous chapter. Thank you and enjoy the next chapter :)
"I'll drop her off!"
Jon stopped as Sansa rushed to get her shoes and coat on, grabbing his keys from his hand.
"But I was going to work straight after."
Her face fell as she realised that someone needed to be with Bran. Placing the keys back into his hand she took her coat off but not her shoes.
"Where do you have to be in such a rush?"
"I wanted to get some revision notes from a friend of mine. We have a couple of tests coming up," Sansa explained. "I'll take the bus as soon as I get someone to look after Bran."
Once Jon and Arya left, she took the time to tidy up after breakfast and give Bran a bath before calling up Osha, an agency nurse who Jon had the pleasure of meeting at work.
When Osha arrived, Sansa gave her a list of Bran's needs before thanking her profusely and promising to pay her for her troubles when she could.
She slipped her coat back on and left, remembering to take her bus pass.
"You took your time."
Sansa smiled apologetically at Ygritte before following the Irishwoman into the club. It was different when in the daytime. Looked less welcoming without all the neon lights and thumping music.
Sandor nodded at them as they passed him, making their way upstairs to the private rooms.
"Did you tell Jonny about you doing this?"
"If I did, he'd kill me. You know this," Sansa replied, swallowing the tingling feeling of fear. "It's best that he doesn't know. He doesn't even shop for clothes online - I can get away with this."
Ygritte chuckled as they entered the main room where models ran about, getting their hair and makeup done. Some were in the process of getting dressed in the changing rooms.
"Alayne, Ygritte!" Robert called out, waving them over. "You're late! We've already shot the advert, we need the online photos. You'll be one of the models posing for the trousers, Alayne. You're tall and those legs will really bring out the products."
Sansa faltered. "How-How many trousers will I be wearing?"
"Ten, give or take."
"Yes, Alayne. That means that you will be doing ten photos. That's a thousand pounds in your pocket."
Sansa planted a smile on her face as she stood up straighter. She could do this. A grand could easily pay for Arya's dinner money and the weekly food shop for a month or two. She could even get Arya to restart her fencing lessons as a birthday gift.
As Robert and Ygritte went off to speak privately, Sansa heard her alter ego being called out by one of the stylists.
She was soon dressed in her first outfit with her hair straightened even more than it naturally was and her makeup done naturally.
To say she looked amazing would be saying the least. She looked stunning and it gave her goosebumps. She hadn't remembered ever making herself look as pretty as this in ages.
She still had her expensive makeup, not really being able to part with them from her teenage years but lately, with Bran throwing up and rushing to use the only bathroom in the flat every morning, she couldn't be bothered to spend time looking beautiful. So, she normally settled for some aloe vera Vaseline and a little bit of concealer for under her eyes.
Maybe they wouldn't even notice that she tried to mask the fact that she hadn't showered since yesterday evening with some Victoria's Secret body mist.
"Alayne Stone, you're up."
The stylist waved Sansa away, making the redhead stand up and head towards the white backdrop.
"Look away from the camera. Act as if you are pondering on something, look in the direction of the window behind me. Do not open your mouth and please, do not look constipated."
What the photographer said confused her. She didn't know how to look as if she was 'pondering'. What did it even mean?
"Young people these days and their inability to use a dictionary. Pondering - to think about something carefully. You go to university, right? When you're confused about what your lecturer has just said, you would do this face. Now, show me before I take the shots."
Sansa froze, unsure of what to do. She was pretty sure that the guy had just indirectly insulted her but she quickly recovered, furrowing her eyebrows a little and facing the window behind him with her lips pursed slightly to make them look full.
"Woah," she heard.
The clicking of the camera soon came after as it felt as if the whole world was silent for this moment. This moment when Alayne Stone nailed her first photo shoot.
"Okay, get the next trousers on. You're a natural, girl." The photographer nodded approvingly at the photos, giving Robert a look as well.
Sansa quickly headed back to the stylist who got her next trousers ready for her to change into. Once she was done, she returned back to the white backdrop after alternating with other models.
After she had done the remaining eight photo shots, she got changed back into her normal clothes and joined Ygritte on the sofa.
The Irishwoman took her time to sip her Scotch before smiling widely at the young model. "Natural, you were. Your da would have been proud, girl. Don't you have university today?"
"Oh, shit. Yeah, I do. Soon, actually."
Ygritte checked her watch before looking back up at Sansa. "It's just past eleven. What time do you have to be there by?"
"Twelve."
"Okay," the Irishwoman said. "I'll drop you off after I've bought you lunch. How does sushi sound?"
Honestly, Sansa despised sushi but she was too scared to say so. Maybe there would be salad there.
"Sushi sounds great!" Sansa grinned. It was fake but she hoped she could pull it off. "Hey, when do I get paid exactly?"
"The money will be in your account later on today. Will that be suitable for you? Or do you want cash? I'm sure that Robert-"
"No, the bank account is fine. Jon would be too suspicious if I had a thousand quid on me-"
She was cut off by the sound of her phone ringing. She checked the caller ID and her heart stopped.
"Who is it?"
"Jon. Excuse me," she stood up and went outside before answering the call. "Hey, what's up? I'm currently in a study session right now and-"
"Arya's missing."
Her heart dropped as she felt her legs becoming weak. She used the wall for support as she managed to stumble down onto a conveniently placed seat.
"But you dropped her off. You always wait to see if she's actually gone in!"
"Not this time... I-I had to get to work because we had a casualty... Her school literally called before to say she never stepped inside. The CCTV shows her turning back and leaving."
Sansa allowed a few tears to fall as she dug her fingernails into her palm. What the hell are you doing, Arya? Those words kept swirling in her mind as Jon continued to explain everything. She could barely hear him though, the worry, fear and anger overtaking her mind.
"Where are you now?" She finally managed to ask him.
"I'm on my way home. I've called the police, a few of her friends. I'm actually pulling up to Elliot's café right now."
Sansa hesitated before saying what she had on her mind next. "She has a boyfriend. I know this because I once checked her phone when she was in the toilet. I didn't mean to but without Mum and Dad here, who's going to try and get into her mind to know what she's thinking?"
"Do you know his name? Where he lives?"
"No. His contact name is just 'G'. Ask Elliot about it or his mum. Arya always goes to their café, maybe this 'G' guy does too to meet her."
Jon sighed. "Maybe this is all a big misunderstanding... I hope to God that we're wrong about her running away. Maybe she's just decided to ditch school and she's home. Safe and sound with Bran, playing Monopoly or something."
"Jon?"
"Yeah, Sansa?"
"Do you think Arya's suicidal?"
He sighed heavily. She could envision him pinching the bridge of his nose as he stands flustered in front of the café.
"No. She's just unhappy. She's still grieving, just like the rest of us. If you can, leave university and look for her. I'll make sure I inform your uni about what has happened. Love you."
"I love you, too. Keep me updated at all times, Jon. I'll have my phone on loud."
They both hung up and Sansa returned to Ygritte who had long finished her glass of Scotch.
"What did Jonny boy want, love?"
"Our sister's gone missing. I have to go. Thanks for everything today."
Ygritte watched as Sansa collected her things and left. She was about to head to another model to offer her support but something stopped her.
Jon doesn't deserve this...
She got up and grabbed her jacket and handbag before leaving. She even ignored her Clegane Number 2's farewells.
"Tell Robert that I won't be back today. That's all."
She got into her car and thanked God when Sansa's bus hadn't arrived.
"Get in! Before you get me a ticket!"
Sansa hurried in and Ygritte drove off, her red lips pursed as she looked around for any speed cameras.
"Where do you think we should look first?"
Sansa frowned. "You want to help?"
"Once upon a time, I loved your brother. I was quite spiteful after he broke things off. We weren't as casual as we both said. There was something but we were too scared to pursue it. Especially after your family's tragedy. I owe it to him. To show him that a part of me forgives him and still cares."
Sansa smiled softly despite her situation. "We would have loved to get to know you better. Who would have thought? The scary Irishwoman was smitten."
"Don't go tellin' anybody that, love. You don't want to know what I do to people who do me wrong."
Sansa smiled but it was shortlived as she turned to face the passing scenery.
"Let's try home first. Then we'll go from there..." She told Ygritte.