chapter fourteen

It seemed like a lifetime has passed by the time she answered the phone.

"Hello?"

I took a deep breath and thought carefully, "Hi Duffy it's Lauren."

"Oh. I wasn't expecting a phone call from you."

"I know, it's been a while. I'm sorry." I paused, "I was wondering—could I stay with you for a couple of days?"

"Sure, it'll be nice to see you again. Is everything okay?"

I was silent for a second or two, "Not really but can I explain when I see you?"

"Sure. I'll see you later, yeah?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Oh and Duffy?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I said bye and hung up the phone. Putting it back in my pocket, I left the woods and I knew I looked a mess. I didn't want to go home, get changed and wash away all the evidence like I had done the other day. I was still in two minds whether to report him for raping me or not.

I got the train station and asked for a ticket to Colchester. The train would take three hours and forty-five minutes to get there, changing twice in London. I'd roughly get there for twenty-two minutes past seven.

I took my ticket and walked towards the platform. The train would be arriving at platform seven in ten minutes so I knew I had plenty of time to pop to the cafe and get myself a hot chocolate.

I ordered a hot chocolate and stood aside as the woman behind the counter served another customer. I looked at my platform making sure the train hadn't arrived as I'd been in the cafe and was grateful when it hadn't.

The woman from behind the counter handed me my hot chocolate in a plastic cup and as I turned to leave, I heard the gentleman over the tannoy that my train would now be arriving at platform six.

It was a good job I was on platform six with my hot chocolate otherwise there would have been no way I would have got to the other platform in time. I got on the train and found a seat by the window.

This is going to be a long journey, I thought as I stared out of the window.

I arrived at Colchester at half past seven and it was dark and cold. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms attempting to get warm and I left the train station, slowly walking towards the taxi rank nearby.

I stood in the queue and was glad that it didn't take too long to get a cab. As I got in, I bit my lower lip as I saw the taxi driver was a man.

"Where to love?" He asked with a rough accent.

"Nineteen Grange Road please." I replied.

"Alright." He turned on the price box and left the taxi rank. I looked out of the window watching everything pass by and tried to ignore the feeling of sickness in my stomach.

Not only were my palms sweaty and my heart was racing but I actually thought the taxi driver would hurt me. I knew he wouldn't. He wasn't a sick bastard like him.

Thankfully, the journey didn't take ages and in under fifteen minutes I had arrived. The total fare was five pounds eighty pence, but I gave him a ten pound note and told him to keep the change.

Putting my hand on the door handle, I opened the door and stepped out of the cab. Staring up at the house, I waved the taxi driver off, took a deep breath and slowly made my way towards the house.

As I stood at the front door, I knocked on and hoped she was home.

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