Chapter 100
"Noelle-" I begin as I enter the room, but I'm cut off.
"Go away!"
"Noelle-"
"I said go away!"
"'Elle…" I say, hoping that the old nickname will bring her round. It doesn't.
"Go away!"
"Please, 'Elle-"
"No!" I duck to avoid the cushion that's thrown at my head.
"Look, I just want to talk. Please?"
"I don't want to talk to you!"
"Well, I want to talk to you." I say firmly, walking over to her.
"Oh, shove off." She mutters, sniffing. She's sitting on the floor with her knees pulled up to her chest and her face hidden. She looks so lost…so little.
"'Elle, please talk to me." I say, speaking softly now.
"No." So says with a muffled sob.
"Noelle, please."
"I don't want to talk to you!"
"Look, I'm sorry, ok?" She looks up and glares at me.
"Sorry? You're sorry?" I shrink away from her harsh tone. "You disappear, no word to anyone. Then, when we find you, you look as though you're dead. And you're sorry?" She spits out the last word.
"What do you want me to say?"
"I don't want you to say anything, I want you to go away!" She stands up and pushes me in the chest, knocking me off balance. I fall onto my back and she gasps. I realise why and panic.
"I can explain! I can explain!" I yelp, alarmed. She looks at me and sighs again. She speaks softly.
"Oh, Vince. What have you done?"