Conflicted Innocence by Netta Newbound

did myself?”
    “Only when you’re ready. At least, if we box everything up, you can go through it with Lydia at your leisure and keep whatever you want.”
    “Okay, if you don’t mind. I’ve got too much on at the moment to even think about it.”
    “That’s why we want to help. Is there any room in the loft?”
    “Yes. It’s empty. But maybe you should just box it but leave it in his room for now.”
    “Whatever you feel is right.”
    “Thanks, Jimmy. I owe you one.”
    James ended the call. “Did you get the gist of that?”
    “Yeah, I heard every word. So we need to box all the baby stuff up, dismantle the cot and changing station.”
    “Yes. He wants it left in the room, though, but that’s better than nothing.”
    “Of course it is. When should we start it?”
    “Do you think Grace’s baby monitor would pick up that far?” he asked.
    “I’m sure it would—it’s only in the next room more or less.”
    “Then maybe once she’s gone to bed?”
    “Good idea. Okay, what do you fancy for dinner?”
    *
    Once Grace was sleeping soundly, James and I took a pile of empty boxes left over from my move and a roll of black plastic bags into Lee’s house.

 
    Chapter 7
    “Who was that?” Susie asked, when Lee hung up the phone.
    “My neighbour.”
    “Next door, here? What did he want?”
    “No. At my other house. He’s doing a job for me.”
    “What job?”
    “You’re a bit nosy, aren’t you?” he chuckled.
    Susie shrugged, as though a little offended. “You’ve been asking me all sorts of questions since last night.”
    “True. Okay, then, I’ll tell you if you promise to tell me your secrets.”
    “Deal.”
    “Okay. My wife is coming home after being away for a long time, and my friend is checking the house is spic and span.”
    “Is that why you’re here? Because she’s coming home and you have to get out of your house?”
    “No. I wanted to get this place finished before she comes home. I didn’t really want her to go back to our old house.”
    “Why not?” Susie balanced the paintbrush on the paint tin, suddenly all ears.
    “Something bad happened there once. And no, before you ask, I don’t want to talk about it.”
    She picked the brush back up.
    “So, your turn. What were you doing around here?”
    “I went to a party with a friend of mine, but she took off with some bloke and left me there alone.”
    “When?”
    She shrugged. “A few nights ago.”
    “So what did you do?”
    “Slept on a park bench the first night—I begged for a bit of money outside the shopping centre. Thought if I could get some bus fare, then I would try to get back over to my friend’s place. When it started raining, I knew I’d have no chance. Most people don’t even venture out in the rain, and the ones who do are running, not hanging about waiting for someone to bum a few quid off them.”
    “So I’m your knight in shining armour?”
    “I wouldn’t go that far, but I am very grateful, and that’s the truth.”
    Lee laughed. He was beginning to really like this girl.
    “I’m going to get washed up and then I’ll grab us some Chinese for dinner. What do you fancy?”
    “Beef in black bean sauce is my favourite.”
    “Do you want chips?”
    “A few. Can I share yours?”
    He pulled his wallet out of his jeans pocket and handed her a twenty. “Here, that’s for your help today. I’m going for a bath and hope you’ll still be here when I come back, but if not, thanks. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you.”
    “Really? Are you sure? I didn’t do it for money.”
    “I know you didn’t, but I appreciate the help. I truly do.”
    Lee rubbed her shoulder and went up the narrow staircase to wash the grime of the day away.
    When he got back downstairs, she had gone. Her freshly laundered clothes had been replaced by the ones he’d loaned her, folded in a neat pile on the kitchen benchtop.
    He sighed deeply, knowing he should be relieved, but he’d enjoyed her company a lot more