Chapter Chapter Eight

“I’m sorry Sasha, I can’t even begin to believe mum said all of that. You know I don’t agree, right?” Liv spoke at lightning speed down the phone to me. I had left her for most of the week, just texting her to tell her I was okay. I was on my two o'clock train to Manchester and I needed a distraction from my own nerves so I called her.

“Thanks Liv, I know it but it's nice to hear. I’m not really going to talk to mum anymore, just concentrate on our relationship."

“Definitely, I’m currently not speaking to her either. I’m just so angry she fucking said that! I told Drew and he completely lost it. She can’t mean it surely?” I chuckled at Liv's words.

“I think she does,” I whispered.

"She can't. I know she misses dad, we all do but I wouldn't dream of saying that to any of my kids. Dad did what any parent would do".

“Apart from mum obviously.” I said, my heart hurting.

“Sash, please don’t get upset. She will come around. Tell me about this man of yours please”. I giggled, getting comfortable on my seat.

“His name is Zeke."

“Oh I like that. Are you on your way to see him now?”

“Yeah and I’m shitting it. What if he doesn’t like me?” I asked, chewing my bottom lip. “Why would he not like you? He knows what you look like right?” Liv asked and I chuckled. “Yes he does, we video call". I felt my cheeks turn red at the thought of our late night video calls.

“Oh this is exciting Sash! Manchester isn’t even far. What is your plan? Will you move there or will he move to London?” I took a sip of my drink at the wrong time and nearly spat it across the train at her question. We hadn’t gotten that far at all and I hadn’t given it a thought.

“Jesus Liv I have no idea," I laughed and she joined me.

“Okay early days.”

“Yes, early days definitely. Let’s get seeing each other for the first time out of the way first”. I rolled my eyes at my over the top sister as per usual. “How are you feeling anyway?” I asked her. I heard her scoff down the phone.

“Used to this shit me. I’m fine!” We cackled together as I put my head back. “I need to shoot but text me when you get there and remember to breathe. You'll be fine”. I let out a breath and concentrated on my sister's words. “Thanks Liv".

"No worries, enjoy this. You deserve it. I mean that! Bye!” She sang down the phone before hanging up on me. I put my phone down, picking up my book. I had about an hour and fifteen minutes left and I needed to try and settle these nerves. The words on my page were muddled and I was jumping from sentence to sentence. I slammed the book down, this was no use.

“Hi, would you like a drink?” I looked up at the smiling hostess, the trolley in her hands. Hmmm alcohol could work.

“Can I have a vodka coke please?” I asked her, unsure if they even did alcohol.

“Of course. Four pound fifty please”. I nearly choked, was this Manchester drink price? Was dirt cheap. I handed her a five pound note as she passed over my drink and my change.

“Thanks" I smiled as she pushed her trolley away. I took a sip and felt the vodka tingle my throat. I really hoped this worked as my palms were a sweaty mess. My phone pinged and I brought it to life. It was Zeke.

Z: ‘One hour and then you're here! Unless you didn’t get on the train obviously!’

I laughed at his text while taking another swig of drink.

S: ‘I’m on the train. Trying to get drunk to calm my nerves’

Z: ‘Don’t do that! Ha! You have nothing to be nervous about. I’m leaving work in half an hour’

I had no idea how close Zeke worked or lived to the station. I didn’t know where he lived in Manchester and I felt a sudden pang of panic, maybe I should have asked that? No, I trusted him, it was fine. I looked out the window at the green fields, occasionally seeing sheep and cows. I picked my phone back up and texted him.

S: ‘Do we have plans this weekend?’

I rattled my nails on the table in front of me, grinning when he texted back.

Z: ‘Yes, so many plans. Tonight I’m going to be inside you for the whole night and maybe some food tomorrow'

I blushed at his bluntness even though I should be used to it by now. I hadn’t had sex in forever, like two years at least and I was starting to worry about my own performance. What if I was rubbish? Zeke was a beautiful man and even though he had been in prison a while I knew he could get women. There was no way I believed he hadn’t had sex since he had been released. I closed my eyes to try and get rid of some time. I slept awful last night and I was starting to feel the effects. I downed the rest of my drink without opening my eyes hoping I could get a quick snooze.