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Adele can’t be missing. She can’t.
But Gabby tells him that her mum is gone, and Sean remembers the bruise on Adele’s face, and everything starts to piece itself together in his mind. He doesn’t want it to be true. But it might be.
He tries to phone Ruth, but she doesn’t pick up. Trembling, he texts her instead, almost begging Ruth to come to his place. He can’t do this alone.
He lets Gabby inside his flat, aware of the growing pressure in his head. What should he do? Should he speak to Gabby? To be honest, he just wants to hide in the airing cupboard and cry.
But he can’t. Gabby needs him.
Turning his back to Gabby, he slides his sleeve up. Sean presses his fingertips against his forearm, letting his nails dig into his flesh. He presses harder, pain blossoming across his skin. Sean grits his teeth, welcoming the pain. He doesn’t understand why, but pain has always helped Sean hold himself together. Skin breaks with a pop, blood smearing his nails, but Sean doesn’t care. He can breathe again.
And as his arm throbs, he turns to Gabby and asks, “W-Would you… like a drink?”