You Lost Us In The Test novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: The Café

I didn't sleep much that night.

Benedict had security put a second camera over the green door by nine the next morning.

"She can take all the photos she likes from the street," he said. "She doesn't come in."

"She'll try."

"Let her try. Our receptionist used to work at Millwall."

Nothing happened for a week.

On Thursday I went to the café on the corner at seven-thirty, because the twins had sworn their almond croissants could cure anything, including me.

The café was packed with builders and mums with prams.

I was at the counter when someone behind me said, "Oh my God. Sissy."

Kenzie was standing in the doorway in her cream blazer.

A young guy with a camera on a shoulder rig was right behind her.

"Turn that off," I said.

"It's a public café, babe." She came and stood next to me at the counter. "God, London's so cute. Everything's so small."

The barista behind the counter looked between us.

She was maybe twenty-five, with a messy bun and a little diamond on her left hand.

When she reached for a cup, her apron pulled over a round, early bump.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked Kenzie.

"Just a water, hun. Thanks."

Kenzie turned so the camera had both of us.

"So how's the pregnancy?" she said. "Still going?"

The two mums by the window stopped talking.

"Still going," I said.

"You don't show at all. That's so lucky. Some girls really let themselves go." She smiled. "Mom says hi, by the way."

"Does she."

"She's so worried about you. All alone in a foreign country. No husband. No family. Working for some grumpy old man."

"He's thirty-four."

"Ew. You checked."

A builder at the next table snorted into his tea.

Kenzie didn't like that. Her smile went a little harder.

"You know you made me famous," she said. "Episode 41 is my biggest ever. Even with your little video. Especially with your little video. Everybody wants to see what happens next."

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