Page 2 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
“Shit, their head is under the covers. I can’t see who it is,” I say in the quietest voice I’ve ever used.
Here goes.
I grab the bottom of the duvet and pull with all the strength I can muster, but it hardly moves. Whoever is under it has a bloody grip on it. Now I’m getting pissed, and I want to know who the fuck is there. I give it one more very aggressive tug and I fall back, slamming into the wardrobe.
“You absolute bitch!” I scream at Kara, who is literally crying with laughter in my bed. She is holding her stomach and hyperventilating like nothing I’ve ever seen.
“Oh, you should see your face; it’s a fucking picture.”
“What the fuck are you doing here? Why are you here? And why didn’t you tell me it was you? I seriously can’t believe this you… you fuckwit! I’m gonna kill you!”
I launch at Kara with the coat hanger still in my hand, but she just rolls over and laughs even louder. I collapse on the bed, breathing out of my arse from relief.
“You should have seen your face, oh my God. Why did you think you had a man in your bed? You have been celibate for over two years, and you don’t even talk to men after ‘He-Who-Shan’t-Be-Named’.” She laughs.
“Kara, why are you here?” I try to calm my voice, and now that I know I’m safe, I want answers, and then I can get today back on track.
“I locked myself out last night. I knocked, but you didn’t hear me, and the door was locked so I used your spare key from under the plant pot. You really need to find a better hiding place or get one of those lockboxes if you insist on having an outside key.”
“Maybe you should get one and keep a fucking spare at your own house. I need to take a shower and get ready. Can you at least make some coffee and open the windows? It stinks like a brewery in here.” I storm off into the bathroom, slamming the door and turning the shower on full. I grab the most glamourous shower cap known to man. My hair would have to wait to be washed till tonight; I just don’t have time to dry it.
Dried and dressed after my very late shower, I look in the mirror. Do I go with a full face of makeup or the natural look? The natural look will have to do. I don’t have time to even make sure I get my eyebrows even. I know they are supposed to be sisters not twins, but getting them remotely right would be a challenge. Brushing back my boring brown hair into the most professional style I can manage with only five minutes left, I pin it into position and leave the bedroom.
I need breakfast before I leave. Entering the kitchen, Kara sits at the island chewing some toast and swigging coffee. I can also smell burnt toast.
Oh, what the fuck has she done now?
I look around and ask, “Where’s mine?”
“Did you want some? Sorry, I thought you were in a rush, so I didn’t make any for you. Plus, your toaster is shagged and burnt the first two slices.”
Fucking typical. I only had four slices of bread left, and they were for this morning. Remember what I said right at the beginning? Yes, today is going to be a shit show. I shouldn’t even bother wasting the money on a train ticket as I am not getting this job with the way today is going, and it’s only—
“Shit, it’s 8:06. I’ve gotta run, Kara. Can you lock up and put the key back where you found it, please? I’ll ring you after the interview and let you know how it went. If I get this job, it will make life so,somuch easier.”
I hear a faint, “for who?” as I walk out the door. I ignore the comment and run for the bus. If I miss this, I might as well just go back home.
Kara is my best friend, and she has been for as long as I can remember. All through school, we were a complete nightmare. Teachers loved us but only when we were separated. When we were together, it was chaos. Things haven’t changed much since we left school, not even ten years later. That’s why we don’t work together. We work in the same industry but at completely different firms. It would not be safe for us or the other employees to be together in a work environment. This morning’s shenanigans are a typical example.
The bus is rather civilised this morning and not packed with school kids. I forgot it was half-term break, so I get to have a full two-seater to myself. The bus is quicker than normal too; it must be down to the lack of school traffic on the roads.
I arrive at the train station half an hour early for my train into London. I didn’t get my coffee at home, and I’m starting to shake a little, so this is the perfect opportunity to go grab my normal, standard, everyday latte from whichever coffee shop has the smallest queue.
I start thinking about all the other coffees that are advertised on those boards. I’ve never even had the time to read them properly, never mind understanding what the hell they are. Maybe one day when I’m not my ass to get ahead and get the job I’m qualified for. I must have because the next thing I hear is a very deep voice.
“Wakey, wakey. You okay?”
I literally jump and fling my head up so fast that I think I’ve just given myself whiplash.
“What the fuck? You made me jump! Was there really any need for that?”
“Woah, woah, lovely lady. I was just concerned because you were about to walk face-first into that.” He points to a very large sign that has been strategically placed to catch people out, I’m sure.
“Oh, sorry. I was miles away. I know this route off by heart, and that monstrosity has never been there before. I’m so sorry for my outburst. Thanks anyway, but I’ve got a busy day.”
I honestly don’t know why I jabbered on so much, but I now feel extremely hot and bothered. I flap the collar of my coat around my neck and walk away.
Fuck, I need that coffee now, and has it really been two years since I last had sex?I really need my fix, and where the fuck did that thought come from?
