“We’re leaving,” she announced, half to the group and half to me. I looked up and saw Orla nod and sniffle, wiping at her cheeks before she squeezed Molly’s hand, unwavering at her side. The two of us rushed out of the house with as little fanfare as we could manage, into the cool night. I reached up to touch my face but Connie swatted my hand away instantly.
“Is Claire home?”
I shook my head, wincing. “At work.”
“We’ll go back to mine, then.”
“No, I can—”
“There’s no one there,” she said, throwing me a look. “I’m not leaving you on your own.”
“No, no—”
“I’m going to wrap up your wrist and we can ice your eye. You didn’t hit your head directly so you shouldn’t have a concussion, but if I’m wrong, we’ll get a taxi to the hospital.”
Connie led me into the living room and I plonked do
