FINDING HOPE

chapter 2

14 Months earlier.

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(Kate's P.O.V.)

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It's was the day before my eighteenth birthday, I was so excited. I had just finished work, at Saks Fifth Avenue, Luxury Department Store. I'd been working for them for about two year now and I loved every minute of it.

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I hailed a cab. I didn't have time to walk tonight, although the shopping mall wasn't far from home, I needed to get back quickly so I could get ready. James my boyfriend was picking me up at seven and he didn't like waiting.

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I got in the cab and asked him to take me to five Cherry Hill Drive.

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I lived with my parents in a lovely part of, Palm Springs California. They had a lovely Spanish Colonial Revival house with a large swimming pool out back and best of all it was only, a two hour drive to the beach.

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We arrived at my home and I paid the cab driver. I ran to the front door and opened it. I went inside.

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"Hi, Mom and Dad, I'm going in the shower, James is picking me up at 6.30pm." I shouted, and then raced upstairs to my room.

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"Ok, love." Mom shouted back.

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I didn't have the typical girly, teenager’s bedroom with boy posters all over it. Unfortunately my dad wouldn't let me redecorate until I was eighteenth. Strange i know, but my room had been the same as long as I could remember.

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White wallpaper with Disney Princesses in baby pink silhouettes. I had a kiddie two door white wardrobe with, matching chest of drawers, a small dressing table, one bedside table with a Disney Princess lamp, a small single bed and a big double width white bookcase full of an assortment of books. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Great Expectations, Chronicles of Narnia and Wuthering Heights where just a few of my favourite books. I loved reading.

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Since working, I'd split my money three ways, one third went on everyday stuff like clothes, make-up and going out. One third went in to my savings for doing my room up and a holiday. Then the last third went to my mom for housekeeping and food. I couldn't wait till September. I'd book a week of work and was going to redecorate the whole room. I had about six thousand dollars saved, ready to spend on my room. Then I'd be booking a holiday with what was left.

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I had a quick shower and dried my hair, I loved my hair, it was thick and wavy. I'd had it cut yesterday, to just past my shoulders and coloured. I'd picked a rich auburn and cooper highlight to hide my dark chestnut brown natural colour, it looked fantastic. Really bright, out there look.

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I dried, brushed and styled my hair then I looked at the time, I'd only got 20 minutes before he would be here. I started putting on my make-up. A nice thick layer of foundation, concealed, bronzer and blush topped off with a little highlighter. I moved on to my eyes. Slowly building my base eye shadow colours until I had a thick build of blues and purples making my blue eyes look bigger and wider. I topped it off with an electric blue eyeliner and black mascara. It looked a bit dramatic and unnatural but I loved it. I hated my pale ivory skin, I always looked ill without it, so as soon as I could afford it I'd started using make-up. Mom wasn't too happy with it, but as long as I was happy, she left me too it.

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I used my lip liner then put some bright red lipstick on finishing, my look with some glitter lip gloss. Yesterday I'd also had my nails done with long false nail, painted with a bright white nail varnish. Purple butterflies stuck on them and topped off with clear nail varnish, with blue glitter in it. They looked really cool.

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I looked at the three dresses hanging from the wardrobe door. I put them here last night but I wasn't sure which to wear.

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I walked over to the dresses, there was one orange and black, tie dyed maxi dress. One green with black leopard spot prints, all over the dress. It was a layered ruffle belted dress medium length. The last one was a pale pink shimmery diamante mini dress with spaghetti straps and a long zip up the back.

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I grabbed the pink one and held it in front of me, if I wear this it's a little short but is very pretty, I look at the other two then go and put the pink one on.

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I applied my perfume then found my diamond silver jewellery set mom gave me for my sixteenth. I put the necklace on then put the earrings in and bracelet on to finish the look. I put my silver faux snake stiletto; six inch high heels on and find my matching envelope clutch handbag. Looking at the time he'll be here any minute. I put my phone and purse in my bag and go down stairs.

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"Oh wow, you look stunning love." Mom said, as I went into the kitchen.

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"Thanks Mom, you ok?" I asked. She looked really sad.

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"I'm fine, don't worry about me." Mom said, pulling me in to a big hug.

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We hear a car pull up and beep the horn. I grab my sliver jacket.

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"Bye Mom. I love you." I said.

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"Bye love, have fun." Mom said.

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I shut the door and walk out to the car, James is sat revving the car. Looking very inpatient.

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"Hi Babe, how was work?" James said, as I got in the car.

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"Hi, good thanks." I replied, as I did my seat belt up.

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We've been going out about a year, although we haven't done it yet. I wanted to wait we're engaged. Surprisingly he was happy with my wishes. I think he might be proposing tonight, Sam his sister saw him, in Tiffany's looking at rings and he's taking me to my favourite restaurant in tonight.

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We drive in silence to Monsoon India Restaurant after parking, we go inside and I can see a table with balloons shaped in an eighteen and table scatter with happy birthday on it.

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"Thanks James." I said, turning to look at him.

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"You’re welcome Babe." James replied.

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In walks Sam his sister and my best friend and Jack her boyfriend. We go and sit down.

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"James, who else is coming?" I asked.

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"Wait and see, darling." James replied.

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We looked at the menu, and ordered some drinks.

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10 minutes later, John and his girlfriend Rachel, Laura and her boyfriend Ben, walked in. All wishing me happy birthday for tomorrow, and giving me a birthday bag from each couple.

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"Open our first." Rachel said, sitting down next to me.

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"Ok after, we've ordered." I replied, laughing. Rachel could be so dramatically at times.

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The waiter came over, we ordered our meals and some more drinks, I'd ordered Chicken Korma and plain naan bread and another Cuddles on the Beach Mocktail. It was one of my favourite drinks.

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After a few minutes our drinks and poppadoms with Lime Pickle, Mango Chutney, Mint Yogurt and onion salad. Where brought over and we all tucked in. Chatting and eating, enjoying ourselves. Although James wasn't his normal self and seemed really quiet but I couldn't work out why unless he was nervous about proposing. I hoped.

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The table was cleared and we ordered more drinks, whiles we waited for the main meal, I opened my presents, starting with Rachel and John's.

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They'd given me a large pink birthday bag, with lots of gold eighteenth over it. I looked inside and there was a big present, wrapped in bright pink paper. I took it out and opened it first.

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It was a photo album it had a purple cover with pink butterflies and little gold keys and cut out eighteenth all over it. It looked beautiful. I flicked thought it the first ten pages had loads of photos of me and my friends then the rest was blank.

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"Oh this is fabulous, thank you" I said.

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"I'm glad you like and there a load of space for you to add more photos." Rachel said.

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I take the next present out the bag and unwrap it and it was a big box of Maltese’s. I take the last item of the bag to find a gold tiara and bright pink and gold Sash with happy eighteenth birthday on them.

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Rachel grabbed the sash and tiara of me. Standing up, she put them on me.

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"Thank you so much, John and Rachel" I said, hugging Rachel.

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"You’re welcome." They said together.

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Laura gives me the next bag, it a little smaller than the first and bright blue with a gold eighteenth key on the front. I peep inside to find 3 parcels wrapped in blue tissue paper. I pull one out; open it to find a silver picture frame with eighteenth on the side studded in diamonds.

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"Wow, thanks this is wonderful." I said.

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"Open the next one." Laura said.

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I fished inside the bag again and pull another parcel out. I opened it to find a large pink shoe size box with a big pink ribbon done up with a bow on it. I undid the ribbon from round it and carefully opened the box. It was jam packed with assorted flavours of Mike and Ike candy's, Nerds, Pop Rocks, packs of Oreo's, Hershey's Kisses, Twinkies, Reeses Mini Peanut Butter Cups.

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"OMG all my favourite, thank you, Laura and Ben." I said, we started laughing, they knew me to well.

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Growing up, I'd always been over weight, when I left school, I was in size 20 clothes but I'd gone on a diet and with moms help I was now a comfortable size 12. I was a lot happier too.

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Sam past me a dark green wine bottle bag with little gold eighteenth all over. I opened it and pulled a small bag out.

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"Little eighteenth survival kit." I read the label out loud. We all started laughing again. I looked closer and read the contents

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Confetti – Because it is time to celebrate.

Balloon – To start the party with a bang.

Umbrella - To jazz up your birthday drink.

Mint - To keep your breath fresh.

Matchsticks – To keep your eyes open the day after.

Toothpick - To ‘pick’ out your best memories.

Sherbet Stick - To add some fizz to your special day.

Candle – Go mad and burn it at both ends.

Lollipop -To give you energy for celebrating all night.

Love Hearts - To remind you how much you are loved.

Crayon - To make your birthday bright and colourful.

Playing Card - To help you to ‘deal’ with any situation.

Coffee - For the morning after.

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I past the bag round, so the others could have a look and we couldn't stop laughing. I pulled the next present out of the bag it was a Me To You, Tatty Teddy holding a pink key with a gold eighteenth on it. It also had a Silver chain with a Key Pendant. It had an eighteenth engraved on it.

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"Oh Sam, this is beautiful, thank you so much." I said.

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"You’re welcome Bestie." Sam said.

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"Thanks Jack." I said, he smiled and nodded his head.

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James then past me a small bag it was jet black with gold stars on it. Inside was a small champagne shaped bottle of jelly belly beans, champagne flavoured and a small parcel underneath. I pulled the parcel out. Thinking this is a fun way to propose. I opened it to find a Key ring with a cut out eighteenth, cut out birthday cake and some blue gem stones hanging off it.

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"Lovely Darling, Thank you." I said to James.

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"You’re welcome babe." James replied, looking sad.

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I leant over and kissed him. It was strange last year I'd had flowers, chocolates, jewellery, perfume for my birthday and we been together for only a few months although strictly speaking it wasn't my birthday till tomorrow, I smiled wondering what he was up to.

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Our mains arrived and we all started eating again, it tasted delicious as always.

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(James P.O.V.)

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I was finding it harder and harder at the restaurant, but I had to find a way to tell her soon. I excused myself and nipped outside for a bit of fresh air. Sam followed me.

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"What's up Bro?" Sam asked.

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"I'm fine, nothing’s wrong." I replied.

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"Come of it Bro, it me your talking to. I've know you my whole life. I know when something’s up." Sam said.

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"Ok" I sighted, looking at Sam.

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"Sis, I need to end it with Kate. It's just not going anywhere. I thought it was perfect, but I've meet someone else." I said.

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"Jesus Bro! What the f**k? You two are the perfect couple, plus it her birthday tomorrow and not just any birthday it's her eighteen." Sam said.

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"I know, I know but if I don't sort it now I'm never going to get a chance with Simone." I said.

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"Well you need to go and tell her don't you. It’s no good prolonging it, if your minds made up do it." Sam said, shaking her head.

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We go back in and seat down, I lean over to Kate.

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"Can we nip outside, for a minute to talk?" I whisper to her.

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(Kate's P.O.V)

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I look at James, nod my head and follow him outside fully expecting him to get down on one knee and propose. When outside James finds us somewhere quiet.

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"I'm sorry Kate, we've had one hell of a good time together, but I want different things, it not you it's me." James said. I looked at him stunned, I can't believe he's actually doing this and use the f***ing line it's not you it's me!!!

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"What? Err what do you mean? We're going ok!" I say, trying to hold the tears back.

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"You, err, you, you agreed, we'd wait till you proposed, which by the way I thought you WHERE DOING TONIGHT!!" I shout the last bit.

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"I'm truly sorry, but I just want other things now." James says. I give him a really hard look and realise there someone else. My heart sinks, why didn’t I see this coming. It explains so much, of what must have been going on, over the last few weeks. James put his hand on my arm to comfort me. I move away from him.

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"Don't, just don't." I say.

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"Kate I really am sorry." James said.

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"Fine!" I say.

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"Come on Babe; let's not make it any more difficult than it needs to be." James said.

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"I'll make it as difficult as I dam well like you ass hole." I say. He hangs his head in shame.

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"Come on Kate, don't make a scene and let’s go inside." James said.

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"You go back in, just give me a minute or two." I said. James walks back into the restaurant.

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I stand there starting to shiver, staring out not looking nowhere in particular. Thinking how the f**k can I face everyone. I felt a tear slid down my cheek and think oh well let's get this over with.

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I walk back inside wondering, if they all know. I look at Sam and she hangs her head in shame. Oh just great my best friend and she knew.

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I sit down, the lights dimmed and a waiter brings a beautiful chocolate covered cake decorated with gold stars and little eighteenth with a champagne bottle sticking out the top. On the champagne bottle is written Happy eighteenth birthday. They all starts singing happy birthday, when they've finished I blow the candles out.

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"Cheer up your only eighteenth once." James whispers, leaning towards me.

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"Really!" I say, looking at him. I pick the cake up and stove it in his face, ever one looks at me in shock the girl, that wouldn't say boo to a ghost.

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I get up and head for the bathroom.

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(Sam P.O.V.)

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It starting to get a little out of hand tonight, I know James has been a d**k but there's no need for this. I follow Kate to the bathroom and wait till she's finished.

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"Kate, I know it crap, but did he really deserve that after everything he's done for you." I said. Kate shakes her head.

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"What was all, that about a ring from Tiffany's?" Kate says.

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"I'm sorry; I think I got that a little wrong." I said, giving Kate a sad smile.

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I look at Kate and she's starting to cry, I grab a tissue for her and wipe them away. Then pull Kate in for a big hug. After some time I hear her blow her nose, she pulls away from me and washes her face.

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We leave the toilets and go back to the table to find there's only Jack sat there. He gets up.

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"Sam, come on where going." Jack said. He turns round and leaves; Kate looks at me then follows him.

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The waiter comes over to me with the bill. I look shocked, when I realise that no-one’s paid, they just left it all to me. I grab my card and pay. But it's declined, so I try another and it declined. What the f**k!

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"Give me a minute." I say, to the waiter. I grab my phone and ring mom.

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"You ok, love." Mom asked.

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I explain my cards aren't working, James dumped me and they all left me to pay the bill.

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"Ok love; pass me over to the waiter." Mom said. I hand him the phone and she pays the bill for me. I take the phone back.

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"Sweetie it ok, I'll send dad." Mom says then hangs up.

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(Sheila P.O.V.)

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After hanging up the phone, I go and find Brian.

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"Brian, I'm really sorry but can you please go and pick Kate, up from Monsoon India Restaurant." I said.

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"She's not eighteen until tomorrow. Please Brian, James has ended it with her and she's stuck across town with no money. Which I guess is your doing." I say with tears in my eyes.

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Brian turns to me with an evil grin.

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"Ok but this is the last time." Brian says. Laughing as he walks out the house to pick her up.

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I run upstairs to find as much cash as possible. I had all Kate's housekeeping money, plus what I'd been squirreling away for the last eight years. I put it all in an old clutch handbag ready for tomorrow along with a letter explaining everything.

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(Kate's P.O.V.)

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It really warm as I stand outside, waiting for dad. Luckily I don't have to long to wait till he arrives. I get in the car and something feels off. I try to talk but he just turns the music on and drives home. I feel really down hearted. I look at my phone to see there's no message, I put it back in my bag and sigh.

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When we get home, I run up to my room and get changed in to my pyjamas, then go to bed and start crying.