Chapter 174: We're A Scandal

"What do you need?" Andrew's question breaks into my bubbled silence.

"Err... I need to go home," I tell him without so much as looking at him.

"Okay; let's go say goodbye to your friends."

I look at him for the first time and I see concern etched across his face.

When we re-enter the dining room my friends go silent.

Elle asks the first question. "Is everything okay?"

I don't answer. I just pick up my coat. "You're leaving?" Sarah's face is downcast.

I nod.

"What's happened? Your family?" Anna asks at the same time Mike pipes in; "What can we do?"

"Nothing. I'll explain later. Or even better. Read the paper tomorrow. Then you'll know more than I do."

"What?" Their faces all hold matching looks of horror but it's Anna who puts two and two together.

"The press know who your mum is?"

I nod. Why deny the truth; what's the point?

***

Gabriel is waiting outside my apartment building when Andrew stops the car out front.