Chapter 1d

‘Then I hope we ruin them together’ …His expression softened at that, warmed by the comfort of knowing that against the odds, two soul mates had found one another. It was real and uncomplicated, with the rest of their lives just waiting for them to live them together as one.

Eventually, Andy and Helen stumbled to the bedroom. She fell asleep against his chest just as dawn began creeping through the curtains.

The sound that woke her made no sense at first. A crash. Then another. Then loud, angry shouting. Helen jerked upright just as the bedroom door flew open hard enough to strike the wall. Two uniformed policemen stormed into the room.

“What the fuck…?” yelled Andy.

He barely had time to sit up before one of the officers dragged him violently from the bed.

“Oi! Leave him alone!” Helen screamed, pulling the covers over her chest.

“Stay where you are, miss.”

The flat had erupted into noise beyond the bedroom. Claire was crying somewhere. David was shouting. Simon swore loudly before a heavy thud abruptly cut him off.

Helen scrambled from the bed, clutching the sheet around herself as she watched Andy, **** face-first against the wall while cold metal cuffs snapped around his wrists.

“You are under arrest for possession and supply of controlled substances,” one officer barked mechanically.

“Supply?” Andy shouted. “We’re students, you stupid bastard!”

The officer’s only reply was a hard punch to Andy’s kidney.

Helen stood frozen as the police dragged him from the room, calling after her, “Hell’s! Hell’s!”

Then suddenly…Silence. Not complete silence. The flat still echoed with movement and voices. But the bedroom itself fell strangely still. Slow footsteps approached from the hallway. She presumed an officer was coming for her.

And then her mother, Margaret, appeared in the doorway wearing her Sunday best and a wide smirk.

Helen stared in disbelief. “Mum…?”

Margaret’s eyes moved disapprovingly around the room before settling on her daughter.

“I did try to warn you that life with him would end badly.”

The truth hit Helen instantly.

“You did this.”

Margaret ignored the comment. “Your friends are currently downstairs being arrested for **** offences. The police are prepared to pursue matters with quite some vigour.”

Helen shivered, despite the room being uncomfortably warm.

“You can join them, if you wish,” Margaret continued calmly. “Or you can leave with me now, promise never to see these people again… especially him… and this unpleasantness disappears.”

Helen stared at her mother as though seeing her clearly for the first time.

“You can’t ask me to do that.”

“I can. And I am.”

Downstairs, she heard Andy shouting her name as the police dragged him towards the street.

Margaret held out her hand.

“Choose carefully, Helen. This is not just about you; think of your friends. They can walk free with nothing but a slap on the wrist, or face criminal charges that will ruin the rest of their lives.”

Tears slowly fell down Helen’s cheeks.

“Is that a yes? Do you promise never to see them again?”

Helen nodded.

“Good. Now get dressed and for God's sake clean yourself up.”

Before continuing to “Signing Off”, readers are strongly encouraged to read the parallel branch:

Emily - 18 and Free - https://chyoa.com/chapter/Emily-18-and-Free.1853911