The Fear. C.L. Taylor

tinny voice in his ear rattles on. The confidence I felt less than a minute ago vanishes. Why is he looking at me like that?

      ‘Mike,’ I say as the confusion on his face is replaced by shock. ‘Mike you need to—’

      He holds out a hand, silencing me.

      I don’t breathe a word. Instead I take a step backwards, towards the door. I shouldn’t have done this.

      ‘I’ll give you a ring back in a bit, Chloe. Okay? Stay where you are and I’ll come and get you. It’s going to be okay. I promise.’

      I take another step back. My heel catches on something and I have to steady myself on the wall.

      ‘It’s you, isn’t it?’ Mike says, looking straight at me as he hangs up. ‘You fucking bitch.’