by Nell Grey
He takes a break, and we go down the high street for a coffee and some lunch, before it’s Jac’s turn.
By the end of the day, we’re both wrapped up tightly in steri-pads and cling film, bonded forever by the matching art on our bodies beneath them.
◆◆◆
“I’ve never been so high. Is this what it’s like?”
St. Paul’s Cathedral and London Bridge were now far below them.
Jason laughed. “If I was this close to the ground in the middle of the city, I’d be panicking, believe me. But yeah, it’s pretty awesome. My absolute favourite thing is flying over The Alps to Turin.”
“That’s another place on my list.”
It had taken some persuasion to get Claire up onto the viewing deck of The Shard’s seventy-second floor. But now she could see the view, she was glad she’d come.
Jason had enjoyed the morning. They’d been to Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and The Tower of London. He’d never done the tourist thing, and it was nice seeing the sights, especially with Claire, who’d never been to London before. It was like he was seeing everything for the first time.
There was something quirky about her. And attractive; with her dark hair and beautiful eyes. Like she belonged on a Pacific Island. Or in a Gaughan painting.
He could tell though, that she was still really conscious of that scar. Today, she’d tried to cover it up with makeup and her hair; but as they walked, he could see it plainly. The redness came back through, and he saw the pained look on her face as she subtly checked it in the reflection of shop windows.
Jac had explained to him how she’d got it. She’d been brave, fighting back like she did. He could see why Sion liked her.
She leaned up against the barrier.
“How did you meet Sion and Jac? ‘Cos you were in the RAF, not the army, right?”
“We were on operations. I flew the chopper. Mainly getting them out of sticky messes they’d gotten themselves into. Unless, Sion had other ideas, that was.”
“What d’ya mean?”
“He was the lead. One time, we were in… It doesn’t matter where we were, let’s just say it was hot and sandy. And we had to get an interpreter out of this town, right? The place had been taken over by insurgents and the interpreter was stuck there. He’d been in contact, giving us intel. And it was dynamite.”
“Sounds dangerous.”
“Yeah. Dodgy as. The insurgents were twitchy, so we had to move fast before he got busted. It was on the news. They were chopping heads off and sticking them on spikes on the main road.”
“And, Sion went in?”
“Oh yeah. And Jac. They’d dropped in at night, undercover. But they couldn’t get close. They’d been under heavy fire, and I was pulling them out the next day. The insurgents were still shooting when we set down in the chopper, and I didn’t wanna stick around. They all evacced into the Apache, and I’m trying to get them the Hell outta there, when Sion tells me to veer back. It’s against my better judgement. But I do it, ‘cos Sion asked. So we hop around to the other side of the market square; and as soon as I set down, we see the interpreter dude running towards us. The guns fire up again; so Sion sprints out, grabs him by his coat and pretty much hurls him into the chopper. Under heavy fire.”
“Really! He sounds fearless.”
“Yeah. He was an amazing soldier. He saved the interpreter’s life that day.”
Claire shivered. The air was cold up here, even for July.
“Claire, he’d never kill a civilian. I know Sion. There’s no way he’d kill Glyn Evans.”
Claire shrugged a little sadly.
“I know that now. And it’s too late.”
He’d rubbed her nose in it, but she needed to know the qualities of the man she’d lost. He’d take her back down to ground level to find a coffee. And then, a stroll along the Embankment to Westminster.
Who knew what the future held? But, if there was anything he’d learned about his old mate Sion, it was that he never gave up. He always got what he wanted.
Eventually.
◆◆◆
We’re making dinner when Jason and Claire get back to the flat. And, man, do they look whacked.
“Where’ve you been?”
“Everywhere,” Jason yawns.
“What’ve you done to him, Claire?”
Claire pulls off her trainer to examine a blister that’s forming on the back of her heel.
“I got my money’s worth, that’s all. Jase, you’re an awesome tour guide. London rocks!”
“It kinda fades on you after a while,” I tell her.
Jac glances across at me.
“Not sad you left, then?”
“Nah. These days I much prefer the mud and rain.”
“Ahh, you say that. But tell me, you don’t love it, when it’s just you in a field with the songs of the birds.”
“Hmm. You’re right. And no streetlights. A sky full of proper darkness, lit up only by the stars.”
Jac smiles at me. There’s no way either of us is ever leaving the farm.
When Callista and Sam arrive, Claire’s had a shower and packed her bag ready, and Jason’s been napping on the sofa like an old man. He really can sleep anywhere.
Callista’s new partner is much less flamboyant than Cal, more down to earth. She doesn’t say much, but when she speaks it’s full of sense. Jac likes her, and they chat together on the sofa, while Cal helps me finish off making the food.
“So, let me see this wonderful work of art, then.”
The bandage is off, so I slip my sloppy slash-necked t-shirt off my shoulder for her to see.
“D’you like it?”
“It’s fabulous, darling… Jac?,” she calls out from the kitchen, “Can you design one for me and Sam too?”
“You’re not getting me anywhere near a tattoo parlour.”
“Honestly, honey, you can be such a prude. You’re meant to be the artistic one!”
By the end of the meal, I can see that Cal’s endless travel tips have got Claire’s head spinning. She’s excited but getting a little anxious too.
“You don’t mind me saying, dear, but that looks very red. What’ve you been putting on it?”
Claire flinches at Cal’s mention of her scar.
“I’ve been covering it with make-up.”
“That’s no good, sweetie. Manuka honey; that’ll sort it.”
“I’ll bear it in mind.”
“How ever did it happen?”
Just as I realise we haven’t told her, Jac jumps in.
“You remember Sion? A guy was after him and he attacked Claire with a knife.”
“Oh! Claire, darling, that’s awful. Did they arrest him?”
“He pleaded guilty and got three years. He’ll probably be out in eighteen months.”
Cal tuts.
“And Sion?”
Jason shoots Jac a look.
“He’s gone away for a bit.”
Jac takes a long swig of his beer.
“They tried to charge him with Glyn's murder, Cal. They said it was his rope. That it wasn’t suicide. They had me and Annie in for questioning. Accused us of plotting to kill Annie’s parents to get the farm.”
Cal’s at a loss for words. For the first time ever.
“Jac’s only with me for my money.”
I try to lighten the mood, but her face is still a stony-grey and I can tell that it’s upset her deeply.
“What?” Sam asks her quietly as the table falls silent.
“I’m shocked, that’s all. Shocked… that those kinds of spurious allegations could be made without any substance… It’s worse than living in a fascist state, darling, it really is.”
The mood has tanked, and I don’t want to end the evening like this.
“Don’t worry. They dropped it. It was all bullshit. Sion was free to go.”
Cal stares at Claire.
“But you’ve still got doubts about Sion?”
Claire’s fork clangs onto her
plate. She mouths an apology and quickly takes a drink of her wine.
Later, as she leaves, Cal pauses by the front door. Her hand grips mine tightly as she kisses me goodnight.
“Can you and Jac come to see me tomorrow?”
CHAPTER 30
-----------✸----------
It’s a teary farewell as Claire climbs the steps onto the Eurostar train, with her pack on her back. In less than three hours, she’ll be in Paris at the start of her great adventure.
We’re rattling along on the Northern Line in a jam-packed tube train and my face is getting squashed up against the armpit of a large man with a guitar case strapped to his back.
“D’you wish we were travelling too?”
“Nah,” Jac says. “I’ve spent my whole life wandering. I like being home, with you.”
“Me too.”
Taking my hand, we follow a steady stream of people spilling onto the platform.
When we arrive at Callista’s Victorian terrace, I notice the blinds flickering. Moments later, Cal is at the door, welcoming us in. And we go through the house into the spacious flower-filled garden at the back.
Jac notices it too. Cal is behaving very strangely.
Whenever either of us goes around there, we’re always stepping into delightful chaos. But today, everything’s prepared. Three chairs are neatly arranged around the wooden garden table for us to sit at, chilled homemade lemonade is at the ready, that she’s made especially for us.
Perhaps, it’s because it’s such a hot day. But, she seems restless and anxious.
“What’s the matter, Cal?”
Suddenly, I get a sinking feeling.
Please, God! Please don’t let Callista be sick too.
Her deep eyes meet mine.
“I need to give you something.”
In her hand is a familiar-looking cream envelope. And it’s addressed to me.
“It’s from Mam.”
Cal nods grimly.
Hesitantly, I tear the top of the envelope, revealing a handwritten letter inside. My hand is shaking as I pull it out.
“Why haven’t you given me this before?”
She doesn’t answer.
“Why d’you want me to read it now?”
I steady myself as I start to read it.
Dear Annie,
If you’re reading this letter then something’s happened.
A person has many friends, but only a few you’d trust your life with. They’re your soulmates. Cal is one of those to me, and I love her dearly. She’s promised to look after you when I’m gone, and I know she will. So don’t blame her for not giving you this letter sooner.
I never wanted to write it down, but then I worry about that young man who’s been so good to me. Without him, I’d be locked up now, instead of spending my last days with you.
And it’s been so precious, our time together, Annie.
You’ve no idea how much I missed you over the years. Wondering what you were up to. Hoping you were happy. Happier than I’ve been, anyway.
When I first got my diagnosis, one of my hospital friends - I won’t say who, they got me some insulin. I saw it as a way out if I needed it. It was all my idea. I was depressed and your father was difficult. It’s not an excuse, but you saw him at Christmas.
The man was ill. God knows I’ve excused him so many times over the years. But the truth is, as you know, Annie when he was drunk, your father was a nasty piece of work. That wasn’t the condition or the alcohol. It was him.
I’ll never forgive him for that terrible beating he gave you with his belt after you came in late that time, cariad. Still makes my blood boil, it does.
And Sion’s been good to me. He saw straight away what was going on. He’s been through it too, you see, with his father. We’ve talked a lot. More than to anyone else, and it’s helped us both.
The night your father died; he’d been hitting the bottle hard all day. I was making him supper when he barged into the kitchen, catching me unawares. And I could tell he was gunning for me.
He stood there, by the door, me cornered by the stove. There was no way out. So, I went to make him a cuppa, trying to keep things normal, calm him down. ‘Course that just wound him up even more.
Then, I saw him going for the kettle. And it wasn’t to make the tea. He’d poured scalding water on me once before and I’d had the most painful burns for weeks.
Thinking about that, made me flip. I’m not sure what possessed me, except survival? I knew how bad it was going to hurt, you see.
I’d hidden the insulin and a syringe behind the butter in the fridge. And I filled it now, sticking the needle in my cardigan pocket when I got the milk for our tea.
I was right. When I set the milk down and turned around for the mugs, he came at me with the boiling kettle.
Annie, I swear to God, cariad, it was self-defence.
He pushed me and I staggered back onto the floor. He came at me again, when I was on my knees. Pulling me up one-handed, he lifted the kettle to pour over my face.
And I stabbed him in the neck.
It took a couple of seconds to kick in. He was grabbing at his neck like he’d been stung, spilling boiling water all over the floor. He was grabbing at me too, but I’d ducked out of his way. And then, he suddenly keeled over onto the floor.
I put him in recovery, and I should’ve called an ambulance. But, God help me, I didn’t. I can’t even remember driving to the cottage for help. Jac was in The Cross Keys and Sion had just got home. He drove me in his car back to the house. He checked Glyn, but he was already gone.
I was in a state, but Sion was calm. So, I asked him to help me. And he did. He hung him up from the shed beam and cleaned everything up tidy.
‘Course the detective was quite right about the rope and Glyn’s slippers.
I wanted to take this with me to my grave. But, I hope telling you what happened will set things straight.
Annie, I hope that you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me, cariad.
I love you so much and I always will.
Mam x
Glassy-eyed, I hand the letter to Jac. And then to Callista. The truth sits between us on the table. My mother killed my father.
“When did you find out?”
Callista fiddles with the envelope.
“That night. She phoned me.”
“And you never told me?”
“It wasn’t for me to tell.”
“That’s the thing.”
Folding the letter back into the envelope, I leave Jac and Cal and take it with me into the kitchen.
In the fierce blue flames of the gas hob, the envelope instantly catches alight.
I carry it back into the garden as it begins to burn away.
The yellow flames quickly devour the letter, the words disappearing into blackness and the air.
As my fingers start to burn, I throw it onto the stone patio where the pieces lie like petals on the ground.
“Annie, darling!”
Callista stares at the charred fragments.
Jac shifts his gaze from his mother onto me.
“Doesn’t she deserve to know the truth?”
Sighing, I shake my head.
It’s not for me to tell Claire.
The story continues in Find Me by Nell Grey, Trust Me's exciting finale.
Available for download now from Amazon.com and on Kindle Unlimited.
Books In This Series
Trust Me Find Me Romantic Suspense Series
Find Me
Find Me
By
Nell Grey
Trust Me’s exciting sequel
What should she have done?
They’d been friends, even kissed once.
The police said he was a murderer. But, they let him go. Knowing all that, how could she go with him into witness protection?
A few months on, and Claire Williams is still bearing the scars; still chasing the ghost of Sion Edwards, even though he’s
dead to her now. Determined to start afresh and to find the father she’s never known; she takes a big world trip. It’s meant to be the adventure of a lifetime. It will be. But not the way she imagined it.
Is there anywhere safe to hide?
Sion Edwards was an undercover agent, a hitman for one of England’s most notorious drugs gangs. And now there’s a price on his head. They’re after his blood and they won’t rest until he’s reeled back in and they have their revenge.
When the big fish slips the hook, it’s time to use live bait.
Find Me by Nell Grey is available for download on Amazon and on Kindle Unlimited.
Books By This Author
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The Actor's Deceit
Their Just Deserts
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Find Me
Praise For Author
Reviews of The Freshwater Bay Series
‘Highly recommend the whole series. Brilliant characters, with interesting and exciting plots. Beautifully set in Wales.’
‘You won’t be disappointed. A most enjoyable read.’
‘Really enjoying this great series, Freshwater Bay. Each book keeps you captivated, not wanting to put it down.’
‘Ok, somebody just transport me to this beautiful picturesque location in Wales. Such a fun and delightful read!’
‘Well written, believable characters, good storyline, and pleasant settings craftily described. I could see the places and buildings and feel the air. Nicely done. You won't be disappointed with this, and I can't wait for the next in the series.’