by Beth Abbott
“I can’t believe you managed to arrange all this in a week, and I never heard a word from anyone about what was going on.” Suzy shook her head in wonder.
“Matt wanted it to be a nice surprise.” Claire smiled.
“God, it’s the best surprise, ever!” Suzy grinned. “So, what happens now?”
“Now?” Claire got to her feet. “I had to be out of my house at the ass-crack of dawn to get the train up here for ten o’clock. I’m rather hoping your husband is going to help us celebrate our new arrangement by taking us out for brunch.”
Matt stood up and pulled Suzy to her feet.
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than take two beautiful ladies for a slap-up meal.” He grabbed his jacket and led them to the door.
“Besides…” He whispered loudly to Claire. “Someone needs to explain to Suzy that I’ve already agreed childcare arrangements with her mum, and I’m expecting her back at work on Monday.”
Suzy shrugged as she linked arms with Claire and flounced out of his office.
“That’s fine by me.” She grinned over her shoulder. “We’ll negotiate my pay later.”
Matt shook his head, chuckling as he followed them through the office.
He’d pay her his weight in diamonds if it put that smile on her face every day.
Chapter 17 – Megan
Megan opened her locker and pulled out her bag.
It had been a hellish shift, the worst for a long time, and she just wanted to get out of the hospital and go home for some food, a shower and her nice warm bed.
For the first time in a very long time, they’d actually lost a young patient on the ward, and it had been sudden and shocking for everyone involved.
Megan had worked on the children’s wards long enough to have seen it all before, but having a child convulsing in front of you, and their life being snuffed out so quickly, despite the twenty or so medical staff around them doing everything possible to save them, was hard for them all to accept.
Seeing the parents huddled together in the corner, watching helplessly as their child’s life slipped away was the most difficult part.
Those parents trusted the medical staff, and they’d done everything they could, but on this occasion, there was simply nothing that had worked to bring the little girl back.
Megan quickly changed her shoes, slammed her locker door shut, and hurried out of the staffroom. She had no desire to bump into someone she knew and be stuck having to talk to them.
As she charged through the main doors, she automatically turned left heading for the carpark where she usually parked.
It was only when she reached into her pocket for her car keys that she remembered. No car!
Robbie hadn’t been able to arrange to get it collected yet because he’d been playing an away match the day after Christmas, and the day after that he’d been invited to a swish party at the manager’s house.
She scowled at the cars around her when she noticed a black Audi parked to her left. Why did it look remarkably like the car that she’d seen Evan driving?
Megan turned to walk to the bus stop when she heard someone calling her name.
Having no desire to speak to anyone, she pulled her collar up around her ears, tucked her chin down and kept walking.
“Megan!” The voice sounded considerably closer than before, and her heart sank. She’d have known that accent anywhere.
When she heard the footsteps closing in on her she gave up on her attempt to escape. She was going to have to face him, whether she wanted to or not.
She stopped walking, taking a deep calming breath before turning around.
“I’ve had a shitty day, and my last bus leaves in fifteen minutes, so whatever you’ve got to say, make it fast.” She growled in Evan’s face.
He held his hands up in a gesture of defence.
“I’m here because your brother asked me to collect you from work.” He explained. “He was worried because you didn’t have your car yet, and there was a mugging reported near the hospital last night.”
“I see.” She nodded. “Well, I thank you for acting on my brother’s behalf, but he really shouldn’t be asking favours of people who aren’t beholden to him.”
She turned to walk away, but his hand on her arm stopped her.
“It wasn’t a favour, it was a fair trade.” Evan smiled. “Robbie managed to get me four VIP tickets for when he plays down at Cardiff City Stadium next month. My cousins are gonna be chuffed to bits.”
“I’m very happy for them.” Her voice said she was anything but happy.
As she turned to walk away again, he stepped in front of her.
“I’m just offering you a lift home.” Evan repeated. “If I don’t give you a lift, I can’t accept the tickets.”
Megan resisted the temptation to punch him.
“I think I made it clear the other night, that I have no intention of getting in your car again.” She glared at him. “I’m not known for making statements and then backtracking. I really could care less whether you take the tickets or not, but knowing my brother, the gift of the tickets wouldn’t have been conditional on you giving me a lift anyway. Just go back and tell him I already had a lift, and he’ll never be any the wiser.”
She stepped around him and resumed walking towards the bus stop, but after about ten paces she realised he was walking behind her.
“Go away, Evan.” She hissed. “I have even less desire to walk with you than I do to get in your car.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. Can’t do it.”
Why did the stupid man have to sound so amused?
She swung around on him.
“I’ll make this simple enough for you to understand.” She growled. “I want you to go away and leave me alone. I don’t want to see you, and I have no desire to speak to you. If you won’t respect my wishes, I’ll phone the police and tell them you’ve been following me and acting in a threatening manner.”
Evan’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her.
“I’m just going to make sure you get home safely, Meg.” He shrugged. “I gave your brother my word that I would, and I won’t break it, even if you do try and get me arrested.”
“Your word?” She breathed deeply, feeling the hysteria coming over her like it had a few nights before. “But we both know your word isn’t worth a damn, don’t we, Evan? You promise a person something, convince them of your sincerity, and then shit all over them when it doesn’t suit you to keep your promises anymore.”
She pulled her phone out of her pocket and swiped the screen to open it up.
“Tell me something, Evan.” She glanced up at him. “Have you told my brother who you are yet? I know you never met him when we were together, because he and I didn’t have much in the way of contact back then. Did you tell him that you’re the asshole I was married to? The man who broke my heart into tiny pieces and never even looked back?”
She noticed the little tick at the corner of his eye and remembered the tell-tale sign that he was stressed.
“I’ll take that as a no, then.” She nodded. “So, who would you prefer I ring first? The police, or Robbie?”
“I was trying not to have this conversation with you yet, but if you like, we could sit down and talk about what happened ten years ago.” He offered. “Or you could yell at me some more? Your choice. But I’d rather not do it in the middle of the street at midnight, when it’s nearly five below zero.”
“Conversation?” Megan gasped. “Are you even listening to me? I don’t want a conversation with you, Evan. Ever! That boat sailed a decade ago. Now I just want you to get the hell away from me and stay out of my life.”
“I’m your brother’s protection officer, Megan.” He snorted. “How do you suppose we’re going to avoid each other? Don’t you think for Robbie’s sake we ought to clear the air?”
“I speak to my brother every day, but we aren’t in each other’s pockets.” Megan scoffed. “I’m sure we can manage to avoid e
ach other well enough if we try. And believe me, I’m willing to try really hard!”
She watched the muscle near his eye twitch again.
“Megan, please?” He held out his hands in a move that was obviously supposed to be conciliatory. “I just want the chance to explain what happened. I’m not asking for forgiveness, and I never will. I don’t deserve it. But I think you need to hear my explanation. Things weren’t as they seemed back then, and I lied to you. You need to hear the truth.”
“Not listening.” Megan pushed her fingers into her ears and turned to walk away. “Don’t want to hear your excuses.”
Her arm was grabbed, and Evan pulled her back.
“Dammit, Megan!” He hissed at her, pulling her hands down. “I’m trying to tell you I lied to you. There was never anyone else.”
Megan froze for a moment, unsure what to do with his words.
She’d long suspected him of lying about there being anyone else, but then if that was true, the only reason he’d left was that he didn’t love her anymore.
Was that any better?
She stepped into his personal space for a second.
“Read my lips!” She enunciated every word precisely.” I… don’t… care!”
Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked quickly towards her bus stop, and this time, mercifully, he didn’t follow.
As she approached the stop, she noticed the bus coming around the corner, and she ran the last twenty metres to make sure it didn’t leave without her.
Waiting her turn to climb aboard, she glanced back down the road, and breathed a sigh of relief when there was no sign of Evan.
She walked to the back of the bus and sat in an empty seat.
Maybe, just maybe, she’d gotten through to him.
She hadn’t really intended calling the police on him, and the last thing she wanted to do was go running to her brother and get him sacked from his job.
She just didn’t want to see or speak to Evan Williams ever again.
That wasn’t too much to ask, was it?
She’d gone more than ten years without hearing a word from him, and she’d managed perfectly well on her own.
She had a social life, of sorts, and went to the cinema once a month with her friends.
She was in a book club where she got together with about twenty fellow nurses every quarter to discuss their latest favourites, and once in a while, if they were on the right shift, she’d go and play badminton at the leisure centre with a physiotherapist she’d worked with since before she left Cardiff.
Added to that, in the years since her parents had died, she’d gotten close to her brother and his family, so she wasn’t alone for Christmases anymore.
Of course, she’d have been even happier if she’d never had to have any contact with her other half-sibling. Cerys was a lazy, money-grabbing, immoral… she needed to stop trying to think of words to describe her sister. There were too many to choose from, and none of them were good.
She didn’t need her sister in her life, and she sure as hell didn’t need Evan.
Why couldn’t people accept that?
Chapter 18 – Evan
Evan opened the front door to Robbie’s house, grinning as Matt pulled through the gates.
He pointed to the left where there was still a space for Matt to park his Range Rover.
“Nice crib for a teenager.” Matt grinned as he climbed out of the driver’s seat. “Mortgage free, too, I’ll bet.”
Evan nodded.
“His dad taught him to pay for everything he buys up front, and not accrue any debts.” Evan explained. “That way, if his playing career comes to a sudden end, he won’t be forced to sell his home while he decides what he wants to do with the rest of his life.”
Matt nodded.
“All dads should pass on that kind of wisdom to their offspring.” He agreed.
“Come on, Robbie’s in the den with his agent.” Evan stepped back into the house and led Matt through several rooms until they reached Robbie’s favourite room.
“Mr Johnson.” Robbie jumped up from the sofa to step over to Matt and shake his hand. “Thanks for coming over this morning.”
Matt grinned at Robbie.
“It’s Matt, kid.” He rolled his eyes. “And it’s no problem. That’s what we’re here for.”
“Coffee?” Robbie stepped over to the bar and grabbed a mug.
“Nah, I’m good.” Matt sat down opposite Harry Jenkins, Robbie’s agent. “Harry? Everything Ok?”
“Not so bad, Matt.” Harry nodded at him. “Lacey not with you today?”
“Not today.” Matt shrugged. “I heard you wanted to talk about my plans for Robbie’s security. I’m pretty sure I can answer any questions you have.”
“We wanted an update on the latest letters.” Harry shrugged. “I don’t like all these threats. Too many for me to feel comfortable.”
Evan turned to face the agent.
“Too many?” He frowned. “How many are you comfortable with?”
“Well, obviously zero would be the optimum number.” Harry smiled. “But Robbie is a supremely talented footballer, and one who left his home country and turned down quite a few major clubs to come and play in the Midlands. That gives us plenty of motive just from the jealous football fan community, some of whom, let’s be honest, are a tad obsessed with the game.”
“So, you’re saying you think the person or persons writing these letters and making bomb threats could simply be doing so out of jealousy?” Evan snorted. “I think it’s more likely that they’re pissed at him because, a/ he left Wales; b/ he didn’t join their club; and c/ he’s got more talent than ninety-nine percent of the players in the Premiere League. Any or all of the above would be enough reason.”
“Excuse me?” Robbie interrupted him. “Only ninety-nine percent?”
“Ok, ninety-nine and a half percent.” Evan grinned.
“It’s usually one of those reasons.” Harry shrugged. “The majority of top players get at least one threatening letter along those lines every month. Robbie’s been getting more than that every day, and although you can discount some of them as without substance, there are a chain of letters which you know the police are very unhappy about.”
“The ones that mention his sister?” Matt nodded. “I agree that they are a greater cause for concern than the others.”
“Did you hear about the latest one that arrived yesterday?” Robbie looked at Evan. “It mentioned Cerys by name, but then refers to the car with the flat tyre.”
“Megan’s car?” Evan sat down on the sofa, his interest definitely piqued. “How did they know about that?”
“They could have been watching the house.” Harry guessed. “Or just happened to see it being towed to the garage.”
“Possibly they’ve been flying a drone over the house with a camera on it.” Matt suggested.
“I hadn’t thought of a drone.” Robbie turned to his agent. “Should we be keeping the curtains closed so they can’t see in?”
Harry grinned at him.
“Only if you or Cerys spend a lot of time walking around the house naked.” He smirked.
“I spoke to one of my co-directors about the possibility of a drone, and we’ve got someone in our London office working on getting a frequency blocker for you. Temporarily, at least.” Matt confirmed.
“A frequency blocker?” Robbie frowned. “Does it do what I think it does? Blocks radio-frequency?”
“Pretty much.” Matt nodded. “Although it’s a bit more high-tech than it sounds. Military grade to be precise.”
“Military grade?” Harry snorted. “Do we need something like that?”
“There’s not a lot of choice.” Matt shrugged. “They’re not exactly available over the counter. And, of course, they need to be able to be targeted precisely at anything within a specific radius. You can’t just block signals without knowing who will be affected, or you could cause light aircraft to crash into each othe
r or interfere with emergency services nearby.”
“And you have someone who can get hold of one of those babies?” Robbie grinned. “Cool!”
“I have someone who can get hold of virtually any military hardware we could possibly need.” Matt chuckled. “But seeing as most people would consider positioning rocket launchers on your roof as being a touch overzealous, maybe we’ll just start with the drone-buster and see where we go from there.”
“Sounds like a wise decision.” Harry nodded.
“So, did you bring us copies of the latest letters?” Matt asked. “We need to know what sort of threats are being made.”
Harry reached down into his briefcase and pulled out a handful of sheets of A4 paper.
“The police have the originals and the envelopes, but we took copies of both, for you, front and back.” He passed them to Matt. “They mostly threaten what they’d like to do to Robbie, but the last ones all mention something to do with his family. Some of the comments are about Cerys, but they could have gotten her details from the internet. She has been putting herself about a bit lately, using Rob’s name to get herself into exclusive clubs and bars.”
“She has?” Rob sat up straighter. “Why didn’t I know anything about that?”
“Rob, she’s a grown woman who goes out a lot.” Evan shrugged. “Where did you think she’d be going? Church services and village fetes?”
Robbie slumped back in his seat.
“I suppose not.” He scowled. “But I don’t like her using my name. And I don’t like her going out while there’s an idiot out there who might want to do her any harm.”
“So, you’re gonna tell her she’s grounded, are you?” Evan smirked. “Good luck with that, sunshine. I’d wear a groin-protector when you tell her. Or maybe just tell her over the phone.”
“What’s the alternative?” Robbie shrugged.
“We’ve had someone following her for the last month.” Matt admitted. “They don’t interfere with her at all, just keep their eyes on her and make sure nobody is intent on doing her any harm.”