‘Oh shit,’ she muttered as she pushed against it, but it was stuck. The only light source in the small space was the small window. She braced herself against the old shelves and tried to kick the door open, just like Flynn had done, but she couldn’t budge it.
Lily was about to pull her phone out when she heard the bang of the back gate opening. She stood up on tiptoes to see out of the tiny pane, which looked down onto the courtyard. Relief surged through her when she saw Hailey come into view. Maybe she’d seen her car parked out the front.
Lily tapped on the window. ‘Hey, I’m up here!’
Hailey didn’t look up but scurried towards the back door carrying some sort of container. Lily was about to call out again but stopped when she saw that Hailey had a jerry can. Why on earth would she be carrying around a jerry can?
Did she need water for her car? No, that couldn’t be right because if that was the case she would have got it at Lily’s home. Besides, she said the car had broken down.
Lily rested her head on the nearest shelf as she tried to make sense of what she’d just seen. It couldn’t be possible, could it? Was it Hailey who had defaced the shop and broken the windows – and even run her off the road? But why? Why would she do it?
Lily took out her phone and called Flynn.
‘Hey, baby. Listen, I can’t talk – the hay shed’s on fire.’
‘What! Are you okay?’ Lily asked.
‘Yeah, the firies are here now. They’re not a hundred percent sure but we think it was done on purpose.’
Lily eyes opened wide as the realisation hit her. ‘Flynn, I’m trapped in the walk-in cupboard at the shop. I knocked over the barrel, which closed the door … anyway, I can’t get out.’
‘Okay, I’m coming.’
‘Flynn, there’s more. I’ve just seen Hailey downstairs in the courtyard and she’s carrying a jerry can.’
‘You don’t think?’
‘I don’t know what to think,’ Lily said as a noise in the courtyard caught her attention. ‘Hang on a tick.’ Lily peered through the window again. She was pretty sure that had been the sound of the back gate closing. ‘I think she’s gone.’
‘Okay, so why would you—’
Lily caught sight of a flickering glow downstairs. ‘Wait, Flynn – she’s lit a fire at the back door! I can’t put it out because I can’t get out of this bloody cupboard!’
‘Hold on, Lily, I’m on my way.’
Chapter 26
Flynn pulled up outside Lily’s shop. The only light he could make out was coming from the attic, but as he jumped out of the ute he could smell smoke in the night air. He ran to the front door and was thankful that she’d forgotten to lock it. As Flynn crossed the shop floor, the smoke became thicker and he could hear the hiss of the fire. As he hurried to the staircase, he saw that the flames had already started to devour the back door.
He took the stairs two at a time and called out as he made it into the attic.
‘Lily! Lily, don’t worry – I’m here and everything is going to be okay.’
‘Flynn – oh, thank God!’ came her voice from behind the stuck door.
He quickly pushed the barrel out of the way and pulled at the door handle, but it didn’t move.
‘Lily, it needs more force. On the count of three, I want you to kick the door like I did last time we were stuck in there.’
‘Uh-huh, all right.’
‘Okay, here we go. One … two,’ Flynn grasped the handle and strained back with all his strength, ‘… three!’
Lily kicked the door and it swung open. She flew out of the cupboard and into his arms, holding on tight and burying her head in the crook of his neck. ‘Thanks for the rescue, again.’
‘Anytime.’
She raised her head and looked at him. ‘We are so taking that bloody door off its hinges.’
‘Oh yeah. Seriously though, you’re not hurt, are you?’
Lily shook her head. ‘No, I’m fine.’
‘Good, because we have to get out of here. The fire is burning through the back of the shop as we speak.’
‘Oh no! We have to put it out. I can’t lose the shop now – not after everything that I’ve put into it.’
Flynn took her by the hand and tugged her towards the stairs.
‘No, we’re getting out. I want you safe. The fire brigade is already on the way as well as the police.’
‘But—’
‘We’ll work it all out once we’re safely out of here.’
They were almost to the bottom of the stairs when the sound of a police siren blared as it pulled up at the front of the shop.
The smoke was thick; it made her eyes sting and caught at the back of Lily’s throat, making her want to cough. Flynn’s arm went around her waist as he pulled her closer and guided her through the shop and out the front door.
‘Are you both okay?’ Senior Sergeant Barker said as he clambered out of the car. Another police car pulled up alongside the first as well as a divvy van.
Flynn tucked her protectively under his arm as they stepped out into the street. Lily was glad to have his strength bolstering her up because when all was said and done, if ever she needed a bit of bolstering, it was tonight.
‘Yeah, we’ll live,’ Flynn said as he guided Lily towards his friend. ‘Thanks for getting here so quickly.’
‘Not a problem.’ Steve glanced at Lily. ‘Are you sure that you’re unhurt?’
‘I’m all right,’ Lily replied. In truth she wasn’t, but she wasn’t about to tell Flynn or Steve that she kind of felt sick in the stomach and her legs were a wee bit shaky. It was a bit of a shock being betrayed by one of your best friends. I mean, on the level of our friendship no longer exists, this was pretty much up there.
‘Well, you don’t look it,’ he said. ‘I need you to sit in the car until the area is secure. PC Donaldson will stay with you for a second until everyone else arrives.’
Lily opened her mouth to protest as a fire truck flew around the corner with lights flashing and siren blaring. She’d never been so happy to see a fire-engine in all her life.
PC Donaldson walked up. ‘Would you like to come and sit over here, out of all the confusion?’
Lily gave him a nod. ‘Sure,’ she said, but she turned back to Senior Sergeant Barker. ‘Hailey lit the fire. I don’t know why but I saw her do it from the attic window. I think she may be responsible for the vandalism and maybe even running me off the road.’
‘I understand, Ms Beckett. You look as if you need to sit down – go with PC Donaldson and I’ll come and let you know what’s happening in a little while.’
She settled into the seat and waited. Police Constable Donaldson stood in front of the open door, obscuring her view of the shop. She asked him to move once so she could see what was going on, but he just gave her a smile and acted like he hadn’t heard her. If she leant to one side she could just see Flynn and Senior Sergeant Barker talking near the front steps.
A distant shout went up in the night, and several of the cops took off down the side street. Lily tried to stick her head out of the car to see what was happening but PC Donaldson literally stood in front of her.
‘Could you move a little to the left?’
‘There’s nothing to see, Ms Beckett.’
With an exasperated sigh she slumped back against the seat.
‘Hartley.’ Donaldson nodded as Flynn hurried towards the car. He stepped aside and allowed Flynn to slide into the car next to Lily.
‘What’s happening?’
Flynn shook his head as he took her hand. ‘I’m not sure but I think they must have found Hailey. I was talking to Steve and then all of a sudden he told me to come over here.’
Lily reached out and touched his cheek. Flynn raised his eyes and gave her a look that made her insides go a little mushy.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes, I’m fine – really,’ Lily smiled. ‘I’m fine.’
PC Donaldson opened the door. ‘The
ambulance is here, Ms Beckett.’
‘I don’t think I need—’
‘Yeah, you do,’ Flynn said as he stood up. ‘Just let them give you a look-over, just to be sure.’
‘Flynn, it’s not necessary, I’m fine.’
‘Please, for me.’
Senior Sergeant Barker hurried over to the car. ‘We’ve got her. She tried to escape via the back laneway.’
‘Steve, I think she must need medical help,’ Lily said. ‘I mean, a normal person doesn’t go around doing these sorts of things.’
‘Did she say why she did it?’ Flynn asked Steve as he stepped out of the car.
‘Well, not as such, but she was rabbiting on about how you and she are together and that Lily here is intent on coming between you.’
‘But that’s crazy! We went out a few times but that was years ago.’ Flynn shook his head and looked back at Lily. ‘I just don’t understand.’
‘We’ll get to the bottom of it,’ Steve said as he glanced down at Lily. ‘And you need to get checked out.’ He motioned one of the ambulance guys over. ‘We’ll talk tomorrow, when I have a better idea of what’s going on.’
Flynn helped Lily out of the car and guided her towards the ambo. Just as they reached the ambulance there was a disturbance from the side street.
‘Flynn! Let go of me! You don’t understand, I need to see Flynn. Flynn, tell them to let me go. Lily will go now and we’ll be together, just like we should – just like we’ve always been.’ Hailey’s voice cut through the air as a couple of policemen tried to bundle her into the divvy van. ‘Flynn, look at me! Flynn, why won’t you look at me? I love you … and I know that you feel the same.’
***
As the divvy van door clanged shut, Flynn didn’t turn around but just held onto Lily a little tighter. He was so thankful that she was alive and in one piece. It could have turned out very differently but any way he looked at it, Flynn kept coming to the same conclusion: it was all his fault. He’d boasted for years that whoever he dated knew the score, that it was all for fun and there were no feelings attached. But this whole thing with Hailey had slipped by him and he almost lost the one person he’d ever cared about. God, how could he not have seen that Hailey was unhinged and fixated on him?
He helped Lily up into the ambulance. ‘I’ll be right behind you.’
‘Good, I’ll be waiting.’ She gave him a smile and he swore that there were tears in her eyes.
A hard stone seemed to settle in the middle of his stomach. Shit, how could he ever make this up to her?
‘Flynn, let’s not tell my sister what happened until after they get back from their honeymoon.’
‘If that’s what you want.’
‘Yeah, it really is.’
‘You know that both of them will be as mad as hell at us for not saying anything, don’t you?’
‘Yeah, but they’ll forgive us. And besides, by the time they find out they will have already had their loved-up honeymoon.’
Steve walked up next to Flynn to address Lily. ‘Are you ready to go?’
‘Sure.’
‘Alright then. I’ll be over to grab a statement from you first thing in the morning.’
‘I can give it to you now if you like,’ Lily said. Giving a statement was a better option than going to hospital.
Flynn shook his head.
‘It’ll keep till tomorrow,’ Steve said with a brief smile. ‘Go and get some rest.’
The divvy van reversed out of the parking bay and momentarily stopped by the ambulance. Flynn thought he could hear his name being called but it was muffled by the metal sides of the police van. He didn’t turn around, he couldn’t. Instead he stared straight ahead at Lily, who watched the car as it crept past. He saw the pain in Lily’s eyes and it just about killed him.
‘Are you ready?’ Flynn asked the ambulance officer.
‘Yes.’
‘Good, then get the hell out of here,’ Flynn said before he looked back at Lily. ‘I’ll see you there.’
Lily gave him a smile. ‘Okay.’
Flynn closed the ambulance door and then rapped on it twice before standing back. He stood there for a moment and watched as it drove off into the night, towards the hospital.
‘You have to let it go,’ said Steve from beside him.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Yeah, you do,’ Steve said.
Flynn turned his head and stared at the policeman.
‘You’re standing there all riddled with guilt.’
‘I’m not.’
Steve raised an eyebrow. ‘Sure,’ he said, but it was obvious that he was far from convinced.
‘Oh shit, you’re right.’ Flynn ran his hands through his hair and let out a sigh. ‘It’s a total fuck-up, and I’m the one who caused it. Me, I did it, okay? I put Lily in danger.’
‘Hailey Waters is to blame, not you. You didn’t know that she was crazy. Look, this is hard when we all grew up together. I get that we’re friends and acquaintances and we probably all know way too much about each other. We all like Hailey, but no one picked this up – no one. So don’t go blaming yourself. At least now she’ll get the help she obviously should’ve had a long time ago.’
‘But I should’ve seen it. Jeez, she could have killed Lily.’
Steve clamped his hand on Flynn’s shoulder for a second. ‘Don’t do this to yourself. It won’t help you, and it sure as hell won’t help Lily.’
Flynn nodded, but he couldn’t get past it. ‘I’d better get to the hospital. I’ll give you a call as soon as we get the all clear.’
‘Right then.’
Flynn walked away and headed to his car.
Chapter 27
Lily’s eyes flickered open and for a moment she didn’t know where she was. Everything seemed pale and hard-edged, and through the partially open door there was a brightly lit corridor. She must have nodded off; maybe she was a little bit more worn-out than she thought. She turned her head and saw Flynn sleeping in the chair next to her bed.
Ah, she was in the hospital. Yeah, it was all coming back to her now … unfortunately.
The doctor who attended her said that she was fine but had been called away for an emergency before he could sign her off. So Lily had laid back against the pillows and waited. She guessed she must have fallen asleep.
She studied Flynn. He had a pillow wedged under one arm and his head tilted to one side. Lily had to wonder how anyone could possibly sleep in such an uncomfortable-looking position. She looked up and straight into Flynn’s eyes.
‘Hey.’
Flynn rubbed his face as he sat up before reaching across the bed and taking her hand.
‘How are you feeling?’ he asked with a hint of a smile.
‘A bit tired. I wonder how long I’ll have to wait to get out of here.’
‘Yeah, well, don’t push it. You need some rest.’
‘Flynn, I’m okay.’ Lily squeezed his hand and gave him a smile. ‘You didn’t have to stay. I doubt that sleeping in a chair is very comfortable.’
Flynn shrugged. ‘It was alright. Besides, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.’
His words warmed her. ‘I’m glad.’
A shadow passed over his face. Lily knew that something was wrong because she saw it in his eyes. ‘What’s up?’
He was silent for a second. He let go of her hand and sat back in the chair, creating a sudden distance between them.
‘I’m so sorry, Lily. I know that you must hate me at the moment and I just don’t know how or even if you want us to move forward together. I know this whole thing with Hailey is my fault, but I’m hoping that with time you’ll forgive me. I know I don’t deserve it and I won’t blame you if you want to walk away. It’ll kill me, but I won’t blame you.’
Lily stared at him, stunned, as the words sank in. ‘I don’t blame you – none of this is your fault. God, I sometimes wonder what goes on in that mind of yours!’
‘You don
’t …?’
‘No, I don’t blame you. This was all Hailey, not you.’
‘But if I hadn’t taken her out, if I hadn’t been so careless, this might not have happened.’
‘You’re not responsible for Hailey,’ Lily said. ‘Really, you’re not. Do you know where she is?’
‘Yeah, Steve rang a while ago. She’s been taken to a hospital in Bendigo to be evaluated, whatever the hell that means.’
Lily gave him a smile. ‘I need to talk to someone to find out that she’s okay.’
‘Jeez, Lily, she could have killed you.’
‘But she didn’t.’
‘You were in the shop when she lit that fire.’
‘Yes, but to be fair, she didn’t know that I was there.’
‘She ran you off the road when you were jogging! As I said, she could have killed you.’
‘We don’t know that for sure.’
Flynn locked eyes with her. ‘Yeah, we do. Apparently she told Steve that she was trying to force you to leave. That way we’d be together again. So yes, baby, she’s responsible for the vandalism and hitting you with the car and the damn fire.’
‘But has she done this before? I mean, I’m not the first woman you’ve gone out with.’
‘Yeah, but you’re the only one that I’ve ever been serious about, and I guess Hailey knew that.’
‘Which is why she became unhinged,’ Lily said with a sigh.
‘Yeah, something like that. When I think how close you came to … I don’t know what I would do without you and I don’t want to find out. Lily, you scared the hell out of me and you shouldn’t go anywhere near her.’
‘She’s sick, Flynn.’
‘I keep telling myself that, but it’s gonna take a while for it to sink in.’ He stood up and gave Lily a grin. ‘So, you don’t blame me and you’re not breaking up with me?’
Lily shook her head. ‘Don’t be an idiot, of course I don’t. As it happens, you’re stuck with me because I’m not going anywhere.’
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