“Have you ever tried it?”
“No, lord no.”
“You should. It’s a lot of fun.” Her big smile was so beautiful.
“Really? Would you go with me?” He didn’t know why he said it.
Rebecca watched him for too long. “What about Vicky?”
“What about her?”
“Your girlfriend doesn’t like me, so I doubt she’d be very pleased about it.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” He said it calmly, though he was annoyed. “She’s my friend.”
“Come on, your mum told me about her. She’s very possessive of you.” Rebecca looked out the window.
He sighed. “I know. It doesn’t mean we’re together though. I’m free to do what I like.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” He pulled alongside his mum’s house.
“Are you coming in?”
He frowned. His mum would get ideas if he did. “Um, no, I have some paperwork I need to go over tonight.”
With a concerned face, she waited for a beat too long. “You work too hard.” Rebecca got out of his car and turned back before shutting the door. “Tell her, tell her you asked me, and see if she thinks you two are just friends.” She didn’t give Arthur a chance to reply and hurried in out the windy, damp air.
She was right, Arthur sighed, turned the car and went home.
Alice was still up waiting for Rebecca when she got in and hung her coat up.
“You’re back early.” Alice put her knitting down and stood slowly.
“I managed to snag a lift.”
“Making friends?”
“Sort of.”
Alice frowned. “Oh? Do tell.”
“Arthur was passing by and dropped me off.”
“Oh, how lovely. He didn’t want to come in?”
“No, said he had paperwork.”
“He works too hard.” Alice frowned and made her way up to bed.
Rebecca slept fitfully with strange dreams. In the morning, still thinking of Arthur, she realised that she more than liked him. She really liked him. Their conversation kept coming back. How relieved she was about him not being with Icky Vicky. She grumbled into her pillow at the thought, before hauling herself up and made sure Alice was all right before getting ready for work.
When Rebecca left the office that evening, in a grizzly gale, she decided to leave her bike, and bus it. The wind made her hold her coat hood to her face as she jogged against the storm. At the bus shelter, wiping rain off her face, she checked her phone during the wait and saw she had six missed calls. She called the number with a sense of dread.
“D.I. Edwards.”
“It’s Rebecca Silverton, um, I mean Crest.”
“Thanks for getting back to me. I’m sorry to tell you this, but Danny Crest has violated his court order and left Manderly. We don’t know where he is.”
Rebecca went numb. Danny was her third cousin and Mark’s best friend. They were inseparable. The little shit had followed her from court a few times, harassing and threatening her. The police charged him, and he wasn’t permitted to approach her or leave Manderly. “You think he’s coming here?”
“We think so, Danny visited your stepmother last week, and he’s been to the prison and seen Mark several times.”
“Oh, god. What do I do?”
“You stay put. We have no reason to think that he knows where you are, just that he might be looking for you. Stay aware, try not to travel alone, and if you think you’re being followed, contact the police. You still have your case number?”
“Not on me.” Her voice shook. “I’ll put it in my phone.”
“Good, I’ve already spoken to the Chadford force, they know to keep a lookout for him. They’re aware. Don’t worry, we worked hard getting them put away, and getting you out. I’m not going to let you down.”
“Thank you.”
“Good. Be safe, an officer will contact you tomorrow.”
Rebecca was crying as she hung up, and a few people watched her. Fighting her panic, she rang Arthur; she had no idea who else to call.
Steadying her hand on the shelter wall, she listened to the ring of the phone and took a breath when he answered. “I need your help, please, I’m sorry.”
“Rebecca, what’s wrong, have you come off your bike?”
“No, something’s happened, and I’m stuck at a bus stop, I’m afraid.” She felt ridiculous, but safety was more important.
“Okay, I’m running late, but I can leave now, where are you?”
She told him, her throat closing as she did. Clutching her phone, she huddled in on herself, watching for his car. Ten minutes later, he pulled up, and she darted back into the rain, and he took off before she even had her seatbelt on.
The warm, comfortable feel of it eased her a little.
“What’s going on?”
She told him as they crawled through terrible rush hour traffic in a storm. Arthur didn’t say a word the whole time.
Her throat was hoarse as they reached Alice’s home, and he turned off the engine but didn’t move.
His face set in a scowl. “You came to my mother’s home, and brought this danger to her?” His voice was so even that she nearly missed his words.
“It was over, I thought it was all over. I never thought-” Tears fell steadily.
“No, obviously not. My mother is frail. What if this guy does find you and comes here? What would he do to my mother?”
She had no answer; he was right.
“You should find somewhere else to live. You can’t stay here.”
Remaining silent, she got out the car and walked unsteadily to the door, managing to get it open after three tries, and stumbled in.
Rebecca didn’t even bother taking her coat off but went upstairs with Alice calling after her. Rebecca missed the hum of the conversation downstairs, but she knew what was being said. Sluggishly pulling out her big suitcase, she started packing it, still in her wet coat and shivering.
She wondered about Danny, about Tracy, about what plan they had. The fear of being found, of being forced back and into who knew what, was too much.
Arthur was right though, she’d put Alice in danger. At a knock, and she opened her door a crack. He loomed over her, but she spoke first.
“I have a plan. You were right, I shouldn’t have come here. Don’t worry.” She didn’t look up at him.
“Mother’s upset.”
“I’ll be down in a moment.”
His jaw flexed, and he went downstairs.
She pressed her hand against her stomach to hold it all back.
Going down, hair frizzing, makeup smeared, and her clothes rumpled, Rebecca looked at Alice apologetically. “I’m so sorry, Alice.”
“There, there, it’s all right, it’ll be fine, I’m sure of it. Now, Arthur’s made you a cup of tea, I’m sure you need it. You’re frozen.”
Nodding, Rebecca sat, finally peeling off her coat, and Arthur put the mug in front of her.
“Tell me.”
“They don’t know where he is. I changed my last name. I was careful when I left. I dyed my hair, it’s naturally lighter.” She chewed her nail, staring into nothing. “No, there’s no way he’d be able to find me. But Arthur’s right, I shouldn’t have brought anyone into this. No. I’ll go. It’s only right.”
“No.”
“I have to Alice.”
“You don’t. Does she, Arthur?”
He stared down at her.
Rebecca didn’t glance up. “Really, I’ll find somewhere, you needn’t worry. I can take care of myself.”
She managed the most unconvincing smile and pressed her cold hand to Alice’s warm, thin one. Holding her tea again, she sipped it, the heat soothing her.
“I can help you.” Arthur’s voice normally made her happy, but not right then.
Shock turned to anger. “There’s no need. I’m
perfectly capable, thank you. I’m going to have a bath unless you want me to make dinner first.” She wiped her eyes, straightened her blouse, and smoothed her hair.
“No, you go and get warm, and we’ll talk about it in the morning. Do you want some food?”
“I’m not hungry.” Taking her tea, she wandered away.
The hot water of the bath was bliss. She’d miss Alice. She’d miss the comfort of the nicest house she ever lived in.
It was after eight when she opened her eyes, and the water cool. She quickly got out and dried off, leaning on the hot radiator. She’d leave in the morning, being too exhausted to go right then.
Arthur was in the kitchen when Rebecca got up. She stood in the doorway in her dressing gown, her hair a mess, and stared at him. He wore pyjama shorts and a t-shirt. Rebecca flexed her jaw and looked away as she went to make a cup of tea.
Setting out Alice’s cup, she said nothing, though Arthur watched her.
“I’m sorry if I overreacted yesterday.”
“You didn’t. I’m grateful for your help, but I’ll sort something out. Hopefully, I’ll be out the way by the end of the day.”
Arthur didn’t reply, and her hand shook as she poured Alice’s tea.
“What?” she bit out.
“You don’t need to go.”
She put the kettle down harder than she should have and turned to him. “You were right. It’s not fair to Alice, and you’re going to worry about her. There’s a risk. So, I’ll go, I’m nearly packed.”
She picked up Alice’s cup and went upstairs to wake her.
Her heart hammered, and the pit in her stomach made her feel sick. Tapping on Alice’s door, she went in and found Alice sitting up with her hairnet skewed.
Rebecca put the cup down and open a curtain a little.
Alice patted the bed, and she sat.
“Arthur stayed, he always keeps a few things here in case. Not that he’s stayed before. He does worry.”
“I know.”
Alice reached out and took Rebecca’s hand. “He didn’t mean to ask you to go, he’s protective of me, and overreacts sometimes.”
“Alice, it’s for the best. Really. I’ll worry about it, Arthur will worry about it, and I never want to put you in danger, and I won’t. Arthur was right. I’m sorry.”
She looked helpless with her large watery eyes and papery skin. “You’ve made up your mind.”
“I have.”
“I understand.”
Rebecca squeezed her hand lightly and left her. She washed her face, finished packing, and booked a hotel room.
After helping Alice up, as she always did, they were downstairs when Arthur joined them in his suit, formidable once again.
“Aren’t you going to work?” he asked, scowling.
“No, I’m going to sort something out today and find another flat. I’ll ring the temp agency in a minute, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
She smiled and went back up. When she heard Arthur leave, she booked a taxi and said goodbye to Alice.
“Already?”
“No point drawing it out.”
Alice shook her head. “Don’t be too hasty, please.”
Rebecca blinked, trying not to cry. “This is harder than I thought, Alice, you’ve been so good to me. I’ve felt welcomed and happy.”
She hugged the tiny woman, all fragile bone and wrinkled skin and wanted to stay desperately.
Taking a deep breath, she let her go.
Five
ANOTHER DIRECTION
Rebecca got to work early in the morning. She’d not slept well at the hotel, and it was much closer to the office, so that was one positive. She spent the previous day looking for flats, to no avail, but she’d spoken to the agency, and they seemed fine, so that was something.
The ground floor was already busy, the large building had several businesses, and the one she worked for took the top three floors. At the security gate, she swiped her temporary ID, but the machine beeped, and a red light flashed, she wiped her key card on her thigh and tried it again. It beeped. Derek, the security guard, ambled over, and she gave him a bright grin while they moved aside, and others swiped in behind her.
“Doesn’t seem to be working today.”
He frowned, checking his tablet, and beckoned her to follow him. Dread sat in her stomach as she went, her heels tapping on the tiles.
Past the reception desk and waiting area, he led her to the offices and gestured for her to go into a small room, where she stood waiting. Tara, her boss, hurried in fifteen minutes later, still wearing her coat.
She spoke in a brusque tone. “What happened yesterday?”
“I had a personal problem, but I rang the agency. I’m lodging with someone, and unfortunately, I had to move out.”
“You should have done that on your own time, and the agency should have been very clear with you on time off.” Tara set her mouth and spoke to Rebecca as though she were a wayward child. “You’re a temp, that doesn’t mean you get sick days, or holiday, and if you’re not available for work, you need to speak to the temp agency two days in advance. We’re already two admins down as you know. It’s not acceptable. I’m sorry, we won’t be requiring you anymore.”
She held out her hand, and Rebecca handed her the key card.
Walking out the little room with her head buzzing, she went back to the hotel, right back where she started.
She needed to leave; it was too expensive to stay.
Rebecca sat in the bath looking through the rental ads online and knew that she had no choice but to take the cheapest and crappiest place available.
She should have swallowed her pride and stayed with Alice. Humiliation burnt in her face.
A little later, she went to the café, and Mandy, warm and kind, beamed at Rebecca, who burst into tears. The kindly woman came out from behind the counter and put her arm around Rebecca. She went as often as possible, always keen to see her, but not as often as she’d like.
“Tell me all about it.”
Rebecca did, and by the time she was done, she knew that starting over once meant she could do it again. Knew it.
Arthur slowed at the traffic light and looked about at the busy Sunday crowds. The weather had warmed, and the spring air hinted at summer.
Scanning the faces as he always did, he never let himself hope. It had been more than a month, and he was getting desperate to find Rebecca.
He looked up at the café along the row of shops and boutiques and saw a familiar figure. For a moment, he thought he imagined her – he’d done that more than once – but looking again, he knew it was her.
Leaning forward, he took in the messy bun, her figure and height, and when she turned, he took a sharp breath.
She looked lost and sad as she picked up cups and plates in a neat stack and wiped the table.
He pulled into the parking strip that ran along the shops and got out as she went in. He followed her while she took the things through to the back, and he didn’t hear the woman behind the counter talking to him.
“May I help you?”
He shook his thoughts off and spoke. “I need to speak to your waitress.” He pointed after Rebecca.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, but I need to speak to her.”
Rebecca appeared and faltered.
Arthur lost the fight to grin.
“How did you find me?”
She wasn’t smiling, anything but. He held up his hands. “I saw you when I was driving, no more. Please let me talk to you, please.”
Mandy kept her eye on them.
Rebecca sat with her hands in her lap. She looked thin and tired.
He needed to tread carefully. “How are you?”
“Fine. How is Alice?”
“Honestly, not good. She took you leaving badly.”
“I’m sorry.” Her face pinched.
“She misses you. She asks
me to search for you all the time. I do every day. You won’t answer my calls or don’t read your texts.”
“Tell her I’m sorry.”
“I was at fault. I should not have said what I did. It wasn’t fair to you.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
All he wanted to do was hold her and make it better. He cleared his throat. “Please accept my apology and let me put it right.”
“There’s no need Mr Hulston.”
“Mr Hulston? Not Arthur?”
“We’re not friends.”
“I’d like us to be.”
“I don’t.”
He sat back, surprised at much those two words hurt. “As you wish. Mum needs you.”
“Why?” She finally looked at him.
“She took a turn and fell. She’s worried about you and isn’t as strong.”
“That’s my fault.” Rebecca paled further, and a deep frown wrinkled her face.
“No, it’s mine. But I need help. I need you. Won’t you come home?”
“Why?”
He sighed. “You never went back to your job. This is where you work?”
“They asked me to leave after I took the day off. It was my own fault, I wasn’t thinking. It’s like some people get to mess up and it’s allowed, I do it and…” She leant her head back fighting tears. “I file in the afternoons in a factory office. It’s flexible.” She shrugged.
“Where do you live?”
“Little Lane.” It was the worst part of Chadford. Old Victorian terraces and horrible small flats alongside halfway houses. It was notorious.
“Jesus.” His face drained of colour. He needed to put this right, and he’d not let her slip away again.
“It’s a roof.”
“Let me help you, and you can help me.”
“How?”
“Come home and look after mum for me. She needs the help, and I would be easier knowing that there was someone who really cared looking out for her. As long as she’s happy, I don’t care. I’ll pay you a wage. Please, for mum.”
“I don’t like being manipulated.”
“I’m not. Come with me, you’ll see her, I’m not lying.”
“Okay, but I need to finish my shift and give notice.” Her face was unsure, and she wouldn’t meet his eye.
Getting a Life (New City Series Book 4) Page 5