by L Chapman
"I know. Now, get that fine arse of yours in the shower, and I'll make you a brew." I love the fact he is picking up my northern words. He leans forward, giving me a deep, passionate-filled kiss before reaching behind me and turning on the faucet.
"Hey!" I shout as the water starts to hit me, running down my covered back.
“Now, get on," he says, pulling me up to my feet. He places his hands at the bottom of my top, pulling it over my head.
"Are you going to wash my back?" I ask.
"I would love to."
My eyes lock with his, and he pulls me tighter. His lips hit my neck, trailing little kisses down the nape. “Mmm.” His hand slowly rubs down the side of my face as the steam from the hot water fills the room around us.
“Baby, I want every time with you to be special,” he states.
“Isn’t that meant to be the girl’s line?”
“Yes, it is. But, Megan, I have never felt like this before.” He places a slight kiss on my lips.
“Go get the kettle on. I’ll be down soon,” I declare.
I want him to join me now and take me in every way he can imagine.
I quickly shower and brush my teeth before grabbing a pair of black leggings and a grey jumper and throwing them on. I add some little black fluffy boots. Perfect. I turn to get my hairband from the side table, but notice that it’s not there.
“Mark!” I yell down the stairs.
“Yes?” he answers in a questioning tone.
“Do you know where my hairband is?”
“No, it was on the side table next to your brush the last time I saw it.”
“Thank you.”
I check the floor around it. No, it’s not there either. Oh, crap.
“Hurry up, Megan!” Mark bellows.
“Okay, okay,” I reply. I can tell how impatient he is today. He doesn’t like to be late for family. Well, he doesn’t like to be late at all, but never for family. He would be there hours early if he had his way.
I need to tie my hair up. I can’t have it down while it’s wet. I’m sure there is a hairband in the car. I reach over and grab a clean, black lace thong and throw it in my hair, tying it up out of the way. A simple bun will do. It will give it a small wave once it has dried or until I find a hairband in the car.
Chapter Three
We pull up just outside of Annabella’s house earlier than we need to be. We have about forty minutes until we are due here, but I know what he is like. Mark is so worried when it comes to seeing her. I find it sweet that he thinks so much of her, but I don’t like to be rushed. I know why he does it, though; he never arrives too close to the time, or he is scared she will panic thinking something has happened to him.
“Hey,” Annabella says, tapping on the window of Mark’s side of the car. He drove as he always does. He never lets me drive when we are together. I think it’s a man thing. I don’t mind him driving today. Since my head is banging, I don’t think it would have been advisable for me to get behind the wheel.
Mark sends down the automatic window. “Hey, have you been out gardening?” he questions.
“Yes, I have. I have been pruning back the rose bushes,” she replies, pointing over the grass to some roses. I notice her hands are covered with her forest green gardening gloves. She always has them on when she is outside dealing with the roses. They have some type of thick padding under them, which protects her hands from being damaged by the thorns on the rose bushes.
“Hi, Annabella. It’s so nice to see you again,” I say, closing the car door gently and walking towards her.
“Megan, you look stunning,” she responds, taking hold of my hand and looking me up and down. She always checks everyone out to see what they are wearing.
“Thank you.” I pause. “You’re looking well. Have you gotten over your cold?” I enquire. Annabella had been really unwell a couple of weeks ago. She ended up spending several days in bed because the cold went straight into her chest.
“Yes, thankfully. It was the worst one I have had in years. I’m sorry if I seemed rude while I was sick. I just didn’t want you or Lucy to get it.” We were supposed to come over and see her, but she told us all to stay away, including Mark. She didn’t want him getting it either.
“I totally understand what you mean,” I reply because I thought it was very considerate of her.
“There she is,” Annabella says, holding her arms out to take Lucy from Mark. I stand there smiling while watching Annabella and how she reacts with Lucy. I love seeing her with Lucy; it makes me think about what she must have been like with Mark. I’m so happy that he had someone strong and loving around him as he grew up. It’s been a great thing for him. He has become such a lovely man. I can see him being a caring father too since he is a wonderful father figure to Lucy now.
“Right, shall we let Annabella get all ready to go out for lunch?” Mark asks, looking down at Lucy, who is sitting on her hip.
Annabella peers up at Mark. “I thought I would just cook. It will be easier,” she says, smiling at him while giving him a fluttery eye look. Even I know that will not wash with Mark. When he has made plans, they are final. No way he is going to change his mind that easily.
“No, I said we were going out for something to eat. I want to treat three of my favourite ladies,” he says, kissing her on the forehead.
“But…”
“No buts, please,” Mark challenges, fluttering his eyes back at me. I can’t help but laugh at him. I love it when he tries to mimic one of us. His eye fluttering isn’t as good as Annabella’s or mine.
“Megan, watch out for those fluttering eyes,” she says, pointing at Mark.
“I will,” I answer as I shake my head. “I know all about them. I think those eyes are dangerous.”
“I will agree to going out for lunch if you will let me take these two to see something special in the garden,” she states matter-of-factly, pointing at me with her head.
“Okay, deal. I’ll go see my favourite little four-legged friend.” He leans over and places a kiss on Annabella’s cheek before walking into the house.
“See, I always win,” she says, laughing. “Let’s go. I have something special to show you.”
“Have fun, ladies,” Mark tells us.
“Oh, have you got your key, Mark? I have locked the door,” Annabella states.
“Good, you should always have it locked. That way you are safe,” Mark adds. “And, yes, I have my key.” He pulls it out of his pocket and waves it at her.
I follow alongside Annabella to the side of the house where the shed that Mark had already pointed out to me sits. Lucy is cooing in Annabella’s arms, and all I can do is smile. She is secure. I have no worries.
“Here we are,” she says, opening the creaking door to the shed. I might have to get Mark to take a look at that for her. She will let him, but I don’t think she will let me. She sees something like that as a man’s job.
“Oh, wow!” I exclaim. It is a room full of different types of roses. They are all various colours and sizes, and their smell is amazing. It hits you in the face as soon as the door opens. “This is where Mark gets his passion for roses.”
“Yes, it is. He knows the meaning of every one of them. When I first came over here, I only wanted rose bushes in my garden. With every pay check, I bought another bush, and here they all are,” she says, pointing at all the bushes lined inside the shed. The shed is very deceiving. Although it looks like a shed, it is more of a greenhouse inside. It’s full of different pots with little roses. Annabella explains that once they have matured to be transplanted, she will plant them outside. They are all still too young to go out yet. It’s lovely listening to her tell me about something that means so much to her.
“They are amazing,” I state. I’m truly overwhelmed with how many beautiful roses I see in here.
“This one down here is new,” she says, pointing at a little bush that just looks like it’s starting to grow. “It’s actually called Lucy and d
ates around 1997. It grows medium-sized pink roses. They are not full doubles, but semi.”
“Oh, wow.”
“I bought it the day Lucy was born,” she says, bringing Lucy up closer and placing a little kiss on her head.
“That was so sweet of you.” A tear rolls down my cheek.
“That way Lucy can enjoy this space just like Mark did all those years ago.” She smiles adoringly at Lucy before turning her attention back to me. “What’s that in your hair?” she questions with a raise of her eyebrow.
“Oh, pooh,” I exclaim, covering my face as I feel myself start to burn up with embarrassment.
“Megan?”
“I couldn’t find a hairband this morning when I was in a full-on rush to get ready, so I grabbed the first thing in sight,” I explain.
“It looks so pretty with the lace effect. It’s like a hair net,” she adds.
I slip it out of my hair, sliding it into my jacket pocket.
“What is it?”
“A thong. A clean one, I promise.” I cover my face in shame.
Annabella stands there laughing. “That made my day.”
As we walk back towards the house, I see Mark lying face down in the front yard. The puppy is running around him and barking loudly. I start to walk faster towards him, leaving Lucy in Annabella’s arms. Is he just playing around?
“Mark?” I enquire as I approach him. “Mark!” I yell as I fall to my knees beside him.
Chapter Four
I shake him, but nothing happens. There is no movement or sound at all from him. I place my hand at the side of his head to straighten it, so he is able to breathe better. When I slowly lift my hand away from the back of his head, I instantly notice blood. Mark’s blood is all over my hand.
“Annabella, call an ambulance!” I shout, trying not to wake Lucy, who had fallen asleep a little while ago in Annnabella’s arms. It is normal for her to take a nap at this time. “Mark, you will be fine. I love you. Please stay with me.”
I walk around him to see his face. I notice that his head isn’t elevated enough, so I move him a little bit more, ensuring that he is definitely able to breathe. I then bend one of his knees, moving him slightly. I’m scared to touch him. I don’t want to hurt him any more than he already is. I don’t know if he has broken anything. I’m not a mind reader, but I wish I were because I need to know what happened. Right now, I need to make sure he is safe. I need him to be in some kind of recovery position since I don’t know what’s happened. All I do know is he is unconscious, and there is blood coming from his head.
I turn to see Annabella standing there with tears streaming from her eyes. “He is going to be okay,” I state, attempting to reassure her. I don’t know if he will be all right. I don’t know what will happen to him, because I don’t know what happened. I should have gotten him to come with me. Did he fall over? Is the puppy injured? Oh, my head is such a mess, but I can’t let Annabella know that. She will worry more.
“I hope so,” she responds in a shaky voice. “I haven’t gone into the house.”
“Why?” I exclaim harshly. “We need an ambulance. We need help for Mark.”
“No, someone has broken into the house. The door has been smashed through, and I can see from here there are things on the floor in the hallway. Everything I can see is destroyed and all lying over the place,” she states, visibly trembling.
“Oh, no. Use this,” I say, passing her my mobile. “We need an ambulance for Mark.”
I reach into Mark’s pocket and grab his little monogrammed handkerchief, the one he always carries with him. I place it gently on his head where the blood appears to be coming from, applying enough pressure to try to stop the bleeding. I hope Mark will not be mad at me for using his granddad’s hanky. He passed away when Mark was six, and it is one of the most treasured items he owns that belonged to his granddad. His name was William, but his dad used to call him Bill. The name stuck with him throughout his life, and everyone knew him as Bill.
I remember the night Mark told me about his grandad Bill. We were sitting on the sofa with my head on his lap. As I listened to the stories about his granddad, he held the handkerchief close to him.
Granddad Bill passed away suddenly of a heart attack at sixty-nine years old. He used to spend hours with Mark, teaching him about vegetables. He told him how to plant them and to look after them like a keen gardener should. He used to come and visit Annabella and help her with the garden. Mark told me all about the hours they spent chatting and shopping for the garden. I wish I had met him.
Tears roll down Annabella’s cheeks as she leans over and passes my mobile back to me. “Annabella, is everything okay in the house?” I question.
“I didn’t really notice what was damaged. I saw bits of things, but I’m not sure what,” she replies.
“I’m going to ring Connor,” I state.
I reach for my mobile that I had placed on the ground beside me.
“Connor?”
“Mark has…I don’t know. We are at Annabella’s, and he is lying in the driveway unconscious with blood pouring from his head. Can you come here and check the house, or get someone to? I’m scared to go inside.” I pause. “The house has been trashed. From what we can see, things have been smashed, and I don’t know if anyone is in it or not.”
It’s not like Mark to fall. He is the most coordinated person I know. I have never known him to be clumsy, even when he has been drinking. I don’t know what is happening. I stay at Mark’s side with one eye on the door of the house. I hope no one in in there.
“Shhh…He will be all right,” I say, trying to comfort the puppy, who has been running around and barking. He has finally settled at Mark’s side, whining.
I hear the sound of the ambulance coming up the driveway. I’m so happy to see some help. I sit there unable to move, listening to Annabella tell the responders about Mark. As one paramedic looks down at Mark and prepares to move him, another one runs to get the splint board. I move out of the way, letting them care for the man I love. He is so lifeless, and it pains me to stand here and do nothing.
“I’ll go place this little one away in the house,” I finally say, trying to regain my composure as I walk towards the house. “Come on,” I call to Jessie, the puppy, while entering the house. I suddenly stop, looking to the side. For as far as I can see, there is broken glass everywhere. There is no way I can walk through there, and I can’t leave Jess. I don’t know if anyone is in there. I should have thought about that possibility.
“Stop!” I shout at Jessie. “Come on. You can come with us.” I walk hastily over to Mark’s car, placing her into the backseat. I don’t like the thought of locking her away, so I will have to drop her off somewhere safe. With the unexpected heat, the car is unsafe.
“What’s going on?” Annabella asks.
“The house feels weird,” I inform her. I know that must sound silly, but it does. I felt like I was being watched while I was standing at the door. I really don’t want to be near the house any longer than I am. I want to get away now.
“I need to go in,” Annabella states, walking towards the house. I run in front of her. I can’t let her go into the house, just in case someone is still inside. I need to protect everyone.
“No,” I demand. “You need to go with Mark.” I pause. “Lucy and I will follow in the car, and I’ll go find Connor.” I take Lucy from her arms and watch her climb into the back of the ambulance with the help of one of the paramedics.
I can feel the tears begin to fall down my cheeks.
Chapter Five
“Where is Mr. Mark Reed?” I ask the tall, slim man who looks like he has had a late night because his blonde hair is all messed up.
“Can I ask who you are?” he replies, looking up at me. He definitely had a late night.
“His girlfriend,” I answer. I still find it awkward being called his girlfriend. The title is strange to me. John never called me his girlfriend nor did he ever use a title to in
troduce me apart from my name. I was just there for him. Things with Mark are different. Not quite a year has passed, and I already have a title. I mean something to him.
“I’m sorry. You can’t go in at the moment. I will check with the doctor and see if he will let you in. You’re not considered a close relative, so he might say no. Please keep that in mind,” he answers condescendingly.
“Okay,” I say quietly, too stunned to say anything else. I should have known they wouldn’t allow me to go inside the room.
I dropped off Jessie at Mark’s house where I knew she would be safe, and Connor rang me just as I arrived at the hospital. He searched the entire house. It had been destroyed.
I just don’t get it. Why is someone after Annabella or Mark? Who would want to hurt either of them?
Tears begin rolling down my face again. I can’t see anything through my wet lashes, but I can hear the shuffle of feet moving past me. I tip my head down, pulling Lucy closer to me and placing my chin on her head. “No one will ever hurt you,” I whisper.
“Megan,” I hear a familiar voice say, and I lift my head towards the sound.
“Annabella, is he okay?” I question, rubbing my eyes.
“Why are you out here?” she asks.
“They wouldn’t let me in because I’m not considered family,” I state with an aching heart.
“Oh, bullshit. Come on. Mark is asking for you,” she says in a firm voice. I’m full-on stunned by her language. I have never heard her say anything like that before.
I stand up, lifting Lucy onto my hip and grabbing my bag and changing bag that Mark gave me. It is a pretty purple with “Lucy” embroidered on it in pink thread. I take the tissue from my jacket pocket and rub my puffy eyes. Inhaling a deep breath, I follow Annabella. The unit is full off little bays with different curtains separating the beds. There is medical staff dressed in various coloured uniforms everywhere I look, making it easy to distinguish their jobs. Annabella stops at the end of the ward at a private room that has walls and a window with closed white blinds.