A Family Divided (Dividing Line #3)

by Heather Atkinson

  “That’s why Henrieta’s here, to take some of the burden. She’s a good friend of Adela’s and she’s worked as a nanny for five years. She’s registered and fully qualified and has some great references. She’s worked for a me a couple of times when Adela’s been on holiday and I can vouch for her.”

  “I don’t doubt her credentials, I’m happy for her to stay. It’s Alex that worries me. We had a horrible row earlier and he stormed out.”

  “He’ll just have to deal with it,” she said angrily. “It’s his fault you’re in this state. Be firm, tell him she’s staying and you don’t care what he thinks.”

  “He never used to be like this. I don’t know what’s happening.”

  “He’s being off with everyone.”

  “I’m sure it’ll pass, it’s just the stress of business.”

  Rachel wondered how long he could get away with that excuse.

  She left a much happier Beth playing in the lounge with the children and drove straight to The Wherry Tavern, knowing more than likely Alex would be there. She marched straight through the pub and into the office, banging the door open noisily to find Alex sat at his desk on the phone then slammed the door shut.

  “Alright Col, I’ve got to go. Something big and angry just walked into my office.” He chuckled. “No thanks Mate, I think I can handle it on my own.” He hung up and regarded her with an amused smile. “Hello Rach. How can I help?”

  “You can spend some time at home for a start,” she yelled, shaking with fury. “Your wife practically had a nervous breakdown in front of me and what are you doing? Sat here talking on the phone with your mates. It’s disgusting.”

  His expression hardened. “I understand you’re upset, but watch your mouth.”

  “Don’t tell me to watch my mouth when I’ve just tended to your kids while your wife gets some much needed rest. She’s exhausted Alex and you’re not supporting her.”

  “I’ve bought her a great big posh house, she wants for nothing.”

  “All she wants is her husband by her side but you’re never there. Losing interest already Alex?”

  He shot to his feet and planted his hands down on his desk. “Don’t you fucking talk to me like that. I love Beth.”

  “Then why aren’t you helping her? You expect her to look after three kids, keep the house immaculate, have your tea on the table no matter what time you come in. Who the hell do you think you are to put that on her? You convinced her to give up a good career to become a drudge. Beth is better than that.”

  “This is between me and her. If I started interfering between you and Ryan you’d go mental.”

  “Ryan is a good, supportive husband and father.”

  “Are you saying I’m not?”

  “You used to be.”

  He banged his fist down on the table. It was rare for him to want to hit a woman, especially a pregnant one, but he was sorely tempted now. “Who the fuck do you think you are? You’re so far up your own arse you think you can talk to everyone like they’re shit.”

  “No I’m not. I just don’t like seeing my best mate being used and taken for granted. I wouldn’t blame her if she left you.”

  He turned purple with rage. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you? Convince her to turn against me like you turned on Danny.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I know.”

  “Know what?”

  “I know that when you were supposed to be with my brother you let Ryan stick his fingers inside you, you slag.”

  Rachel turned pale. For a moment she was rendered speechless.

  “Don’t even try and deny it Rach, I know it’s true.”

  “So this is why you’ve been acting so strangely with me lately,” she said quietly. “Why didn’t you just ask me about it?”

  “Because I didn’t want to listen to your pathetic lies.”

  “You wouldn’t have got lies Alex, you would have got the truth. When that happened me and Danny weren’t together. It was after he left Manchester and we broke up for a while.”

  “Did you tell him about it?”

  “I saw no reason to. I didn’t tell anyone.”

  “Just yours and Ryan’s little secret?” He was so angry his voice was hoarse. “I bet it didn’t stop when you got back with my brother. I bet you and Ryan have been shagging for years. That’s why you didn’t want Danny to kill him when that would have been the simplest solution, because you were fucking him, even then.”

  “That’s not true,” she yelled. “I admit that one time in Martina’s Bar happened, but that was it between us. Me and Danny got back together and I was so happy. Nothing else happened between me and Ryan until a year after Danny’s death and that is the God’s honest truth.”

  “What the fuck do you know about the truth? I thought it was funny at the time, how you kept your relationship with Ryan secret. If it hadn’t been for Richard Spencer sending those men to break into his house you wouldn’t have told us. When I found out what went on between the two of you in the club suddenly everything made sense. If it wasn’t for you then Ryan would be dead and Danny would be alive.”

  “How do you figure that?”

  “Because he would have given the order to have him killed, it was you that convinced him to keep Ryan, your lover, alive and Benton wouldn’t have shot him.”

  Right then Rachel didn’t just feel anger at Alex, she hated him too. “You know nothing,” she spat. “I loved Danny with my whole heart, I always will and I did not cheat on him once but no matter what I say you won’t believe me because you don’t want to. Better for you to blame me for everything that’s gone wrong in your life because you’re too fucking stupid to see that you’re driving away everyone who loves you.” She gave him a derisive smile. “Have you any idea how pathetic you are? You’re changing Alex, you’re poison, wanting to hurt everyone around you. You can’t handle the power of your position. You’re not your dad or your brother and right now they’d be ashamed of you.”

  “You’d better leave Rachel before I rip your fucking head off, pregnant or not.”

  “You don’t scare me Alex,” she sneered. She was amazed to realise it was the truth because right then, she was Rachel Maguire again. “Now I’m going to go home to my loving, supportive husband who doesn’t treat me like his servant. Why don’t you go home and do the same for Beth instead of making up stupid paranoid little theories.”

  “Get out,” he snarled, fighting the urge to leap across the desk at her.

  She straightened up, lips twitching with amusement. “Give up the hard man act Alex, it doesn’t work on me. Go home and start being a dad and a husband again, you must remember how and by the way, I’ve arranged for an au pair to start work at your house. She’s called Henrieta and she’s very nice and efficient.”

  “You fucking what?” he bellowed, kicking over his chair.

  She was unimpressed. “Yes, very good. Your wife needs her, the kids like her and that’s what’s important so get over yourself before you lose them all.”

  Alex snapped and rushed round the desk towards her, drawing back his fist. The next thing he knew a taser had been jammed into his chest and he went still.

  Rachel’s hand was perfectly steady as she pressed it harder against his shirt. “I started carrying this again after The Slasher attacked me. Don’t think for one second that I won’t use it.”

  Alex knew she wasn’t bluffing.

  “Your brother taught me well,” she said with a sweet smile. “You should have listened to him more. He was twice the man you are.”

  “One day I’ll kill you, you fucking bitch.”

  “You couldn’t get past Ryan,” she smirked. She reached for the door handle behind her and pulled it open. “Do yourself a favour and think about what we’ve spoken about today before you lose everything and everyone you love.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “No, a prediction. You’re not the first person I’ve seen on the path to sel
f-destruction.”

  With that she stepped backwards out of the room, not taking her eyes off him until she reached the main bar area. Then she slipped the taser back into her bag and strode out confidently, certain no one had overheard their row because Alex had his office soundproofed after he discovered the previous manager - who was no doubt lying in a shallow grave - had been eavesdropping. Not that there was anyone to see her. The barman had his back turned, stocking up the optics and the only two customers were sat in a corner deep in conversation. Mid afternoon was the pub’s quietest time of day.

  It was only when she was back in her car that the shock of what had just happened caught up with her and she started to shake as the adrenaline wore off. She couldn’t believe that had been the same Alex Maguire she’d known for years, who’d supported her when Danny had been killed, who she’d worked with to find his killer, been like a brother to her. She recalled his hateful words and hot tears spilled down her face. She’d lost him for good, their relationship could never recover after a conversation like that, too much had been said. Rachel prayed he didn’t mean his threat to kill her, but something in his eyes told her he had. Finding out about her and Ryan did explain a lot but not all of it. He couldn’t blame that for the way he was treating everyone else. How did that make him treat his wife badly or constantly row with Mikey and Jez? Mikey was right, the power had gone to his head and he thought he was God.

  Rachel started the engine, she had to see Ryan, talk it over with him. He’d reassure her, make her feel better. He’d get it all sorted out with Alex. Sorting problems was Ryan’s speciality.

  Before she pulled away from the kerb, Rachel took a few deep breaths to try and calm down. The baby shifted in her stomach and she ran a soothing hand over it.

  “Sorry Baby,” she smiled. “I’ll try not to do that again.”

  The traffic was quiet, for which she was grateful. The radio was tuned into the classical station and the gentle tinkling of a piano soothed her nerves. She always listened to classical music when pregnant, she’d read it was good for the baby. She came to a halt at a set of red lights and slumped back in her seat, completely drained, dreaming of getting home to a hot bath, cuddles from Ryan and the kids…

  The roar of an engine from Rachel’s right caused her head to snap round and she screamed when she saw the white van hurtling towards her. There was a bang, her head hit the window, then nothing.

  CHAPTER 13

  “Daddy,” beamed Ethan, racing up to Ryan the moment he was through the door.

  “Hello big fella,” he smiled, picking him up and cuddling him. “Something smells good.”

  “Adela…cooking,” he babbled, pointing to the kitchen.

  “Good, I’m starving.”

  He carried Ethan into the kitchen to find Leah eating at the table while Adela fed Aaron.

  “Where’s Rachel?” he frowned.

  “She’s not home yet,” replied Adela.

  “Has she called?”

  “No,” she said, wiping a mess of yoghurt from the boy’s chin.

  Ryan put Ethan back in his seat then pulled out his phone. No missed calls. She usually rang if she was going to be late. He reasoned she was probably stuck in traffic, she didn’t use the phone when she was driving.

  Tea time came and went and Ryan picked at his food, his unease growing, just like it had when she’d been attacked by The Slasher. Even Leah looked like she was getting worried. “Where is she?” she asked her dad.

  “She’s just late,” he said, trying to appear reassuring. “I’ll try ringing her again. She’s probably got chatting and lost track of time.”

  Leah appeared about as convinced as he was. However he didn’t need to call anyone because the home phone rang.

  “I’ll get it,” he practically yelled at Adela when she moved to pick up the extension on the kitchen unit. “Hello?” he said breathlessly, trying to keep the panic out of his tone.

  “Mr Law?”

  “Yes?”

  “My name is Sister Stubbs, I’m calling from the Intensive Care Ward at Manchester Royal Infirmary. I’m afraid your wife’s been in a car accident.”

  “No,” he said, voice sounding small and faraway. “Is she alright?”

  “She’s stable. You’d better come in.”

  “On my way.” He hung up and turned to see Leah looking at him, face pale and scared.

  “Was that about Mummy?”

  He nodded. “She’s been in a little accident, she’s at the hospital.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “She’ll be fine. I have to go to her.”

  “I want to see her.”

  Ryan wasn’t going to allow that until he knew what state Rachel was in. “You can’t yet. Just wait here and I’ll fetch you.”

  “But I want to see her,” she said, eyes welling with tears.

  “You will, I promise Cupcake.” He knelt before her and took her hands. “I’ll come back for you. Will you be a big girl for me and look after your brothers?”

  She nodded, trying not to cry.

  “That’s my girl,” he said, cuddling her and kissing her cheek. He looked to Adela. “Are you okay to stay for a bit?”

  “Course, take as long as you need.”

  “Thanks, call the family for me,” he said, grabbing his car keys and racing out the door. He broke the speed limit all the way to the hospital, triggering two speed cameras but he didn’t give a shit. She was on Intensive Care, which told him her injuries weren’t minor. The road briefly blurred as tears filled his eyes.

  He dumped the Audi in a disabled parking bay because there was nowhere else and raced inside and up to the ward.

  “Rachel Law,” Ryan demanded, grabbing the arm of a passing nurse.

  “Who are you?”

  “Her husband.”

  “This way.”

  He followed her into a private room to find Rachel unconscious on the bed, linked up to a variety of drips and machines.

  “Will she be alright?”

  “I’ll fetch her surgeon, he’ll be able to explain better.”

  “Surgeon? Just tell me, is she alright?”

  “Please, the doctor’s on the ward, I’ll fetch him.”

  The nurse hurried away and Ryan took the seat by his wife’s side. “Rachel?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Rachel?” he said louder, starting to panic.

  Still she didn’t respond. He clutched her hand, resting his other hand on her swollen belly, stroking it. Her face was bruised, a large gash running across her right temple, stitches protruding from it.

  “What happened Babe?” he whispered, fighting back tears.

  While he waited for the surgeon, Beth, Alex and Mikey rushed into the room.

  “Adela called. All she said was Rachel had been in a car accident. How is she?” replied Beth.

  “I don’t know, I’m waiting for the surgeon. She’s been this way since I arrived.”

  Alex hung back behind Beth, wondering if Rachel had told Ryan about their conversation at The Wherry Tavern. He’d already concluded she wouldn’t have had time to get home, the accident must have happened just after she left the pub. Did she crash because she was upset? He too realised after what had been said that their relationship was in tatters. They could never go back and he didn’t want to. Every time he thought about the things she’d said to him in his own office he was gripped by a murderous fury. If she had told Ryan he would blame him for this, for getting her wound up before she got into her car. But Ryan’s attention was wholly focused on his wife’s face and he relaxed. If she had told him he would have gone for him the moment he entered the room. She hadn’t had chance to tell him or anyone else and that was the way he wanted it to stay.

  “You alright Mate?” said Alex softly, wanting to test his reaction.

  “Not really,” he replied, his eyes focused on Rachel’s face.

  Alex relaxed. He didn’t know.

  Ryan leapt up when the doc
tor walked into the room. “How is she?”

  “You’re her husband I believe?”

  “Yes.”

  He looked at the others questioningly.

  “They’re okay, they’re family.”

  “There shouldn’t be so many people in this room at once.”

  “Please, just tell me how she is,” Ryan exclaimed.

  The surgeon took pity on his obviously fraught nerves. “Your wife was involved in a car accident,” he began.

  “I know that.”

  “She hit her head and lost a considerable amount of blood from the scalp wound. We’ve stitched the laceration and given her a transfusion but I’m sorry to say she’s not yet regained consciousness.”

  “You mean, she’s in a coma?” said Mikey when it became clear Ryan couldn’t speak.

  “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

  Ryan gasped and clutched at his hair. “Will she wake up?”

  “We’re taking her for a scan in an hour, we’ll know more after that.”

  “She’s pregnant, how’s the baby?”

  “When Rachel went into shock her blood pressure dropped and the baby went into distress. I’m afraid early labour started and there was nothing we could do to stop it, so we had to perform an emergency caesarean section.”

  Ryan took a step back, as though he’d been struck. “No.”

  “I’m sorry Mr Law, the baby didn’t survive.”

  His eyes filled with tears. “What was it?”

  “A boy.”

  “Oh God,” breathed Beth, burying her face in Alex’s chest.

  For the first time in his life Ryan completely disintegrated, his legs going out from under him. Mikey wrapped his arms around his chest and hauled him into a chair.

  “I’m so sorry,” repeated the doctor, looking stricken. “If you like I can arrange for you to talk to someone?”

  Ryan’s head snapped up, eyes hard. “I’d appreciate it if you would all leave.”

  “You shouldn’t be on your own,” said Beth.

  “I know you mean well but I’ve just lost my son and I’d like to be alone with my wife.”

  “Okay, we’ll just be in the Relative’s Room if you need us,” said Beth, face wet with tears as Alex and Mikey led her away.