One Moment At Sunrise

by Karen Aldous

  She clutched her chest as they prepared a second needle. Charlotte’s leg twitched and she moaned as it punctured her other thigh. That was surely a good sign; Evie’s heart raced. After several seconds, they removed it. Less than a minute later, Charlotte’s little palm turned and one by one each digit spanned out then curled, and then her voice came out in a croak.

  ‘Mummu!’

  With her heart leaping in her throat, Evie chimed, ‘Mummy’s here, poppet. You are a good girl, you lie still while you get better. Not long, sweetheart. Nearly there.’

  ‘Muuu!’ Her legs kicked.

  Evie went to step forward then stopped. She looked at the doctor. ‘Can I just hold her hand?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  Evie sidled next to the trolley and gently took Charlotte’s chubby hand and bent down towards her. ‘Lie still for just a little longer, poppet. These lovely people have all saved you but you need to stay there while your little legs and arms get stronger.’

  ‘She will need to finish those fluids too, but the pulse is stronger. You’re doing very well, little one,’ the doctor told her.

  Charlotte’s eyelids opened and Evie gasped. Here was her little girl back. She was going to be ok. She just knew it. At once, her blood began to circulate through her veins and warmth returned just like a central heating system.

  She turned to Ben. ‘She’s going to be ok. Thanks to you and,’ she smiled at the doctors, ‘and you two. She is going to live and she’ll be ok. Well as long as I keep her away from nuts.’

  ‘Yes, we need to keep her in the ward for a few hours’ observation. We will take some blood and run some tests to confirm what’s what. Before she’s released, we’ll give you an adrenaline pen to carry just in case it reoccurs.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Ben padded up behind her, his hand clutching her shoulder. ‘Wonderful news.’

  ‘More than wonderful,’ her fists tightened, ‘she’s alive, it’s the best thing in the world. God knows how parents cope with… I can’t even begin to imagine. I want to dance and celebrate. Hurry up Charlotte, Mummy needs someone to dance with.’ Evie rubbed her hands then, seeing the doctor’s look at one another, poured herself some dignity. ‘Oh, sorry, I’m getting a little carried away. I wouldn’t dream of getting her up dancing.’

  They laughed and one of them waved his arm. ‘Ok. We’ll leave you with the nurse who will arrange a bed for Charlotte.’

  ‘Thank you so, so much. I’m really grateful for your speedy action.’

  The nurse collated a file and a porter pushed Charlotte to a nearby ward where other patients and their carers smiled and waved as they entered. Ben pulled two chairs out from a stack as Charlotte was lifted to a bed, remaining in the recovery position, and covered for comfort.

  Evie sat on the edge of the bed stroking Charlotte’s hair, whilst Ben sat on one of the chairs. ‘She does look so much better,’ she smiled. ‘Jeez, I still can’t believe you flew in at that moment.’

  ‘Me neither. Presumably you were there on your own then?’

  Her head swung round and met his eyes. ‘I wasn’t, we were on a holiday but…’ She took in a deep breath, ‘I think there is something more sinister going on. It’s probably something you should steer clear of, Ben.’ She slunk her shoulders, waving an empty hand. ‘He even left me there without a phone.’

  ‘I know, the police found it.’

  ‘The police?’

  ‘At your house. I’d better explain. Well, when neither Cally, Suzanne nor myself had’ seen nor heard from you, we called the police. Cally was worried that you’d been abducted by that local. She said he had been hanging around you for a long while, so naturally they forced entry into your house to check you hadn’t been left for dead on the floor.’

  ‘But how do you know Cally?’

  Ben gave her a quizzical look. ‘I didn’t. I was curious as I hadn’t seen you, and when you weren’t at home I left a note in what I thought was your friend’s house. She wasn’t in when I called. Anyway, she rang when Cally had turned up at hers this morning. I went over to hers and that’s when we called the police.’

  ‘Oh my God, sounds like a whole search party is out.’

  ‘Which reminds me, I need to ring Cally and Suzanne and let them know.’ Ben took his phone from his pocket.

  ‘So, how did you know where to find me?’

  ‘Look, I’ll come clean. I did wonder if it was Seb Wilde who was your partner when… well, that day I delivered your bike. He was turning in to the track as I drove out… anyway, the point is, I know the pilot of the helicopter quite well, who obviously knows Seb, and I thought I’d ask if he’d dropped him over here lately.’

  ‘Oh, really, yes of course you’d recognised him.’ Evie was stunned and wondered why he hadn’t mentioned it, but then there were other properties off the track, and clearly, there was no reason to mention it. She tilted her head, knitting her eyebrows. ‘Oh. But this place, this villa – island actually – of his… even I didn’t know about it?’

  ‘We shot one of his videos here. Riviera Girl. He’d just had it built – what, two or three years ago. Don’t you remember it, girls in and around the pool, girls on yachts, on deserted beaches? We went out from the harbour in the village.’

  ‘What village?’

  ‘There’s a small village, the other side of the island. Ooh what’s the name? Port something or other.’

  Evie cleared her throat. ‘Oh, God, he lied.’ Of course she had no idea there was a village. ‘Really, Seb told me the island was deserted apart from a derelict monastery. So, if I had kept walking, I would have come across civilisation! Seb knew that!’ Bastard. He was such a freak. He’d really set out on a mission. She felt so stupid being sucked in by him for so long. ‘I’ve only seen the video once. I wouldn’t have recognised the location. But… I’m pretty disturbed.’

  ‘It is disturbing. I’d like to know his motivation for all this. How long would he have left you there? I mean, it was just an outside chance asking Matthieu, to be frank, and when he’d told me he brought a woman and child over with Seb, but only Seb back, it was a no-brainer really.’

  ‘Well, a bit embarrassing as I never got to meet the pilot, I’d had a bit to drink.’ And the fact that Ben knew about the villa and she didn’t. God, this man knew far more about Seb than she did! She scratched the top of her head trying to make sense of it. ‘So, what, you rang the pilot?’

  ‘Sort of yes. We should have been out doing aerial shots today but because of the mist earlier, that idea was put to bed. But as we had the helicopter booked for the day, and had to pay a percentage of the fee, I took advantage.’

  Evie’s head slowly bowed. ‘Oh, I see! Ok, my brain is so fizzled, I was trying to make connections. That makes sense now. And I am so grateful. Look. I might be able to claim that back on insurance.’

  ‘I wouldn’t hear of it. It was the best five grand I’ve ever spent.’

  ‘Huh!’ Evie’s eyes popped out. ‘Ouch, five grand! Oh, Ben!’ Instantly touched, she leaped off the bed and threw her arms around him. ‘I just can’t thank you enough. You saved my Charlotte’s life. Obviously, you didn’t know it then, but…’ She squeezed her arms tighter around his neck, suddenly feeling his magnetism pulling her in. Her hero… but, swiftly, she stepped back, just taking in one last lungful of him. ‘I will try to repay you though. No, Seb will pay – and before he’s put away for…’

  ‘No. Don’t mention any of this to Seb. What I mean is, please don’t mention my name or ask him to pay. In fact, you’re probably better off telling him you alerted the emergency services from the village.’

  ‘Sure, yes,’ she said. ‘I’d want to protect you.’

  Ben lowered his head. ‘Evie, my fear is, things may blow up, you know, with Seb, the police, the press. Oh, how do I say this? It’s not that I don’t want to help, or want you to lie, it’s just that I can’t afford to get caught up in this.’

  ‘Of course, my lips
are sealed.’ She spread her hands out, gesticulating the size of her debt. ‘Ben. I owe you big time, as does Seb.’

  Ben looked up. ‘Seb owes me nothing. Neither do you but I’d rather he didn’t know. I don’t want him accusing me of anything. You know he may get the wrong idea, about us, and… well, he has enough… What I mean is…’

  Evie grabbed her hair and pulled it to one side as she edged back to Charlotte’s bed and sat down. ‘What,’ she swallowed. Had Seb suspected something? ‘What do you mean?’

  Ben bent down, placing his elbows on his knees and covering his face.

  ‘Ben? Tell me?’

  Chapter 29

  ‘This is awkward.’ Ben’s head emerged from his hands.

  Evie stared at him, squinting, eagerly waiting. ‘Oh Ben, spit it out. Nothing is going to shock me now is it? I can’t think of anything worse than what just happened to Charlotte.’

  Sliding her thumb over her fingernails, she continued to stare as he stared back, now chewing his lip.

  Pinching his chin, he said ‘Seb has been having you followed. That guy, your stalker, he was working for him.’

  Evie stared at him like a nervous fox. ‘Ah! That’s not a great surprise. That’s exactly what I suspected. Sorry, but I sort of worked it out earlier. I mean, why else would he abandon me without a phone? He thinks I’m guilty of something. So he had me followed. I can only imagine he is trying to stop me seeing you, or something.’

  ‘So he must know who I am.’ Ben scratched his head.

  ‘I don’t know Ben. I really don’t know. I’m sorry. How did you find all this out?’

  ‘That guy, your stalker, told the police. Gave Seb Wilde’s name. Gave them Seb’s phone number. He didn’t, or rather, the police didn’t explain to Cally why he was following you. Seb was paying this guy, so they had every reason to believe his story. They couldn’t trace Seb to the house because the house is in your name. They did a check, the payments for the house are made in your name. They apparently search the bank records. Seb had approached him to carry out surveillance on his behalf. I don’t know whether they will ask you if you wish to prosecute when you get back. Anyway. The point is, Seb doesn’t need any ammunition to go guns a‘blazing.’

  Evie turned to Charlotte and, seeing the pink of her cheeks, shed a tear. Charlotte’s father was beginning to sound more like a gangster than a rock star. Why on earth was he spying on her? What was he trying to achieve? And what had this guy reported to slimy Seb? Thoughts of what he may have concocted from her sad little life ran through her mind. Ben was the only man she could be linked up with and what they had had been completely innocent. And she could prove she was working with Ben professionally. Although it was risky telling him, that would involve Ben even more.

  She shook her head. ‘It’s probably best I don’t work with you, and certainly not be seen with you. I don’t want your name dragged through the mud either. I suspect he’s making trouble for me. I don’t know why. I’m so sorry.’

  Ben clenched his fist and then spread his palms along the top of his thighs. ‘You’ve nothing to apologise for. And, I happen to agree. I don’t want you and Charlotte to suffer. Oh, and please, let me have your bank details and I will make sure you are sent the money you are owed.’

  Evie entwined her fingers. She wanted to tell him don’t worry about the money … but money was the only thing that would free her from Seb.

  ‘I can’t. I can’t open a bank account. Seb deals with all the bills.’ She frowned as she made the connection. That’s curious. If the police told Cally the house was in her name, why couldn’t she open one?

  Ben weaved his fingers together. ‘Look, I’ll see if I can sort something out. At least part of it.’ He reached for her arm and gave a gentle squeeze. ‘We all need money in our pocket.’

  His tone was warm and sincere, like his touch. How she yearned to fall into those arms and tell him how much she trusted him and how grateful she was for everything. She knew, however, that if she dared, she would never let go of him.

  ‘You’re very kind,’ she said, finally. ‘I think saving my daughter’s life is payment enough.’

  His arm slid away as he pursed a crooked smile. ‘I owed you. Anyway, I got your research and it’s great. You are a terrific research assistant.’

  She lowered her eyes and took hold of Charlotte’s little fingers. ‘She’s my priority. You could follow up on the author of that last book. I think she may have some private letters stored somewhere in Toulouse. I’ll keep on writing the articles and, if possible, I’ll send you some to go with your film press releases.’

  ‘I appreciate that, and I don’t think we need any more. What you’ve provided is ample for the purpose of the film and please, don’t take any unnecessary risks.’

  Evie looked at him alarmed. Surely Seb could never track her email? He’d never questioned what she did at the library… she wondered if his spy would have discovered what she was working on. She couldn’t think back now to everything she had done over the last few weeks. Not now. Charlotte had to recover before she could concern herself with Seb’s paranoia.

  Changing the subject, she asked, ‘So what happened to the helicopter guy, did he go?’

  ‘Yes. Don’t worry, we’re on the mainland.’

  ‘So the island isn’t far then?’

  ‘No. As you know, just minutes in the helicopter. We can cab back to my car and I’ll drive you back to Colombiers.’

  ‘But our clothes… my bag and everything are at the villa.’

  ‘You want to go back?’

  ‘No. God no.’

  ‘You won’t have a chance tonight, it’s almost seven o’clock and I don’t suppose they’ll release Charlotte for a few hours, but I’ve some cash you can take. Buy some things tomorrow.’

  She blushed. In all her life, Evie had never felt so embarrassed. She and Charlotte had run out in shorts and t-shirts without a second thought. She hadn’t even picked up Charlotte’s beaker or nappies. She only had the flip-flops on her feet and Charlotte had no shoes with her at all and, of course, no money.

  ‘I’m sure I have some old clothes at home. We’ll manage until Seb… well, until the clothes are returned home.’

  Ben stood and took out his wallet. ‘Look, this may be useful for now,’ He held out four hundred euros.

  ‘Ben, really, I couldn’t. I’ll borrow fifty from you until I…’

  ‘You don’t know what you need. Take it.’

  ‘I’ll borrow a hundred.’ Taking two fifty-euro notes, Evie’s eyes suddenly sprung wide. ‘My door keys. They’re at the island in my bag. ‘Shit.’

  Ben grabbed his hair. ‘I’d gladly take you home but… probably not wise.’

  ‘No, quite. Ben, I’m concerned. I don’t know what he is likely to do next. We should keep apart for all our sakes. I don’t trust Seb one bit. Not now.’

  Pain flashed across Ben’s face. ‘What about Suzanne’s? Could you stay there?’

  ‘Ah, maybe… Oh, actually, I should have a side-door key in a safe place. I’ll have to climb the gate but… if Cally’s with me, I’ll feel safe.’

  ‘Do you want to speak to Cally? I have her phone number. She’s at Suzanne’s.’

  Evie twisted her mouth. ‘Brilliant idea. Yes. I’d love to but I can’t leave Charlotte. Could you?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll need to go outside.’

  Evie nodded, excited. ‘Hmm, she’ll have to climb. Could you ask her to go into the shed in the summer kitchen? There’s a top shelf which should have the key to the kitchen doors. She can stay, of course. And, tell her I’ll be back soon. Please don’t mention the panic. I’ll tell her later.’

  ‘Anything else?’

  ‘Oh, could you just ask her how my dad is?’

  Ben disappeared out the door and Evie turned to Charlotte who was mesmerised by a small hand-held TV being watched by a young boy in the bed opposite. Evie had barely noticed the other patients since they had entered the ward. The boy
was about five or six, quite Mediterranean looking with jet black hair similar to, she guessed, his father sitting on his bed. His mother was less dark but exotic looking with intelligent, almost wild, bright eyes. She had long unruly hair and, Evie swallowed, looked almost how she imagined Maria Mendoza to look. If only she had a camera to capture the image. But Ben would return soon and see her for himself. Right now her daughter was all that mattered.

  Ben drove them back home at almost two-thirty, with Charlotte fast asleep but recovered. The hospital had equipped Evie with an emergency adrenaline pen so it was now down to her to make sure no nuts, seeds or fish could reach her mouth until the hospital sent through the results of Charlotte’s blood test. Which was going to be a problem because Charlotte loved her fish.

  Ben swung the car round at the end of the track and opened the rear door.

  ‘Thank you for everything Ben. I’m so grateful. I’m afraid I’ll have to avoid you but I will send you what you need on email as soon as I get a chance. If Charlotte’s ok, I’ll go tomorrow.’ Evie slid her legs out to the ground and gently rose from the car.

  ‘Don’t even worry about it for now,’ Ben told her. ‘You get this little one better.’ He kissed his fingers and tapped Charlotte lightly on the forehead. ‘Just ring if there’s anything you need.’ He stepped forward and tenderly wrapped them both into his arms with a loving hug.

  ‘Thank you.’

  Cally ran out to the gate to meet them and immediately rushed to kiss her niece, planting a light one on her head, then hugging them. ‘Am I glad to see you,’ she said, ‘how is Charlotte?’

  ‘We think she’ll be fine. No nuts or fish though.’

  ‘So scary.’ Cally turned to Ben and greeted him. ‘You’re our hero. Thank you for all your help today. I don’t know what we’d have done without you.’

  ‘Well, you girls need your rest. You take care.’

  They stared after him as he drove away.