by Dawson, H A
‘Can you elaborate?’
‘Someone might be watching her.’
‘Who?’
‘I don’t know. That’s what I wanted you to tell me.’
‘I can assure you, we are very security conscious here, if there’s anything-’
‘It’s a boy, a student. He’s connected to someone over here. He’s dangerous and Kelsey said he was bothering her. You have to deal with him.’
‘Ms Horton-’
‘Are you listening to me? She’s in trouble. I want her pulled from the classes. I’m going to come over . . . bring her home.’
‘Who is this boy?’
‘I don’t know, she wouldn’t say. You must have noticed him. She said he was pestering her.’
‘This is quite an accusation you’re making. Are you sure you-’
‘Listen to me! Kelsey is in danger! You have to protect her!’
‘I can assure you, your daughter is quite safe and not in danger, and certainly not from anyone within this facility.’
‘No! She is! There are all kinds of creeps out there. This boy knows someone who is after me.’
‘What is his name?’ Anita asked, her exasperation creeping into her voice.
‘I don’t know his name! I’ve already told you!’
‘Ms Horton, You are worried and upset, and I understand that. It is difficult being away from our children, and as parents’ we are bound to imagine all sorts of things happening. But this is a good facility. We look after the children as though they were our own.’
‘I know that,’ Jade murmured.
‘I don’t want to pull Kelsey from her classes unnecessarily, and I’m sure you don’t either. What I’d like to do is speak to her, determine the facts, and then we’ll speak again.’
‘Okay.’
‘Then it is agreed. Until later . . .’
The call ended and Jade cradled the handset in her hands. She felt entirely helpless, and could do nothing but wait.
Jade paced the floor, moving from the lounge to the dining room and back again. She hurried to the window, unable to still her body, and she rushed back to the phone, believing, for some inexplicable reason, it had refused to ring. She could not relax, could not remove the ache in her legs and the anxiety in her heart.
Anita’s call, whilst important, was of little consequence. Jade wanted to speak with Kelsey. Two people had said her daughter was okay, and one had even described the dress she was wearing, but what did that mean, really? Her stalker’s accomplice could be out there. He could have told them what to say.
Her fingers settled in her mouth as the writing in the flour continued to haunt. He had been in her house. He could still be around, enjoying watching her relentless fear. Did he snigger? Was he relishing in her anxiety? Perhaps he felt it was payback for whatever he thought she had done.
Thinking of the fire and her difficult family life, her thoughts wandered to her last conversation with Kath. She couldn’t really believe her sister was capable of generating such trauma, yet she could not deny Kath had been around on several occasions when something happened. Settling into the armchair next to the phone, Jade told herself it was a good thing; believing Kath had been inside her house was far less worrisome than believing it to be a stranger.
She glanced at the time. Twenty-three minutes had past since their call. Anita should be ringing back, or in the very least, Kelsey. Impatient, she picked up the handset and dialled the number of the tennis centre.
It was answered on the seventh ring, hardly an efficient service.
‘It’s Jade Horton. Can I speak with Anita?’
‘Just one moment.’
There was silence.
‘Ms Horton. Anita here. I’ve just spoken to Kelsey, and she assures me there is no one bothering her. We have identified the boy in question, and whilst we have yet to speak to him, Kelsey assures me he was just being friendly. There is no reason to worry.’
‘How can you be so sure? He’s not going to admit he’s up to no good, now is he?’
‘I think you underestimate your daughter. Kelsey is very mature for her age, and very confident as well as a good judge of character. I’m sure she’d recognise trouble.’
‘Don’t patronise me. I know my daughter!’
‘Mrs Horton. Please allow me a little more time. I will speak to the boy, and I assure you I will do a thorough job. I really don’t think you need to worry.’
Anita did not understand the situation. Biting her lip, Jade was wondering what to do when the outer door opened. William had returned.
‘Is Kelsey there?’ Jade asked Anita.
‘Not at the moment, she rushed away. I’m sure she’ll ring you in good time. If that’s all . . .’
‘Make sure you speak to him.’
‘We will.’
Jade dropped the handset onto the charger. William had a concerned look on his face and awaited an explanation.
‘He came into the house,’ she said. ‘He wrote Kelsey’s name into the flour when I was upstairs. I rang the academy. I want her back home.’
‘What? Did you see him?’
‘Of course not.’ She headed to the window, her arms folded. ‘What if he’s already found her?’
‘Why would he be after Kelsey?’
‘To get at me! I want her home where I know she’s safe.’
‘She’s likely to be safer out there.’
Jade’s hand skimmed her face, bewildered. How could he believe that? She was not their daughter. They didn’t really care what happened to her, and despite what had been said, they were unlikely to be thorough with their security.
‘Who did you speaking to?’ William asked.
‘Anita. She’s spoken to Kelsey. Kelsey said that boy wasn’t bothering her. She was covering for him, I just know it.’
‘You’re not still on about that, are you? I thought it was over, done with.’
‘She’s in trouble! He was following her!’
‘No Jade, he wasn’t. I thought we’d been through this. He was acting like a normal teenager. You have to let this drop. Kelsey is not going to thank you for intervening. If anything it’s going to make her paranoid.’ He stomped into the kitchen. ‘You should have spoken to me first.’
‘But you’re not interested!
‘Don’t talk such rubbish!’
‘It’s true! You never listen to what I have to say. Yesterday is an example of that.’
‘And I apologised!’ His face softened. ‘Jade . . . talking is not going to help the situation.’
‘It’ll help me.’
‘No, it won’t. It just works you up. It’s making you paranoid.’
Jade glared. ‘You don’t believe he came into the house!’
He passed her a cursory glance and filled the kettle with water. ‘I never said that,’ he said softly.
‘I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You think I made it up!’
Furious, Jade rushed to the lounge and stood by the window, arms folded. Joe would understand, and he would be supportive. She snatched her handbag from the floor, plucked free her phone, and dashed out of the room, intent on going upstairs to make a private phone call. However, upon passing the kitchen doorway she was drawn to a conversation William was having. He caught her eye and turned his back. He was speaking to Kelsey.
She weaved around him, determined to grab his phone. He held it at a distance and continued speaking soothing words into the receiver.
‘Let me speak to her,’ Jade said.
He scowled his disapproval and stomped away, marching up the steps. She remained in his shadow. He would not relent and headed into bathroom, blocking her entrance, and locked the door.
She was forced to wait.
It was evident Kelsey was not happy from the tone of the conversation. She needed her mother. William had no right to keep her away. Frustrated, but with choice other than to listen and wait, she pressed her ear to the door. After a few minutes, the conversation ended and
the door opened.
‘I wanted to speak to her!’ Jade said.
‘She doesn’t want to speak to you. She’s furious with you, and quite frankly I don’t blame her. She likes the boy and insists you’ve ruined their friendship.’
‘I’m looking out for her.’
‘No! No, you’re not! You’re projecting your own problems onto her. I’m going to speak with Anita and apologise.’
Jade gawped. ‘Why are you doing this? He was here, in this house. He’s warning me. He’s out to get Kelsey.’
William looked to her with dismay and weaved past, heading down the stairs. It was obvious he didn’t understand, and she was at a loss as to know why. Why didn’t he believe her? Was it a trust issue, or was he past caring? Not that it mattered.
She had Joe to turn to, and he would understand.
Chapter 20
Jade stuffed her hands in her pockets and headed towards the community centre to meet Joe. Her head was ringing with her argument with William, along with Kelsey’s refusal to speak to her, and she yearned a comforting hug. Imagining the comfort she would receive, she padded the pavement, her eyes glazed.
A car swerved towards her. She screamed and stumbled to the side, and looked to the offending car. It was black Audi, and it was hurrying away, speeding around a corner.
‘Jade,’ a voice shouted.
Dazed, she looked up.
Joe was trotting towards her. ‘Are you all right?’
She gawped, reached to his hand, and raised herself up from the ground. ‘Did you see who it was?’
‘Not clearly.’
‘It was him, I know it was.’
‘The stalker?’
‘He came in the house this morning and wrote Kelsey’s name in some flour, and now this.’ Her face crinkled; she held back her rising tears.
Joe placed his hand on her back. ‘Let’s go somewhere quieter. How about the reservoir?’
She nodded and followed his lead, walking past the community centre. Not in the mood to be sociable, she kept her gaze forward, glancing only to the building though her eye corner. Through one of the windows, a woman stared. Jade turned her head to take a proper look. It was Dawn. She was mouthing something at Joe, but when their eyes locked, she hurried out of view.
‘That was Dawn,’ she said.
‘I doubt it was important.’
‘You’re not worried about her seeing us?’
‘She knows I’m meeting you.’
‘You’ve told her?’
Joe grinned. ‘What’s wrong with that?’
She shook her head and clamped her arm across her bag. ‘I’m just surprised.’
As they carried on walking, she wondered about Joe and Dawn’s relationship. They were married, yet she couldn’t help wondering if they had agreed to an open relationship. It wasn’t unheard of, and it fit. It also explained what he meant by the text earlier in the day. Jade passed Joe an interested glance, and then wondered if William could be so broad-minded.
After progressing to the end of the street, they turned onto Hollins Road.
‘Kath’s mother-in-law lives along here.’ Jade said, scanning the houses and the parked cars. ‘That’s the car that nearly hit me!’
Jade ran forward. It was parked outside a terraced house. ‘It was definitely this car.’ She looked to Joe and back to the door, noting that it was number twenty-nine, and glanced through the window. There was no one in the room.
‘Come on,’ Joe said, ‘we should go.’
‘I’m going to see who lives here.’
Joe grabbed her arm. ‘I wouldn’t do that.’
‘Why not?’
‘And say what? The driver didn’t intend to hit you. He was avoiding a dog.’
‘What? Are you sure?’
Joe nodded.
‘Why didn’t you say?’
‘I thought you knew.’ He edged away. ‘Come on, let’s go.’
She shuffled after him, walking reluctantly and in tiny steps. It was difficult to eradicate the anxieties from her mind, and after a few moments, and unable to hold back any longer, she blurted out her concerns. ‘What if they are related to Kath? She could have put him up to it. She may have even been in the car.’
He gave her a look that told her she was paranoid. It was like being with William all over again.
‘I think you’re making too much of it,’ he said. ‘It was an accident. The dog was-’
‘Yes, I know what you said.’
‘Trust me.’
They crossed the road. Unable to resist, she glanced back to the house. In an upstairs room of the house, there was a moving shadow edging back from the window. She hesitated her steps, focusing her attention. The person did not reappear.
Was she being watched, or was she of no significance? Unable to ascertain the danger she was in, and with her imaginings running high, the tiny hairs on her back leapt to attention.
The transient sunlight provided only momentary warmth. Sitting on a bench, she hugged her arms closer to her front, absorbing the tranquillity of the vista, and waited for its influence to take effect. Behind her, birds tweeted and chirped. It was an irritating disturbance and she yearned for silence.
‘You’re quiet today,’ Joe said.
‘Sorry.’
‘What happened this morning?’
‘I heard a noise upstairs – it was just a cat – but when I returned someone had scrawled Kelsey’s name into the flour. I rang the tennis academy to warn them, but they think I’m making too much of it. William told me I’m paranoid, and now Kelsey won’t speak to me.’
‘Kelsey’s your daughter?’
‘Yes . . . sorry.’
He smiled. ‘Give her time, she’ll come around.’
‘Do you have kids?’
He plucked a handkerchief from his pocket, turned away, and blew him nose. ‘Just the one. Where is Kelsey?’
‘She’s in Spain at a training academy. Everyone keeps telling me she’s better off there, but I need her where I can see her.’
‘You have to trust she’ll be safe. It probably wasn’t a bad thing warning them, though. They’ll be more vigilant.’
‘You think so?’
‘I do.’ He rested his hand on her thigh. ‘Try not to worry.’
Their eyes locked. She looked to his shaggy hair and the well-defined grooves in his cheeks, and edged towards him, meeting his lips with an unexpected passion.
‘Oh man!’ he said, ‘I’ve missed that.’
‘Me too. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since last night.’
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and planted a kiss on her cheek. It was good to be with him and she felt her tension slowly subside. If only they could be together always. She certainly gained more support from Joe than from William.
After a few minutes spent enjoying the warmth of his lips and the joy in his body, voices on the path a few metres below caught her attention. Two middle-aged women were jogging in their direction. They seemed to put more effort into lifting their legs from the ground than progressing forward, such was the slow pace.
‘They’re going nowhere fast,’ she whispered.
‘Hardly worth it.’
‘I can think of better ways of exercising.’
‘You always were up for it.’
‘It’s your fault! You do something to me.’
Joe grinned. ‘I’ve never known you to need any encouragement. Remember the time we were making out under that bridge and I started tickling you.’
Jade’s flushes surfaced. ‘And I ran straight into that couple. The look on their faces was a picture.’
‘You were almost naked! What do you expect?’
‘It was your fault.’ She poked him in the ribs. ‘You wouldn’t stop. I had to get away.’
‘Shameless hussy!’
Jade’s jaw dropped. ‘I didn’t hear you complaining.’
‘Not one bit!’
He weaved his arm under
hers, pulling her towards him.
‘Why did I ever leave?’ Jade asked.
‘Would you have ever contacted me again if you weren’t being stalked?’ he asked.
‘I might have.’
‘But probably not?’
Joe was right but she could not admit it. After the bond that had developed between them over the last twenty-four hours, it seemed wrong to imply she had had no feelings towards him, and hesitated her response.
‘Then this stalker, whoever he is, has done us a favour.’
‘He has.’
‘I kept the same number so you’d be able to get back in touch.’
‘You did that for me?’
He removed a floating strand of hair from her face. ‘I hoped it would be sooner than now.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Hey . . . it’s okay. I’m not after an apology. It was as much my doing as yours.’
‘I’m the one that ran off.’
Joe stood up and stared at the water. Swans drifted in pairs, and moorhens, ducks, and coots lingered near the edge. ‘Let’s not go there. We can’t change the past.’
‘Agreed.’
‘Do you still think Kath is the stalker?’ Joe asked.
‘I don’t know. I can’t think of who else it could be.’
‘Would she do something like that?’
Jade shrugged.
‘It is a criminal offence. Would she risk jeopardising her relationship with her daughters’ for the sake of revenge?’
‘How do you know about them?’
‘You told me.’
‘Did I?’
Joe smiled and stroked her hand. ‘You did.’
He seemed certain. Disconcerted, Jade strolled down a short incline to the path and stood at the water’s edge, trying to remember when she had spoken of Chloe and Lily. It would not come.
‘What’s wrong?’ Joe asked, appearing at her side.
‘Do you think William’s right and that I am paranoid?’
‘Would he say it to hurt you?’
‘No.’
‘Then maybe there is an element of truth in it, but I doubt it’s as bad as you’re believing.’
‘I hope not.’