by Hoy, E. S
“I was helping in a soup kitchen in Manchester, part of my missionary work; I have to do a certain amount of help in the local community.” Eve was quietly proud of her new father, he was so different to her but so far she hadn’t managed to make that father daughter connection. Perhaps it would grow in time, she had a lot of barriers to remove before he could get as close as he would like. He began to talk about her trip to LA again; it was obvious he was trying to talk her out of going. Eve found this possessive controlling nature of his extremely frustrating.
“I appreciate your concern Michael; but this is my future I intend to grab every opportunity that comes my way. Nathan will look after me, now don’t pull that face, whatever you think of him he does care. I will only be gone for a week at the most” He was looking even more perturbed
“I thought you said a few days, I hope it isn’t a week! And what if they offer you the role you could be away for up to six months.” Eve was mightily pissed off now, this man had only known her a few weeks and he was trying to tell her what to do.
“For goodness sake I had a life before I met you; I am not going to alter my path just because you have appeared. I will take the role if I want it, there are such inventions as air travel know. If you want to be in my life then you have to allow me to live it or this will not work.” Eve noticed that same expression flicker in his eyes that had disturbed her that first day. She shivered as he regained his composure
“Sorry Eve I will behave myself. I actually called in to tell you I will be away until Saturday at a convention so I guess I don’t have a right to have a go at you. I am leaving this afternoon so I called to say goodbye, I will leave you to get on with your gardening.” As he stood to leave Eve felt a pang of guilt and rose to give him a hug, they didn’t say anything but his face told Eve he had forgiven her.
“Oh by the way Eve, those are beautiful flowers you put on Leila’s grave, how did you know Freesia’s were your mothers favourite?” Eve just stared back blankly at him shaking her head.
“They aren’t from me, I haven’t a clue what flowers she liked, maybe it was a neighbour who knew her” Michael looked confused but left after wishing her well. Eve wondered who the flowers were from, whoever it was had either made a lucky guess with the choice or it was a person who knew her. Eve decided to visit more regularly in case whomever it was showed up again.
Tara was still quiet when she came home that night; Eve had prepared a roast chicken for their dinner. Noticing her glancing at the door every five minutes Eve wondered if she was waiting for Michael.
“Tara I forgot to say Michael has gone on a seminar he will be away until Saturday, did you want to talk to him about work or something?” Tara relaxed visibly
“No not at all, to tell you the truth Eve I was thinking of going to stay with Sue over the school holidays. I think you and Michael will bond better without me getting in the way. I miss our times on our own so maybe once he has spent some quality time with you he may just back off a little? Sorry if that sounds harsh but I can’t relax in the evening and slob around when he is here. You aren’t offended are you?” Eve grasped her hand across the table
“Tara I hadn’t guessed it was annoying you, I thought you loved having him around” she noticed her friend blush and tears spring to her eyes. Damn him he had obviously rejected her, she should have stepped in sooner. Eve had noticed Tara’s attachment instantly and was cross that Michael hadn’t spotted it and prevented it getting that far.
“Hey I will speak to him, make sure that in future he arranges a visit with us so you have the option to make yourself scarce. Tara he annoys me too sometimes, he turns up during the day too I was still in my dressing gown this morning.” Tara smiled gratefully, happy her friend didn’t want her to go into detail over her reasons for wanting to avoid him.
“I still want to visit Sue, you will be in LA anyway won’t you so I would rather spend time with her and Jo than be here alone” Eve agreed it was a great idea, and then her phone rang. Eve was nervous when she realised it was Nathan, they hadn’t spoken since he ran out on her.
“Eve I am sorry I haven’t spoken sooner, I had to attend to an emergency with Sasha” Eve felt herself bristle, for someone who was causing him so much grief he was still prepared to drop everything for her, she realised he was silent and acknowledged his statement so he continued.
“I thought you had hung up for a moment, I know you will be furious but it wasn’t just an attention seeking demand, she actually went into labour. It is Eight weeks too soon but luckily they have halted it and she is being kept in under observation. The doctors have her on a drip to prevent her contractions; they want her to be four weeks further along before she gives birth. Sasha is furious and threatening to discharge herself. She doesn’t care about the baby; we have drawn up a contract so she gets money for each week she remains.” Eve was horrified
“For goodness sake what kind of woman would not want to take care of her unborn child, I would have tied her to the bed not paid her.” she was partly disgusted with Nathan for going along with her demands.
“I know what you are thinking but we have what we want now she has signed the baby over, so as soon as she arrives we will have full custody.” Eve was thrilled for him and smiled at the news the baby was a girl. But she was also curious we? Was he expecting her to play a part in this and asked Nathan as much?
“My mum is flying over after she is born Eve and when she is fit and well she will live with her and my dad in LA and obviously I will spend as much time as I can over there with them. She is my daughter and I have to do right by her; especially as her mother has rejected her.” Eve was torn, but the sentiments rang true, she knew what It felt like to be rejected by her mother. Eve respected the fact Nathan was going to make up for that any way he could. This also raised a question over the future of their relationship, between work and his daughter; her father and Tara there was not going to be much left for the two of them.
“Eve we will talk when I come over, I want to come back Saturday for the night, I can’t be away too long but I think we need to talk about how this affects us and you most of all.” Eve felt tears threaten; she said her farewell and sat back in front of her now cold meal whilst Tara looked on concerned. Eve filled her in on the conversation and Tara passed no judgement but simply supported Nathan’s plan, despite knowing what that could mean for Eve.
“At the end of the day Eve, we both know that the centre of this is that little girl, you don’t matter compared to her. If you and Nathan have a connection that is special, then it will work out, you could play a part in her life too. She may be the medicine to heal your wounds Eve, the chance to feel like a mother when you didn’t have one yourself. Don’t end it with Nathan because the road looks bumpy, stick with him and support him because he has taken a massive risk and he deserves credit for that.” Tara was spot on as usual and the girls spent the night on the couch with a rom com, restoring the balance of their friendship. They hadn’t been able to fully settle into their new home with everything that had happened since her mother’s body turned up.
Eve was hoping for a quieter few weeks to come; although Rory’s murder still hung over her. Detective Newton was not a man who let coincidences go unnoticed; she knew he would be back to talk with her again soon. Her dreams were strange that night, she was back at the bottom of the stairs, her mum was crying. Michael suddenly appeared telling her to get to her room and at the top of the stairs was the woman in the baseball hat holding her hand out to her. Eve awoke with sweat pouring off her; she wished she had Freud to cuddle, maybe they would get a new kitten the house felt empty without him. Drifting back to sleep she could hear Tara crying in the other room, not wanting to intrude she left her alone. Tomorrow she and Tara needed to get back on track; a stay with Sue would do her friend good. Eve couldn’t wait to see Nathan again; she must make him see how much she wanted to be a part of his life no matter how small that part would end up. Saturday couldn’t come fa
st enough.
Chapter 12
It was three o’clock Thursday afternoon when the call came; Eve will never forget the fear and panic she felt when Sally told her why she had called.
“Eve darling don’t panic but Nathan has been taken into hospital, he was attacked as he left the hospital. Luckily someone came to his aid so he got away with just head injuries and a few bruised ribs. He is asking for you so I have arranged for a car to collect you. Be ready in an hour and pack an overnight bag, you can stay with me.” Eve was in shock after she hung up the call, running upstairs she threw essentials in a holdall and sent a long winded text to Tara. She was gutted to be deserting her again and didn’t like leaving her alone. She called Sue who agreed to come over; especially once Eve explained her recent heartbreak.
The drive to London took forever Thursday rush hour on the M25 was horrendous. As the time dragged on Eve was feeling more and more anxious, she wanted to know that he was okay, and find out what had happened. From what Sally said, it sounded like he could have been killed if someone hadn’t arrived in the nick of time. Eve’s imagination was getting the better of her so she was relieved to finally be dropped outside the hospital. As she stepped out of the car she was swamped by photographers, she hadn’t put this on her list of worries so was totally unprepared for the onslaught.
Battling against the barrage of men she fought her way to the entrance where luckily two paramedics saw her plight and made a path for her. After thanking them she made her way to the front desk where she was directed to the recovery suite. On the way she met Sally;
“Oh Eve I was just on my way outside to fend off the vultures, I bet you were mobbed, I am sorry I wasn’t there.” Eve swept her apology away and followed her to Nathan’s room as they arrived at the door she turned to Eve.
“Don’t be alarmed at his appearance he is not as poorly as he looks, the doctor says he can leave soon” Eve was pleased that was until she saw him. Nathan’s face was swollen on one side, he had two black eyes a split lip, and he was covered in bruises. Eve sat beside him and took his uninjured hand in hers, Nathan opened his eyes and the moment he saw her he tried to sit upright.
“Nathan lie still, what are you doing? I am here now and I am not going anywhere until you do” Nathan relaxed and raised her hand to his lips.
“I am so glad you are here, I am sorry to drag you away from your father” Eve frowned at him, Nathan couldn’t resist making a dig at Michael
“Nathan behave, anyway Michael is away at the moment so he won’t even notice that I’m missing” Nathan squeezed her hand tightly
“Sorry I can’t resist, I am aware he is away as he called me yesterday afternoon.” Eve didn’t even realise her father had Nathan’s number
“What do you mean he called you, I haven’t given him your number?” Nathan looked across at Sally who politely excused herself.
“He called to beg me to give you some space, he wants time to bond and he can’t do that with me in the way apparently. He asked me to postpone LA, I tried to explain that it wasn’t my call in the first place, Christopher arranged it. He suggested you are vulnerable at the moment, discovering your mum’s body and meeting him. He feels you are not in a place to commit to a relationship at all but you feel obligated to me because of my help launching your career.” Eve was astounded, how dare he interfere, she had no clue how to handle him at all. LA would be good for them, sometime apart but looking at Nathan there was no way he would be fit enough to travel.
“Nathan, tell me about the attack, I will sort Michael out. I want to know what happened to you last night, who did this to you?” Nathan told his tale; he was leaving after seeing Sasha. He used the rear exit as his car was round the back, as he walked between the cars he was struck from behind with a baseball bat over and over until he lost consciousness. Apparently a woman saw what was happening and screamed which scared the attacker off. The man didn’t steal anything so the motive is unknown. They both stared at each other thinking the exact same thing; whoever it was wanted him dead.
“Eve I get hate mail and death threats on twitter every day, jealous men, obsessive women. You name them I’ve had them, it is part of the job.” Eve was still unsettled, could this be linked to Rory? Why were two men in her life targeted within a week? Was she the link between the two? If so she could understand someone protecting her from Rory but Nathan?
“Eve don’t over think this it will drive you mad, I know you have had a few strange weeks but you can’t take the blame for all of it.” Eve sighed Nathan knew her better than she had realised. Sally walked back in the room with news of Sasha; Eve had forgotten she was in her too.
“Sasha is now settled in a luxury suite, she will be fine for a few weeks. She has her own private nurse and I have arranged for her to have her own assistant to fetch and carry for her. You can stop fretting about her now and decide what your next move is. The publicity here will be nonstop whether you stay with Eve or at your flat. Have you considered going to your parents and combining the meet with Christopher at the same time?” Eve looked from one to the other she had assumed the trip would be off.
“That’s not a bad idea I could recuperate there; my mother will love fussing over me. They would also be overjoyed to meet Eve” He looked at her quizzically “What do you think? Go home pack a suitcase and we can fly out there tomorrow.” Eve was stunned, mildly terrified but very excited
“I would love to but are you sure they won’t mind me staying too?” He reassured her that his parents would be delighted; so Sally set about booking flights. Eve was ordered to return home to pack so after a swift kiss she returned to the car she had arrived in. As she relaxed for the long drive home she had a sudden doubt, Michael would be very upset especially if he wasn’t home to say goodbye, her heart thumped a little. For goodness sake why did she feel scared like a teenager wanting permission to go to a party?
When they pulled up outside Lilac Cottage it was late and very dark, there were no lights on so she assumed Sue and Tara were already asleep. Grabbing her bag the driver arranged to call at eleven the following morning to take her back to Nathan. As he drove away Eve spotted the reporter hanging around as usual, she waved at her deciding if she was to be a permanent fixture she may as well be friendly. The woman tentatively raised her hand then briskly walked away. The house was silent so Eve went straight upstairs and stripped off for bed.
The morning dawned and it was now May, the sun was rising earlier and the smell of freshly cut grass was always permeating the air. Eve felt invigorated and couldn’t wait to fly to LA later that night. Eve and Tara had been abroad together twice, once to Magaluf for a week’s binge drinking and a trip to Rome for Tara’s dissertation on the Vatican. Long haul flying was not something Eve knew much about, she couldn’t imagine being cramped in those tiny seats for over ten hours.
Eve could hear Tara downstairs making breakfast; she probably didn’t even know Eve came back last night. Pulling on her robe she went down to greet her friend and tell her about her trip away, at the foot of the stairs a letter had been put through the door. Eve picked it up noting the envelope was blank she slid out the note which was printed off a computer. It wasn’t directed to anyone it just read;
Has anyone wondered where the old vicar is?
Turning it over in her hand she wondered what the point of it was. Michael was staying at the vicarage with the current vicar. He had told her he was poorly and that was why he was covering. This must be some nosey neighbour stirring gossip, maybe they didn’t like her father’s approach to sermons, and he was quite modern for the older generation to cope with. Walking into the kitchen she greeted a very surprised Tara and threw the note in the garbage.
“Eve, when did you get home? I didn’t expect you for days.” Eve scrutinised her friends face, she was pale drawn and her eyes were sunken.
“Tara are you feeling okay? You have been so withdrawn lately; I am starting to worry about you.” Tara brushed it off as her time
of the month which Eve happily accepted as a logical explanation. Eve made them both a drink as she filled Tara in on her hospital visit and the attack. Tara looked like she was about to throw up as she described the injuries Nathan had endured.
“Eve that is horrific you must have been so upset when you saw him, I think LA is an excellent plan. You don’t need to worry about me I have only two days in college next week and then I can take off to stay with Sue. By the way I stopped her from coming over last night, I know you were worried but actually I really needed some time alone.” A knock at the door disturbed them, Eve went to open it and there was her father standing in front of her. This was perfect she could put him in his place, and inform him she was about to leave. Suddenly she felt nervous again, she stood aside so he could enter, and Tara stood immediately and grabbed her coat heading off to work, rather earlier than normal.
“Eve I heard about Nathan so came home early from my seminar. How is he? I guess that means your trip is on hold for a while.” Eve sensed he was very happy about that fact and she was quite happy to burst his bubble.
“Actually it has brought the trip forward” She noticed his bravado slipped a little “Yes, Nathan has decided the best place for him to recuperate would be at home with his family; they live over there you know.” Michael looked on edge
“So he will be going alone, that is probably for the best Eve, his reputation with women is not the best and some distance may clear your mind a little. Rumours of pregnant girlfriends and his cheating ways don’t make for husband material.” Eve stared at him aghast at the audacity of his comments and anger flared deep within her.
“Michael, you may be my biological father but I survived twenty five years without you. I do not need you to walk back in to my life and try to control it. I know you phoned Nathan and warned him off, that is out of order Michael, you seriously need to back off or we won’t have any relationship at all. I am going to LA with Nathan tonight.” Her dad looked like the top of his head was going to blow off