by Maggie James
‘Aiden’s hiding something all right. I’m convinced of it,’ she tells Ryan later. ‘Oh, the police say Mrs Richards isn’t reliable, but I believe her. Someone was creeping around our house, and it has to have been him, trying to burn it down. I’m terrified, Ryan, really shit-scared. The police surveillance won’t last for long, and then what?’ She hesitates, then takes the plunge. ‘Maybe you’re right. Perhaps I should move in here with you.’
A delighted grin crosses his face. ‘It’s the obvious solution. Pack your bags this weekend, sweetheart, because that’s when we start living together. Wow. I can’t wait.’
Thank God, Lori thinks. With any luck, she might start to feel safe again.
Friday morning, and Lori’s back home, her mood buoyant; she’s arranged with Ryan she’ll move her stuff in on Saturday afternoon, along with her beloved Oreo. Ever since their discussion last night, excitement has bubbled through her, meaning she’s hardly slept. When she tells Dana over coffee of her decision, her mother is tearful, but understanding.
‘I’ll miss you, darling,’ she says. ‘But you’re doing the right thing.’
‘What about you? Please, Mum. You should leave. It’s not safe here.’
‘I agree, sweetheart. I’ll move to a hotel over the weekend, then I’ll find a flat to rent.’
Relief hits Lori. Not long before they escape this maniac. Meaning she can turn her attention to other matters. In particular, her search for Uncle Ross.
That evening she checks Facebook, hoping for a response to her latest appeal. So far all she’s received are encouraging messages, but no hint of Ross Reynolds. She scours the replies to her most recent post. More messages of support, and then she comes to the final one, dated two days ago. Lori mutters a curse; what with everything else that’s been happening, it’s been too long since she last logged on. If she’d done so sooner, she’d have noticed this before. The poster’s name, Ross Reynolds, pulls her up short, causing hope to flare within her. As do the words, telling her to check her inbox.
Hi, she reads once she does. My sister’s name is Dana Golden. I’m the uncle you’re looking for. Your post came up in a friend’s feed, so he sent me a message. Thank God he did. To prove I’m not some troll, my parents’ names were John and Kathy Reynolds. Can we chat sometime?
Oh, God. Lori punches the air in delight – Yesssss!!!!! – as tears prick her eyes. She’s found her uncle; even better, he wants to talk. Maybe he’s online right now. Her fingers type a quick reply. Would love to chat. Delighted I’ve found you at last. She stares at the screen, willing a new message to pop up. The seconds tick by. Right when she decides he must be offline, he replies, his message short, like hers.
Me too. Good to connect after so long.
What happened between you and Mum? she types.
A pause while he responds.
She was always hard on me, is the reply. Made it plain she didn’t want to stay in contact. Never did find out why.
Annoyance stabs Lori. Whatever the issues between brother and sister, her uncle should have been allowed a relationship with his nieces. And what he says makes sense. Lori recalls Dana’s blind spot over Spencer because he was a party animal and an ex-junkie. Seems Uncle Ross has also fallen foul of her mother’s prejudices.
Another message. I’d like to meet up with you. Dana too. Perhaps she’s mellowed over the years.
Lori whoops with delight. Please, please, please let him agree to a transplant, she prays, even if he takes some convincing. Which he probably will, given his long estrangement from his family. But, God, what if he does consent? She imagines Dana, her eyes no longer puffy, her ankles slim again, and closes her eyes with relief. One part of the nightmare she’s been living may soon be over.
I’d like to meet you too. Aren’t you abroad, though? she replies.
Another pause. Then: No, I live in the UK. I have to go now. Can you do me a favour? Don’t mention this to your mother just yet, seeing how she’s always disliked me so much.
Lori gets that. Of course, she types. Can we chat again soon? Please? To her delight, he says yes, before going offline.
For the first time in weeks, the tears Lori cries are those of joy. A long road lies ahead, but the wheels are in motion.
She remains curled on her bed for a while, before remembering the time. Shit, she’d better get going or else she’ll be late. Lori jumps in the shower, happiness bubbling throughout her core, causing her to sing out loud. Once she’s soaped, shampooed, rinsed and dried herself, she pulls on her new jeans, tight in all the right places, designed to catch Ryan’s eye. She teams them with a cream silk top that skims her breasts as though it owns them. Not one for make-up, she contents herself with a slick of lip gloss, a quick coat of mascara. A squirt of Miss Dior and she’s done. Her stomach rumbles in anticipation of osso buco at the Rose and Crown.
She scratches the top of Oreo’s head. ‘Bye, handsome. See you later.’
‘You look beautiful.’ Dana comes out of the kitchen as Lori descends the stairs. She smiles at her mother. ‘You don’t scrub up so bad yourself.’ It’s true. Dana’s skin is healthier in colour, the darkness under her eyes has gone, and she’s brushed her hair, put on make-up. Behind her, on the kitchen table, is a dinner plate bearing only gravy smears, evidence Dana has eaten a proper meal. Thank God, thinks Lori.
She steps forward to hug her mother. ‘I love you so much,’ she says. The secret she’s hugging to her heart hovers between them, delicious and wonderful.
Dana squeezes her daughter tight. ‘Love you too, sweetheart.’ She disengages herself, smiling at Lori. ‘Out with lover boy tonight?’
‘Fishing, are we?’
‘You bet.’
‘Then yes. Going for a pub meal with Ryan.’
‘Invite him round for lunch next Sunday. High time I met him.’ Dana stares at her daughter. ‘You’re sparkling tonight.’ She laughs. ‘Let me guess. You’re in love with this guy, aren’t you?’
Lori laughs. ‘Yes. Not the only thing I’m over the moon about, though.’ She hesitates; her uncle asked her not to mention anything. Might it be wise to tell Dana anyway? Attempt to soften her mother’s attitude towards Ross Reynolds?
Lori decides to take the plunge. ‘Mum,’ she says, ‘I have some incredible news.’
Dana claps her hand to her mouth. ‘Oh, my God. Ryan’s asked you to marry him, hasn’t he?’
Lori shakes her head, laughing. ‘No. Can’t you guess?’
‘Tell me, darling.’
‘I’ve found Uncle Ross. And he wants to meet me. You too.’
Her mother’s eyes widen. Anger floods her face. When she speaks, her tone is clipped. ‘I told you not to do that. Yet you disobeyed me. That is unacceptable, Lori.’
Lori’s taken aback. ‘I thought you’d be pleased,’ she says, her voice steely. ‘Instead, you’re treating me like a child. No, don’t,’ she continues, as Dana tries to interject. ‘Uncle Ross told me how hard you were on him.’
‘Lori, listen—’
‘He said you never gave him a chance. Why?’
Her mother draws in a deep breath. ‘Your uncle is a drifter, a no-hoper. I’m sorry if I over-reacted, sweetheart. But you’re wasting your time if you think he’ll give me a kidney.’
God, her mother’s an ungrateful cow. ‘Screw you. I’m going to see Ryan.’ Before Dana can stop her, Lori strides out of the house towards her car, parked in the next street. Once behind the wheel, she breathes deeply, annoyance sparking hot and fierce within her. So this is the thanks she gets for being so supportive? Lori pictures Dana bitching about her disobedient daughter to her precious son. Well, let her. In her handbag, her mobile trills. Her mother, no doubt. Lori’s mouth tightens. Dana can stew for a while.
Besides, she has more important things to worry about. Like Aiden Scott. Ryan, it appears, has important information to relay about her half-brother. They’d spoken that afternoon, when he called to ask her if she wanted to try the Rose and Cro
wn later.
‘I’ve been doing some digging,’ he told her. ‘On Aiden Scott.’
Lori was taken aback. ‘What? How? I don’t understand.’
‘I chatted to a mate in the police force, called in a favour. You won’t believe what he turned up, sweetheart. I’ll tell you everything when we’re at the pub.’
God. So she’d been right to suspect her half-brother. Lori swallows, her throat suddenly dry. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘For being there for me.’
‘Always, Lori. I have to warn you, what I’ve been told is bad. Really bad. But we’ll deal with it, babe. Together.’
Now, on this chilly December evening, Lori realises she’s running late, that she needs to get going. When she tries to start the engine, however, it refuses to fire. All she hears is a harsh grating sound as she twists the key in the ignition. Shit. Lori glances at her watch. No point in calling her breakdown service; they’ll take forever to arrive. No, she’ll get a taxi, despite the cost. In the meantime, she needs to let Ryan know she’ll be late.
He answers straight away. ‘Hey, babe. You OK?’
Lori explains. ‘Don’t get a cab,’ he says. ‘They’ll charge a fortune. I’ll pick you up.’
‘Will you?’ Tears sting Lori’s eyes. He’s so good to her, he really is.
He sounds surprised. ‘Why wouldn’t I? You’re my girlfriend, Lori.’
She tells him where she’s parked. ‘I’ll be there as soon as I can,’ he tells her.
As she waits, Lori wonders what Ryan might have discovered about Aiden. Whatever he’s done, it’s made him known to the police. Accusations of arson, perhaps, or sexual assault. Possibly even a prison sentence. She shivers, despite her woollen jacket, then remembers she has Ryan to lean on. He’ll know what to do, how best to approach this.
He pulls up ten minutes later. Once she’s inside the car, she throws herself into his hug. ‘Hey,’ he says, once he’s kissed her. ‘How’s my girl? Let’s get going. We have a lot to talk about.’
Lori nods. ‘You’re not wrong there.’
Ryan turns the car around, heading out of Bristol, and they lapse into silence. Lori watches as the houses and roads give way to fields, trees, farm buildings; the Rose and Crown is a few miles out of the city. Once they’re seated at their table, their food orders placed, Ryan reaches over, clasps her hand.
‘Anything new on Aiden at your end?’ he asks.
‘Not really. He’s been round again, dropping in unannounced for coffee this morning. Mum was ecstatic, of course, fussing over him, saying he can stop by whenever he pleases once she’s settled in her new flat. Told him he’s family, how he shouldn’t stand on ceremony.’
‘Must have been tough on you.’ Ryan’s tone is soft, empathetic.
Lori snorts. ‘Yeah. I didn’t say much, just let them talk. He didn’t say or do anything untoward, not really. Told Mum more about his childhood, his life, while oozing charm from every pore.’
‘I’m guessing he didn’t mention the rape allegations against him.’
Shock drives the breath from Lori’s lungs. ‘What? When was this?’
‘One last year. Another eighteen months before. My mate in the police said both women claimed their drinks were spiked. Meaning their memories were shot to pieces. Aiden Scott denied everything, of course; there wasn’t enough evidence to bring charges.’
God. It all fits. Spencer believing he was drugged, Jessie’s rape. Her half-brother’s a murdering bastard all right.
‘He killed your sister,’ Ryan says. ‘I’m sure of it. As well as torching your mother’s properties.’
A server brings their food, but Lori’s too choked up to eat. Tears splash onto her plate as she fights to control her panic. With a sob, she pushes back her chair, not caring if the whole pub witnesses her distress. ‘Can we get out of here? Please?’
‘Of course.’ Ryan stands up, wraps an arm around her shoulder. ‘I’m sorry, sweetheart. I shouldn’t have told you somewhere public. Let’s go to the car. We can talk better there.’
Lori shrugs on her jacket, allows Ryan to guide her back to his Audi. ‘God,’ she says once inside. ‘This is such a mess.’
‘You’re right. I won’t let anyone hurt you, though.’ His smile soothes her fears, makes the world halfway normal again. ‘Trust me. We’ll fix this. Together.’
‘Promise?’
‘Yes.’ He pulls her close, his body warm against hers. They stay that way for a while, until Lori remembers that amid all the angst, a nugget of hope, all bright and shiny, exists.
‘You won’t believe what else has happened,’ she says.
‘Hit me with it.’
Lori’s voice swells with pride. ‘I’ve been in contact with my uncle.’
‘Wow.’ Ryan pulls back to stare at her. ‘That’s amazing, babe. You’ve really found him?’
‘Yes.’ Lori tells him about the messages they swapped earlier. ‘He seems like a nice guy,’ she finishes. ‘Even though Mum’s treated him badly.’ The memory of their spat sours the moment.
Ryan draws her close once more. ‘What’s up? You sound unhappy again.’
Lori blows out a breath. ‘Nothing. Just a silly falling out with Mum.’
‘What about?’
‘I told her about finding my uncle. I thought she’d be pleased. Instead, she got angry.’
A pause. ‘She’s far from well, remember. And don’t forget she’s still grieving for your sister.’
He’s right. Guilt steals over Lori. She should have cut her mother some slack, been more understanding.
‘It’ll blow over, sweetheart, you’ll see. Right now, you have more serious stuff to worry about. Like Aiden Scott.’ Lori’s stomach chooses that moment to rumble loudly.
Ryan laughs. ‘Come on. Let’s get some Chinese takeout and go back to my place.’ He hesitates. ‘Do you mind if we stop off along the way?’
Lori’s puzzled. ‘Why?’
His face breaks into a smile. ‘It’s a surprise. A good one, though. A little bit of sunshine among all the crap. I’m hoping you’ll be pleased.’
She laughs. ‘Fine by me.’
As Ryan drives, his words spin in Lori’s head. Rape allegations against him. Their drinks were spiked. Her mouth turns dry with dread. Behind the oily charm, Aiden Scott’s a psychopath, a fact that terrifies her. Tears stab her eyes, and she turns away, not wanting to cry while Ryan’s busy behind the wheel.
He appears to pick up on her mood, staying silent as they draw closer to the city. Without warning, he pulls off the road, steering the car in front of a warehouse, set back from the road. The place is old, looks abandoned, a ‘For Sale’ sign hanging crookedly above the door.
‘What do you think?’ he asks. Seeing the surprise in Lori’s face, he continues, ‘Remember what I told you a while back? About setting up in business on my own?’
Lori’s eyes widen with delight. ‘You mean . . . ? This place? You’re really going for it?’
He nods. ‘Yup. You see before you the new headquarters of Brooks of Bristol Limited. Want to take a quick look? Not that there’s much to see, as yet.’
‘Sure.’ Lori’s delighted for him, she really is. She gets out of the car and walks towards the building, Ryan beside her. When they get to the filthy glass window, she peers inside, but can’t see a lot thanks to the grime and darkness.
He laughs. ‘Doesn’t look like much, does it? But great things are going to happen within these four walls. Things are looking up for both of us.’ His arms hug her tightly. ‘I meant what I said, babe. I won’t let Aiden Scott hurt you. Not ever.’
Chapter 19
DISCOVERY
Dana paces her living room, a balled-up tissue clutched in one hand. No dialysis tonight, thank God, meaning she has time to think. The argument with Lori circles through her head, made worse by the fact the two of them rarely fall out. Screw you. Lori never speaks to her mother so bluntly, meaning she’s pretty pissed off. And why shouldn’t she be? Dana t
reated her like a naughty five-year-old. Not the best way of dealing with things.
The brrr of her mobile jars her from her thoughts. She picks it up, sighing when she sees the caller’s identity.
‘What do you want, Jake?’
His response is hesitant. ‘Hi, love.’ The endearment, which annoys her, is from force of habit, Dana supposes. ‘Has any post come for me?’
‘A couple of things. This can’t go on. You need to get a redirection on your mail.’
He clears his throat. ‘Can I come and collect them? I won’t stay long, I promise.’
She squashes the impulse to refuse, to say she’ll have Lori deliver his mail, well aware of her reason for allowing him to stop by. On this cold December evening, loneliness trumps exhaustion, meaning time with Jake is preferable to an evening alone. She hates herself for her weakness. This is the last time, she promises herself.
Within ten minutes he’s letting himself in, reminding Dana that she’s not asked him to return his key. Why is that? she wonders.
‘Your post is on the sideboard.’ She waves a hand in its direction, refusing to look him in the eye. It’s better that way.
He clears his throat. ‘I, um . . . I think I may have left a couple of things upstairs. Mind if I go and check?’
Dana nods. She’s barely had time to sit back on the sofa when the doorbell rings. Aiden, is her first thought, hope leaping inside her. She’s prayed he’ll take advantage of her offer to stop by any time. When she pulls open the door, she finds he’s done just that. ‘Hello, darling,’ she says, drawing him into a hug. ‘What a wonderful surprise. I’ll get the kettle on.’
He follows her into the kitchen. ‘Are you all right? You look like you’ve been crying.’
At that moment, Jake’s footsteps sound on the stairs, signalling his return downstairs. Dana sighs; with any luck her ex will be gone in a few minutes. Jake’s already aware of her reunion with Aiden, thanks to an earlier phone conversation. If the man possesses a shred of tact, he won’t hang around. She’s clinging on to her self-control by a thread, and now Aiden’s here, she’d rather Jake wasn’t. That way she can enjoy some quality time with her darling boy, which will help take her mind off Lori.