by Mel Sherratt
And to men like Ryan, being nice was a weakness to exploit.
Chapter Seven
Eden arrived home early on Wednesday evening. After working a couple of late ones on the trot, she’d managed to finish at six. Often she was at work until past eight at night trying to catch up on paperwork. When a case came in that warranted she work on it with the Major Crimes Team, or CID, then she would work around the clock with them too. Luckily she had her sister, or Joe, to keep an eye on Casey if it was too late.
Joe was out with his friends that evening. They’d been together for nearly a year now and, after asking her several times if she wanted to live with him, he’d given up. Although she was used to seeing him most evenings, just lately he’d taken to having a few nights out without her. Eden wasn’t sure if this was deliberate so that she would miss him when he wasn’t there, because she did miss him, or whether it was because he was tired of her non-committal attitude to their relationship. Either way, they had been together for a long time and yet she still had never fallen head over heels in love with him.
It was all to do with the ghost of her husband still haunting her. If they had got round to divorcing, Danny Berrisford would have been her ex, but she hadn’t heard from him in over two years, not since he’d walked out on her and Casey. She still couldn’t believe he hadn’t been in contact, despite a few attempts on her part to get in touch with him.
After the trauma she’d been through when her niece, Jess, had been kidnapped last year, Eden had wanted to see if Danny was okay. It always piqued her curiosity as to where he was. But Danny had never replied to the text messages she’d sent. He clearly hadn’t been interested in her, or his daughter.
It had been hard at first. He’d cleared their bank accounts, leaving her broke and also saddled with some of his debts. It was only then she’d found out the true nature of his gambling habit. Even now, though, it was hard to say good riddance when they had unfinished business. As well as her heart taking a beating, Danny had stolen information from her that could lead to her losing her job if anyone on the force ever found out.
So when loving, dependable Joe came along, Eden was concerned she was settling for someone just because – and that spoke volumes to her. It wasn’t the commitment she was afraid of. It was committing herself to the right man after being with Danny for so long. Joe was stable, reliable, a kind of boy-next-door who she knew would look after her. Eden didn’t want a nice boy though. Her marriage had been fine until the point of Danny’s walkout. They’d had their volatile moments – they were both hot-headed at times and could give each other the silent treatment for days – but they were good together in a way that she and Joe could never be. She hadn’t worked out yet if that was a positive or negative point.
Casey was in the kitchen, sitting at the breakfast bar.
Eden smiled. ‘Hi there, mini-me.’ It pained and excited her in equal measures to see them looking so alike. In one way, she was grateful that Casey was growing up into a strong, well-rounded and well-liked individual with her own personality, yet at other times it reminded her of her own passing youth. Casey looked so much like Eden had when she was the same age.
Casey looked up from her school books and smiled. ‘Hi, Mum. Good day?’
‘I’ve had better.’ Eden leaned over to squeeze her daughter’s hand as she walked past. ‘Have you eaten?’
‘Made myself a chip butty.’
Eden frowned. ‘You’ll be getting spots again if you eat too much fatty food.’
Casey pointed to a cluster on her chin. ‘I already have them! So I might as well treat myself.’
Eden couldn’t help but smile at her logic.
‘Is Daphne in?’ Daphne was their cat, a two-year-old blue Persian.
Casey shook her head. ‘She has been. I gave her something to eat and she went out again. Must have a hot date or something.’
Eden laughed just as her phone rang. It was her sister moaning about her niece misbehaving again. ‘Would you like me to have a word with her?’ she said after she had listened for a few minutes. She knew this was what Laura was getting round to.
‘I’m not sure it will make a difference. She’s just a bloody nightmare, to be honest.’
‘I’ll see if I can collar her this weekend. We’re still okay for Sunday lunch?’
‘Yes. Looking forward to it. Is Joe coming too?’
Eden paused. ‘It’ll just be me and Casey.’
‘Oh?’
‘Joe wants to watch the football on TV and you know how much he hates it when we start gabbing over it.’
‘That’s not a good enough excuse to turn down roast beef and Yorkshire pudding in my eyes. What’s going on, Eden?’
Eden sighed. Her sister never missed a beat.
‘We’re just having a few issues, that’s all.’
‘He’s got fed up of you, hasn’t he?’
‘You make me sound like the catch of the day!’
‘You know what I mean. He’s a really nice guy, he thinks a lot of you and now that he and Casey are getting on, I thought—’
‘Ever listened to that George Michael song?’ Eden snapped. ‘When he says he can’t make you love him? Well I can’t make myself love Joe enough and that’s not his fault. So it’s not fair that I string him along.’
‘Said after being with him for a year.’
‘He knows the score!’
‘So he’s finally getting the message and cooling off?’
Eden pinched the bridge of her nose. ‘Possibly. I don’t know for sure.’
‘And are you worried?’
The million-dollar question. Would she be upset if Joe handed back his front door key and said it was over? Eden very much doubted it. But she didn’t want to get into the same old argument again.
‘Are we having apple pie?’
‘That’s avoiding the question.’
‘I don’t know how to answer,’ said Eden, ‘because I don’t really know if I would be bothered or not. And that’s something I need to work out, rather than leading him on.’
‘But you told me you loved him.’
‘I do! In my own way, but that might not be good enough.’
‘You need to be saying this to him, not telling me.’
‘You’re supposed to listen and not give advice.’ Eden was referring to Laura’s job. She worked at CrisisChat, a chatline for teenagers.
‘That’s for teenagers, not grown-ups.’
Eden sniggered. ‘Yes, Mum.’
‘I’ll see you at the weekend. Text me if you need me.’
Eden disconnected the phone with a sigh. She switched on the grill and got out two slices of bread and a pack of cheese. Right now, all she wanted to do was eat and not think about anything more taxing than that.
Chapter Eight
Tanya White sat down on the single bed with a thump. She looked around in despair at the room that she would have to stay in for the foreseeable future. She was sick and tired of this routine every time Vic came out of prison.
She’d thought she’d never end up back at The Willows when he’d promised not to hit her after the last time. Yet he’d only been out for two days and already she was here.
The room was clean to the point of being clinical, with its cream walls and dark brown carpet. But at least she could lock her door every night and feel safe, and that was the main thing. No one to have a go at her, no one to threaten her if she didn’t do as she was told, or stepped out of line for a second.
She’d slept in this room the last time she had fled here. Then it had been for three weeks, and she’d gone back when Vic promised to change. She wondered who had stayed here after her, and if they were happy now that they had moved on. Some of the women she’d met had gone on to live good lives without their violent partners but most, like her, had a tendency to go back to them because they didn’t really see any other solution. She wondered if they all hated that they were weak too.
Tanya glanced at herself in
the small wardrobe mirror as she made her way over to the window. Her clothes hung where they should have shown curves. She had never been into taking drugs as much as Vic, but her teeth and skin had paid the price regardless and she looked ten years older than thirty-seven. Her hair needed a good wash; once she had done that she would be respectable again. Make-up would cover the bruising if necessary, if she could be bothered. Having bruising here was a sign of belonging, she reckoned.
At least she would sleep easy in her bed tonight. Vic couldn’t get to her. She was safe here and, once she had come to do what she had set out to do, she would make friends and move on.
She unpacked what little belongings she had brought with her from a Morrisons shopping bag. Two pairs of jeans, some knickers and a bra, socks, a few T-shirts, leggings and a jumper. She had come in a coat, and apart from the long cardigan that she was wearing now that was it. A few personal items scrambled together and she was on her way. Getting the bruising had been the last straw. He didn’t have to be so mean.
Once what little belongings she had were in their place, she locked the bedroom door behind her and went in search of a cup of tea. If she kept herself to herself, then maybe the ordeal would be over before she knew it, and she could get out of here and on with her life.
Chapter Nine
He stood across the road, watching from the shadows. There was no point in causing a commotion. It wasn’t worth risking someone calling the police. Besides, he didn’t want her to know he was there just yet.
It was the sense of excitement he had missed since he’d arrived in Stockleigh. The chase, the thrill, call it what you may. It never left him.
She was here, right in front of him. He would bide his time before letting her know he was here. It was fun watching her. She was his obsession, yet he could take her down any time he liked, and that was far more rewarding.
He didn’t really need to stand back in the shadows. Even though he wore dark clothes, he was sure she wouldn’t have noticed him anyway. He’d been following her for several days, yet she hadn’t suspected a thing. Which was pathetic, really, given the circumstances.
He’d been standing there for some time when a light went on upstairs. He saw her walk to the window before quickly drawing the curtains. Was she thinking of him? Was she wondering when he would catch up with her?
Did she realise how much trouble she would be in once he got his hands on her?
Did she even know he was coming after her yet?
Headlights shone bright in the distance, and he ducked behind a van. It wouldn’t do to be seen hanging around.
The vehicle went past and he resumed his position. He smirked. Boy, was he going to have some fun and games. It wouldn’t be fun for her though. She was going to get what was coming to her.
Checking it was all quiet again, he took the hefty brick from the pocket of his coat and walked stealthily across the road. As he reached the refuge, he pulled up his scarf to hide his face. Then he threw the brick at the large front window with all his power behind him.
It hurtled through the air and smashed into the pane, causing an almighty bang. There wasn’t time to relish in the screams because he didn’t stop until he was halfway down the street and away.
Chapter Ten
Eden was at her desk trying to persuade Ella Brown’s mum to let her see her daughter, but she was having no luck. Mrs Brown said Ella was too traumatised to go through it all again. Eden couldn’t blame Ella, even though she knew they could be missing out on vital evidence if the attacks were linked, she knew how protective she would be if it had been Casey. Relenting a little, she finished by asking Mrs Brown to get in touch if Ella remembered anything else.
There was a voicemail on her mobile. It was Lisa from the women’s refuge telling her that a brick had gone through the downstairs window the night before. Eden had a meeting to attend nearby so she made arrangements to pop in afterwards.
At The Willows, Lisa buzzed her in.
‘It took the council hours to come out last night, and all they’ve done for now is board it up until it can be repaired.’ Lisa rolled her eyes. ‘That’s all well and good for anyone if it’s a random act of vandalism, but the women here are terrified that it was done so that someone could come back this evening, force the boarding off and get into the refuge.’
‘I’m sure it’ll be glazed again soon,’ Eden soothed. ‘Although it will have to be made to measure, I guess. You know where we are if you need us.’
‘Fat lot of use that will be in the middle of the night. It’ll be too late.’
Most of the time, the two women saw eye to eye but often Lisa became so passionate about her role that she could become confrontational. Eden knew it was because Lisa had had a violent partner. Her husband had attacked her for years, and she’d put up with all kinds of abuse, until one night she’d plucked up the courage to leave.
Josie Mellor had found a room for her in a hostel and from there she’d been given a flat. The position of live-in refuge manager had been perfect for her when it had come along six months later. Eden had been certain that Lisa would do a good job because she knew the fear that drove these women to come to the refuge. She had felt it for years, put up with it for years. It gave Lisa a sense of purpose, people to look after, and she’d become popular in the team of workers who provided care at The Willows.
Tanya White popped her head round the kitchen door. She was the last person Eden had expected to see. She wondered if she wanted to speak to her or Lisa.
‘Hi, Tanya, how are things?’ she asked, pointing to a chair in the hope that she might come and join them.
Tanya hovered in the doorway. Her hair hung loose, and she wore leggings and an oversized jumper. The borrowed slippers on her feet were worn, their fronts scuffed of pink fur.
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ she said.
‘What about?’ Eden cocked her head to one side.
‘About me being back here again.’
‘She doesn’t think anything, Tanya,’ Lisa came to Eden’s defence. ‘We’re both here for support if you need it.’
Tanya folded her arms and stared at Eden. ‘I’m doing okay.’
‘That’s great to hear.’ Eden smiled. ‘Have you spoken to Carla yet?’
‘I’ve made an appointment. I’m hoping not to be here too long though. I’m going to make a go of it this time and find myself a flat or something.’
‘One step at a time,’ said Eden. ‘We need to keep you out of Vic’s way first.’
‘Well what else do you expect me to do? I’m doing my best here.’
‘We’re just saying,’ said Lisa, ‘please be careful.’
‘Yes,’ Eden reiterated. ‘We both know it took an awful lot of courage for you to come back here again. Like Lisa says, we’re here for you whenever you need us.’
‘Like anyone has ever been there for me,’ Tanya snorted. ‘And the brick through the window? That had nothing to do with me either, so don’t go blaming me behind my back.’
Eden opened her mouth to speak again but Tanya was already gone. She frowned. She would have thought it better not to mention it if she was involved. Just the fact that Tanya had brought up the vandalism made her wonder if she had seen who had done it but was too afraid to say.
Chapter Eleven
Alice Clough slid herself along the back seat of the taxi, turned and put her feet on to the pavement. A rush of air hit her and she wished she hadn’t drunk so much on the train home. She’d had a fabulous day in London but was already dreading the hangover she knew she’d have in the morning.
‘I feel sick,’ she muttered.
Having climbed out of the taxi first, her friend Lacey grabbed for her hand and pulled Alice to her feet. She closed the car door and banged on the side. ‘Thanks, mate,’ she shouted after the car as it moved away.
‘What a great day,’ Alice said, gaining her colour back again as she stood. ‘That’s much better. A bit of fresh air is what I needed. I’
m probably a bit travel sick after two hours on a train.’
‘More like a bit too tipsy after we knocked back so much wine!’ Lacey grinned. ‘You’re right though. It was a great day. We must do it again soon. I haven’t laughed so much in a good while. It felt good.’
Alice gave her friend a hug. The trip to London had been her idea after Lacey and her long-time partner had split up. They had been together for five years, and Lacey had thought they were due to be married and start a family. It had come as a huge shock to everyone when Sebastian had just upped and left when an opportunity to work in America had come up.
‘I’m sure your heart will mend soon,’ Alice sympathised. ‘I’m so sorry you have to go through this, but you will come out stronger. I’m certain of it. And if he can just leave after five years, then he’s not worth bothering with anyway. He was an idiot. Couldn’t see what was right underneath his nose. My beautiful Lacey.’ She broke away. ‘You’re too good for him.’
They hugged again, then went their separate ways. They both lived off the main road in streets next to each other. It would only take Alice a few minutes to get home. She pulled the collar of her coat nearer as the icy cold began to get at her.
Epsom Street was in darkness as she went down it. It was just past midnight as she opened her gate and closed it quietly behind her. She tiptoed up the path to stop the heels on her boots from making too much noise. At the door, she popped down her shopping bags and zipped open her handbag. She hummed to herself as she rummaged around inside for her keys.
A sound made her freeze, but she didn’t have time to look round before someone grabbed her from behind. A hand covered her mouth and she was dragged backwards down the path. Her grip on her handbag slipped and it clattered to the flagstones, her arms flying out as she resisted. All she could do was hit out with her fists, kick out with her feet.