by Leah Murray
Jo felt Will tense. `Of course I fucking want those signed.’
Helen raised her chin then. `Well fine. I came to say I’ll sign the damn things. I’ve met someone else, someone far better than you who doesn’t resort to wife beating. I can see you’ve had a go at this one too.’
`Out! Get out of my sight. I will not have you stand there and insult my brother,’ Julia yelled and Jo stepped back, shocked as Will had to literally pull Julia back from Helen.
`Julia, it’s okay. She can sign and then she can leave. Jo, can you go back in with Julia? Please?’
Jo hesitated, looked over at Helen and saw the catty smile, decided she wasn’t going to get involved. She had to trust Will and he certainly didn’t seem to be attracted to the woman anymore. So she nodded, dragged Julia upstairs with her, sat her down in a booth. `You’re pregnant. Try not to get so worked up,’ she said, trying to sound calm herself, despite the fact that all she felt now was exhausted.
`She’s such a bitch. She ruined his life. If it wasn’t for you he’d still be living like a damn recluse locked away in his damn house up there, not trusting anyone. She didn’t deserve him. I can’t believe she thought she could simply walk in here like that,’ Julia spat, still seething.
Jo was relieved when Shaun appeared from the back office.
`What’s going on?’ he asked.
`That fucking bitch came to cause trouble,’ Julia began and Jo left Shaun to soothe her, went over to the bar and poured herself a large glass of wine, gulped most of it down in one sip.
She looked around the pub, which still held a large number of customers, most of them had looked up at the scene but had now returned to their own conversations, their own lives. The waitresses were serving behind the bar and everything was still running smoothly. Everything in all their lives was normal, they’d probably go home, sit and watch some TV, play with their kids. None of them had to worry about some psychotic freak following them, killing innocent people to get to them. And even though she had listened to him, she was still pissed off at Will for taking so long to tell her about Helen. It made her wonder what other secrets he was keeping from her, what else he could be holding back.
Despite her not wanting it to, a little piece of what she felt for him withered up and died, was replaced by a cold determination to not be hurt anymore, warred with the compassionate part of her that told her to forgive and forget. Unable to handle the mix, the events of the day, the fear, she had another glass of wine, thought stuff it and took the bottle, retreated to the bathroom and locked herself in a stall. She swallowed a sip of wine direct from the neck, grimaced at the sudden flood of alcohol but repeated the move, trying to drown out the hurt, the guilt.
Not able to stomach another sip just yet, she stared at the wood of the floor, the dark green of the door with its white poster advertising some rock band and started laughing. She was trying to drink herself silly in a toilet in a pub. At thirty. There was something sad and seedy about the image that made her hate the part of her that drove her to do it. But she couldn’t stop herself. Tears mingled with the laughter now, hot, silent, as she took another swig of wine.
`Jo? Are you in there?’
At the sound of Will’s panicked voice she stopped mid-gulp, swallowed, debated ignoring him. `Go away,’ she said eventually, quiet, knowing he was probably worried she’d been kidnapped or something. For some reason she found that funny too and now high on alcohol and tension, exhaustion, she slid down to the floor, stuck her feet in front of her and stared at the tips of her shoes. Wine. She needed more wine. She hadn’t had enough to dull the pain. Her head was swimming slightly but she was still far too there for her liking.
`Jo, come out and talk to me.’
His voice was closer now, in front of the door.
`You read the sign that says Ladies, Will?’
`I’m not leaving until you come out and talk to me.’
She laughed. `You’ll be waiting a long time then. Good luck explaining.’
She took another swig of wine, felt the liquid warm in her belly. Maybe, just maybe, this would all go away. She’d go to sleep and wake up and find it had all been a dream. Some really sick, twisted nightmare.
Except the bit with Will.
But she didn’t want to think about that.
She screamed at a sudden smash as the door swung forwards, scrambled to her feet, launched herself at him, clawing with her nails.
`How dare you,’ she yelled, `you can’t force me to talk to you. I don’t want to. I don’t want to, you hear me?’
He ignored her ranting, held her off with his hands.
`Damn you then!’ she yelled, gave up and stepped back, bent to pick up the wine bottle, which was still on the floor by the stall.
`Give me the wine,’ he said.
`No,’ she took another step backwards, cradled the bottle, glared at him.
She was losing her mind. She could feel it, hear it in her voice. All her calm and control had disappeared, replaced by something deeper, something that didn’t give a shit about what anyone thought, something that was hurt and bleeding and mad as hell about it.
Will stood staring at her, frowning, and the still rational part of her knew he was trying to figure out what to do. The mad seething part found it incredibly funny.
`Maybe I’m simply too screwed up for you Will. You may as well quit while you’re ahead. Maybe if you run, you can catch your wife.’
`That’s not funny Jo.’
She sighed, suddenly ashamed of herself.
`I know. I’m sorry,’ she said at last, relinquishing her hold on the bottle as he stepped forward, took it from her.
He stared at her for a moment but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Instead, she focused on the floor, listening to her breathing as it calmed and she felt herself knitting together again, didn’t feel quite as scattered.
`You need to rest,’ Will said eventually. `Shaun’s offered to let us stay at their place tonight. We’ll decide tomorrow what to do on a more permanent basis but I don’t like the idea of you at the farm. Why don’t you come with me now, go have a bath or whatever it is you women do when you need to relax.’
She perked up slightly at the idea. `With bubbles? And candles? And chocolate?’ she asked, finally meeting his gaze.
His mouth twitched. `Yes, okay, with bubbles and candles and chocolate.’
She considered, had a final look at the bathroom stall. There wasn’t any competition.
`Okay,’ she said, letting him take her hand but still staring longingly at the wine bottle.
CHAPTER 32
It was Heaven, Jo decided. Pure Heaven.
She lay her head back, inhaled the scent of lavender from the candles propped on the tiled edge of the bath, lifted a handful of bubbles, turned it to see the way they changed color as they moved from shadow into light. She didn’t know why but she welcomed the darkness, felt comforted by the flickering glow of the candles, didn’t feel up to facing the harsh glare of electric lights. She sank deeper into the warm water, closed her eyes, soothed by the gentle waves of the water lapping around her. The bathroom window was slightly open and she could hear the chirrup of the crickets in the yard outside. The sound of peace. Tranquility. Quiet.
It reminded her of the farm.
Which in turn reminded her of Will and she smiled slightly. He’d been good to his word and bought her chocolate and bubble bath, cajoled Julia into letting her use the candles. Now he was probably sitting in the lounge downstairs watching TV. Julia was still at the pub and Shaun was working. Jo sighed, not wanting to think about what she’d seen on the island, refusing to let herself remember.
So she focused on Helen instead. She had been quite pretty, Jo had to admit. She supposed she could see why Will would be attracted to her but to actually marry her? She couldn’t quite see Will married at all, let alone to someone so obviously shallow. Maybe he had been a different person back then. She certainly had been a lot more care
free, easygoing before she’d met Jack. Now she was turning slightly manic. She grimaced as she thought of the roller coaster of emotions she’d experienced over the last few weeks. No wonder she was exhausted.
`Jo?’
She sat up at the sound of Will’s voice, splashing water over the sides of the bath, causing the candles to flicker in the sudden rush of air.
`Yes?’
`Can I come in?’
`Um, okay.’
He smiled as he opened the door, walked in and sat on the edge of the bath. `Enjoying it?’
`Yes. I was just thinking how peaceful it is.’
He reached a hand into the water, flicked some bubbles at her and she smiled.
`Thanks Will. I needed to relax like this,’ she said after a pause.
He grinned. `It’s good to see you back to your normal self. Sometimes you worry me Jo.’
She grimaced, started to argue, stopped as he placed a finger on her lips. `But I guess you were entitled to freak out a little today. There was a lot going on,’ he said, his eyes serious. He moved his hand, ran it down her jaw, rubbing at her cheek with his thumb. `I really should have told you earlier about Helen. I just couldn’t find the words or the right time.’
`Is there anything else you still need to tell me?’ she asked, staring up at him, needing to know.
He smiled ruefully, shook his head. `No, that’s it. Now you know all my deep dark secrets.’
She found she believed him, nodded, and something inside her relaxed.
`What about you Jo? What are your secrets?’
`I don’t have any.’
`Don’t you?’ he asked, the smile still tugging at the corners of his mouth as he leaned closer, propped his hands on either side of the bath and paused, his mouth inches away from hers.
`No, I don’t,’ she said, her voice low, not quite able to concentrate, or focus. He was too close.
`Hmmm, those bubbles look good. Mind if I join you?’ he asked. `I promise you can have lots of chocolate later as a reward.’
Her heart was pounding again. It never failed to amaze her how his simple proximity set her pulse soaring. Surely she should be used to this by now?
`Okay.’
`Good,’ he said, brushing his lips against hers.
A sudden sharp jolt of longing erupted somewhere within her and a low moan escaped from her throat as he deepened the kiss. Several minutes passed before he pulled back, stood, dragged his clothes off.
She couldn’t help but appreciate the hard lines of his body, highlighted by candlelight. He saw her watching him and smiled as he stepped into the bath, settled in behind her. She leaned back against his chest. It was a snug fit, cozy, something she needed just then. A warm, safe place to hide. She smiled as he pressed his lips against her hair, hugged her close.
They sat like that for a moment, blanketed in lavender and candlelight and silence.
Then he ran his hands down her sides, over the curves of her breasts and she felt herself respond as his touch coated her skin with a slick film of water and bubbles. He cupped her breasts, squeezed gently, moved the flat of his palms down over the curves onto her ribs and across her stomach, started moving back up.
The slow, rhythmic magic of his movements was somehow incredibly arousing and she leaned her head back against his chest, turning to the side as he bent to kiss the nape of her neck.
`Oh,’ she let her breath out sharply as he moved a hand down between her legs, started rubbing gently as she arched up at him.
`Let me touch you Jo,’ he said, his breath hot against her neck as she started to push his hand away. Waves of pleasure were suddenly washing through her and the protests died on her lips, her body tense with need and desire.
The water in the bath was slapping against the sides in small waves, the candles were flickering, the crickets still sounding their late-night chorus, but Jo was lost in a haze of agonized pleasure, straining against his touch, searching desperately for a release.
`I love you Jo,’ he murmured against her ear as she finally let go, and flew.
…
`Please Will, ask him to leave me out of it. I can’t go over it again. Not anymore. I just can’t.’
`But what if you know something we’ve missed?’
`I’ve told you everything I know. There isn’t anything more.’
Will sighed. `Okay, I’ll see what I can do. Now, promise me you’re going to stay here in full sight of Ian all day, don’t go outside alone, even for five minutes. The patrol car will be here in front shortly but there won’t be any at the back.’
`I promise Will, I’ll be fine.’
Her arms tightened around his neck and she stood on her toes, brushed her lips against his.
`I love you,’ she said and he felt his heart tighten, suddenly very aware of the softness of her pressed against him, the scent of her perfume. He smiled, hugged her tight, ran a hand through her hair, met her gaze again, not quite able to believe the intensity of the emotions rushing through him.
`I love you too. Now take care.’
He stood beside the car watching as she walked into the surgery, waited until the patrol car turned up then backed out the drive, stopped. He really didn’t want to leave her alone, something just didn’t feel right. But maybe he was being too paranoid. The day was overcast and humid, the air heavy and thick. It was enough to make anyone slightly tense.
So he put the car into gear and drove down to the station.
Shaun looked up as he walked into the office. `No luck changing her mind?’ he asked
Will shook his head. `No, she really doesn’t want to rehash things so for now there’s just me.’
Shaun sighed. `Okay, well let’s see what we can do. Start with these statements, read through and see if anything catches your attention.’
Will sighed, settled down in a chair and started reading.
`Hello?’ Jo called out as she walked into the surgery.
She frowned as she realized Laura wasn’t in yet. Cursed as she walked over to the whiteboard and saw that there was a neuter scheduled for ten. That gave her half an hour.
The bell rang, indicating someone was in the waiting room, and she walked out, saw Ian and smiled a greeting.
`Good to see you back. The eye looks better. Have a good rest?’ he asked.
She smiled, decided not to bother telling him about the incident on the island or Hayley. It would only make him worried. `Yes thanks, all good. I’m just getting prepped for the neuter at ten.’
`Okay, I’ve got Mrs Reynolds coming in about five minutes so I better go check on her spaniel. I went down to the shops for some milk. Laura still not in?’ he asked, setting the packet down on the counter.
Jo sighed. `No’
Ian pinched his lips together, shook his head and pushed the swing door open, disappeared into the back room.
Jo picked up the milk, started towards the lunch room and paused as the phone rang.
Great, now she was doing phone duty too.
`Morning, Mills Vets,’ she said.
`Jo? It’s Laura. My car’s not working. Can you come pick me up?’
Jo stared at the ceiling, forced herself to calm down. After the way Laura had treated her during the weekend, she had at least expected some sort of apology.
`Where’s your boyfriend or whoever it was that gave you a lift last time?’
`He’s not here right now. Please Jo.’
When Jo didn’t reply, her voice changed from a pleading tone to a more threatening one. `Of course I can always say I’m sick and you can deal with everything yourself.’
About to deliver a smart retort, Jo glanced up, waved a hand as a large woman in a pink and white polka dot dress pushed her way through the front door.
`Jo dear where’s Ian and Snookums?’ she called out, ignoring the fact that Jo was on the phone.
`Just a minute Mrs Reynolds,’ she said, pulling her face into what she hoped passed for a smile.
Great first
day back. No, she wasn’t going to let Laura off the hook that easy.
`Okay fine, I’ll ask Ian to come get you.’
`Fine, I’ll be waiting.’
Jo hung up, pushed against the swing door, annoyed to find herself followed by the bulbous Mrs Reynolds.
`Oh Snookums, there you are and Ian, why you’re looking good today,’ she cooed and Jo rolled her eyes, stepped back out front and tried to decide what to do. Ian was obviously going to be preoccupied for at least another half hour and if the ten o’clock surgery was delayed, the whole day would be off and it would simply be chaos.
She didn’t feel up to coping with chaos.
So she unhooked Ian’s keys from the rack near the front desk and pushed through the side door to the car port where he kept his old Jeep. Laura was only five minutes away, this wouldn’t take long.
She climbed into the car, reversed, realized the patrol car hadn’t moved, that the officers in it obviously thought she was Ian. Should she call out?
No, not much point for a five minute drive.
She drove fast, eager to return to the safety of the surgery, and pulled up outside Laura’s flat with a slight squeal of tires. Looking around anxiously, suddenly very aware that she was alone when she had specifically promised Will she wouldn’t be, she knocked on the door, stood waiting.
`Finally, now hurry up I-’she began as the door opened.
The words died in her throat, choked by fear.
He leaned against the door frame. `Well, well, what a surprise,’ he drawled, catching her wrist in a tight grip.
She stood frozen, not able to move even though every cell in her body was screeching for her to flee.
`Jack, what are you doing? I thought you were out?’ Laura’s voice came from behind him.
Jo’s eyes widened. Laura knew him?
Jack grinned. `Oh yes, Laura here has proved very useful,’ he said.
Snapping out of her trance, Jo tried to tug her wrist free, screamed as he grabbed her by the waist, bundled her inside the flat and kicked the door shut.
`Jack! What are you doing?’ Laura asked, shocked.
`He’s a fucking psycho you stupid idiot!’ Jo yelled, struggling to break free of his grip.