by Clare Revell
“Really?” Holly quivered with his nearness, hardly able to breathe.
He nodded. His finger ran over her lips, parting them slightly. “What would you do if I did?”
Holly shook her head.
Kyle bent his head, brushing his lips against hers. She pulled away, suddenly panicked. “Don’t.”
He looked at her and backed away, his cheeks reddening. “I’m sorry. I thought you meant—”
“It’s fine.” She took a deep calming breath, bringing the conversation back to a safer topic. “Would you like your car fixed?”
“Yes... Please. The only reason I hesitated was because the doc said for you not to work.”
She gave him a wry smile. Closing the bonnet, she took a deep breath. “Let’s get this off the road and inside the garage. I should have a water pump in stock. I’ll go and unlock it.”
“But, Holly, doctor’s orders—.”
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She smiled. “I can’t leave you stranded. Besides, I’m not working. I’m helping a friend.”
Between the two of them, they got the car into the garage. Holly pulled overalls over her red roll-neck sweater and plaid knee length kilt. Kyle sat on the side and watched without saying a word as she stripped out the broken water pump and replaced it.
Holly glanced over at him. Did he like her as more than a friend? She wasn't ready for a relationship. At least she didn't think so. Lord, is this from You? Is this why I’m scared of men, but not of Kyle? Show me what You want of me here.
By the time she finished, she was hot and sweaty and greasy. She smiled over at him as she wiped her hands on the cloth. “Done, she’s as good as new.”
“Thank you, Holly. What do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
“Just because I did your hair for nothing, which, incidentally, was because the mess up was my fault, doesn’t mean I don’t pay you for the work you just did.”
“My hair was so not your fault. You didn’t cut it the first time. Sandra did.”
“It was someone at my salon, therefore my fault.”
“So, your car not getting fixed this morning was the fault of someone here, therefore—”
“Actually, that was my fault, too, in a way. How much do I owe you? And don’t say ‘nothing’ again.”
Holly moved away, still wiping her hands on the cloth. “The parts come to fifty. I won’t charge you for the labour.”
He looked at her, then jerked his head in agreement, pulling his wallet out. “Fifty it is, then.”
“Thank you.” She took his money and headed towards the office to change.
“Holly, about earlier…”
His voice stopped her in her tracks and she turned to look at him.
“I’m sorry, I should never have presumed to kiss you like that. It’s just—”
“It’s OK, Kyle.”
“No, it’s not OK. I acted like a total heel and I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Holly looked at him, not sure if she was relieved or disappointed. “Honestly, it’s OK. I’ll go change. I won’t be long.” She went into the office and shut the door. She put the money into the safe with a scrawled note to remind herself what it was for, and pulled off her overalls. She left the office, half expecting him to have gone.
Kyle was still standing there. “Can I offer you a lift to the carol service? We could take your car back home first.”
She looked at her watch. “We’ve already missed the start of it.”
“Then we pick your car up on the way home.”
“Sure. I’ll lock up and grab the mince pies.”
****
For some reason Holly imagined Kyle would drive like a boy racer, but he didn’t. The road conditions were treacherous. He slid to a halt at junctions, and she didn’t think she was the only one offering up telegram prayers. Only when they arrived at the church and he opened the door, did she realize she’d spent the entire journey in the front and hadn’t panicked once.
He escorted her into church and sat next to her throughout the remainder of the service. Afterwards, they followed the crowds for the coffee and mince pies. Kyle made sure he picked up one of hers. “This is wonderful. And you say you made them yourself? Including the pastry?”
“Yes, I love baking, just don’t do it often enough.”
“So you love baking, but don’t eat much. That makes sense.”
She smiled. There was still a little tension between them, and she wished the earlier ease would return. She didn’t want to lose him as a friend. She trusted him. And trust in men was something that didn’t come easy.
He brushed the crumbs from his shirt. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Coming to the service first thing, phoning my parents, trying not to get them out of bed. Heat up a ready meal, and then curl up by the fire with a mug of cocoa to watch the Queen’s Speech. And then the film on the telly.”
“That doesn’t sound like fun, but why phone your parents so early? Why not mid-afternoon?”
Holly laughed. “They’re in Australia with my brother so if I rang mid-afternoon I’d definitely get them out of bed. I'm spending Christmas alone.”
“That definitely doesn’t sound like fun.”
“Oh, I don’t know. No fights over the TV remote or who sits where. What about you?”
“My parents are snowed in up north of the border with my sister and her family. I’ll ring them before church and see them when the snow thaws. Right now, I’m going to find another of your mince pies. They are decidedly more-ish.”
She shot him a curious stare, not understanding. What did the Turks have to do with her cooking? “Moorish?”
“More-ish. Means one isn’t enough by a long chalk.”
“Ah.” She smiled as he headed back to the kitchen. He was in no rush to leave, so she mingled, which was something she hadn’t done in months. She caught up with several people and was sorry to go when Kyle finally came to find her.
He smiled at her. “It’s almost nine. We should go find your car. Or I can just drive you home and we collect your car tomorrow.”
Holly shook her head as they headed out. “Thanks, but I don’t want to leave my car overnight. Just drop me at the garage and I’ll be fine.”
As he drove past the park, he pulled over and stopped the car. She glanced at him. “What are you doing? This isn’t the garage.”
“I know.” Kyle twisted in his seat to face her and took her hand. “We need to talk.”
She pulled her hand free, his familiar cologne suddenly overwhelming. “I don’t want to talk. I want to go home.” There was an audible click as he put on the central locking. Panic filled her, and she felt sick. She pulled on the door release button. “Let me out.”
“In a minute. I’m not going to hurt you. There is something I need to tell you.”
“What? Are you the Headley Cross serial killer or something?”
A touch of anger, swiftly followed by hurt, flashed in his eyes. “Of course I’m not, but that’s what we need to talk about.” He paused for a moment, and Holly could see the battle going on between his instinctive response to snap, and his obvious desire not to do so. “Now will you please give me two minutes?”
Holly swallowed. “I want you to take me to find my car.”
“OK.” Kyle took a deep breath. “Holly, I know who you are. I’ve known all along.”
She looked at him, confused. “I don’t understand. What do you mean, you know who I am?”
“You’re the serial killer’s first victim, the one who got away.”
Holly felt the colour drain from her face. Her hands lost all feeling and her stomach fell into her boots. Her voice came out as a husky whisper. “What?”
“I’ve been following the case in the papers and keeping in touch with the police.”
Holly shook her head. That was just downright creepy. “Why?”
“I told you about Jayne.”
“Your girlfriend.”
Holly raised an eyebrow. “You were living together?”
“No, we weren’t. Yes, we were going out, and yes she lived in my house, but nothing happened. She wanted it, I didn’t, but that’s beside the point. Anyway, that last night, she came to meet me from work, as I was having to drive her around, but I’d gotten a late client. Jayne said she’d walk home and start dinner. I argued with her, but she insisted. She never made it; she died on the way home.”
“Why were you driving her?”
“About two weeks before she died, she crashed her car on the way home. Some idiot went into the back of her and totalled it. That’s why she didn’t have a car. I was driving her everywhere until her insurance came through and she got a new one...”
“Was she hurt?”
“No. They took her to the ED just to make sure. But it was only whiplash. The doctor gave her one of those soft collar things and sent her home. Creepy guy, no taste in clothes.”
“Sounds like the one who treated me both times.”
Kyle looked at her. “Both times?”
“About three weeks before I was attacked, I dropped a wrench on my hand. Rob took me to the ED. It was just bruised, not broken. It was the same doctor who saw me this time. You know he even came up on the ward to see me. You were there when he came.”
Kyle looked at her. “He came onto the ward?”
“Yeah...Sorry, I distracted you. You were telling me about Jayne.”
“She was the killer’s second victim. The first one who died.”
Holly paled, catching her breath. “What?”
He took a deep breath. “I let her walk home alone, and he killed her. I should have insisted. Should just have finished work and driven her.”
“So you feel guilty for her dying. What’s that got...?” She broke off as realization hit her. “Oh, I see.”
Holly narrowed her eyes, incensed at his confession. How could she have ever thought there was anything else going on between them? She was just a way for him to atone for Jayne’s death and assuage his guilty conscience. He didn’t like her at all. Everything he’d said was a lie, including his attempt to kiss her. She was a fool.
“See what?”
“You used me.”
Kyle shook his head. “No. This is why I didn’t tell you. The last thing I want to do is upset you. I really like you and you deserved to be told the truth before things went any further between us.”
“Let me out. Now.”
“I can’t do that. I’ll drive you home. Or at least back to your car.”
“I don’t want you to drive me anywhere. I want you to let me out of here.”
“Holly, be reasonable. It’s late and it’s dark. Let me drive you back.”
“Be reasonable? I thought, maybe, you actually liked me for me. But no. You’re doing this because you feel guilty and because I got away from him, so you feel there is this connection between us.”
He reached out taking her hand. “That’s not true. Well, maybe at first, but...”
As he grabbed hold of her, Holly lost it. She hit out, screaming, desperate to get away from him. Part of her knew it was Kyle and she was safe, but the other part, the part of her that was scared and very angry, was in control.
Kyle pulled back, confusion written all over his face. “What did I do?”
Holly shook all over, tears glistening in her eyes. “Let me out. I’ll walk to the garage.”
“I’m sorry.” He looked at her. “Holly, it’s not safe out there. Let me drive you.”
She screamed at him. “No! Let me out.” She pulled her phone from her pocket, her fingers fumbling for the nine to start dialing the police.
He raised his hands. “OK, OK.” He released the central locking with a click and the door finally opened.
Holly pushed the door wide, staggered outside, and fled, not paying attention to which direction she went. All that mattered was getting away. Her feet slipped on the ice and snow and she almost lost her balance. The park entrance loomed in front of her. She'd cut through there to the garage.
****
Kyle sat in the car, shock resonating through him. He hadn’t intended to hurt her. That was the last thing he wanted to do. He buried his face in his hands. What have I done, Lord? She’ll never trust me now. I ruined things before they even started. How do I put this right?
He opened the door to follow, and as he put one leg out, caught a glimpse of her bag sitting on the floor, the keys lying on the floor next to it. She wouldn’t be able to get into the car or house even if she did get home. He reached down and picked them up. What did he do? Was the better option to drive around to the garage and wait for her, or should he follow her on foot? How could he ensure her safety? After all it was his fault she was now out there. Alone.
His mind wandered over what she said about the doctor in the ED. He’d treated at least two of the victims. Was that coincidence or something more? Kyle pulled out his phone as he got out of the car. He’d call his contact in the police. Tell them and let them investigate. Maybe the other victims had been through the ED in the weeks before the killer found them.
His finger hovering over the first number, he caught sight of a figure heading towards the park. For a minute he thought it was the doctor from the hospital. Then he shook his head. First he’d go round to the garage and find...
He broke off, stiffening as he caught a glimpse of the figure in the streetlight. Shoving Holly’s keys into his pocket, he got out of the car and locked it. Heading for the park gates, he started running.
****
Holly slowed down once she reached the gates. Her breath came in gasps. She stopped for a moment. Was that someone behind her? A twig snapped. Fear surged, and she started running again. It was maybe half a mile straight across to the gate on the other side. Convinced she could hear someone behind her, she ran faster.
It’s probably Kyle. Bloke doesn’t know when to give up. No means no. Why is that so hard for men to understand?
The footsteps got closer. God, please, don’t let it be him. Please, not again. Let me get away. Or give me the courage and strength to fight him off. She tried to run quicker, but slipped. Her arms flailing, she hit the ground with a thud. Pain shot through her hands and knees as the skin tore off them. The air exited her lungs with a whoosh, but she picked herself up, keeping going. What if it wasn’t Kyle? What if it was someone else? Maybe it was him. Kyle would have called after her, by now.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Hot breath seared her cold skin. A hand grabbed her, spinning her around. The stench of cologne flooded her. She screamed in terror and tried to pull away. “Nooo.”
Season for Miracles
8
Hazel eyes looked at her. “Holly. It’s OK. It’s me.” Kyle’s voice slowly broke through her terror and she stopped struggling.
“K-Kyle?”
He nodded, letting go of her. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.”
Holly wrapped her arms around herself, her breathing still coming hard and fast. “I thought...I thought you...”
“I know and I’m sorry. Are you all right?” He reached for her, and she backed away, tripping over a branch and landing in an undignified heap at his feet. His smile was more than she deserved. “This is starting to be a habit.”
She took his hand this time, pulling herself to her feet. “I want to go home.”
He reached into his pocket and handed her the keys. “I left your bag in the car, but you’ll not get in without these. Let me at least drive you back to your car.”
“OK.” They started walking back the way she had run.
“Why did you run?”
She glanced up at the tall figure next to her, the words tumbling from her lips. “The police said I got off lightly. He didn’t…assault me…like he did the others, just cut me and beat me. His fingers caught the alarm on my belt, it scared him off, and I got away. He
’s left handed, like you, and you wear the same cologne as him, and in the car, when you wouldn’t let me out...”
“You thought it was me. Oh, Holly...”
“I knew it wasn’t you. I was angry and upset, and then you grabbed me, and all I could smell was that cologne, and I panicked. I’m sorry.”
“Holly, it’s all right. I understand. I can see why you acted around me the way you did. I must have terrified you. I was a thoughtless idiot, and I’m sorry.”
She smiled as they reached his car. “Can I have that in writing?”
Kyle opened the door for her and raised an eyebrow. “The apology?”
Holly shook her head. “No the ‘thoughtless idiot’ bit.”
He laughed. “For you? Of course. Now let me take you to your car and follow you home. Just so I know you get in safely.”
She looked at him for a long moment, and then nodded. “OK.”
****
Holly woke at six, despite not having gotten into bed until almost two a.m. She had paced and prayed for hours. Kyle followed her home, not leaving until she was safely inside the house. She was all too aware of how close a call it had been the previous evening. She should never have run off on her own. She could be dead right now. This won’t do, Holly. It’s Christmas morning. Things to do, phone calls to make and presents to open.
Sitting up, she reached for the phone and placed a long distance phone call to Australia. It was a little after five in the afternoon in Sydney and her brother was amused to learn Headley Cross was having its first white Christmas for years. He and their parents and Holly’s sister-in-law had just gotten back from a long hot day on the beach. At her brother’s insistence that she hook up the web cam so they could see the snow and watch her open her presents, Holly hung up and went downstairs to fire up the laptop. When her brother had finished admiring the snow and they’d all opened their presents and thanked each other hundred’s of times, he asked about the wedding.
Not wanting to answer immediately, Holly distracted him for a moment. “So how was the beach?”
“The beach was sandy. The water was wet. Same as always.” She knew he hadn’t fallen for it. “So come on then, tell me about the wedding. What are you hiding?”