Wednesday's Child

by Clare Revell

  He stood and headed to the men’s room, aware of both Terry and Patrick following him, while Patrick’s companion remained covertly on alert beside Jacqui. Patrick moved into a stall and shut the door as Liam turned on the hot tap and held his hands underneath it. Terry crossed the room to stand behind him.

  Liam looked up. “Do you want something?”

  “I want to give you a word of advice. Don’t stand in Vince’s way.”

  Liam let the water run over his hands not bothering to look at the man. “That sounds like a threat.”

  “Nothing of the sort. Just a word to the wise. Vince and your girlfriend have a past he’d like to, shall we say, rekindle. This job is just the start. Vince would like you to back off and leave the decision for the lady.”

  Liam turned off the taps and swung around. “You can tell Mr. Devlin that I have no intentions of stopping Jacqui from doing anything. I’m her boyfriend, not her lord and master or her keeper. If she wants to stay here, that’s fine. If she wants to go to Africa, then that’s fine too.” He pulled down a paper towel and started drying his hands.

  “Does your wife know you’re carrying on with another woman?”

  “I don’t have a wife.” Liam told him sharply, wondering how he knew. With no wedding ring there was no outward sign, and they certainly hadn’t discussed the topic over dinner.

  Terry nodded. “My condolences.”

  Liam jerked his head. “I should go. Jacqui will be wondering where I—”

  The breath was knocked from his lungs in a gush as a fist connected with his stomach. Another blow caught the right side of his face, sending him crashing to the floor. Several kicks to his stomach and side doubled him over. He gasped in pain, holding his hands up to protect himself.

  The toilet flushed and the stall door unlocked. A rough hand jerked Liam to his feet as Patrick’s voice echoed in the small room. “Is everything all right.”

  Terry nodded. “This gentleman slipped. I was just helping him up.”

  Liam pulled in a deep breath and winced. “I’m fine. I should go.” He took an unsteady step to the door, clutching his stomach with one hand. Patrick moved to the sink, blocking Terry’s exit. Once in the corridor, Liam straightened and headed back to Jacqui. He wasn’t going to breathe a word of this to her, or let on he was hurt. He knew now he had to get her away from this place and fast. He reached the table, just as Vince was escorting Jacqui towards the door.

  Vince scowled at him. “I thought you’d gone without her. I was going to drive her home so she didn’t miss this very important phone call.”

  Liam hissed in a deep breath and offered Jacqui his hand. “Well I’m here now. Let’s go.”

  Jacqui took his hand. “Sure. Goodbye, Vince. Sorry to cut it short, but I’ll let you know my final decision in the next day or so.”

  Liam escorted Jacqui outside. “I won’t have you home in time for ten. You know that, right?”

  “That’s fine. I don’t know if Sophie will call tonight or not, but Someone told me to get out of there.”

  “Yeah, me, too. In more ways than one.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “Shh, in here.” He pulled her into the shadows as Vince left the restaurant alone. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he pulled out his phone. The same feeling he had all evening came over him again. They were in danger here.

  He speed dialed Patrick. “Patrick, it’s me. Get out of there. Don’t argue, bro. Please, just do it.”

  “Leaving now.”

  “We have to go.” Liam held Jacqui’s hand tightly as he pulled her towards the car park, walking as fast as he could, determined to get her to safety. He glanced back to see Patrick and his female companion leave, and relief flooded him. They crossed the bridge over the river, leading to the car park.

  A massive explosion rocked the earth. Flames lit up the night sky. The shockwave reverberated around the quiet town center, flooding the area with a wave of light and heat.

  Jacqui screamed.

  Liam pushed her to the ground, shielding her body with his as the heat from the flames engulfed him. Not again, God…not again…

  14

  As the blast wave passed, Jacqui gazed into the dark eyes a few centimeters above hers. Her heart thudded in her chest, and she wondered for a brief moment if she were dead. She drew in a shuddering breath, her ears ringing. Liam’s body lay prone over hers, his face creased in pain. He rolled off her. Jacqui lay there shaking. What just happened? How did Liam get hurt?

  “Jacqui, are you all right?” She could see his lips moving, but his voice was so quiet she could barely hear him.

  “Was...was…that an explosion?” Jacqui could hear the tremble in her voice. “Did the restaurant…? Those people…”

  He pulled her up and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

  “Are you all right?” he repeated.

  “Yeah, I think so.”

  She tightened her grip on his hand as they gazed at the scene across the river. Flame and smoke engulfed the restaurant, billowing out from it in an inferno. She could feel the heat burning her face from where she stood.

  Running footsteps crossed over to them, causing both of them to turn around. “Liam, are you both all right?” A tall, dark-haired man came up behind them.

  “We’re fine, Patrick.”

  “Good. I’ve called it in. The fire department is on its way. Go home.”

  “Did everyone get out?”

  “I don’t know. I pulled the fire alarm in the foyer after you called.” Patrick’s expression was tight. “Go home.”

  “Sure?”

  “Yeah, just go home.”

  “Liam, what’s going on?”

  “This is my brother, Patrick. Patrick, this is Jacqui.”

  “Brother? You were here?” Her mind was still dazed, and Liam had to support most of her weight.

  Patrick held out a hand, and she shook it as he spoke. “Nice to meet you. Sorry I can’t stop and chat. Liam, take her home, and I’ll come take statements in the morning, all right?”

  “Sure, bro. Night.”

  Jacqui leaned into Liam as he wrapped his arm around her tightly. The wail of sirens filled the air as emergency crews from across the town began to respond. She walked quietly with him up the stairs to where he had parked the car. She got in and leaned against the window as Liam drove. She was shaking and couldn’t stop. Thank You, Lord, flowed through her mind over and over in what was almost a litany. If she hadn’t had that feeling, if something hadn’t told her to leave, she’d be dead right now. They both would be. She had more questions than answers. Was this Patrick a cop? What was he doing there? Was it a coincidence or something more?

  Liam pulled up outside his house. “Come on,” he said helping her from the car.

  She looked at the house and then at him. “This isn’t my place.”

  “I know. I don’t think you should be home alone tonight. You can stay at mine.”

  “Liam, I’m fine, just a little shaken.”

  “Just humor me, love, please?”

  “Just for a while.” She let him lead her inside, and she watched as he deadlocked the door. His movements were small and deliberate, and he held himself stiffly. “Are you all right?”

  Liam headed down the hallway to the kitchen. “I’m fine.”

  Not believing him for a second, Jacqui put her bag by the door and followed him. She leaned against the worktop.

  “I fancy some cocoa. Would you like some?”

  “Cocoa? Liam, we almost died back there, and you’re going to stand there and make cocoa as if nothing happened.”

  He glanced at her, and her heart dropped at the bottled up emotion in his face and eyes. She moved to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’ve got you.”

  His body stiffened and was that a gasp of pain he gave? Before she could ask him, his lips found hers, and Jacqui found herself drowning in the need she felt for him. She returned the kiss, needing t
he comfort he offered as much as he seemed to need hers. She pulled away after a few moments, breathless.

  “Please, stay,” he said. “I’d feel better if you stayed here tonight.”

  “You have a spare room I assume?”

  “No, I’ll change the sheets on the bed, and you can have my room. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. Now do you want cocoa?”

  “Cocoa would be wonderful. Thank you.” She looked at him long and hard. “You’re hurt. Was it the explosion?”

  “No.” He winced as he lifted the milk from the fridge.

  “OK, mister, shirt off and let me see.” She turned to pick up the first aid kit from the shelf over the kitchen counter. She could hear clothes rustle behind her and when she turned, Liam stood shirtless before her. His lean, muscled torso was covered with red marks. Was that a boot mark? Her eyes focused on the long jagged scar on his shoulder. She wondered how he’d got it, but wasn’t going to ask. Now wasn’t the time or place.

  She couldn’t help the gasp. “Liam…”

  He shrugged. “It’ll be pretty in the morning.”

  “Sit.” She grabbed the roll of kitchen towel and rinsed several sheets under the cold tap. “Hold that over your eye.” She rinsed another and started doing what she could to the bruises forming on his chest. “What happened?”

  “Terry warned me off,” he said wryly. “If Pi hadn’t been there, I’d be toast.” He gasped in pain. “Literally.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m being as gentle as I can.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you have any witch hazel or arnica cream?”

  “Both are in the bathroom cabinet.”

  Jacqui went to find them and then finished patching him up. His skin was smooth under her hands as she applied the cream. She shook her head, trying to ignore the feelings coursing through her. Her nerve endings were on fire by the time she finished. “You can put your shirt on now.” She washed her hands. By the time she turned around Liam was dressed.

  “Thank you. Now, where were we?” Liam said as he tugged his shirt down.

  “Cocoa.”

  “Ah, yes. Cocoa and maybe I’ll tell you a story about the leprechauns while we drink it.”

  ****

  Lying in Liam’s bed an hour later, Jacqui stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling trying to make sense of everything. He’d lent her a pair of pajamas. The shirt reached her knees and fortunately the trousers had a drawstring waist otherwise they’d never stay on. Her dress would never recover. The soot and smell of smoke might come out if she had it dry cleaned, but the tears in it would never be hidden, even with the best invisible mending she could do.

  She took a deep breath, taking in the lingering scent of the aftershave. Liam must have put it on before taking her to dinner. That seemed like a life time ago. So much had happened since then. Once Liam had left her and Vince alone at the table, Vince had changed. He’d gone from polite business man to full on creep and, although the threat of physical violence hadn’t been spoken aloud, it was there just under the surface.

  Liam had reappeared in just the nick of time, as the only way to avoid leaving with Vince would have been to have screamed and made a scene. Terry warned me off. She heard Liam’s words in her mind again. What did he mean? Was Vince so determined to get her back that he’d remove Liam by force? Was there a connection to this blast and the one in Endarra?

  She turned over onto her side.

  Liam was two doors down, and she could tell by the sound of his footfalls he was pacing every few minutes. He wasn’t sleeping, either.

  She glanced around the room. It was so him. Just like the rest of the place, he had furnished his bedroom with the bare essentials, no pictures or photos. Strange, for a man who had such a wonderful family, not to have pictures of them on display. There wasn’t even one of his twin sister, or of his wife, save the one. Plus there were none of her touches to the place, either. Perhaps he’d moved her after her death.

  She ran her hands over the crisp, clean, beige cotton sheets, trying to still the agitation in her mind. The dark brown pillow cases and quilt cover bore signs of having been ironed. She never ironed anything if she could avoid it.

  An hour later, Liam was still pacing, and she still couldn’t sleep.

  Jacqui got up and pulled on Liam’s robe, wrapping it around her. She padded through the dark hall to the lounge and tapped on the door. “Liam?”

  “Come in.”

  “Can’t you sleep, either?”

  Liam stood by the window. The orange glow of the fire still rose on the horizon. He shook his head. “No, my mind just keeps going over and over what happened tonight. I thought I might put a movie on to watch—something nonviolent just to help me relax a little. Or at least try to. There must be something on one of the movie channels. If not there’s always the cooking or shopping channels. Would you like to join me?”

  “I’d like that. Thank you.”

  She walked over and sat on the couch. Liam sat next to her and spread a blanket over the both of them. He picked up the remote, turning on the TV. Flicking through the movie channels, he found one they both wanted to watch. He put his arm around her, and Jacqui laid her head on his shoulder. Twenty minutes passed, and she glanced up at him as his breathing changed, and his grip on her relaxed. “Liam?”

  Not getting an answer she guessed he was sleeping. She leaned against him and turned her attention to the film.

  ****

  Liam woke at four AM. His stomach hurt, and it felt like a whopper of a bruise forming on his face. The birds were welcoming the dawn at full volume, and his arm was stiff. For a moment, he sat there wondering why he fell asleep in the lounge with the TV on, then he became aware of soft breaths on his chest. Lowering his gaze, he saw Jacqui sleeping soundly. He smiled and muted the TV. He closed his eyes again, listening to the dawn chorus.

  Just after five, he flicked the TV news on and sat watching it. The fire was all over the local and national news, the death toll standing at fifteen, with several more in the hospital. The official word was a gas leak. But Liam recognized the man in the next news item as having been at the restaurant—right alongside all the additional security. The Endarran vice president was there? Coincidence? He didn’t think so. OK, they hadn’t said he was in Headley Cross, but Liam knew what he’d seen. Things were starting to add up and he didn’t like it.

  Jacqui stirred in his arms and opened her eyes. He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead. “Good morning, love.”

  She smiled at him. “Morning. That sure is a lovely black eye you have there. How’s the rest of you doing?”

  “Sore, I won’t know until I get up and look, but the arnica cream will have brought all the bruises out overnight.” He ran a hand down her face, touched by the concern in her eyes. “Don’t worry yourself over me, love. I’m all right.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Just gone five in the morning.”

  “How long have you been awake?”

  Liam smiled. “An hour or so. I didn’t want to disturb you by moving. I got woken by the birds.”

  “They can be rather noisy, but I love listening to them.”

  “I do, too, but not at five AM after hardly any sleep.”

  She shook her head. “You realize it’ll get noisier in a bit.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

  “Dawn is going to crack. With a very loud crack. You don’t want to miss that.”

  “What are you wittering about?”

  “Day is going to break, and in around fifteen hours or so, night will fall, probably with a loud bang when it lands.”

  He groaned. “That’s terrible.” He pulled the blanket over his head. “I have to be up in two hours to tell the king the sky is falling.”

  Jacqui laughed and pulled the blanket down. “Fine, you do that.”

  “I apologize for falling asleep on you like that.”

  “
I think I was the one who used you as a pillow, but its fine. You were tired. I don’t even remember falling asleep.”

  “I remember being really tired and thinking I’ll shut my eyes for a minute, but that was it.”

  She nodded, her attention caught by the TV. “Have they mentioned the fire?”

  “They have. They’ve had film coverage and everything. It made the national news. Fifteen people dead, with several more in the hospital, including a couple of firefighters.”

  “Fifteen?” Her tone was stricken.

  “They’re saying it was a gas leak.” He felt her stiffen in his arms. “We were lucky we got out when we did.”

  “Luck had nothing to do with it. God got us out of there.” She paused. “What about your brother-in-law, Jared? Isn’t he a firefighter?”

  “Yeah, he is. I rang Niamh after you went to bed last night. Jared isn’t working nights right now—he’s on days. He’ll probably be there after shift change today.”

  “That’s good. I have another question though, Liam.”

  “Go for it.”

  “Your brother said he was coming back for statements. Is he a cop?”

  “Kind of. He’s security services. He works for the government. He’s MI5.”

  Jacqui raised an eyebrow. “A spook? Was he working last night?”

  “How am I meant to know that?”

  “You’re not a very good liar.”

  Liam took a deep breath. “All right, yes, he was working. I asked him to check out Vince and to be there last night.”

  Jacqui pulled out of his arms. She got up and moved away, wrapping her arms around her middle. “I thought we were past this jealousy of yours.”

  “Jacqui, please, love, it’s not what you think.” He got up and moved over to her, taking gentle hold of her arms.

  She fixed her eyes on him. “Then why?”

  “Let me make some coffee, and I’ll tell you.”

  “All right.”

  He let go of her and headed to the kitchen. Once she knew, she wouldn’t want anything more to do with him. He knew that, but after last night, she had to know the truth. Or at least know what he did. Liam put the kettle on to boil and ran his hands through his hair.