Sunday's Child

by Clare Revell

  23

  Cal arrived at the cottage at the usual time to find the key under the mat and a note on the kitchen table. Gone to work. See you tonight. ‘Auntie’ L. Short, sweet and to the point, and typical Laurie. He headed into the den and looked around. He’d have to try to work quieter this morning. Unless Hattie was already up and gone in with Laurie.

  Although if so, he would have hoped she’d sign the note as well. He whistled as he mitered a length of baseboard. Thoughts of Hattie floated through his mind: Hattie working beside him, dancing with him, bringing him coffee. The way she wanted to help, to get involved in every aspect of his life. He’d never had a woman get under his skin and affect him the way Hattie did.

  He was definitely blessed to have her in his life and to always, God willing, have her there. Jess had laughed the previous evening and told him he was rushing into things, marrying so soon. But he didn’t care. It was the right thing to do. He loved her. Nothing else mattered.

  He fixed the new skirting boards to the walls, pausing only when he heard the front door open and close. Heavy footsteps crossed the hall. Hmmm, too heavy for Laurie and definitely too heavy for Hattie. He stood and wiped his hands on his jeans. “Hello?”

  The footsteps stopped.

  Cal moved to the door. “Who’s there?” There was no answer. He grabbed the hammer and pushed open the door. “Identify yourself.”

  The figure turned. “Cal, are you trying to kill me?”

  “Rob, you sneak up on me again and I just might. How did you get a key?” He lowered the hammer, his heart pounding fit to burst.

  “Laurie gave it to me. You wanted a hand with the coving according to the job book.”

  “Ah, yes, thank you.” He headed back into the den.

  “Are you OK? You seem distracted.” Rob paused. “And what’s this I hear about you getting married?”

  Cal grinned. “The tribal drums at work again I see.”

  “It’s all over the village. Jess told Alba in the corner shop…”

  “And that’s better than taking an ad out in the Courier. Yes, it’s true. I asked Hattie before Carter’s accident, and she said yes yesterday.”

  Rob slapped him on the back. “Congrats, mate. When’s the big day?”

  “Three months.”

  “Wow. You two aren’t hanging about. Why the rush?”

  “Long story, but it was that or elope.” He paused. “Though I still think the latter’s a better option.”

  His cousin’s face creased. “Elope?”

  “Long story.”

  “Then you can fill me in while we do the coving.” Rob grinned. “But seriously, coving? That’s so old school.”

  “It has to match the rest of the house.”

  As they worked, he filled Rob in with all the details, grateful for the help and support as they finished the gently curved surface that transitioned from wall to ceiling.

  “For what it’s worth, I think you should elope. Keep the church date and get married twice. I mean, it doesn’t have to be in a church to be in God’s sight, does it? A beach or the blacksmith’s shop in Gretna Green would work just as well.” Rob grinned as he held the coving in position. “Or Vegas. You could have an Elvis wedding.”

  “Uh huh.”

  Rob howled with laughter. “You just had to do that, didn’t you?”

  Cal shrugged his shoulders and tossed his head back. “Uh huh.”

  The door opened and Laurie came running in. “Cal, has Hattie rung yet?”

  The blood in his veins froze, the humor of the moment dying as he took in the look of utter panic on her face. “No, why? I thought she was with you. Isn’t she?”

  “No. Steve called to say they were headed back to Headley Cross for the rest of her things. She was going to call before she left there to come back.”

  “I haven’t seen her. I thought she was with you.”

  Laurie looked at him. “She didn’t come home last night. I said Steve rang. They drove back there after dinner.”

  “How’s she getting back?”

  “Steve said he’d put her on a train, and then she’d get a cab over from the mainland once she got to the coast.”

  “When was the last time you spoke to her?”

  “Last night. I said goodbye when Steve picked her up.”

  “Have you tried ringing the lodge?”

  “There’s no answer. Hasn’t been all day.” She paused, fear in her eyes. “What if he’s hurt her? If he wants the money back and she refuses…”

  “He does. He also wants her to marry Markus. He told her that several times.”

  “I knew something was wrong yesterday. Steve wasn’t acting right.” Laurie wrung her hands. “What do I do? Should I call the police?”

  “And tell them what? Her brother might have abducted her?”

  “Might be an idea.”

  Cal looked at her and took a deep breath, trying to calm the worry filling him. “Not yet. I’ll drive up to Headley Cross now. It’s a two hour drive, three at the most. I should be there before they lock up tonight.”

  “But if they’re not answering the phone…”

  “I’m going.” He hugged her. “And I’ll find Hattie and bring her back. I promise. You’ve got my mobile number. If she rings or turns up here, let me know. Likewise I’ll keep you posted when I find her.”

  ****

  Cal drove like a madman to the mainland and then up the dark motorway to Headley Cross. He prayed the whole way that Hattie would be all right and there was a simple explanation. Fear knotted his gut and sat like a choker around his throat. Had Steve done something to her? Had he and Markus conspired and hurt her or worse? Or was there a simple explanation? Whatever it is, Lord, keep her safe.

  He pulled up outside the guest house. Lights shone from most of the windows and he locked the car before heading up the path. He pushed the door open and rang the bell. Part of him hoped Steve was there. More than that, he hoped Hattie was.

  The internal door opened and Penny came out. “Oh, Mr. Trant. Hello.”

  “Hi. I’m sorry to arrive unannounced, but I’m looking for Hattie. I was told she was here.”

  “No, she’s not I’m afraid. I can get a message to her if you like.”

  His spirits lifted a little. “Do you know where she is? It’s really important that I speak with her.”

  “She’s on holiday.”

  Cal held her gaze, but didn’t want to give her too much information at once. He needed to know what she knew. “She told me she’d quit. We’ve talked a lot the past few weeks.”

  “Then you probably know she’s been staying with her aunt.”

  “I’ve just come from Laurie’s house. Steve was there last night. He said he was bringing Hattie here. It’s imperative I speak with her.”

  “Has something happened to Laurie?”

  “Other than being worried about Hattie, she’s fine.” He lowered his voice, aware of the guests in the lounge. “Look, Steve turned up yesterday, demanding in no uncertain terms that Hattie return all his money. He then took her to dinner. No one has seen or heard from her since. Now if you know anything, or know where she is, I suggest you tell me. Laurie is talking about calling the police.”

  “I haven’t seen Hattie in weeks. Steve left here on Saturday morning to go and see her. He was on the island during that huge storm. I was so worried.”

  Cal frowned. “I’m sorry? He rang yesterday to say he was coming up. It’s a two hour drive.”

  “He left here on Saturday.” She whispered the words, her brow furrowed. “I haven’t seen or spoken to him since.”

  He pulled out his mobile and dialed quickly. “Laurie, it’s Cal. Is Hattie back yet?”

  “No. Is she not there?”

  “No she isn’t and nor is Steve. I’m on my way back. We’ll decide what to do then. Try not to worry.”

  “Easier said than done.”

  “I know. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Cal hung up and
pulled out a card. “When you see either of them, ask them to call me or Laurie, please. It’s urgent.”

  Penny took the card. “It sounds like Hattie means a lot to you.”

  Cal nodded. “She does.”

  She sucked in a deep breath, worrying her bottom lip. “Is Markus missing too? Maybe they left together.”

  “What?” The lump in his stomach tightened and it was hard to breathe.

  “Well, they are getting married. Markus said so himself.”

  “No, she’s marrying me in three months. Markus asked, but she turned him down several times.”

  “Markus said they’d been engaged since she got to the island.”

  “What?” His heart stopped and sank. Now he knew Hattie was in danger. Markus was obsessed with her and obviously didn’t take her “no” as an answer. But why was Steve encouraging the man’s delusion?

  “Aunt Laurie knows about this, right? Hattie would have told her at least.”

  “Like I said, Hattie is marrying me. Laurie knows all about that. So do Hattie’s parents. They’re happy for the both of us.”

  “Oh, but Markus was so sure about this. And Steve seemed really happy for the both of them.”

  “Yeah, right. If Hattie does come back here, or when you speak to Steve, tell him to come and see Laurie.” He turned and headed slowly to the car, his footsteps heavy and his heart in his boots. “Now what do I do, Lord?”

  The instant answer came. Save her.

  He got into the car and started the engine. He’d head back home and see if she was there. If not he and Laurie needed to do something.

  24

  Hattie slowly opened her eyes. Bright light assailed them, making the hammering in her head worse. She shut her eyes tightly for a moment, before squinting around the room. Where was she? She didn’t recognize anything.

  She felt sick. The way the room sloshed and swayed set her head pounding and her stomach turning. She ran a tongue over her parched lips. Her hands were heavy and leaden and wouldn’t move properly. It was only as she raised them and looked at them, she discovered they were bound with duct tape.

  Duct tape? What’s going on?

  She sat up and glanced around. She was on a boat. She could hear water lapping somewhere and the movement was the waves under the hull. No engine sounds so must be docked somewhere.

  But where? She didn’t even remember getting on a boat. She closed her eyes, trying to remember something, anything. Why would someone want to put her on a boat and tie her up? What had she done?

  The boat lurched, sending Hattie rolling to the floor. She cried out involuntarily as she landed hard against the edge of the cabinet. Pain ripped through her shin and blood oozed through the long jagged tear in her slacks. “Nice one, Hattie,” she told herself. “At least you won’t have broken your wrist again. Not with the cast on, anyway.”

  She glanced down at her feet. “Where are my shoes?” Looking around she couldn’t see them. “Curious. All I need now is a white rabbit and today will be perfectly confusing. And why am I talking to myself?”

  She paused. “Maybe because you work things out better aloud than thinking. But sitting here isn’t going to get you out of here. Besides, no one kidnapped Alice. Now, move.”

  Grateful her hands were tied in front of her and not behind her, she caught hold of the cabinet and pulled herself to her feet and stood for a minute, fighting to get her balance. Her leg took her weight, so it wasn’t broken, just cut. Perhaps there was a first aid kit somewhere.

  The deck beneath her feet had a slight list to it which didn’t help her balance any better. Her head spun and the sea-sickness increased.

  Hattie slowly walked to the door and tried it. It opened. That didn’t make any sense, but then none of this did. Why tie her up and yet leave her in an unlocked room? Whose boat was this anyway?

  The boat lurched again and she staggered into the corridor. Her confused mind couldn’t make sense of it.

  Oh, think, Hattie. The only person you know with a boat is Markus…

  Distorted images danced in her mind. She and Steve had dinner with Markus. She’d tried to leave, but when she stood she’d felt incredibly dizzy and fallen. Then Markus picked her up and…

  Nothing. Then there was nothing.

  Had they drugged her?

  She glanced at her hand. Cal’s ring was gone. No—surely she hadn’t lost it. She pulled herself back into the bedroom and looked for it. Not an easy task with her hands bound. It wasn’t anywhere obvious. Maybe if she found a knife, cut the tape from her hands she could look easier.

  Something cold and wet ran over her bare feet. She glanced down. Water ran across the floor from the open doorway. Water? That wasn’t a good thing on a boat. Maybe someone had left a tap running or something.

  Leaving the search for the ring for a moment, she headed to the door. She had to untie her wrists. The list was a little more pronounced now. Stumbling into the kitchen, galley she corrected, she pulled open all the drawers until she found a knife sharp enough for her purpose.

  She wedged it into the drawer and slowly rubbed her wrists against it. The tape seemed impervious at first, then finally it gave and she was free.

  OK, so now what?

  Find something to bandage that cut first. Then find a radio. Find out where you are. If you’re docked then just get off the boat and call for help.

  There was a first aid kit on the galley wall. Pulling it down, she emptied the contents on the table and used the sling to tie over her leg. She debated taking some aspirin for her headache, but decided against. If she had been drugged, they might react with whatever she’d been given and kill her. Not a good move.

  She took a deep breath and started walking through the boat until she found a ladder leading upwards. It led to a small bridge. Climbing the ladder wasn’t easy, but she managed it.

  Her heart sank as she stood on the small deck and looked around.

  There was nothing but open sea in front of her though the small window. On the control panel, there was no radio, just bare wires where it had been ripped out. The door to the deck swung open and she headed through it. From which ever direction she looked there was no land.

  The boat was lower in the water than it should be. Fear coursed through her, turning her blood to ice. She’d been abandoned and left to die.

  “Lord, God, help me. What do I do?”

  25

  The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows of Laurie’s cottage. Cal sipped the tea that Laurie asked, no insisted, that he drank. He hadn’t slept, spent the night sitting on Laurie’s couch, and felt sick with a mixture of worry and exhaustion. His hands shook, the lump in his throat tried to throttle him every time he tried to swallow, and he wasn’t sure the tea would stay down long.

  He put the cup down. “There is no way she’d consent to marry Markus. Not willingly.”

  Laurie looked at him. “What if she had no choice?”

  “You think he’d put a gun to her head? Force her into it?”

  “I don’t know.” She sounded just as upset as he was. “I don’t understand it. She was so happy about marrying you. There’s no reason for her just to up and change her mind. I know Steve can be pushy, but even he wouldn’t stoop this low.”

  “I wish I knew. I should have gone over there last night as soon as I got back.” He pushed the chair back and stood. “I’m going to see Markus. Ask him outright.”

  “And if she is married to him?”

  He sucked in a huge breath, hissing it out between his teeth. Nausea rose in his throat. “See if it’s what she really wants. If it is, then I accept it and wish her all the best.”

  Laurie’s hand covered his. “Can you in all honesty do that?”

  His heart broke within the confines of his chest. “I…” He struggled to control his voice. “I have to. I love her and if that means letting her go in order for her to be happy, then I will.”

  ****

  The drive to Markus
’s house was short, but seemed to take a lifetime. Steve’s car was parked out the front, next to Markus’s and Cal pulled up next to it. His battered red truck looked out of place next to such luxury. His feet crunched on the gravel and then thudded on the stone steps. He pressed the bell, the clanging chime resounding beyond. What would make this scenario perfect would be a butler complete with tray and liveried uniform answering the door.

  The huge door swung open. A butler in a black suit stood there. Had things not been so serious, Cal would have laughed. “I need to speak to Markus.”

  “Mr. Kerr is busy.”

  “I don’t care. I need to see him now. It’s an emergency.” His voice rose, and he struggled not to lose his temper. At least not yet.

  The butler nodded and vanished closing the door again, not inviting him inside. Cal paced on the doorstep. As he paced, he became more and more frustrated.

  Finally Markus appeared, holding the door open, just enough to carry on a conversation. “Good morning, Callum. A little early in the day for a social call, isn’t it?”

  “Where’s Hattie?”

  “How should I know where Harriet is?”

  “Don’t give me that. No one has seen her since Steve took her to dinner two days ago.”

  “And this is my business because?”

  “She told me you were going to be there as well. Playing referee between her and Steve or words to that effect.”

  Markus laughed shortly. “That’s what she told you, was it? I had wondered how she’d explained coming over here. I can assure you that things between her and Steven are as good as they ever were.”

  It was all he could do not to push Markus against the wall and slap that smug look from his face. “I spoke to Penny last night. According to her, you and Hattie are getting married.”

  “Oh, I get it now. You’re jealous. Well, my fiancée is fine, thank you.”

  “What?” It was more of a strangled cry than outrage.

  Markus smirked. “You’ve come here out of a fit of the green eyed monster, because the best man won. I do apologize for not inviting you to the engagement party. It was a spur of the moment thing.”