by Alex Slorra
“I don’t understand.”
“In that painting… You have an invitation.” Anna didn’t want to explain further. But she was pretty sure she had just spelled it out in burnt umber and titanium white. She was pushing her emotions to the edge, her desires, her wants, and she wasn’t sure if she had painted a fantasy in the sand. “I’m sorry; I’m being weird again.”
Jessica laughed. “I love your weird.”
“Well, you’re the first.” Anna gave a half smile.
They walked on. The castle was another ten minutes away, but the light had dimmed, and the temperature had dropped. She was concerned how cold Jessica must be wearing only a T-shirt.
“Looks like a storm.” Anna pointed out to sea where squalls of rain were hammering the whitecaps. “I think we better go back.” A rumble of thunder caused the pair to turn, and they quickened their pace.
Chapter Twelve
JESSICA COULDN’T TELL how late it was in the gloom. The heavy rain had soaked their clothes and made it hard to see. By the time they reached the paddock, the heart of the storm was almost over their small island.
Daisy was in some kind of pony frenzy, charging from one side of the paddock to the other, shaking her mane and snorting.
“Damn it,” Anna yelled above the din from the storm, while running towards the gate. “Abbie hasn’t brought her in! She is so irresponsible. Even the saddle is still there, getting ruined!”
At the gate, Anna snatched up the bridle and raced to the centre of the field, but kept it hidden behind her back. The pony was galloping at full speed from the far corner towards her.
Unsure what to do, Jessica hesitated. She was still standing by the gate when Daisy collided with Anna and knocked her over.
Jessica watched in horror as the pony continued forward, the front hooves missing Anna’s head by a fraction where she lay curled up in a ball. She gasped when Daisy trod on Anna’s left leg.
“Anna!” Jessica sped to where she lay. She bent and placed her palm onto Anna’s shoulder. “Darling, are you are okay?” Anna didn’t answer, and Jessica tried to remain calm and focused. Fighting back the fear, her first aid training kicked in—DR ABC. Danger first. Daisy was still out there and could charge back at any moment. Jessica scanned the field and located the pony at the far end. “Anna?”
Anna uncurled her arms from about her head and struggled to speak. “Winded, give me a sec,” she said, panting.
The rain had plastered Anna’s hair to her face, making it hard for Jessica to see her expression. “Stay still.” Jessica double-checked where Daisy was, but when she glanced back to Anna, she was already on her feet.
“Where are you hurt?” Concern knotted her stomach.
“Jess, it’s okay. Just my leg.” She pushed her away. “Where is she?”
“There.” Jessica pointed, before reaching down to pick up the bridle. The pony snorted as it cantered along the top fence.
“Let’s get out of here,” Jessica insisted.
“No. We need to get her stabled. She’ll hurt herself if she decides to jump over the fence. She could break a leg. If she does, then that’s it for her.”
“She’s too spooked.”
Anna hadn’t moved from where she stood. “Hell, I’d try to get her into the horse trailer, but John had the hitch on his car.”
“We need to leave her. It’s too dangerous with the lightning.”
With the next crash of thunder, the pony reared and galloped in their direction. Anna headed towards Daisy to cut her off, but this time with a noticeable limp.
“Stop!” Jessica yanked Anna’s arm, preventing her from getting too close, as the pony sped by, a few feet away.
Spinning on her, Anna glowered.
“I want you safe,” Jessica said vehemently. Their faces were inches apart, and she watched as Anna’s scowl slowly relaxed.
The rumbles of thunder were now less than thirty seconds after flashes of light that lit the sky above the North Sea.
“The Saab has a tow bar,” Jessica blurted out, only now remembering this.
“It does? Okay! Get the trailer. I’ll stay here and keep track of Daisy.”
Jessica wiped the rain out of her eyes. “Don’t stay in the field.”
“I’ll keep clear of Daisy. I promise.” Anna took her elbow. “I’ll be okay. Don’t be long.”
“I won’t.” Jessica turned and rushed back to the gate. She scrambled over it, rather than opening it, in case Daisy charged. Rainwater splashed up her already soaked jeans when she dropped down the other side. Without looking back, she kept going until she reached the farm.
She bolted through the front door and snatched up the keys to the Saab from a bowl on the kitchen counter.
“What’s going on?” Abbie asked, her voice filled with angst.
“Where’s Sarah?”
“Asleep on the sofa.”
Jessica didn’t have time to wake her, so she grabbed two all-weather coats from the hooks by the door and darted outside.
The Saab started on the first attempt. She turned on the headlights, knocked it into reverse, and backed up towards the trailer, which sat on a slight slope in the corner of the yard. With a spin of the tyres on the drenched ground, she aligned the car with the trailer. She shoved open the door and raced around to attach the two together.
She’d done this a couple of times before with an old trailer her father had used for building supplies, but it had been a while. There were a handbrake and a turn handle. She released the handbrake, only to have the trailer lurch forward. The hitch collided with the rear of the Saab, denting it above the bumper.
“Shit.” She ratcheted up the trailer’s brake and jumped back into the car. She inched it forward to try again. This time, she slowly eased the handbrake off, guiding the hitch towards the ball on the tow bar. Once it was in position, they slotted together with an affirming clunk.
She was starting to pull away when the passenger door was yanked open, and Abbie hopped inside.
“Stay here!” Jessica said.
“Where’s Mum?” Abbie demanded.
“She’s waiting for me to bring the trailer.”
“Why?”
“To collect Daisy. She’s spooked by the thunder.”
“Oh—I forgot about her.” She winced. “Mum will be mad.”
Jessica tensed; she to needed hurry. “Abbie, stay in the house.” Abbie would be safer indoors; the convertible would offer no protection against the lightning.
“I’m coming.”
Apparently, Abbie was as strong-willed as her mother, and there wasn’t time to argue.
“All right. Keep your hands on your lap and away from the body of the car.”
“Why?”
“Lightning.”
The car stuttered towards the gap in the stone wall which led to a lane she guessed headed to the field.
“This seat is wet.” Abbie raised a cupped hand to catch a stream of water that was pouring from the gap in the convertible’s roof. “Your car leaks.”
God, she’s sitting in water. This has to be fast.
“Is this the way to the paddock?” Jessica asked.
“Yeah.”
The trailer’s left wheel hit the edge of the wall, and she had to reverse to attempt the tight turn again.
Lightning flashed.
“Nine…ten…eleven—” Abbie stopped counting when the thunder sounded. “Two miles. It’s five seconds for each mile. And the odds of being hit by lightning in your lifetime are one in three thousand.”
“Good to know,” Jessica muttered, between gritted teeth. I should’ve made her go back.
They bumped along the muddy lane with the lightning providing better visibility than the car’s 1980s headlights.
Abbie continued to count from each strike; she was now stopping at eight.
It had seemed like hours, but only a few minutes had passed when they arrived at the field. Anna opened the gate for them, and Jessica stopped, wind
ing down the window.
Anna glanced over to Abbie and back again. “Drive in, do a circle, and drive back out. Park the trailer so it’s blocking the gate. We’ll send Daisy towards it then force her in.”
“Got it.” Jessica passed a coat through the window.
Anna slipped it on and then leaned into the car. “Abbie, you shouldn’t be here.”
Abbie shot back, “I’m helping!”
A second passed before Anna responded. “Get out then.”
Abbie opened the door and slammed it closed.
Keeping the speed steady, Jessica performed a U-turn in the thick grass. She could see Daisy at the top of the field, running along the fence and back again. After completing the manoeuvre, she parked the trailer so it was halfway through the entrance to the paddock. She stepped out and put on the other coat she’d brought. Not that it would do much good. She was already drenched from earlier, but at least it would keep her warm—she was chilled to the bone.
“Over here,” Anna yelled to her daughter in the gloom. They were moving the jumps to create a makeshift corral.
Counting the gap between the thunder and lightning, Jessica only reached six.
The pins holding the rear of the horsebox in place slid out with ease, and Jessica yanked the tailgate towards her. She needed to use all her strength to stop it slamming down to the ground. Once lowered, it formed a ramp into the interior.
“Jess, stand by the horsebox,” Anna yelled. She moved slowly away, all her weight shifting to one leg as she took each step. “Abbie, you stay behind the jumps. Keep your arms spread wide. I’ll go chase her down.”
“Wait!” Jessica quickly caught up to Anna and snatched her arm. “You stay by the trailer. You’re hurt. I’ll fetch Daisy.”
Anna stared at her as another flash of lightning zapped across the sky. The air felt as if it buzzed with electricity. “No. I’ll go.”
“Anna, you’re limping. Besides, I don’t know how to get her into the box.”
Anna sighed. “All right then. Be careful.”
The wind had blown her hood off for the third time, and Jessica allowed it to flap about her shoulders. She wanted to get this bloody pony stowed away as quickly as possible and get Anna and Abbie out of the storm. She knew the animal was important to Anna and Abbie, but she was also desperate to know the extent to which Anna had been hurt.
For the briefest moment, she wondered where Kermit was. That ugly goat will be okay. He probably summoned the storm because I haven’t given him a carrot today.
Jessica approached Daisy, who had stopped to look at her. The pony snorted and charged her but then changed course. Jessica held her arms out and marched towards the animal, blocking her path. The pony whinnied, reared, and galloped down the field. Jessica tore after her. Jesus, she can run when she wants to.
Daisy continued in the same direction, racing alongside the jumps Anna had set up at intervals to steer the pony towards the trailer. Just when it appeared Daisy would simply run right inside, she slowed and reared.
Anna approached from the right. “Abbie, there!” She pointed to the same position on the left.
Panting, Jessica was about to ask what to do, when Anna called to her. “Jess, now walk slowly towards her.”
Another flash and deep rumble caused Daisy to lurch into the box. All three of them quickly raised the ramp and latched her inside.
“Thank God! I thought that was going to be a lot harder.”
Abbie quickly collected the saddle. She was carrying it back when a jagged bolt of electricity arched across the sky. It hit a point at the top of Lindisfarne Castle.
The hairs on Jessica’s arm stand up. “Let’s go! That was bloody close.” She was no longer hiding her worry. The odds of being hit by lightning, standing by two large chunks of metal at the centre of a thunderstorm, were definitely lower than one in three thousand.
It hadn’t taken long to get Daisy into her stable. The pony had calmed down after being confined to the interior of the horsebox. They left the car and trailer where it was, heading to the house. Jessica took Anna’s arm to support her as she struggled through the sodden yard.
Once inside, they stripped off their coats. Jessica glanced into the lounge to see Sarah still sprawled out on the sofa. She was hoping to lead Anna in that direction and get her to sit down.
“Mum, what’s wrong?” Abbie’s voice wavered.
“Just got bumped by Daisy. It’s nothing. Why don’t you get ready for bed?”
The worried frown on Abbie’s face changed to anger in an instant. She spun around and headed down the hall.
“Did you eat?” Anna called after her. There was no reply. Anna repeated the question, this time louder.
“Sarah made pasta,” Abbie yelled back.
“Did Katy get home all right?”
“What do you think?” Abbie muttered, turning the corner to the stairs.
Jessica wondered why Abbie was backchatting her mum. She’s stressed and not sure how to deal with it. Anna hasn’t explained none of it’s not her fault.
“She’s in a foul mood,” Anna said.
“She’s upset,” Jessica offered. “You should talk to her.” She put an arm around Anna’s waist.
Anna sighed. “I will, but not now.”
A minute passed with nothing said. Jessica felt the need to break the silence. “You need to get changed. You’re soaked.” She moved strands of wet hair away from Anna’s face.
“So are you.” Anna’s fingers brushed Jessica’s cheek. “I’m surprised we didn’t become X-ray skeletons out there.”
“Me too. How’s your leg?”
“It hurts if I put weight on it. Help me upstairs?”
In the master bedroom, a single lamp flickered when the lightning flashed. Anna stood with her weight on one leg with an arm outstretched against the door of an oversized pine wardrobe. She unbuttoned her jeans with her free hand and tried to pull them off. The wet fabric stuck to her skin and was held fast by her swollen thigh.
“Let me help.” Jessica knelt beside her and eased the jeans down.
“Careful,” Anna whimpered.
Once the jeans were below her knees, an angry stain of purple and blue was visible, covering most of Anna’s upper thigh. “Hell… No wonder you’re limping.”
Anna put her hand on Jessica’s shoulder for support as she gingerly stepped out of her jeans.
Jessica explored the damaged area with her fingertips. She glanced up to see Anna watching. Her blue eyes were almost a sea-green when mixed with the incandescent light of the bedroom.
“You were amazing tonight, well, not just tonight…” Anna’s voice trailed off into a whisper. “I don’t know what would’ve happened without you.”
“It wasn’t only me.”
“You need to accept your awesomeness.”
Jessica stood. She wasn’t used to compliments. Sure, she had received them at work. But there, they mostly were superficial and, at the worst, passive-aggressive sarcasm. Out of habit, she changed the subject. “Are you going to shower?”
Anna nodded.
Jessica took hold of the hem of Anna’s tank top and pulled it up over her head.
Anna laughed. “I could’ve done that.”
Jessica leaned towards Anna. Her hands slid around the soft skin of her waist. She had expected to only lightly kiss her before going downstairs. At least, that’s what her head had been telling her to do, but her passion, charged by the atmosphere in the room, desired more.
The sound of the rain provided a backdrop and depth was added by rumbles of thunder as the storm progressed inland. When their lips touched, it was different from earlier in the day. It felt like there was more at stake. They kissed deeply, with frantic need. And, after separating, they both were breathless.
“I should get changed,” Jessica said, her own legs feeling wobbly. “And…and sort out dinner.”
“You should.” Anna tipped her head to one side while biting her lip. She s
lowly moved away. Her fingers were caressing Jessica’s forearm, and that simple contact made her hesitate. At that moment, she felt a deep connection with Anna, as if she was something precious she had lost and then found. Her eyes dropped to the curves of Anna’s breasts.
She noticed the scars.
There was one three inches wide, just above Anna’s left breast, and another half-hidden by the band of her bra. Jessica wanted to ask how Anna had got them, but now wasn’t the time.
She quickly moved her gaze to Anna’s eyes. “You need help to the bathroom?”
“I’ll be all right. But I might need some ice and painkillers.”
“Okay.” Jessica turned while she still could. The image of Anna’s perfect but scarred body was hard to break away from. Something terrible had happened to her. She watched as Anna hobbled towards the bathroom. “You’re sure you don’t need help?”
“I’m fine, but Sarah might need to stay on the sofa tonight,” Anna called back. “I’m not sure I can make it back downstairs.”
“I’ll bring you something to eat,” Jessica offered, but Anna had already disappeared into the bathroom.
Jessica stood at the threshold of the door for a moment. An overwhelming need to protect and look after Anna consumed her. She needed to understand what had happened to Anna. How she’d been hurt. The scars on her body, an injury from her past, must be part of what was plaguing her at night. She would do what she could for her.
Jessica slowly descended the stairs, gathering her thoughts and feelings, trying to condense them into meaningful fruits she could pick, keep or discard.
A sense of déjà vu caused a tremor to race up her spine. The last time she’d felt like this was with Myra. Was the universe taunting her again? Showing her a utopia she need only reach for, but when she did, as with Myra, would an axe slam down and slice off her hands?
God, please don’t let this end like it did with her. I can’t do that again.
Chapter Thirteen
JESSICA COULDN’T FIND any ice, so she grabbed a bag of frozen peas. She had just closed the fridge when the lights went out.