by Georgia Rose
“I did…That’s why I was so shocked…and angry,” I explained, as he nodded in understanding – and relief, I thought, that he hadn’t been completely misjudged.
Then he continued: “To make it worse, she refused to let me continue to be involved with her in any way. She made sure none of the doctors or specialists were allowed to speak to me and she completely cut me out of her life or, as she saw it, she freed me.
“So…ever since I’ve been trying to move on, and I thought I had with you. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you said Regan was spooked by a woman. I dismissed it as something to do with the head trauma. I didn’t imagine for one moment that my past was going to have any impact on our present or I would’ve told you all of this from the start.
“However, if you remember when I was staying here after that accident I received a message on my phone. It was from a doctor who was treating Zoe. He wanted to contact me to let me know that Zoe had disappeared from under his care and he knew her prescription hadn’t been filled. He was concerned that off the medication she would revert to her altered self and come looking for me.
“He shouldn’t have called me, of course, but he’d always been sympathetic to my situation and was particularly concerned for my safety, as he knew what she was capable of. Alarm bells started ringing and it was then that I spoke to Cavendish and brought him up to speed with what was going on. He was more convinced than me that your story of the woman causing the accident was true. I still couldn’t, or wouldn’t, believe Zoe would do that. I honestly thought if she attacked anyone it would be me and I’m so sorry that I put you in that danger.” He paused for a moment, shaking his head in disbelief that this could really have happened.
I’d been listening intently, shocked by what I’d heard, what he’d been through, and now I smiled weakly at him, encouraged by the fact that his previous anger seemed to have disappeared as he carried on talking.
“We alerted the authorities looking for her but they could find no trace of her. We also had parties out searching for her from the estate but again no luck. We’ve tried to piece together what probably happened and we think that Zoe saw us either when we went out for the first drink or more likely the night you had too much to drink and I stayed over. She must have mistakenly assumed we were already seeing each other. She then caused the accident for you and Regan, ironically bringing us together. She must have still been watching and saw us again after the Ball, as we believe she was then responsible for the arson attack, hence the extra guards at the stables. I’m not sure at the moment what triggered her final threat and then the attack—”
I interrupted at that point. “She saw us…at the beach; she told me when we met.”
Trent’s eyes closed and his head went down as he took a deep breath before sighing, “Oh God…poor woman.” Looking up at me his pain was etched on his face and I nodded in empathy.
“I know…that was the final straw. I think she’d tried to warn me off with the note, but possibly that had been hanging around for a couple of days before I got it in the pile of post and as she saw no signs of us breaking up she pressed forward with her attack, presumably making the most of the opportunity when she saw Susie was not around to warn me of an intruder.” He nodded his agreement with this theory, but I was puzzled.
“I don’t understand one thing though – why would she send the note threatening me for being with her husband when she knew you were divorced? That doesn’t make sense.”
“Well, Zoe knew we were divorced but when she was off her medication her alternative personality believed we were still married. That was why Zoe was so keen to sever all ties with me, as she thought that if I was still in her life, helping her in any way, it could cause a problem if I formed another relationship. This is what I needed to explain to you back at my apartment. It was not as straightforward as just saying I was divorced, Zoe’s mental state complicated matters.”
“So she was her other personality when I spoke to her then. Is that why she didn’t respond to me calling her Zoe?”
“Yes, she doesn’t recognise herself as Zoe when she’s off her medication, she calls herself Annette.” Then he groaned, running his hands through his hair before looking up at me, studying me carefully before continuing.
“I hadn’t planned on saying this to you under these conditions, I’d imagined something very different…but I need you to know that I love you more than you can ever imagine, and I can’t apologise enough for what I’ve put you through. The time since our row has been unbearable and when I ran into this cottage and for a minute thought you were dead, it was the worst moment of my life. I hope that someday you can find it within yourself to forgive me.” He looked at me, his red-rimmed eyes tense with emotion and brimming with tears.
I reached out my hand, my arm stiff and sore and placed it on his face, my fingers touching his hair. Feeling his stubble, rough on my skin, and running my hand down his cheek, his eyes closed. Bringing his hand up and over mine he brought it round to his mouth before softly kissing my palm. Feeling choked, I whispered, “There’s nothing to forgive.” His release of tension was palpable as leaning in closer he kissed my lips gently before pulling back, smiling anxiously at me. I felt immense relief, glowing inside at his unexpected, but so welcome, words. However, I was still confused by the anger I’d felt in him earlier but which had not been expressed.
“I thought you were angry with me. Not that I would blame you for that, obviously.” He looked surprised.
“I was struggling to control my feelings but my anger was never aimed at you, Em. I’m sorry if you felt it was. I was angry because of what had happened to you, what could have happened; angry at myself for being at fault and for ruining what we had because of my stupidity, and angry because I’d lost you.” I couldn’t believe he was going to let me get away with what I’d done that easily.
“But what about Zoe, you must be torn up about what happened? What I did? Aren’t you angry with me for that?”
He looked downcast at me bringing this up, then pensive, before answering, “No, I’ve told you, you did what you had to do…I’m obviously very sad that Zoe has died…I know it will take some time to work through and I’m going to have to deal with all that. I wish it hadn’t happened and I know that what I’m about to say is going to sound bad but I can’t deny it, the alternative outcome would have been a far worse one, as far as I’m concerned.” I thought then that we had gone about as far as we could for the moment. He looked at me apprehensively before tentatively asking, “Will you have me back?” I nodded, smiling in response, not trusting myself to speak as a fresh supply of tears threatened to overflow and a wave of relief swept through me.
“What now, Em?” he asked, gently.
“Now we need to do something about getting me comfortable as the pain’s getting worse and I’m suddenly hungry – not a good combination!”
Trent leapt up to get my painkillers which he delivered to me with water, then arranged the cushions behind me so I could sit back at last which brought some relief. He went out to the fridge and came back with a tray of assorted sandwiches and fruit left for us by the saintly Mrs F and we sat and ate in silence. For both of us it was the first time we’d eaten in about two days and we soon demolished the tray of food.
Trent looked up at me then and said, “I know we’ve probably still got a lot to talk about but for now I suggest I run you a bath which will make you feel a bit better and then we try and get some sleep.” It seemed like a good plan as I was uncomfortably grubby and needed some help as I wasn’t allowed to get my wounds wet. He went to run the bath and I followed him carefully upstairs, a little dubious about going into my bedroom, but when I did everything appeared normal. Other than the fact that the smell of cleaning products and bleach hung in the air you would never have known anything had happened there. He saw me looking round the room.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just a little…you know.” He nodded.
&nb
sp; He washed my hair and the rest of me carefully and tenderly, then, after shaving, joined me in the bath and we sat, both exhausted, looking at each other.
“I’ve missed you.”
“And I missed you. I don’t like being without you.”
Weariness swept over me and after washing he got out and dried himself before pulling on his lounge pants and a tee shirt. Then helping me out he dried me, dressing me in the same, though pulling the tee shirt on loosely over the arm that was strapped to my side.
“Time for bed I think,” he said, as I smiled sleepily up at him. “Not for what you’re thinking, you naughty girl, we both need some sleep.” I frowned a little though I was in full agreement with him. I wanted to cuddle up to him in bed to feel safe, but I could only get comfortable lying on my back so making do with that instead we fell asleep holding hands.
Chapter 24
We slept all afternoon, waking to hear activity in the yard. Getting up, me only with Trent’s help, we went downstairs to see what was going on. I could see Carlton at the stables and was pleased to see Greene there helping him. When they’d finished they both came over to the cottage, knocking timidly on the door, sounding as if they wanted to see how we were while at the same time not wanting to disturb us.
“Come in,” I called.
I was sitting on one of the chairs in the kitchen and smiled at them as they entered. Carlton looked relieved when he saw me, bending to kiss my cheek in welcome. Greene grinned at me, her happiness obvious, and she greeted Trent, although she was then as surprised as I was when Trent approached Carlton and, after holding out his hand to him which he took, then pulled him into a half-hug, slapping him on the back before thanking him. Carlton indicated that it was no problem and they separated, both looking a little self-conscious.
I glanced at Trent, raising my eyebrows at him in question, not that I wasn’t highly delighted that they were getting on. He ignored me and, flicking the kettle on, asked if anyone wanted a cup of tea or coffee. We all opted for tea and sat round the table catching up on the news. They were good company and I was pleased to see how relaxed they were with each other. Getting up to leave a little later, as Carlton passed me he bent down, whispering, “Good to see you’ve made up,” before pecking me on the cheek again. I laughed lightly, though I stopped when I saw the look on Trent’s face as he watched us.
“I do wish you were not so familiar with her,” he warned Carlton, who grinned back at him, winking at me before leaving. Whatever truce they’d briefly had was obviously over.
Trent then received a call to say Cavendish and Grace were on the way to see us and would be bringing our dinner. I also hoped they’d be bringing someone else.
I was not disappointed when they arrived a little later with Susie racing ahead of them. She rushed into the kitchen, crying with delight as I knelt down to hug her. She too had a bandaged leg which didn’t seem to be slowing her down at all.
When Cavendish and Grace entered they greeted us both warmly and were all dressed up, Cavendish informing us they were off to a dreary charity dinner to which Grace rolled her eyes. They both appeared so pleased to see me and while I tried to apologise for my behaviour in the hospital, which must have made them uncomfortable, they would hear none of it. Highly delighted we were back together again Grace had tears in her eyes as she gently hugged me goodbye, saying she was so happy for us.
I’d been worried about what was going to happen to the horses in the immediate future but Cavendish informed me that they’d decided they’d be turned out for the next couple of weeks as a holiday for them and then we could see how I was progressing and take it from there. This put my mind at rest as I’d still be capable of doing all that was necessary for them for the time being.
After they’d gone Trent put the dish of carbonara in the oven to warm through and we went to sit more comfortably in the sitting room.
“Why the sudden display of affection to Carlton then?” I asked.
“He was the first person to get to you with me the other night, and he held everything together and took charge when I…struggled…initially on finding you. He helped keep you alive and get you out of there. I owe him one.”
“I didn’t realise that.”
“No, well you know what a shy and retiring bloke he is; I daresay you’ll hear all about his gallant efforts in the fullness of time,” and we both chuckled at this.
Later when we were eating dinner I said, a little carefully, “I hope you don’t mind me talking about her but I was thinking that Zoe must have been quite a woman.”
“I guess she was…but what makes you say that?”
“I think she must have loved you a lot to do what she did.”
Trent grunted at this. “I don’t think so. I’ve come to the conclusion over the years that she didn’t actually care for me at all. Not even at the very start of our relationship.” I thought for a moment before continuing.
“I think you’re wrong there, Trent. I think she knew what she was doing to you, to your relationship, and she loved you so much she wanted you to go and live your life. That’s why she divorced you and cut you out of hers. It must have been incredibly difficult for her to do that at a time when every bone in her body must have been wanting and needing to hang onto you and yet she found enough love for you to give you up.” He was silent as he contemplated what I’d said.
“I hadn’t thought of it like that before.”
I knew I was going to find it difficult to say these next words, to open myself up to him. Declaration had never been my strong point so I took a moment and a breath.
“Trent…I love you.” His face lit up, his warm eyes glowing at me. “And I found it unbearable to think I’d lost you. But I’m not sure I’d be strong enough, unselfish enough, to do what she did and set you free. She must have been an amazing woman and I suspect her true feelings for you came out in the jealousy and possessiveness shown by Annette.”
He gave a shrug. “You might be right…who knows. Sadly there’s nothing that can be done to change anything now anyway.”
We were silent for a while as we ate. I thought I might as well press on with the questions.
“What’s going to happen about the funeral?”
“I’ve contacted the hospital to see if I can arrange it but because of the instructions she placed on the files I can’t do that so they’ll have to organise it. It’s going to be a cremation which I can go to and I was wondering…if you would go with me.” He was looking at me cautiously as he asked this. My immediate reaction was that it wasn’t a good idea.
“Don’t you think that will be a bit…weird?”
“I want you with me, if you can manage it, that is. Cavendish and Grace will be there too. Have a think about it, will you?”
“Okay, I will,” and I thought for a moment, wondering if I should bring my next idea up. “One thing I do think though…if you’re allowed to and obviously if you think it’s a good idea, do you think we could put her ashes in the same graveyard as Eva with a stone marking them? I’d like to think of our loved ones being together.” He blinked at me, clearly taken aback.
“That…is incredibly generous of you, to think of her that way after what she tried to do to you.”
“That wasn’t her, Trent. I genuinely feel very sorry for her. She must have been a great person and she was someone who loved you and was loved by you and after what she did for you I can only admire her.”
Chapter 25
The next day I was interviewed by the police. I knew this would have to happen and they were good enough to come to the cottage. Trent was with me and Cavendish had asked to attend as well, and so as Trent stood, leaning up against the kitchen worktop, Cavendish and I sat with two police officers going through the events in minute detail. I told them everything that had happened, realising on glancing up at him a couple of times how painful an ordeal this was for Trent. The police were at last satisfied that they had their statement and I asked them what would h
appen to me now. They confirmed it was unlikely there’d be any charges against me as every piece of evidence they had, including the forensic evidence from the scene, showed I’d acted in self-defence. There’d be an inquest into the death but it was highly likely it would reach the same conclusion. I was very relieved once they’d left.
I also had to go to the doctor, as I would have to every day to have my dressings changed, and Trent went with me. It was the first time I’d seen my wounds, although one of them struck me as being similar to a scar I’d seen before, and while it all looked a bit of a mess to me they seemed happy that I was healing up all right.
When we got back to the cottage later I heard Trent on the phone to the hospital asking about Zoe’s funeral arrangements and I took the opportunity to wander over to the yard, Susie following me as always.
Carlton had come over to turn the horses out for their holiday so as he cleaned out the stables I sat and chatted to him. Thanking him, a little awkwardly, for what he’d done for me, he was unusually reticent in accepting the thanks. I thought that like Trent, he’d found the whole thing a bit difficult, and I was glad I’d been unconscious throughout.
When Trent and I were in bed that night I felt I needed to bring something up with him.
“Do you want to talk me through how you got your scars again?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I saw my wound this morning, Trent. It looked familiar, and I haven’t been impaled on a tree.”
“Oh…I guess you’re right. I took a bullet to the shoulder a few years ago. I didn’t tell you at the beginning because you didn’t know what I did and it would have seemed a bit dramatic.”
I was quiet for a moment, then asked, though already suspecting I knew what the answer would be, “And the appendix?”
Trent was still, hesitant in his answer: “Zoe…or rather, Annette.”