After Dark Page 3

  As the horror in her veins reached fever pitch, she felt a cool hand touch her own, which instantly settled her, soothing her rising panic. She recognised that touch; it had soothed her many times in the last few weeks. Relaxing her body, she turned her head towards Meredith, who sat next to her in a wheelchair.

  “Hey.” Meredith slowly ran her fingers up and down Stephanie’s arm. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you okay?”

  Stephanie opened her eyes fully. She smiled wanly at Meredith.

  “Yeah, I’m good. Just for a minute, I was back there.”

  She shook the last of her fear away and focused on Meredith. She looked a lot better since Stephanie had last seen her. She was clean and fresh but had a haunted look in her eyes with deep shadows encircling them. Her skin was pale, but she was still a beautiful woman. Red hair curled softly around her face and Stephanie had the urge to touch it.

  “What happened? I don’t remember much since talking to you about my last job.”

  “I’m not sure of all the details, but I know they caught the guy who did this. Apparently, he tried to abduct another woman, but she got away. Gave a description of him and his car and the police found him. He’d been on the run since the failed attempt, which is why we hadn’t seen him for days.”

  Stephanie frowned. “Were we right, were there others?”

  “Including us there were nine other women. Four of whom had died.” Meredith grabbed hold of Stephanie’s hand when a tear rolled down her cheek.

  “We survived. We got out, just like you promised we would.”

  “I’m sorry; I just can’t believe anyone would do this to other human beings. What a sick fucker.”

  “Now you’re awake, I imagine the police will come by to speak to you.”

  “You’ll be here, right? I don’t want to talk to them alone.” Stephanie could see the regret in Meredith's eyes before she even uttered the words.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m heading back to Bristol in a minute. I just wanted to come and see you before I left.”

  Stephanie closed her eyes, feeling stupid for thinking Meredith would be sticking around. She had already told her, in that hellhole, she wasn’t from here. What an idiot to even think someone like her would even want to remain in a place where she had nearly died.

  “It’s okay, Mare. I don’t know why I even asked.”

  “Hey, look at me.” Stephanie shifted her gaze to capture hers. “It’s not stupid to need someone. We went through hell in there and it’s going to be hard to adjust to normality.”

  Stephanie didn’t know what to say. Panic coursed through her again at the realisation that when she got out of the hospital, she would be alone. She had no one. Except for Joe, but he was married and had the gallery to run. He wouldn’t have time to babysit her.

  “What’s wrong? Steph?”

  She shook her head, fighting hard not to let the tears escape her eyes. “Nothing. I’m fine.” Changing the subject, she asked, “Is Kathleen here?” As if conjured by her words, Kathleen appeared at the door.

  “Oh, sweetheart, there you are,” Kathleen said.

  Stephanie caught her breath. The woman, who walked like she floated on air, came into her room and looked amazing. Not a hair out of place, trim and fit body, and curves in all the right places, wearing a suit which had to be tailor-made for her. She glided over to Meredith and possessively put a hand on her shoulder and bent down to kiss her cheek. Stephanie could swear she saw Meredith flinch at the contact.

  “I’m sorry, Kath. I was just saying goodbye.” Meredith’s eyes held Stephanie’s, regret clearly in them. “Stephanie Edwards, this is my partner, Kathleen Bowden-Scott. Kathleen, this is Stephanie.”

  Kathleen’s gaze drifted briefly over Stephanie before settling back on Meredith. Stephanie felt the dismissal like a punch in the gut. She always knew she never did measure up with the elite in life, but it had never bothered her more than now, in Meredith’s presence.

  “The car is waiting,” Kathleen said, as though introductions hadn’t just been made. “Carrie-Ann is at your place now, making it comfortable for you. You’ve been gone so long.” A small sob escaped her throat and Stephanie rolled her eyes at Kathleen’s overly dramatic actions.

  “I’m looking forward to seeing Carrie. I’ve missed her and Holly.” Meredith turned to Stephanie. “I'm not sure if I mentioned Carrie to you, she is one of my closest friends. She just got married.”

  “Cool,” Stephanie said.

  A thick tension filled the room, and no one spoke for a few moments. Meredith turned to Kathleen.

  “Can you give us a minute? I’ll be out in second.” Without giving Kathleen time to respond, she turned back to Stephanie.

  Kathleen huffed and left the room.

  Meredith placed her hand onto Stephanie’s shoulder once the door shut behind Kathleen.

  “That probably sounded a bit rude, but she’s been a little overbearing since she arrived three days ago.”

  “Do you know how long I was there?”

  “About a month. We were both lucky to survive. You nearly didn’t.” She sniffed and wiped at the moisture gathering in the corner of her eyes. “Look, I have to go. I need to get home, but I can’t go not knowing if you’re going to be all right.”

  “I’ll be fine. Once I get out of here.” Her smile was fake, and she could see in Meredith’s eyes that she knew it too.

  Meredith rose stiffly out of the wheelchair and pulled open a drawer in the bedside cabinet. Not finding what she was looking for, she opened another one. A victory smiled stretched across her lips. Leaning onto the top of the cabinet she wrote for a few seconds. Straightening up she turned to Stephanie.

  “I’ve written down my email and home number. Call me or write me whenever, if you need anything.”

  Stephanie smiled gratefully. Her own eyes misted over now.

  “Thank you.”

  Meredith leaned over and embraced her hard. Whispering into Stephanie’s ear, she said, “Look after yourself. I’m glad you’re safe.” Before Stephanie could say anything, Meredith sat back in the wheelchair, grabbed the wheels, and rolled out of the room. Not glancing back once.

  Stephanie took a deep breath, and after a minute of silence, her hand came to her mouth as sobs tore from her throat. It’s a fine time to start feeling things. I’m truly alone!

  Chapter Five

  “It’s been a really long drive. I just want to sleep.”

  After being in a car for nearly six hours, listening to Kathleen chat about all that had happened whilst she was “away,” as she called it, Meredith just wanted to lie in her own bed and sleep for as long as possible. Her anxiety at being out in the open worried her. She hadn’t told Kathleen, but being outside, seeing people, terrified her. Her heart pounded against her rib cage, her pulse missing the occasional beat. She needed peace. She needed the safety of her home. Even the spring flowers lining the roadway didn’t hold the beauty they once did for her. She used to love springtime. To her it was the start of new life and growth, and she loved going for morning walks in the emerging sunlight, enjoying the longer days. Not anymore. Now, everything looked plain and gloomy. She just wanted to be home.

  “Oh, okay,” Kathleen said. “Um…I think Carrie will be there. Do you want me to call ahead and tell her to go?”

  “No, it’s all right. I won’t mind seeing her for a few minutes.” She turned her head, resting it on the window, and closed her eyes. Being out was nothing like she had imagined. She assumed she would feel relief at being home, getting back to normal. But she had been out for nearly a week and she still felt trapped in that hovel. Her life was gone, and she had no idea how to get it back.

  They arrived at Meredith’s apartment block a little before five that evening. The air inside the car felt too oppressive, so Meredith yanked the door open, escaping into the cool fresh air. She breathed in deeply, a small smile tugging at her lips at the sight of her home.

  She lived in a purpos
e-built building that held only four apartments, one on each floor. Her apartment on the top floor was substantial, with three bedrooms and two baths. She thanked her lucky stars that she worked as an estate agent and had managed to secure this place at such a great deal. She owned it free and clear, thanks to an inheritance from her great-grandmother’s passing.

  Kathleen came around the front of the car and reached a hand out toward her. Meredith’s eyes grew wide. She hastily shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans and strode up the narrow walk to the main door. If Kathleen noticed the brush off, she didn’t show it.

  The sense of safety Meredith felt as soon as she entered her open-planned apartment gripped her forcibly. She hadn’t felt this safe since she was driving in her car on the way to the meeting the day she was kidnapped. She quickly took in all the details of her home. To her left was the kitchen, up ahead was a corridor leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms, and to the right was the living room, complete with a three-seater contemporary sofa, fireplace, and a large widescreen TV. Her gaze scanned the lounge. Sitting in an oversized armchair by the big bay windows was her best friend Carrie. Her hand went to her mouth and a small sob escaped.

  “Oh Jesus, Meredith! It’s been so long,” Carrie said.

  Meredith took a few steps toward Carrie, Carrie did the same, but before she could reach her Meredith stopped. She really wanted to hug her, the need within her was great, but the thought of having someone touch her rattled her. Carrie seemed to sense her hesitancy and settled for just touching her shoulder lightly. Meredith was grateful. She didn’t want to have to explain how she was feeling when she could hardly understand it herself.

  “It’s so good to see you, Carrie.” She impatiently swiped at the tears on her cheeks as she sat on the grey leather sofa. Thoughts were swirling around her mind maddeningly. It felt surreal to be back home with her friend, in safety.

  “Honey? Can I get you a drink?” Kathleen asked.

  “No, that’s okay, I’m fine. But thanks anyway.”

  Kathleen didn’t seem to take any notice, going into the kitchen to put the kettle on. Meredith caught Carrie’s confused look at Kathleen pottering around in the kitchen with jerky, hesitant movements.

  “Is she okay?”

  “I’m not sure. It’s obviously been hard for her since I’ve been gone. I don't think she is taking this very well.”

  Carrie eyed her sympathetically.

  “I can’t imagine what it has been like for all of you, I’m just glad to be home,” Meredith continued.

  “Yes, we all kind of assumed you were dead. You were gone for so long that we didn’t know what to do. Kathleen had all but shut down your home. When I heard you were rescued, I had your utilities switched back on and I restocked your cupboards and fridge today.”

  “Thank you for that. And it really is great to see you.”

  “I know it’s going to be hard for you, being back here and adjusting to a normal life again, but your family and friends are here to support you.”

  Meredith smiled at her friend. They had met nearly a year ago through a mutual acquaintance, and Carrie had contacted her when she needed to find a new apartment and a residency for her new business. They had become firm friends and Meredith was glad she had her in her life. She could hear Kathleen making the tea in the kitchen and wondered again how she was coping with all of this. Kathleen hadn't spoken much about her disappearance while she was in the hospital. She had just flitted about, making sure Meredith was comfortable and had everything she needed. She was glad of the help and attention, but it was starting to smother her. She doubted Kathleen would understand she didn’t want to be touched. She would only take it as a rejection and Meredith couldn’t be dealing with her dramas.

  “I’m not sure what to say to you, Meredith,” Carrie said, breaking her musings. “I want to ask about what happened, but I can only assume that it was horrific and it’s not something you particularly want to talk about.”

  “Well, yes, it wasn’t the best vacation I’ve ever taken, hospitality was shocking.” Meredith knew her tone was angry and being sarcastic was the only way she could deal with her emotions now. “I’m definitely not the same woman I was before I was taken. I have some hideous scars.”

  The tea tray Kathleen carried over to the coffee table at that moment clattered loudly in her hands as she approached.

  “And they will probably take some healing,” Meredith finished.

  Kathleen set the tray down, took her mobile phone out of her pocket, and excused herself to the spare bedroom to make a call. Meredith knew she couldn’t get away quick enough from the talk of the horrendous things she had been through.

  “Well, that was rude,” Carrie said.

  “I can’t blame her. I’m not the looker I once was. Kathleen has always been attracted to beautiful things, and I was one of her possessions. I’m not saying she is shallow, but the way I look now, that would be hard for anybody to look at.”

  “God’s sake, Meredith! You’ve been through hell. You’re lucky to even be here. If she loves you it shouldn’t matter what you look like.”

  “I know, but that isn’t how life works in her circles. I don’t blame her, I can barely tolerate looking at myself in the mirror. I will always have scars, on the inside and out, and I’m okay with that, I think.”

  Meredith set about pouring tea for them all, smiling to herself. Kathleen did know her, at least a little bit. She knew even though Meredith said she didn’t want tea Kathleen recognised she was parched and a refreshing cuppa was just what she needed. She hoped, with time, perhaps Kathleen could learn to accept the way she looked now. Her face had one small scar across her cheek, about an inch long, but barely noticeable. It was her torso and breasts that were the worst. To look at Meredith’s face you wouldn’t even know she had spent eight months being brutally victimised. If she ever could find it in herself to make love again, she would make sure the lights were off and Kathleen wouldn’t be able to see her body.

  “I have been through a lot, but I’m glad Stephanie was there.” At Carrie’s raised eyebrows she continued. “She was a woman who was there with me, she was there about a month in the end. He had plenty more women there as well, so I’m assuming he ran out of space to put us all in. We ended up being in the same room for all that time, talking, comforting, and praying together that we wouldn't die. I hope she’s okay.”

  “She must have been through hell as well. It must have been scary not knowing what was going to happen.”

  Meredith ran her hand through her hair, letting out a deep breath. She could feel her heart rate pick up again as the anxiety of being back in that room filled her. She briefly closed her eyes, concentrating on the image of Stephanie in the hospital bed, eyes open, a smile on her face. Thinking back to earlier that morning she had no choice but to see Stephanie before she left. There was no way she could leave Yorkshire without at least making sure Stephanie was going to get better. She knew they had bonded in that hellhole and she hoped she would be in contact.

  “It’s definitely something neither one of us would ever want to experience again, but I think we were both glad we had someone we could talk to.”

  Carrie glanced at the clock mounted over the fireplace, and then back at Meredith. She was about to speak when Kathleen came out of the bedroom, putting her phone in her pocket.

  “I’m going to head home, love. There is a problem at the office and I need to take a conference call with some of the other partners.” She didn’t give Meredith a chance to respond. She grabbed her handbag off the kitchen island and strode purposefully toward her. It looked to Meredith as if she wanted to kiss her goodbye, but Kathleen stopped herself at the last second. She hesitated and grimaced.

  “I’ll be at the office tomorrow and I'll probably stay over in London for the night as I have business meetings the next day. I'll call you when I can.” Then she left, not giving Meredith a chance to even say goodbye.

  Meredith turned aroun
d and fiddled with her cup, swirling the tea. She regarded Carrie, whose mouth was hanging open in shock.

  “Carrie, honestly, it’s fine. We have been together for a long time, but for a lot of that time we worked in different parts of the country. It’s not unusual for her to be gone for days at a time.”

  “Yes, but you have just got back from a fucking kidnapping! How in the hell can she leave you with everything that you’ve been through?”

  Meredith shook her head. “I’m actually glad she’s not going to be here. I know that sounds bad, but all I want to do is put on my pyjamas, curl up in bed, and sleep for as long as possible. I don’t think I could handle her fussing around me anyway.”

  “I know that’s what you’re saying, but are you sure you’re going to be okay on your own? I can always call Holly and stay here with you if you want.”

  “I’m sure. I’ll be fine. I really do just want to have some time by myself. Catch up on a few things and speak to my family. I spoke to my mum at the hospital and she and dad are flying back from New York at the end of the week. It’ll give me some time to prepare for their visit.”

  Carrie rose from the chair and took the tea tray to the kitchen. After swilling everything out and leaving the cups to drain, she came back to Meredith who was standing, leaning back on the arm of the sofa. Meredith could see the concern in her eyes.

  “I promise I'm fine.”

  Carrie came to stand directly in front of her and Meredith could see the tears gathering. She didn’t think, she gathered Carrie into her arms and held her tightly. Panic set in, she swore her heart was going to beat right out of her chest. Anxiety gripped her hard, her body vibrating with fear. As if sensing her discomfort, Carrie disentangled herself from her and stepped back, wiping her eyes as she did so.