Chapter 8
"….She's my partner….my lover….my beautiful, generous lover."
At the sound of those words…Caroline's complete and honest admission…a sense of joy rippled through Kate's heart and she could barely contain the grin that was determined to spread across her face despite the rather awkward situation they were in.
John, on the other hand, was far from impressed with the morning's turn of events as he stood dumbstruck in the doorway of Caroline's bedroom after catching her at it…. with another woman, no less….and to John's way of thinking, a rather mousy woman at that, who sat in the bed silently with a strange, insipid smile on her face.
His hands were thrust deep into his pockets fidgeting restlessly, his shoulders were slumped and his chest heaved slightly as he struggled with the implications of what he had witnessed. The stubbled face was a picture of disbelief and bewilderment as his forehead creased with deep, curious furrows, the dark, untidy brows knitted together in confusion and his jaw slid back and forth anxiously as he ruminated over the situation. He ruffled his already messy hair giving the impression of a man half-crazed. His eyes, like two glossy black beetles, glared at the sight before him, unable to align the facts as he thought he knew them with what he was actually seeing.
Caroline disrupted the uneasy silence.
"I haven't touched your laptop, John," she replied nonchalantly in answer to his original question, completely ignoring his present predicament. "The last time I saw it, it was on the coffee table under some newspapers….the cat was curled up on it….you know you shouldn't leave stuff chucking about like that."
"When?...Why?...How long have you two….?" John stammered as he pointed an accusing finger first at his wife and then at Kate.
"John, you and I ….we're getting a divorce…remember? I don't owe you any explanations and after what you've put me through for the last six months ….well, you have nothing to say on the matter. Now, if you don't mind…and even if you do…Kate and I would like you to leave…this is not a spectator sport."
To impress the point further on her soon-to-be-but-not-soon-enough ex-husband and to perhaps expedite his departure, Caroline reached for Kate's hand and pressed a deliberate kiss onto the back of it showing unquestioningly where her affections lay.
John's attempt at a retort was an indecipherable spluttering as his brain, its synapses in a state of shock, was unable to form much in the way of a coherent sentence. In order to save face and to tend to his battered ego, he thrust his hands forcefully back into his pockets, turned on his heels and stormed out of the room shrouded in a heavy cloud of confusion.
Relieved to be rid of his presence, Caroline let out a long sigh and then turned to Kate who was trying desperately to constrain her laughter from behind her hand but Caroline could see the amusement dancing in her partner's eyes. Appreciating the ridiculousness of the situation, Caroline too began to smile then, simultaneously, both women burst into peals of raucous laughter. They laughed until their sides ached and tears streamed down their cheeks.
"Ssshh…we shouldn't laugh too loudly, he'll hear us," Kate suggested as she struggled for control, "we shouldn't rub too much salt into his wounds."
"Sod him! Stupid twat! He wasn't too worried about my wounds while he was off screwing Judith," Caroline replied as she finally reeled in her laughter and became more serious, "not that I care…I'll be glad to be shot of him, although I should probably go and talk to him before he shoots his mouth off to all and sundry."
With those words and a brief kiss on Kate's lips, Caroline reluctantly slipped out of bed, donned her dressing gown which she retrieved from its hook behind the door and followed after her errant husband. She found him anxiously pacing back and forwards in the kitchen, his head down in concentrated thought as he tried to fathom what was happening.
"Did you find your laptop?"
At the sound of her voice John immediately halted and looked up at her, his expression one of dark disdain.
Disregarding her question, he asked, "How long have you ….and her…been at it?" His tone was heavily tainted with accusation.
"Long enough for me to know that it's what I want and that it makes me happy….happier than I can remember being for years."
John winced at the stinging verbal slap.
"I was a good wife, John….a faithful wife….you were the one who blew it, not me so you needn't waste your time looking so mortally offended."
"How long have you known this about yourself? I'm assuming it's not something you cooked up last week."
"It doesn't matter….It has nothing to do with you so don't flatter yourself. What does matter is that it's what I want and how it's going to be. I'll need to tell the boys and my mother so I'd appreciate you being discreet until I've had the chance to do that…whoever the hell else you tell is, of course, your business."
"You'll upset the boys… you know that, don't you?" John retorted with indignation rising in his voice.
"I'll deal with it…..They'll be fine once they get used to the idea….Kate is kind and loving, they'll adore her….I just need you to keep out of it and anything else to do with me from now on….we are no more, John. I've moved on and you need to do the same."
Not wanting to listen any longer, John angrily pushed his way passed Caroline and strode out of the kitchen muttering under his breath.
"Mad dyke."
Grabbing his keys and phone, he then marched to his car, slamming the door behind him.
As his car tyres spun in the gravel of the driveway Caroline trudged her way back up the stairs.
"Why is life always so complicated?" she asked herself. "Just this once can't I have what I want without the battle?"
But then she decided that the only things worth having were the things you had to fight for.
Caroline re-entered the bedroom to find that Kate was no longer in the bed and she silently cursed her useless husband for yet again interfering in her life….something for which he had a definite knack.
"He alright?" Kate asked as she emerged from the ensuite bathroom fully dressed now Caroline noted with disappointment.
"Who knows? He drove off to God knows where…probably back to her place…Judith's…he was mumbling something about me being a mad, old 'something-or-other'….How did I end up with such a jerk?…seriously, if I could bring myself to be bothered, I'd kill him."
Kate stepped across the room, joined her hands around Caroline's waist and drew her in close as she softly kissed the furrows of exasperation that had settled on her forehead.
"With any luck he'll stay away now that he knows about us…now that he knows that there's no chance of you and him…."
Caroline replied with a weak, sceptical smile.
"Listen, Caroline, I have to go."
Caroline unwrapped herself from the embrace and held Kate's hands.
"Come and lie down with me for just a bit longer," she pleaded as she gently tugged Kate towards the bed.
Tempted as she was, Kate held her ground.
"I can't …as much as I want to, I really can't. I'm going to be late as it is if I don't get moving."
"Where are you off to? Not another woman hidden away somewhere?" Caroline asked only half joking.
"No!" Kate replied, quite shocked that Caroline would even think that but suddenly realising why. "I'm not like John….I would never do that to you…ever, I promise. It's that case I was telling you about….the missing girl, Angela. Her friend, Ellie, sent me a text last night agreeing to meet with me…talk to me…I think she knows something that she hasn't dared to tell the police. I'm catching up with her at the café in Harrogate where she works …at eleven."
A quick look at her watch told Kate that she needed to be on her way.
Begrudgingly giving in, Caroline released her grip on Kate's fingers.
"Will I see you later….after your meeting? Will you be home by two o'clock?"
Kate put her hands to Caroline's face and captured the earnest gaze of the woman's wonderful, blue eyes.
"I can be…" she answered in a seductive whisper.
"Can I meet you at yours then? Is that alright? It will just be for a couple of hours. Lawrence will probably be home from his camping trip before dinner."
A sudden swell of her heart as she once again realised how much she loved this woman and wanted to be with her caught Kate unexpectedly making a lump form in her throat.
"Sure….." she managed as she swallowed hard, "I'll see you at two."
After a final brief kiss, Caroline watched as Kate departed leaving behind a void that rapidly began to fill with all the problems she now needed to solve. Could she trust John to be discreet? She doubted it. She would need to speak to the boys as soon as possible. How would they react? She was confident that William would be fine with it all but Lawrence was another matter altogether. Then she needed to talk to her mother…not a task she was relishing. Would Celia's opinion on the matter have enlightened over the years or would there be the same stubborn, narrow-minded objections as when she spoke to her during her first year at Oxford?
oooOooo
From the doorway of the café Kate noted that it wasn't as bustling as it had been the previous morning and things were happening at an easier pace. Her eyes scanned the room searching for the familiar figure. Suddenly she felt a hand rest on her wrist and turned to see a less solemn-looking Ellie who was now directing her towards a table in a quiet corner of the café. It was as though her decision to talk to someone had eased her mind.
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Ellie offered politely, "I'm on a break but I can still fetch one if you'd like."
"Tea would be nice."
Ellie disappeared into the kitchen area behind the counter, returning shortly after with a white, ceramic pot of tea, a tiny jug of milk and two cups and saucers which she placed on the table.
"Thank you," Kate said as they each then, wordlessly, went about their own ritual of making their tea.
Experience told Kate that it would be best not to rush Ellie into talking. She'd let her say what she had to say in her own time.
Finally, with the tea poured and after a testing taste, Ellie gathered her nerve and broke the quiet.
"Me and Angela…we've been best friends since we first started school. We do…did…everything together….we didn't have any secrets; we told each other everything….we always helped each other. It's been like that all our lives and then….and then she went and got this boyfriend…"
Ellie stopped there for a sip of her tea, obviously feeling the need to calm herself down.
"What's his name….the boyfriend?" Kate asked simply.
"Andrew Southby….Andy. He's not from around here." Her voice seemed to sour at the mention of his name. "He's a lot older….twenty something….and he's a complete tosser….She's very pretty…Angela…and clever and funny. She could have just about any bloke she wanted ….they're all falling over themselves for her…the local lads…but she goes and chooses this wanker…I think she thought it sophisticated or something to have an older boyfriend but I don't like it…I don't like him."
"Why not?"
Kate waited patiently, sipping her tea, as Ellie thought about her response.
"It doesn't feel right…he thinks he's better than everyone else…cleverer…and he treats Angela poorly although she doesn't seem to see it."
Immediately becoming concerned, Kate asked, "Treats her poorly? In what way? Does he hurt her?"
"No, I don't think so although I wouldn't put it past him…cocky bastard…but he bosses her around and everything is always about him and what he wants." Ellie hesitated for a beat and then added, "…and he's into drugs…not using them as such but he sells them…to any poor numpty that needs a fix."
"Do you think Angela is using drugs?"
The idea clearly upset the girl as she stared into her cup as though hoping to see all the answers in a sludge of tea leaves lying at the bottom of it.
"I don't know…she never used to…we promised each other we wouldn't ever go there…. we'd seen what they do to other people, our friends….but that was before, she's a different person now so I don't know."
Kate then drew on her most serious expression and asked Ellie straight out, "Do you know where she is?"
The girl closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It seemed she was coming to a decision about something.
"I promised Angela that I wouldn't tell the police or her parents where she was."
It was as Kate had suspected.
"I can understand that it might feel like you are betraying your friend," Kate said gently, " but if she's with this Andy bloke…well, it doesn't sound too safe to me…especially if he's involved with drugs. Is she with this boyfriend of hers?"
Ellie nodded as her pleading eyes peered at Kate wanting to know that she was doing the right thing but feeling conflicted at betraying her best friend's confidence.
"Six months ago he told her that he was moving to London…he said he could make more money there…sell more drugs I suppose…and he asked….well, 'told' more like, her to go with him. Angela knew her parents wouldn't let her go…they didn't even know she had a boyfriend. Most times if she was out with him she lied and told them she was with me. Anyway, in the end, she just took off to London with him…she didn't even bother to take anything because he said he would buy her all new stuff with all the money he would make….tosser….she didn't even come and say 'good-bye' to me…first I knew about it all was when she called me a few days later and made me promise not to tell anyone… 'They wouldn't understand' she'd said."
Noticing that Ellie was on the verge of tears, Kate reached across the narrow table and ran a soothing hand along the girl's forearm. The weight of her secret had become almost too heavy a burden for her to bear.
"I knew things were weird when she threatened me. She told me that if I said anything to police or her parents she would say that I was dealing in drugs too….I think he…Andy…made her say that." Ellie sniffed back her tears. "She'll never talk to me again for telling but I'm worried about her…I just want her to be safe and away from him."
"Have you heard from her since then? Do you stay in contact?" Kate asked intent now on getting all the information she could from Ellie while she was confiding freely and before the girl had a chance to rethink what she was doing or break down completely. "Do you know where she's living? Do you have a phone number or an address?"
"I have a phone number but I haven't spoken to her for a couple of weeks. She doesn't often answer a call. I usually have to wait for her to call me and that's once a flood. They were living in a terrace house in Brixton last I heard….I don't have an address… I suspect they move about a bit," Ellie divulged.
"It doesn't sound like the ideal lifestyle," Kate replied in an attempt to ease the girls' conscience of its guilt. "I think you're doing the right thing…it's what a caring friend would do."
Ellie looked up at Kate and gave her a small, unconvinced smile.
Kate topped up Ellie's cup of tea which was gratefully accepted and then emptied the rest into her own cup. They drank in silence while Kate carefully considered the information she now had and mulled over her next move. She could go to the police, give them the information and leave it for them to sort out but it wasn't in her nature to only half do a job. Angela's parents had hired her to find their daughter if possible and she hadn't done that yet. All she had were a few clues that could quite conceivably lead nowhere. She needed to close the case as a matter of personal pride as much as anything else.
"Ellie, I have a plan to find Angela and hopefully convince her to come home or at the very least, make sure she's safe and well but I'll need your help."
"What do you want me to do?" she asked cautiously.
"Can you call Angela and arrange to meet up with her in the next day or two?…Tell her you're coming to London…make up a reason…and that you'd like to catch up with her. Arrange to meet her somewhere and set a time."
"But I told you, she rarely answers her phone," Ellie replied doubtfully.
"If she doesn't answer just leave a message telling her to call you….Can you do that for me?"
The girl nodded having obviously decided that seeing as she had gone this far she might as well follow it through to the end.
"What happens then?" she asked Kate, "I can't go to London, I've got school."
"No, of course not," Kate replied, "I'll go to London and turn up at the place and time you arrange and ….well, I still need to think through the next part of the plan but, hopefully, I can persuade her to at least call her parents and let them know that she's safe and sound….Will you do it?"
Although still very dubious about the whole scheme, Ellie retrieved her phone from her pocket and made her way outside for the sake of better reception and more privacy. Kate waited, her fingers mentally crossed, hoping that Ellie could pull it off.
"Done," Ellie announced quite triumphantly as she sidled up to the table again. "I'm….you're meeting her at Rosie's Café near the Brixton Market at half three tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah…Is that alright? You did say the next day or two."
"No, that's fine. What did you tell her?"
"I said things here were shit and I needed to get away for a bit so I was thinking of coming to London to see her. She didn't seem keen to start with but I convinced her… she did say she missed me. I'm kind of sorry I can't go but my mum would kill me if I was to miss school."
Ellie looked up at the clock on the wall behind the counter.
"Is that all then only I need to be getting back to work before the boss starts giving me filthy looks and threatening to sack me?"
"Just one more thing…Can you write down Angela's phone number for me?"
Without any questions or comment, Ellie took out her notepad and pencil, looked up the number in her contacts and then handed the paper to Kate.
"Here it is…Good luck….I doubt she'll speak to me ever again after this but I need to know she's okay."
Kate took the folded piece of paper with the number on it, giving Ellie's hand a final, reassuring squeeze before leaving her to get back to her job.
oooOooo
Back at her flat Kate busied herself tossing a few necessary items into an overnight bag. She'd decided that she should probably expect to spend at least one night in London. As she was trying to choose which coat to take, her phone buzzed telling her that she had a new text message. After a quick search through the bed covers and the loose clothing that lay on top, she located her phone and viewed her message. It was from Caroline. It was telling Kate to meet her outside the shopfront at 2:00pm and to wear something warm. Kate checked the time on her phone…1:57pm. She left her packing, she could do it later, grabbed her black, woollen coat and scarf as well as her bag and scuttled down the internal staircase and out to the footpath at the front of the shop, all the while wondering what Caroline had in mind for them.
Kate had barely waited a minute when she spied the dark shape of Caroline's vehicle coming down the street. Once it had pulled up beside her, Kate opened the door to be greeted by a brilliant Caroline smile.
"Hi…jump in."
"Where are we going?" Kate asked as she leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on the blonde woman's cheek.
"I thought we'd go somewhere for a bit of afternoon tea. Is that okay?"
"Of course. Where did you have in mind?"
Rather than words, Caroline simply gave her a wide-eyed, non-committal look.
"Alright, woman of mystery, I'm prepared to be surprised," Kate joked and left it at that.
Instead, as they drove, Kate recounted her meeting with Ellie and explained her plan to find Angela and, with a bit of luck, encourage her to come home.
"So when are you off to London?" Caroline asked.
"I think I'll catch the 9:20 train in the morning. I'll probably need to stay at least overnight."
"Right."
Caroline's attention turned back to her driving as she diverted off the main road and into the entranceway of the Valley Gardens. She drove on past several parking bays until she found the particular garden area she wanted.
"This is lovely. I haven't been here for years," Kate said enthusiastically as Caroline parked the car and proceeded to grab a small basket and thermos from the back seat.
Kate carried the blanket that lay there as well and followed Caroline who quite clearly had a specific place in mind for them. Eventually she settled for a spot with a touch of shade provided by some larger overhanging trees that had managed to hold onto some foliage despite it being autumn but still close enough to the sunlight to benefit from its weakening afternoon warmth. Kate spread the blanket out on the finely-manicured grass and Caroline placed the basket in the centre and knelt down so she could unpack the treasures it held….cheeses, fruit, chocolate.
"What brought this idea on?" Kate inquired as she too lowered herself onto the blanket.
"I've been cooped up all day in the house doing paperwork so I decided that I might like some fresh air for a bit….Do you mind?"
"No…not at all…I think it's a fabulous idea."
To show her appreciation, Kate drew Caroline away from the fussing with the food and towards her with the intention of kissing her but at the last moment Caroline turned her head and the kiss, intended for her lips, landed on her ear instead. Kate gave the woman a puzzled look. Caroline blushed with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Kate. I'm just not used to this….it's still hard for me…it's nothing personal…I just need some time to get used to it…us…I will try to be braver but I need you to be patient with me. Consider me a work in progress."
Kate noticed the pleading in her eyes.
"Sure," Kate replied with a soft, understanding smile but then her eyes lit up as she added, "but, Caroline, you're 46 and this is 2014….you'll need to get a move along if you're going to catch up with the rest of England."
Realising she was being made fun of, Caroline gave Kate's thigh a playful slap and then focussed her interest back on the food. Kate, too, helped herself to some of the delicacies Caroline had packed.
Once their plates were empty and their stomachs full, they sat side by side in companionable silence with their legs stretched out across the blanket, thigh touching thigh, each benefitting from the warmth of the other. Their fingers intertwined as they took in the loveliness of the surrounding gardens with the carefully-architectured beds of autumn flowers; their delicate blooms in muted tones of pinks, blues and purples filled the view with magical surprise and subtle fragrances. Sneaking into their silence was the playful trickle of water as it bubbled and flowed in the nearby fountain where two cheeky, stone cherubs adorned the top, attracted, as children are, to the splash of a pool.
The sound of Kate's voice then broke the stillness.
"Can I ask you something?"
Caroline turned to look at her a little apprehensively.
"What?"
"That first time we met…in my office and we went for a drink," Kate began, "and then I told you I had an affair with a woman…do you remember?"
"Yes."
"I got the distinct impression that you weren't completely comfortable with the fact that I was gay…that you didn't approve."
"What gave you that idea?"
"Possibly the fact that you couldn't get out of the place fast enough once I'd told you," Kate laughed, "but then, just before you got into your car you kissed me….Later you said it was because you had had a couple of drinks and it was just a bit of fun but I never actually fully believed you."
A small, embarrassed smile crept onto Caroline's face as she recalled that first kiss.
"Your being gay did make me uncomfortable but not in the way you think it did."
"How then?"
Caroline hesitated for a moment.
"You see, I've been in love with a woman before," she state quietly.
With those words, Caroline had Kate's complete and undivided attention.
"When?"
"When I was 18…19…at university. It was another girl at Oxford….she was captain of the university's woman's hockey team. We had very little in common really but she had a fabulous body."
"Caroline!"
"Yes, I know, that's very shallow of me. She was studying philosophy and politics which I found all very dull."
"Unlike the thrill and excitement of chemistry and maths," Kate added dryly.
"Exactly. Anyway, I ended up falling head over heels for her. I was convinced then that I was gay…so convinced that I even told my mother."
"How did that go down?"
"Like the proverbial lead balloon. She gave me strict instructions not to tell my father…not to tell anyone, for that matter. It was the one and only time we talked about it. The subject was never raised or discussed again. My mother even tried to set me up with some of her friends' sons after that."
Caroline let out a sad, regretful sigh at the thought of all the time she had wasted attempting to please others and be something…..someone… other than her true self.
"What happened…to the girlfriend?"
"I'm ashamed to say that I was a coward….At times I seemed to lack the normal rebelliousness of youth and I succumbed to my mother's judgmental ways…"
"You dumped her?"
A rush of scarlet to Caroline's cheeks told Kate she had guessed correctly.
"But I thought you were in love with her."
"I was but my mother made it abundantly clear that that sort of thing was totally unacceptable... 'not normal'….and so…let's just say that my mother is a very opinionated, strong woman who is used to getting her way."
"What did you do?"
"I told her I needed to concentrate on my studies and couldn't afford to be in a relationship….it broke my heart…I was miserable for months. I only received Distinctions that semester rather than High Distinctions…so much for concentrating on my studies."
"So when we….up in my flat the other night…that wasn't your first time with a woman?"
"Strictly speaking, I guess not…but the hockey player was 100 years ago and it was only a couple of embarrassed fumbles really….neither of us actually knew what we were doing," Caroline explained, "although we didn't have a terrible time trying."
"That still doesn't explain why you were uncomfortable with me," Kate persisted.
"From the first time I laid eyes on you, Kate, I felt that intangible attraction but as long as I thought you were straight I knew I wouldn't go there but then, when you told me you were gay…well, that opened a whole new realm of possibilities…despite being married for 19 years those old feelings rushed to the surface…that's why I kissed you that night…I couldn't not kiss you…you were…are…beautiful."
"I'm glad you did kiss me," Kate answered as she gave Caroline's hand an affectionate squeeze.
"So am I….as a matter of fact…."
Caroline sidled up even closer to this woman who made her heart sing and, after a quick glance around to ensure they were alone, once again met those same soft, fabulous lips with her own. The kiss began innocently enough but lingered on and as it did the innocence was lost, seemingly taking with it Caroline's shyness.
It was only when a sudden shower of chill water droplets splashed on their faces and bare skin that they drew their lips apart in surprise. They both peered towards the sky for the tell-tale signs of rain but it was still a perfect azure. Then as they looked around them, they realised that the sprinklers in that part of the garden had been switched on and if they didn't move quickly they were in for a complete drenching. Amidst their laughter, they hurriedly packed away the food, grabbed the blanket and raced for the car, dodging the arc of water as the sprinklers repeated their pattern.
As Caroline once again pulled up outside the business of "McKenzie Investigations" Kate gathered her things together – her coat, her scarf and her bag.
"Do you want to come up to my flat for a bit?"
"For a bit of what?" Caroline asked, raising her eyebrows suggestively at the innuendo.
Kate gave a dramatic eye roll.
"I feel like that hockey player…You only want me for my body, don't you?…Admit it, Dr Elliot."
"I don't deny that I adore your gorgeous body, Ms McKenzie," Caroline confessed with a sly smile, "but I also have to admit that I'm quite taken with the whole package."
Caroline then took a quick glance at her watch.
"Unfortunately, I can't stay. Lawrence will be back soon and I should probably be there to ensure that he doesn't eat me out of house and home after a weekend on camping rations. When will you be back from London?"
"I'm not certain when I'll get back."
Caroline moved in closer and ran a fingertip lightly across Kate's full, sensuous bottom lip and then, unable to resist, took the lip gently between her teeth, biting softly, seductively.
Reluctantly Kate pulled away.
"If you're going to do that we need to go inside."
"I really can't," Caroline replied, the disappointment obvious in her voice. "I'd better go. Call me."
With a nod, Kate opened the door and began to step out when she felt Caroline's hand grip her wrist. She turned back only to be caught up in an intense, blue-eyed gaze.
"I…lo...adore you…you know that, don't you?" Caroline whispered with a falter.
Kate leaned back into the car, kissed Caroline lightly on the lips and replied with a warm, knowing smile, "I adore you too."
oooOooo
Promptly at 9:20 the next morning the train pulled into Harrogate Station. Despite there being plenty of available seats, Kate chose to stand for the brief trip to Leeds. Then, after a quick change of platforms at Leeds it was only a ten minute wait for the train to London.
Once on board, Kate settled into a seat next to a window and fished out from her overnight bag the novel she had begun reading the previous week but had neglected since catching up with Caroline; it was Robert Galbraith's, "The Silkworm."
Two hours and several chapters later Kate jumped trains at Kings Cross Station and arrived at Victoria Station where she left the busy rail system and went in search of somewhere convenient and, hopefully, inexpensive to stay the night.
After a walk of perhaps half a mile Kate ended up in Belgrave Rd in the foyer of the Best Western boasting a view of Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. At the reception desk she inquired about an overnight stay and was subsequently booked in.
Kate left her overnight bag in her room and then, ensuring she had her phone, wallet and room key in her handbag, she headed off in search of some lunch.
By 2:30 pm Kate had retraced her way back to Victoria Station where she caught the train to Brixton. The map on her phone showed that Rosie's Café was within walking distance of the station and if she walked briskly she would make it there before Angela as was her plan.
Halfway down Coldharbour Lane Kate came to Market Row. She stopped to check her watch. It was a quarter past three. She had fifteen minutes before Angela was to turn up….if she turned up. There was always the chance that she would renege on their meeting.
Inside the quirky café Kate resisted the enticing treats on offer and simply ordered a coffee. Ellie had arranged to meet Angela inside the café but Kate settled herself at one of the outside tables so she could keep a watch out for the girl. As she waited, Kate took another look at the photo of Angela she had saved on her phone. Ellie was right, Kate thought, the girl was very pretty with her long, glossy-brown hair, her fair skin with its dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks and her intelligent, hazel eyes. According to her parents Angela was of average height and rather slim.
Half past three came and went but there was no sign of Angela. By a quarter to four Kate had a disgruntled feeling in the pit of her stomach that maybe she'd come all this way only to be stood up, however, she continued to wait.
By four o'clock Kate was becoming restless and was considering leaving when a young girl entered the café. She seemed to be looking around for someone. Although not immediately recognizable as the girl in the photo, Kate noticed that she was about the right height for Angela but rather than being slim she was waif-like and bony. Her hair was the same colour but lank and lifeless. Then, as she looked around, Kate saw her eyes… the intelligent, hazel eyes…and recognized them immediately despite the shadowy circles that now appeared beneath them.
Afraid that the girl might leave if she didn't spot her friend, Kate approached her.
"Are you Angela? Are you looking for Ellie?" Kate asked keeping her manner friendly.
At the sound of her friend's name the girl took notice.
"Maybe," she replied warily.
Kate took that to be a 'yes.'
"I'm sorry…Ellie couldn't make it so she sent me to meet you and let you know," Kate explained trying to seem as non-threatening as possible as she could see that the girl was on edge.
"What's wrong with her? Who are you?"
"Can I get you something?" Kate offered. "Can we sit down and I'll explain?"
The girl looked eagerly at the display of food but was too proud to ask.
"Go and sit down," Kate instructed gently as she nodded towards a nearby table, "and I'll get us something."
The promise of a meal seemed to over-ride the girls desire to escape.
As Kate joined her at the table, she took in the girl's unkempt appearance. Her clothes were shabby and ill-fitting and hung loosely on her scrawny frame. The creases in her hands were black with dirt and her nails were bitten down to the quick. Life in London hadn't lived up to her expectations, of that, Kate was sure.
"It is Angela, isn't it?" Kate asked as she sat down.
The girl nodded reticently.
"Where's Ellie?" she snapped.
"Ellie couldn't make it. Her mother fell ill at the last minute so she thought it best to stay with her."
Kate couldn't help but notice that the girl seemed to be constantly on guard, the keen eyes keeping a vigilant watch at all times which Kate found a little unnerving.
"Ellie really misses you, you know…she's worried about you…so are your parents."
At the mention of her parents, Angela's eyes immediately darted back to Kate.
"How do you know my parents? Who are you again?"
"I'm Kate…Kate McKenzie…I'm a …"
Suddenly, before Kate could finish her introduction, Angela had pushed back her chair and was on her feet ready to flee like a frightened rabbit. Something or someone had startled her.
"I have to go," she said in a frantic whisper.
Kate followed the girl with her eyes as she dashed from the café. However, before she was out of sight, a man appeared and grabbed her savagely by her bony arm. Kate quickly sprung to her feet and headed outside to help her but in the time it took for her to reach the footpath, Angela had wormed her way free and was sprinting down a side alley with the stranger hot on her heels.
Recognising that Angela was in real danger, Kate joined the chase. It didn't go far, however, as the girl ducked into a dilapidated terrace house, slamming the door closed after her. Her pursuer halted and attempted to turn the door handle but it was locked. Undeterred, he slammed the flimsy door with the full force of his foot in its heavy boot, splintering it and flinging it open. The man seemed in no hurry now as he casually entered the boarded-up building knowing that his quarry was trapped inside.
Kate had held back and was observing from a short distance down the street. When she saw the man enter the house she crept up closer. Cautiously she poked her head inside the doorway, however, the stench made her immediately recoil. From where she stood she could see that the room was scattered with rubbish of every description – food scraps, empty cans and bottles, boxes and filthy, discarded clothing and stained bedding.
Carefully picking her way across the room and breathing only when absolutely necessary, Kate made her way to the bottom of the stairs. As there was nobody in the downstairs area she assumed Angela had hidden upstairs.
Suddenly a piercing scream made Kate set her caution aside. Taking the steps two at a time, she rushed towards the source of the cry. On reaching the landing at the top of the stairs she put her hand on the knob to the door there to open it. Instantly a searing pain screamed through her skull. Her ears seemed to ring like church bells. The last thing she saw was the floor appear to come up to meet her face then her world turned an interminable black.
In the pocket of Kate's jeans her phone buzzed frantically.
"Damn it, Kate! Why aren't you answering?" Caroline muttered in frustration.