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‘Jeff, please!’ Laura was horrified. ‘We didn’t –’ She stopped. She would not demean herself by answering his accusations. The fact that she and Steve hadn’t had sex was irrelevant. She’d left her marriage and was a free agent as far as she was concerned. She’d told Jeff it was over, so it wasn’t as though she was sneaking around behind his back.

‘You never intended staying with me, did you?’ Jeff raged.
‘You’re a liar and a cheat, just like every other bloody woman I’ve ever met!’

‘Jeff, that’s not fair!’ Laura replied angrily. ‘I expected to spend my entire life with you, but you wrecked our marriage with your violence! Now, I’m hanging up. Please don’t call me again.’

No sooner had she ended the call than her mobile phone rang again. Looking down at Jeff’s number again, Laura suddenly lost her temper. ‘You bastard, Jeff!’ she screamed, answering his call. ‘I am sick to death of you – don’t make me do something I’ll regret! You’re nothing but a pathetic loser!’

Exhausted from her outburst, she turned off the phone and flung it across the room. Hopefully Jeff would now realise that she meant what she’d said. There was no going back for them as a couple, and the sooner he accepted that, the better.

Laura was shaking as she entered the kitchen.

‘What’s wrong?’ Kerry asked, looking concerned. ‘I thought I heard you shouting –’

‘Jeff just phoned,’ Laura said, her voice trembling. ‘Oh, Kerry, he called me a whore!’

The tears came, and she wept as Kerry held her tightly.

‘He said I was still his wife, and that he’d kill me for dating someone else – but how on earth did he know I’d been out with Steve?’

Kerry bit her lip. ‘He must be watching the apartment.’

Laura’s tears were now replaced by anger. ‘The nerve of him! Anyway, when he rang back, I gave him as good as I got. I told him to take a hike, so maybe he’ll realise that I’m not meek little Laura any more!’

Kerry could see that Jeff’s behaviour was seriously distressing her friend. ‘It was probably just bad luck that he was
watching when Steve collected you last night,’ she said reassuringly.

‘Maybe, but it’s the not knowing that’s so frightening,’ Laura said angrily. ‘He wants me to be on edge all the time, and he’s succeeding.’

C
HAPTER
39

L
aura’s party was going well, and the magician hired to amuse the children had proved very popular. Afterwards, the youngsters had descended on the food like a plague of locusts, and only a few sandwiches remained, now well-trodden into the floor. Alan smiled. He had to hand it to Sylvia – she really did seem to know what kids liked. The children attending the party were a mixture of their friends’ children, the sons and daughters of his factory workers, a few of Laura’s new classmates – and, of course, Kerry.

The downstairs of the house looked as though a bomb had hit it. Gift-wrap lay everywhere, abandoned by Laura as she’d excitedly opened her presents. She was so thrilled to be eight! Toys, jigsaws and birthday cards littered the living room. Her new skateboard held pride of place in the middle of it all. She’d been so excited as she’d unwrapped it earlier that morning at the breakfast table.

Since the weather was still warm for October, the children were now running wild in the gardens, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. As Alan joined Sylvia outside, he slipped an arm around her. ‘You’ve done brilliantly,’ he told her. ‘Laura’s having a ball!’

But Sylvia looked worried, and Alan followed her eye-line to where Kerry was playing at the swing. Some of the other children were trying to push her off.

‘Oh, dear, she’s rather a tomboy, isn’t she?’ Sylvia said anxiously. ‘Kerry’s actually taken the seat off the swing and is now hanging from the top by her arms! Surely she’ll hurt herself? And if the other children start copying her – well, I’m not sure what to do.’

Alan laughed. ‘Don’t worry – she looks as though she knows what she’s doing.’

‘But if she falls, how could I ever face her mother?’

Sylvia’s comment made Alan realise that a calamity like that would mean contact between Sylvia and Ellie, so he strode over to Kerry and peeled her hands from the top of the swing and placed her on the ground.

Had he imagined it, or had she just tried to kick him?

Hands now on her hips, Kerry glared at him with a mixture of anger and contempt. ‘Why did you do that?’

‘Because you might fall, and I don’t want to have to explain to your mother that you broke your arm or leg at our party.’

Kerry looked at him scornfully, and he had to hide his smile. She looked exactly like Ellie did when she was annoyed. The child was becoming a replica of her mother!

Alan smiled at her, trying to diffuse the tension. ‘Laura tells me you’re brilliant at skateboarding. Any chance you could show me how you do it?’

Kerry’s fierce expression was disbelieving at first. ‘You really want to watch me?’

Alan nodded, pleased when her face brightened.

‘Okay – c’mon. I’ve left my skateboard over in your courtyard.’

Without hesitation, Kerry took his hand and they began walking towards the courtyard behind the house. Sylvia smiled quizzically at him as he went by, clearly grateful that he’d managed to distract the child from her daredevil antics.

In the empty courtyard, Kerry collected her skateboard and stepped on it.

‘This is where I’m going to teach Laura,’ she told him.

Alan nodded approvingly. ‘She’s really looking forward to it. Is it true that you travel everywhere on your skateboard?’

Kerry nodded. ‘Yes, it’s a really fast way of getting around. When I’m older, I’ll probably get a bike. But Mum says I’m too young for one yet.’

As Kerry demonstrated her ability around the courtyard, Alan marvelled at her skill. She really was good at it! He could see the determination on her little face as she concentrated on her moves, particularly her back flip, clearly keen to impress him.

‘Bravo! You really are talented!’ Alan said, clapping as she came to a stop in front of him.

Kerry looked at him shyly. ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘Laura could be just as good as me – if she sticks with it, that is. She starts something but doesn’t always finish it.’

‘Well, with such a good teacher as you, she’s bound to succeed,’ Alan told her, and was pleased to see her face flush with pleasure.

As they walked back to the garden where the party was in full swing, Alan had a sudden thought.

‘Kerry, would you like me to teach you how to ride a bicycle?’

The little girl looked quizzically at him. ‘But I haven’t got a bike!’

Alan smiled down at her. ‘Well, I could teach you when you do get one.’

It was an impulsive idea, but the more he thought about it, the more he liked it, and the more he wanted to do it. He welcomed the idea of spending some one-to-one time with his secret daughter.

Kerry nodded, but in her own mind she dismissed his offer as just another of those empty promises adults made and later forgot about.

‘I really mean it,’ Alan said, looking down at her sceptical expression. ‘But don’t tell Laura, because she might be jealous.’ He grinned. ‘Anyway, since she’s three months younger than you, she can learn to ride later.’

Kerry looked pleased that the three-month age difference had been acknowledged, and Alan smiled to himself, knowing how much even a few months mattered to a small child.

He also suspected that Kerry was shrewd enough to appreciate the value of secrecy. But even if she did eventually tell Laura about the lessons, while he’d be disappointed in her, it wasn’t as though the sky would fall. He’d simply tell Sylvia that he’d felt sorry for the girl and had spent a few afternoons helping her.

As they walked back to the party, Alan was filled with resolve. He really did want to teach Kerry to ride a bike. Perhaps he wanted a little time to bond with his secret daughter, and he knew Ellie would be pleased.

‘Bye, Mr Thornton,’ Kerry said, as she ran off to join the other children.

Alan smiled, watching as she and Laura quickly singled each other out, Kerry taking her place in the game beside Laura. They were so different, yet they seemed to get on very well.

As the party ended, the usual chaos ensued as over-excited children rushed to their parents’ cars, clutching their goodie bags.

‘It’s been fun, but I’m very glad it’s over!’ a relieved Sylvia whispered to her husband.

It had been arranged that Alan and Sylvia would each drive the few remaining children home. Alan made sure that Kerry was one of the children who got into his car – he didn’t want Sylvia and Ellie meeting again. Similarly, Alan made sure that Kerry was the last child to be dropped off, so that he could manage to have a brief word with Ellie.

‘Thanks, Mr Thornton,’ Kerry said, as Alan deposited her outside the front door of Treetops.

‘You’re welcome, Kerry,’ he called, waving as the child rang the doorbell.

As the door opened, Ellie stepped outside. ‘It’s very good of you to drop her home – thanks, Mr Thornton.’

Alan nodded. ‘No problem, Ms Beckworth.’

By now, Kerry had disappeared inside, and Ellie risked crossing to the car, leaning in and quickly kissing him.

‘Careful!’ Alan whispered. ‘That child of ours is very bright. Let’s not rock any boats just yet!’

Although he felt a surge of desire, he quelled the instinct to sweep her into his arms and make love to her on the spot.

‘I have an idea,’ he told her. ‘I think it’s time we got Kerry a bike.’

C
HAPTER
40

T
he following day, Laura’s mobile phone continued to ring every hour on the hour until finally she turned it off. Since she was meeting Steve again that evening, she’d wanted to keep her phone on in case he needed to contact her. But Jeff made it impossible. She really did need to change her number.

She felt a surge of excitement as the time when Steve would arrive was drawing near. To hell with Jeff if he was watching – what could he do but make more abusive phone calls? Which she wouldn’t answer.

On the dot of eight, Steve arrived in his magnificent, black, 1929 Rolls-Royce. As she stepped out of the apartment lobby and into the street, Laura was blown away by its sleek lines and impressive finish. ‘Wow! It’s fabulous!’ she told Steve, her eyes shining. ‘I can’t believe I’m about to travel in such style!’

Steve was clearly pleased by her response and, smiling, held open the passenger door for her. Casting a glance around the street, Laura was relieved that there was no sign of Jeff. She settled herself in the passenger seat, and they were off. Laura was equally impressed by the car’s interior. She loved the smell of the old leather seats and the crafted walnut dashboard.

As Steve drove along, Laura found herself gradually relaxing with each mile. She glanced at his profile. He really was
a good-looking man. She wasn’t really looking for a serious relationship yet, but there was no harm in seeing what might happen between them.

The restaurant proved every bit as delightful as Steve had claimed. The French cuisine was wonderful, and the maître d’ was both efficient and flirtatious towards Laura. She was amused by his gallantry and banter, and Steve didn’t seem to mind that he kept kissing Laura’s hand at every opportunity. It crossed her mind that if Jeff had been with her instead of Steve, his reaction would have been very different.

During the evening, Laura’s phone rang and, glancing at the number, she cursed silently. Reaching into her handbag, she turned it off. She wasn’t going to let Jeff ruin her dinner.

After a beautiful meal and a bottle of wine between them, Laura was feeling full and happy. As Steve paid the bill and they prepared to leave the restaurant, she tucked her arm through his. ‘Thanks for a really lovely evening, Steve,’ she said warmly. ‘Next time, it’ll be my treat, okay?’

Steve smiled back. ‘I’ll hold you to that,’ he said, kissing her lightly.

Laura felt content and at peace with the world. It sounded like he intended seeing her again. Things could only get better between them …

As they strolled arm-in-arm through the car park, Laura wondered about her evening with Steve. She did really like him. He was a lovely guy, and she was growing more and more fond of him …

‘
Holy shit!
’

Laura was awakened from her reverie by a roar of anger from Steve. They’d reached the Rolls-Royce, and she could hardly believe her eyes as she stared at the vehicle. The word ‘
Whore
’ had been scrawled across the sleek, black bonnet in some kind of white paint.

Her heart beating wildly, she looked all around her. She knew who had done this. Rage filled her heart.

Now he was destroying her future as well as her past.

Steve was already on the phone, talking rapidly to someone, but Laura had no idea who. Although the evening was warm, she was shivering. Probably from shock, she thought, unable to believe that Jeff would go this far.

When Steve finished his phone call, he walked around his car, caressing it as though it was a wounded person whom he was reassuring. It was obvious that the car meant a lot to him, and Laura felt overwhelmed by guilt as she watched his stunned expression and haunted eyes.

Eventually, he left the car and ventured over to where Laura was standing. In silence, they looked at each other. Laura felt shaky and miserable, and couldn’t believe that anything she could say would help the situation, or make Steve feel any better.