21
“No way,” Bob shouted. “It’s not that easy.”
Isabella saw him leaping at her, but she was already on her feet and on her way to freedom. Quick as a flash, she slipped into the bathroom, slammed the door shut and turned the key. The last thing she saw was the wild look in Bob’s eyes, right outside the door.
With shaking hands, she found Celine’s number and called. She held her breath in suspense while Bob punched furiously on the door, ordering her to open it.
After two long rings, she heard her sister’s sleepy voice.
“What’s wrong?”
“Bob, he’s here!” She stumbled over her words but told her hastily what had happened.
“I’ll be right there!” Celine hung up.
“Isabella, open up! You can’t trick me.” Bob’s voice was boiling with rage. This was not how he’d imagined their reunion.
“What are you doing here? And how did you get in?” Her voice was trembling as much as her body.
“Don’t underestimate me. Open the door; you won’t get away with this.” He banged so hard that she could see the door moving. What if he managed to break it? How solid was a wooden door?
“What do you want?”
“What do you think?” His laughter was malicious. “You’re mine, Isabella. I thought you knew. But you clearly have trouble with your memory. Or you’ve misunderstood completely.”
She heard the doorbell ring, not just once, but several times.
“Who’s that?” Bob asked annoyed.
“Don’t know, you’ll have to see.”
Bob guffawed. “I’m not that gullible. Open the door now and quit this childish nonsense.”
Isabella heard tugging at the front door. It wasn’t far from where she was, the apartment was so small. She knew it was Celine, who couldn’t get in due to the security chain, which prevented the door from opening more than a few inches. What would her sister do now?
The punching on the bathroom door subsided, and Bob went to check the noise. She strained her ears to hear them, but Celine was talking loudly through the small gap, probably to frighten him.
“Who are you?”
“Isabella’s sister. Let me in.”
“Why?”
“Because you have no business being here.”
Bob chuckled. “Mind your own business. This is between Isabella and me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. It’s been over between you since last year.”
“That’s what you think.”
“You’re on private property, and you’re trespassing. Open the door, or I’ll call the police.” Celine’s voice was firm, and Isabella couldn’t help but admire her. It must be horrible to have a desperate man in front of her, not knowing what to expect.
“Put your clothes on, or I’ll call,” Celine called loudly.
Clothes? Isabella had a splitting headache and pulled her hair into a ponytail. Was he arguing with Celine, naked? Or had he taken the time to put on briefs?
It went quiet, and she wondered what was happening out in the hall. She seized the opportunity to use the toilet. That was why she’d woken in the first place.
Isabella heard Bob rummaging outside the bathroom door again. She hurried to fasten the belt of the robe that had been hanging on a hook on the wall. It felt protective, although the fabric was thin, but it was only a hunch. Bob might smash in the door at any moment. He’d never been rough or violent, so she doubted he’d do it. But what would he do now, with the threat of the police hanging over him?
“Are you ready?” Celine called.
It was quiet for several seconds, and Isabella held her breath in fear. What was happening outside the bathroom door?
Eventually, she heard Bob’s voice close to the door frame. “Thought you were smart, eh?” His voice was cool. “See you soon.”
Isabella felt the big knot in her stomach diminish. The watch on the bureau showed two thirty. She waited three minutes while musing how long it would take Bob to put on his clothes. She could hear no exchange of words between him and Celine, and she wondered how her sister was doing. He wouldn’t hurt her on his way out, would he? She sincerely hoped not. She felt bad enough already for getting Celine involved in this.
She sat on the toilet lid and tried to calm down. What a nightmare her life had turned into. Where could she be safe when she wasn’t even safe in her apartment?
At last, she heard Celine’s voice. “Open the door, Isabella. Bob’s left.”
She didn’t have to ask twice. Isabella stumbled out, right into her sister’s arms. “Thank goodness.” Her eyes filled with tears of relief, and they found their way down her cheeks. She was so grateful, she had no words. They clung to each other for a long time.
“What would I have done without you?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m here for you.”
She looked at Celine, who was in her pj’s. She hadn’t wasted time throwing on clothes. “You’re shaky, too.”
Celine smiled. “I am. That boyfriend of yours is pretty scary.”
“My ex,” Isabella corrected her.
“That’s not how it felt when I was standing in the doorway, trying to reason with him.”
“I know what you mean. It’s a miracle it went as well as it did.” Isabella wiped her tears.
“Come downstairs and spend the night with me. Bob evidently has a key to your place.”
“I will.” She grabbed her pillow and comforter before locking the door.
Isabella told her sister everything that had happened when they were lying in Celine’s double bed.
“You poor thing, this is awful. Where did Bob get a key?” Celine asked.
“The only time he’s been alone in my apartment was when I had the concussion. I was in and out of dreamland for a few hours. He must’ve taken the key from my purse and made a new one. It only takes a few minutes. He stole my phone too.”
“I think you’re right. Try to get some sleep now. You need it. We’ll decide what to do tomorrow.”
“I’ll try, but it won’t be easy.” She gave her sister a goodnight hug.
It proved impossible to sleep after all that had happened. It would be morning in three hours anyway. But Isabella felt her muscles relax, and the strain disappear. It was good just to lie there. And it was liberating not to feel afraid, even if it wouldn’t last long.
Isabella got up as soon as she heard Patricia in the living room. She let Celine sleep in after the arduous night. It was Sunday, and neither of them was working, so they had all the time in the world.
She put her robe back on since she’d forgotten to bring clothes. She couldn’t face going up to her apartment alone. For all she knew, Bob might have come back. He could be lying in her bed, waiting for her. According to Celine, he’d sneered at her when she asked for the key. He wasn’t stupid, just sly.
“Hi, Auntie. Why are you here so early? Mom’s asleep,” the little girl whispered.
Sometimes, one had to tell a tiny white lie, and this was one of those times. Otherwise, she would frighten Patricia out of her wits.
“We made up our minds after you went to bed last night. A sleepover is always nice. We’re sisters, you know, and you’re my cute niece.”
“Great. I love it when you’re here. Can you stay long?”
Isabella swept her up in the air and cuddled her. “We’ll see.” She put her down. “Should we make breakfast? Or wait for your mom to wake up?”
“I’m not hungry in the morning.”
Isabella usually liked eating when she woke up but had lost her appetite, so it was fine with her to wait. Maybe her appetite would come sneaking back as subtly as Bob had a habit of doing. She was annoyed at herself for letting him occupy her thoughts, albeit in a negative way.
She thought with horror what Bob might do next time. Because she knew he wouldn’t give up. But it was impossible to force her feelings for him. She was astounded that he didn’t get it. It was over between them, and there was no way back.
“Do you want to bead?” Patricia sat at the coffee table with a box of beads in front of her.
“If you show me what to do.”
“It’s easy-peasy.” The girl gave her a pegboard with lots of tiny pegs on. “You just put the beads on. Either in a pattern or do as you please.”
“So I can make whatever I want?”
“Sure, but don’t drop the beads on the floor. Mom hates it.”
“It hurts when you step on them,” said Isabella.
“That’s what Mom says. What are you going to make?”
“Don’t know yet. A pattern, I think.”
“Have a look at these. I’ve ironed the beads to make them stick together. We used parchment paper. Look, they don’t fall off.” Patricia flipped the pegboard over, and they were stuck.
“Wow.”
“Mom had to make sure I didn’t get burned.”
“That was smart. It’s easy to get burned.” Isabella showed the girl her hand. “Do you see the scar on my pinky? That’s a burn.”
“Did it hurt?”
“Yes.”
They beaded for an hour. Sitting with Patricia, chit-chatting, was cozy. She could focus only on her, and not waste a single thought on the unpleasant night with Bob, or whatever might be awaiting her today. The thoughts nevertheless came sneaking back and centered around Bob again.
“Morning,” Celine said and yawned loudly. “Looks like I’m still tired.”
“You should’ve seized the opportunity to sleep in.”
“I know, but I wasn’t able to. I’ll take a shower and see if it helps.” Celine headed for the bathroom.
“Meanwhile, I’ll make coffee.” Isabella started preparing breakfast.
A while after, they were sitting at the breakfast table, eating rolls with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. Her appetite was still nothing to write home about, but she was hungry and ordered herself to eat. Patricia disappeared to watch TV, and they remained seated for a long time, talking about the painful experience the night before.
“I felt like a prisoner in my apartment,” Isabella said. “Or rather, in my bed.” She still had a blistering headache but had taken two painkillers. She rubbed her stiff neck. Incredible how much could happen in one short night.
“I was shaky, too,” Celine said, “so I can imagine what you went through.”
“I can’t thank you enough. You were my guardian angel.”
“I was afraid Bob would shut the door in my face and refuse to listen to what I had to say. But apparently, that didn’t occur to him.”
“You were speaking so loudly that I could hear you through the bathroom door,” Isabella said.
Celine buttered a roll. “It was on purpose. I was hoping you could hear me. But it was spontaneous, and everything happened so fast. I didn’t even know what to say to him when I ran up the stairs.”
“It was brilliant to threaten to call the police. That’s what made him give in.”
“I think so, too. I showed him my phone with the number of the police, ready to call. Perhaps I should’ve called,” Celine said.
“I don’t know. I prefer to solve this without involving others, but it might turn out to be necessary if he continues.” Isabella refilled her coffee mug.
“That’s something you have to consider. The police can issue a restraining order. There’s no guarantee he’ll respect it, but at least you’ve done your part.”
“I guess it’s too late to report him now. It’s his word against mine. How could I get the police to believe me?” Isabella was in doubt.
“I’m a witness.”
“True. I have to tell Remy what happened. I promised I would.” Isabella stared at the new phone he’d been so kind to get her.
“I’m sure he has some good advice.”
“I’ll shower first, and then text him. He talked about a boat trip today, but I haven’t accepted. Another boat trip with Dinah is not appealing.”
Celine laughed. “I can see why.” She turned serious again. “You shouldn’t be alone in your apartment. Unless you’re willing to pay a lot of money to get your lock changed on a Sunday, when everything’s closed, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll have to sleep here one more night.”
“You’re more than welcome. Take a shower now, and I’ll walk you up to fetch some clothes afterward.” Celine started clearing the table.
Half an hour later, Isabella was ready and had received a message from Remy saying he’d call in a few minutes. She made another cup of coffee and joined Celine in the living room. Her cell phone rang, and her sister waved her into the bedroom, where she could talk in privacy.
“Tell me everything that happened.” Remy wasn’t fond of chit-chat and went straight to the point. It suited her fine today.
She told him everything without being interrupted.
“Hmm. This is ghastly. Join us on the boat trip, Isabella. We can discuss it there.”
“With Dinah? No thanks.”
“Without Dinah. She wasn’t supposed to come last time, but she has a knack for showing up unexpectedly.”
“So what makes you think it’ll be different today?” she asked.
“I’ve made it very clear that today’s boat trip is for Fiona and me.”
“And she believed you?” Isabella was unconvinced. Remy’s ex seemed as scheming as Bob.
“I promise you I’ll refuse her access if she shows up. She has to realize it’s over. Since we’ve split, it’s unnatural to keep doing things together.”
Isabella agreed. It sounded logical, but it wasn’t easy when they had a child together.
“Fiona was hoping you’d come.”
“That’s nice. I like being with her.”
“Did I manage to persuade you?”
“I think so. I’m very tired, but I need to get out of here. But if Dinah shows up, I’m out of there.”
“I hear you. See you in an hour, then. Would you like a ride, or do you prefer to walk?”
“I’d better ride with you today. I don’t know where Bob is hiding.”
“Smart move. He’s not to be trifled with.”
She could have joined Celine and Patricia at the beach, but couldn’t bear the thought of Bob watching her from behind a beach umbrella. She knew she wouldn’t be able to unwind. Better to be out on the ocean, far away from everyone. She wondered what Dinah had planned for the day. The madam was probably going to sunbathe and relax by the pool. And swim; she swam a lot every day. There was usually a reason for people being as thin as a rake.
Isabella felt helpless needing a chaperone to follow her to her apartment to pack swimwear. But Celine didn’t want to let her out of sight, and deep down she was grateful. She had no wish to enter her apartment on her own, now that she knew Bob had a key. It would be better tomorrow when she had a new lock. She’d watch the new key like a hawk and always carry it with her, tucked safely in her pocket. Or even better, she’d wear it around her neck, like a latchkey kid.
“Do you have everything you need?” Celine asked while Isabella packed.
“I don’t need much. Remy takes care of food and drinks.”
“Lucky girl. I’d like a man like that myself.”
Isabella smiled. “He’s not mine.”
“He can be if you want him to.”
She looked up from her bag. “I’m perfectly happy alone. At the same time, I’m attracted to him.”
“Oh, what a dilemma.” Celine laughed. “I know you’re thinking ahead, in case it gets serious between you two. But you don’t have to live together, or get married. You can be sweethearts and live apart. Many people do.”
“Perhaps. But it’s easy to develop an expectation about something more. Something I don’t want to do, nor am I ready for.”
“Isabella, I think you fear that all men are like Bob. They’re not.”
“That’s truer than true. I’m terrified of going through all that again.” Isabella dropped a beach towel in her bag.
“I get that. After the terror of last night, I can understand what kind of nightmare you’ve been through,” said Celine.
Isabella thought her sister had only seen a fraction of what her time with Bob had been like, but didn’t want to upset her further. Also, she disliked talking about it. Painful memories were never easy to get rid of, but she did try her best.