The car arrives exactly fifteen minutes later and as it pulls to the kerb, a man jumps out and scans the pavement. Seeing me sitting there exhausted and dishevelled, he heads across and says gently, “Mrs Carter.”
Nodding, I look up into the dark brown eyes of a man who looks to be of Arab origin. He smiles kindly and offers me his hand. “Nicola asked me to fetch you. I am Angelo, a friend of hers.”
He leads me to the luxury car and settles me into the back before taking the driver’s seat and we pull away.
Slumping back in the seat, I let the tears fall as I realise what a lucky escape I just had. It was one thing being fired and escorted from the premises, but nearly being raped by an angry man intent on revenge was on another level entirely.
It hurts everywhere and I am struggling to breathe where he pinned me to the wall by the neck and I’m pretty sure there must be some incredible bruises developing which will show for days, if not weeks.
As the scenery flashes past, I think about Julian and the problems he’s now facing. Fraud, but how? If anyone was arrested for fraud, I would have expected it to be Mr Slater. I need to talk to Julian and find out what’s going on. Maybe I can help him; I certainly hope he lets me at least.
By the time we turn into the gates of Julian’s impressive home, I feel on edge and agitated. What if he throws me out? I will have nothing. No job, no home when I can’t make the rent and no prospects without a reference, but most of all, I won’t have him, which is the hardest thing of all. Why did I ignore his calls and messages? I was so wrapped up in my own misery, I let the one person down I should have trusted to help me through it all.
The car pulls up outside the huge wooden door and Nicola hurries out.
“Oh, my dear, look what happened to you, come with me.”
I feel the ever-present tears building as she helps me from the car and says to the driver, “Check she’s left nothing and then you may leave.”
She helps me into the impressive home, and I almost cry with relief. I’m safe.
We head for the sumptuous sitting room where she settles me down on the comfortable settee and says firmly, “Right then. I’ll fix you a drink for the shock and then run you a bath. You can take the guest house until Mr Landon says otherwise.”
“Where is he?” I have to know because I can’t see him soon enough and she says kindly. “He won’t be long. I’ve called him and told him what happened.”
“But his phone, it was cut off.”
“No, his personal one. He’ll explain it all when he gets here. Now sit back and relax, I won’t be long.”
As she hurries from the room, I allow myself to relax for the first time today. He’s coming. Thank God. He is just what I need right now and we will deal with this mess together.
Nicola comes back and offers me a glass of something hot that smells like alcohol.
“What is it?”
“Just a tonic, brandy and a little something for the shock. Trust me, it’s guaranteed to make you feel much better.”
It does smell good, so I take a sip and immediately feel the fiery effects of the liquid as it burns a calming trail to my abused stomach.
I don’t need any further invitation and drink it down quicker than I should and lean back and groan. “That’s better.”
Nicola shakes her head and says angrily, “Look at the state of you. Come with me and we will sort out that bath. Your clothes are still here, so you can change into something more comfortable as soon as you’ve finished.”
It feels good having someone take care of me. Wrapping me up in kindness and taking control.
I follow her to the guest house, feeling much better already and by the time I have the luxurious bath filled with bubbles and shrug on a dressing gown, I feel so tired I almost can’t keep my eyes open.
Then she says firmly, “Go and lie down my dear and sleep it off. I’ll come and fetch you when Mr Landon returns.”
Needing no further invitation, I do as she says and sink into the comfortable king-size bed and drift off to sleep as soon as my head touches the pillow.