Harry found the gallery in Clifton, and as he drove by he caught a glimpse of Maddy, which sent his heart racing inside his chest. The swish of a strawberry blonde ponytail and a petite figure. It had to be her.
He wasn’t sure if he was trembling due to the fear of facing Maddy or the fact he was hungry. Once he’d parked his truck, which took longer than anticipated, he decided to grab something to eat from a nearby bakery. They had high stools and a counter in the front window, so he sat inside, eating his freshly prepared chicken and salad sandwich with a generous helping of mayonnaise, and a cup of coffee for energy. However impatient he was to face Maddy, and the consequences of his actions, he needed to eat first. When he stopped shaking and his sugar levels had returned to normal, he made his way to the gallery on foot. Having never been to Bristol before, he tried to take in landmarks and notable shops, so he’d be able to retrace his steps back to the truck.
Unfortunately, as he got closer to the gallery and could see the overhanging sign saying ‘Hart Design’, his nerves started up again. The trembling had been nothing to do with a lack of food after all.
***
Maddy heard the bell on the shop door jingle. ‘I’ll be there in a minute.’ She finished washing the soap off her hands, wiped them dry then entered the main gallery to greet her customer. She’d sent Angel, the member of staff helping today, off for a break.
‘Hello, can I help …’
Maddy stood stock still, frozen on the spot. Her body reacted very differently to how she thought it would upon seeing this man. She’d been filled with anger, and wanting to say some choice words. But all she felt now was fear.
Connor.
‘What do you want?’ Maddy said, scowling. She wiped her hands on the back of her skinny jeans, to check the back pocket. Phew, her phone was there.
‘I need to talk to you, Maddy.’ Connor hadn’t looked great when he’d turned up at her gallery in the summer, but today he looked even worse. His face looked a little bloated, and his eyes were bloodshot as though he hadn’t slept. His hair needed a cut, too, his brown fringe being flicked out of his eyes as if he had a twitch. In fact he looked, quite frankly, a mess with his unshaven jawline and baggy clothes. What had she seen in this man? Of course, those were the days when he’d had a good job, and rolled up suited and booted. He’d dressed to impress; Maddy realised now. It hadn’t lasted long, though. Connor had found it difficult to keep up the pretence that he was a successful, hardworking guy.
Connor made to take a step towards her, but she stepped back, holding up her hands. ‘You stay where you are!’
‘I’m not going to hurt you.’ His eyes widened. ‘I love you; I’d never hurt you.’
‘Really? Am I safe? Or were your threats to my mother true?’ She brushed her hand over her phone in her pocket again for reassurance. Just in case she needed it.
‘What threats? I would never hurt you, Maddy.’ Connor dashed towards her, and fear froze her to the spot. ‘I love you.’ Connor placed his hand to her cheek. She jerked away, slapping his hand aside.
‘Don’t touch me! Connor, you pushed my mother down those very steps.’ She pointed out the front door. Through the glass, the concrete steps could be seen. Sadly, no one stood on them wanting to enter. She really needed someone to walk into the empty gallery right now.
Connor sniggered, shaking his head. ‘Did she say that? She has no proof. She just tripped, she’s an old woman.’
‘Oh, you saw it happen, did you? And that’s why you made threats about hurting me?’
Connor’s face hardened. He actually looked menacing, a cold expression on his face. ‘I said that so she wouldn’t call the police on me.’
‘So you did push her?’
‘No!’ Connor shouted. With a shaking hand, she pulled out her phone. ‘What are you doing?’
‘I’m calling the police.’ Her hand was still shaking, and her ears were buzzing. She needed to concentrate. Even with the phone locked she could still dial 999. Calm down.
Connor leapt forward, making a grab for the phone. Maddy turned, and he shoved her roughly into a painting on an easel. It crashed to the floor.
‘Hey!’ Maddy heard a male voice. In all the commotion, she hadn’t heard the front doorbell ring. She turned, heart pounding, ears ringing, phone still in her hand ready to dial, to see the back of a much larger man, a man with short black, wavy hair easily restraining Connor.
***
Five minutes earlier, Harry strolled up the street, gallery in sight, heart quickening, with still no idea as to what his first words to Maddy should be. Would she even listen to him? His stomach flipped as he watched a man climb the steps and enter the gallery. He wasn’t sure, but it looked like the guy had peered through the window first. Maybe he was checking if it was open. But Harry thought the guy’s demeanour looked suspicious, so quickened his step, then slowed as he rationalized his thoughts. He was probably being over anxious about everything, and if the guy was in there to look at the art, it meant Maddy would be busy, and wouldn’t need him entering right now. And he still hadn’t figured out what he was going to say to her.
Listen to what I’ve got to say, and if you still don’t want me around, I’ll go.
Or words to that effect.
For fear of Maddy spotting him before he wanted her to, Harry kept to one side but was able to peer into the gallery window to see if it was busy. It had white, curved sash windows, either side of the front door, allowing him to stand at the edge and watch. Some paintings on easels obscured his view so he couldn’t see the man so well, but he could see Maddy. The sight of her filled Harry with hope. He had missed her so much.
Maddy’s whole body language wasn’t right. She seemed hesitant, even scared of the man. Was he a new boyfriend, had they had a row? Harry’s heart sank, and his fears worsened when he saw the man tenderly reach out and touch Maddy’s cheek. But when she slapped the hand away, her face reddening with anger, Harry battled with himself whether to step in.
Great, he wants to talk calmly with her, and this is happening. Would she appreciate the interference? Only get involved if he tries to hurt her.
‘Shit!’ As soon as the man made his lunge, Harry flew up the steps, through the door, and seized the man, shouting, ‘Hey!’ Harry easily towered over him, but then he towered over most men. Harry was stronger too.
‘Leave the lady alone, okay?’ He gripped the guy by his T-shirt, his fist underneath his chin. He recognised him; his face was familiar, but he couldn’t place where he had seen it before. His back was to Maddy; he could sense she was staring at him, her eyes burning into his back.
This was not how he’d planned to apologise.
‘Harry? Is that you?’
Harry turned, and tried to smile. ‘This isn’t exactly the entrance I intended to make. What did this guy want?’
The man struggled to get free. Maddy’s eyes widened and she screamed. Harry certainly didn’t want this turning into a fight.
Then it dawned on Harry – he’d seen the guy before outside Maddy’s house. It was Connor.
‘I’ll let you go when I know you’re not going to hurt anyone, especially Maddy,’ he said, narrowing his eyes at the man, who seemed to be going redder by the minute. Harry wasn’t sure if it was anger or whether he was pressing on the guy’s windpipe. Fortunately for Connor, Harry’s medication kept him composed, otherwise it would have been like being in the grip of the Incredible Hulk. Harry thought it best not to quote, ‘you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.’ He didn’t want to enrage this weasel any further.
‘Don’t break anything in this gallery. My mum will go spare. Take him outside.’
Maddy opened the door and Harry shoved Connor out onto the pavement. He cursed, trying to turn and square up to Harry, but Harry stood outside the door, on the top step, towering even more over the little prick, arms on his hips, blocking his way.
Just try it, mate.
‘Let me talk to Maddy,’ Connor said, fists clenched and his breathing heavy.
Maddy squeezed past Harry and stood in front of him. ‘You’ve said enough, Connor.’
Harry scrutinised Connor’s face. ‘Maddy,’ Harry looked her in the eye, ‘I’m sure this is the guy who was outside your house the day someone started the fire.’
Maddy glared at Connor. ‘Was it you? Did you do it?’
‘I’m sorry, Maddy, I was desperate. I wanted you to come home to Bristol, to me,’ Connor said. Harry clenched his fists; he didn’t trust this guy. Did he really believe burning her house down would have made her want him back? He hoped Maddy wouldn’t fall for this shit, but now Connor was making a confession, Harry wanted him to keep talking. ‘It was only supposed to scare you when you came home. I didn’t mean it to destroy your kitchen.’
‘Scare me?’ Before Harry could hold her back, Maddy was running down the steps towards Connor, red with anger, her whole body tense, screaming into Connor’s face. ‘Oh, it scared me all right. I thought I was going to lose my home. You bastard!’ She slapped Connor hard. If there hadn’t been passing traffic, the sound would have echoed off the buildings. After the initial moment of shock, Connor removed his hand from his face, where a red mark scorched.
‘You bitch.’ He lunged at Maddy, and Harry launched himself in between them.
‘Leave her alone.’ Harry managed to control his anger – he wanted to pummel the man’s face and let all his own frustrations out – but instead tried to get him to the ground, but the weasel was quicker, fuelled with a new hatred and anger.
‘Who the fuck are you anyway? Mind your own business,’ Connor targeted his anger at Harry now.
‘I’m Maddy’s neighbour,’ Harry said, standing firm, determined to remain in between this man and Maddy. ‘I’m the one who spotted your pyromaniac antics.’
‘Why are you here now?’
Harry’s eyes narrowed and brought his face level with Connor’s. ‘It’s none of your business.’
Harry should have known better, but he couldn’t resist prodding Connor on his breastbone. Connor growled then lunged at Harry, his fist catching him in the mouth.
This brought Harry’s own loathing and rage hurtling to the surface, the medication no longer keeping him calm. He wanted to get angry and take it out on this arsehole. He could hear Maddy, but her words were dream-like and went over his head.
‘Break it up, you two.’ Harry could feel arms around him, restraining him, and as if giving him the mental shake he needed to bring him back to the here and now, this planet. Everything refocused. Two police officers were separating him and Connor. Maddy was trying to tell them Connor was at fault.
‘He’s an ex-boyfriend, but he pushed my mother down those steps … and he tried to burn my house down.’ Tears streamed down her flushed face, frantically using the back of her hands to wipe them away. ‘I hate you,’ she spat at Connor.
‘I’m cool. I was protecting the lady.’ Harry shrugged off the officer, holding his arms up, all the fight leaving him. He touched his lip, and blood was on his fingertips.
The officer who’d seized him held out a tissue. ‘Sounds like you were in the right place at the right time, Sir.’
While the two police officers restrained Connor and read him his rights, on the other side of the street, they’d gained an audience.
‘Who called the police?’ Harry said, quietly, more to himself.
‘I did. In the gallery,’ Maddy answered, keeping her gaze on Connor. ‘That bastard hurt my mother. He is going to pay for it.’
‘He’s the reason her leg is broken?’
‘Yes.’ Maddy finally looked at him, her eyes bloodshot from crying and her face puffy. He wanted to reach out and touch her, hold her, but didn’t know if he had the right. ‘How do you know about my mother?’
‘I went to your parents’ house first, and they told me you were here.’
‘They never should have sent you here, but in some way …’ She looked back at Connor, and they both watched him being pushed inside the back of a police car. ‘I’m glad they did.’
‘Maddy, I’m so sorry …’
‘No, Harry. Not now. I can’t do this now.’
‘But we need to talk.’ He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away. Tears welled in her eyes once more, and he watched her swallow them back.
‘Do we? Thank you for your help today, but I can’t let you hurt me again.’
A police officer approached Maddy and started talking to her about making a statement. Harry watched, cold fear creeping into his heart and spreading through his body. Pain rose in his throat, tightening his windpipe, as if he couldn’t breathe.
He’d lost her.