July, 2012
Cassie's final day at work was marred by another attack on her car. Someone had tagged it with the word 'whore' and she was still at a loss as to who could have done it.
Reluctantly, Lauren had gone home instead of staying with them. Cassie didn't want to make a fuss. The following day was their last day in Hamilton, and she hoped whoever was doing it would stop once they moved. Lauren wasn't so sure.
She'd had difficulty falling asleep, worried about Cassie and Sophie alone in the house. In the morning, she called to check on them and they were fine, but the concern didn't end there. One more night and they would be gone.
There was a phone call during the day from Cassie to say her garden had been trashed. Mark's plants that he'd tended and cared for had been trampled on. As hard as Lauren knew it was going to be for her to leave that house, Cassie now couldn't wait to get out.
She was curled up on the couch, napping in front of the television when the call came.
"Lauren, we need to come over. I just wanted to call before so you know what's going on." Cassie sounded stressed.
"What's happened?"
On the other end of the phone, Cassie burst into tears.
"Cassie? What's going on? Are you okay?"
"She set fire to the house. Half of it looks like it's gone; it’s just such a mess." She choked out the last words. Lauren could hear Patrick in the background, consoling her.
"Who? What?"
Patrick came on the line. Presumably Cassie was too upset to talk. "We found out who has been doing all that stuff to Cassie. She burned the house. We all need somewhere to stay the night."
"Of course. Do you want me to come over to pick you all up?"
"No, the police said they'd give Cassie and Sophie a ride over to you. I'll stay behind for a while to make sure everything is as secure as we can make it."
Lauren hung up the phone, sure she could hear blood rushing in her ears. She couldn't comprehend the thought of losing Cassie and Sophie as well as Mark. Now, all she wanted was them under her roof and safe.
Cassie and Sophie soon arrived. Shivering under the blankets their neighbour had given them, they were still in their night clothes. There was a chill in the air, and Lauren ushered them inside and beside the heater to warm up while she sorted out the room for them to sleep in.
They clung to each other, and Lauren watched as Cassie held her daughter, kissing her on the head and telling her it would be alright. It made her ache at the thought of losing them.
"I'll turn down Mark's old bed, and the spare bed," she said.
Cassie shook her head. "Just Mark's bed. I want Sophie with me tonight, and Patrick when he gets here. It's big enough for the three of us."
Lauren nodded. "I understand."
"It might just make me feel safe."
The two women locked eyes with a look of understanding.
Cassie feels Mark will protect her.
Sophie was dead on her feet, and Cassie led her up to the shower before bed to get rid of the smell of smoke. Clean and dressed in one of Lauren's night shirts, she collapsed into bed, and Lauren watched from the door as Cassie tucked her in, kissing her goodnight.
"If you need anything, kiddo, you only have to ask," said Lauren, smiling at Sophie.
Sophie nodded, but her eyes were already closing. At least she'd sleep.
Cassie joined Lauren downstairs after her shower. She collected the hot chocolate Lauren had made for her before sitting on the couch with her.
"Who was it?" Lauren asked.
"A former patient of Patrick's. She got clingy, started following him around. He thought he resolved it by having another doctor take over her care, but she saw me in his clinic one day, and decided to scare me off."
Lauren stared at her. "I hope they have her in custody."
Cassie nodded. "The police have her. She crossed the line with all of this, I would say she's in a lot of trouble now. Lauren, there's something else. I saw Mark tonight."
She had a serious expression on her face, and it didn't seem like the right time to be making a joke.
"What do you mean?"
"He woke me up. Told me I needed to get out of the house. He said he missed me and I needed to get out of the house." The tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke, the words tumbling out in a mess. "I mean, I know I was dreaming or something. The fire alarm was going and Patrick shook me awake, but I saw him. He was trying to protect me."
"Cassie, I don't know what to say. He loved you so much, honey. If he could have been there to save your life, you know he would have been."
Cassie clung to the mug, staring down at the contents.
"I know I'm being silly, but it really seemed like he was there. I'm glad I can stay here with you; it makes me feel closer to him. I love Patrick so much, but I still love Mark."
Lauren pried the mug from Cassie's hands, moving it to the table. She squeezed Cassie's hands to show her support. "It's okay, Cassie. You're bound to be a mess of emotion tonight. You've all been through a lot. I kind of like the idea of Mark being your guardian angel. Let's hope he turns up when I need him."
Cassie smiled. "He just left such a big hole in my heart. Patrick was so persistent, everything that went wrong with us was so long ago, and I gave him another chance. If Mark is looking over me, I feel good about that decision. He gave us our blessing, Lauren."
She nodded. "He told me. It ripped him in two thinking of leaving you behind, but he knew you were in good hands. I guess tonight proves it."
Cassie's anxiety broke free. She sobbed as Lauren held her, rocking her as a child gets comfort, patting her on the back to reassure her. She felt Cassie relax in her arms, letting go of the tension that had wound her up.
"This whole thing was because of Patrick."
"Cassie, it's not his fault."
"I know that. It just hurts after everything. Right now, all I want is for him to walk in the door and hold me."
"Go get some sleep. He'll be here soon, and when he arrives I'll point him in the right direction."
Cassie nodded. "You're right. I just want to cuddle up with Sophie. If anything had happened to her tonight, I don't know what I would have done."
"You and me both. I love you and Sophie so much. It'll be bad enough when you move to Auckland."
"You're always welcome to join us." One more quick hug and she was up the stairs and on her way to Sophie. Lauren watched her go.
This wasn't fair. Cassie didn't have a nasty bone in her body. She had never been anything but loving with Mark, never mucked him around, never hurt him. It was an awful way to leave things, the home she’d made with Mark, burned.
She couldn't sleep now, not until she knew Patrick was safe and under her roof. They all needed to be okay. Cassie said she saw Mark, that he was watching over her.
Do you do the same for me?
Finally, there was a knock on the door, and Patrick walked in. He looked exhausted.
"Where's Cassie?" he asked.
"Asleep upstairs with Sophie, third door on the right." She turned towards the kitchen, taking the empty cups with her.
"Are you okay, Lauren?" he asked, following her.
"I almost lost my family tonight. With Mark gone, Cassie and Sophie are all I have," she said quietly.
"Oh sweetheart." He moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her. All she could smell was the faint smoke odour. He was here, and safe.
"I'm so lonely as it is," she whispered, "I don't know what I would do if I lost them."
"They're safe; we're all safe. You should try to get some sleep too."
She nodded. "Thanks, Patrick. Cassie's lucky to have you."
"I'm the lucky one."
He let go, taking her hand and leading her up the stairs. Lauren pointed at the bedroom door.
"It's Mark's old room. I thought that might give them some comfort."
"Thanks."
She paused as she entered her room, turning back towards him. "I wish I could find what you and Cassie have."
"There's plenty of time. You're a good woman. Someday, someone will realise that."
Lauren smiled. "Good night."
She took a deep breath as she closed the door. He was such a good man. Cassie was lucky. She didn't know if her luck would ever stretch that far.