Chapter 27

In the tree line shadows, still as a lioness stalking her prey, Petra hid, but she was close enough to the house to see into the lamp-lit living room. The vertical blinds partially obscured her view, just barely spying Helen seated by the fire, and the backs of two heads peeking above the sofa. A tiny shiver of anticipation ran down her spine.

The falling snow clung to her woollen coat, and settled in her hair. The hairs rose on the back of her neck, and the white heat of anger burned inside her chest, as the chocolate box vision of the perfect Christmas played out. If her life hadn’t made a U-turn, she would be enjoying the holiday with Anna, instead of being hundreds of miles away.

Stepping forward, her black hiking boots in line with the shadows, she unbuttoned her coat. Inside the ripped lining, she felt the cold metal against her hand, then pulled out the heavy air rifle—complete with scope and silencer. The wooden stock felt good in her hands, smooth and cool against her skin as she raised the weapon to her shoulder. Through the scope, she saw her target. At first, she paused, steading her hand, then gripped the lever. The sound of hard puffs of air came from the barrel. She watched as the bullets came into contact with the window.

•••

The window behind Michael and Paul exploded into thousands of tiny shards, showering them both. Before anyone could react, a second window crashed. Screams filled the air as everyone ducked, automatically covering their heads with their arms.

David sprang forward, grabbed his wife and pushed her to the floor. “Down, everybody, get down!”

Andrea sobbed beneath her husband, shouting for the children in the other room to stay put.

Just as Paul crawled into the hallway to go to the children, the pane of glass from the front door blew out above his head, sending diamond shaped shards over him. He let out a moan, as glass cut into the backs of his hands like a million tiny razors.

Everyone yelled as David propelled himself across the room to turn off the lamp, and Christmas tree lights, while Michael called the police, while Helen used her body to shield both Kathy and Andrea.

The blood rushed in Helen’s ears as they huddled in the darkness, her eyes trained on the empty window frame, looking for any sign of movement beyond. Time seemed to come to a standstill as a figure appeared in the darkness, and a rifle raised in the air. Instinctively, she threw herself on top of the two women she was trying to protect. Then, two muffled shots rang out. White hot pain seared through her back leaving her unable to catch her breath. She couldn’t move as she tried to stay alert, but the voices around her seemed to be fading into the distance. Her vision blurred and everything faded to black.

•••

Petra ran through the snow-covered garden and out towards the road, then suddenly stopped when her mind registered, the rifle was no longer in her hands. Bloody hell, I must’ve dropped it after firing the last shot. She looked over her shoulder and scanned the ground, it was dark but on the snow filled walkway, a long dark figure stood out. There was no going back for it. She saw her attended target go down.

Euphoria flooded her veins as she leapt into the car and gunned the engine, peeling away from the curb as quickly as she could. It wouldn’t be much longer and the roads would be blocked off by the police. She was sure it would be too late, Kathy would be dead and there was nothing anyone could do. A manic laugh escaped her as she peeled down the deserted streets—it was over; she’d won.

•••

Blue flashing lights lit up the night outside, sirens whelping until they spun to a halt on the tarmac. “Stay with me baby, oh, god, stay with me!” Kathy begged through her sobs.

She pressed down on the wound to try to make it stop bleeding. What if she dies? I can’t lose her!

•••

Curled up in the corner of a lumpy, grey sofa in the waiting room, Kathy fixed her gaze on the magnolia wall ahead of her. Michael slumped in a chair opposite, whilst David paced the floor, shards of glass still glinting in his dark hair.

They’d sat for over an hour, waiting for news, wondering what was going on and why it was taking so long. Paul had driven Andrea and the kids home, and agreed to stay with them.

Kathy smiled as she recalled the first time she and Helen met. If someone had told her then that she’d fall in love with a gorgeous, intelligent, sweet, lovable, and amazing lover, she’d have called them crazy. Her eyes had drawn her in—bright, enigmatic.

She’d realised she loved her the minute she saw Althaia flirting with her in a way she’d obviously done many times before. Helen had become her shining light during her dark days. Yes, she could be a little short-tempered, yes, she had her faults and had kept secrets, but none of that mattered anymore. The fact that her lover’s life was in danger both terrified her and made her realise that she needed to cherish what they had. She didn’t want a life without Helen, and didn’t know how she’d cope without her.

The door opened and a young Asian doctor entered the room, dressed in blue scrubs that were at least a size too big on his small frame, and his identity badge hung from the waistband of his trousers. He had a commanding presence as he stood in front of the door with a clipboard in his hands. “Hi, I’m Doctor Tariq Khan. Which one of you is next of kin for Helen Kennedy?”

Stepping forward, his shirt hanging loose from his trousers, David replied, “I’m her brother, but Kathy here,” he turned and indicated with his hand, “is her partner. Helen would want her to be the first contact, I’d think.”

With a nod, Doctor Khan waved his hand in a gesture for each of them to sit. He ran a hand over his shaved head and glanced at his notes before speaking. “Doctor Kennedy was hit twice in the kidney with two pellets from a high-powered air rifle. Due to the angle of the gun shot, the rounds didn’t hit bone, which would have deflected them and stopped them from causing further damage. During the CT scan, we’ve noticed a clot around her right kidney, unfortunately, the only way we can treat this is through surgery.” Pausing, he made eye contact with each of them, making sure that they understood what he was saying. “I’m quite confident that her kidney will heal well, once we remove the object, but surgery of any kind has an element of risk.”

David pulled Kathy close and kissed her temple, as though he was somehow able to read her mind. “This isn’t your fault!” he whispered huskily into her ear.

With a sympathetic smile, Doctor Khan carried on, “The success rate of such an operation is very high, and Helen is likely to make a full recovery. We’ll come and get you when she’s being taken to the theatre and you can follow her up or head for home, whichever you prefer to do.”

David and Michael stood and shook the doctor’s hand, thanking him for his time and care. Kathy remained on the sofa, trying to process the information she’d just been given. In that moment, fear and rage swarmed her mind, all she wanted to do, was find Petra Smythe and kill her with her bare hands.

•••

Sitting on a bench in the middle of an enormous park, surrounded by layers of untouched, pure white snow, an iced over lake stretched out in the distance to Helen’s left, and a single gull flew high above bare trees. Her breath steamed out in front of her, but she wasn’t cold. She had a sensation of fingers wrapped around hers. “Is it time to go?” she asked, not needing to look to see who was beside her.

Meg leaned in close, the thin fabric of her linen shirt revealed the smoothness of her skin. “No, my love, your life is just beginning. This is just a stop off, if you like. A chance to take stock of your life.”

Helen watched the seagull as it traced through the sky above the trees. “So why are you here?”

“To make sure you don’t make the same mistakes again. To make sure you give it all you’ve got this time.”

Her eyes burning with tears, Helen’s words caught in her throat, “I always loved you.”

Meg stroked her fingers through Helen’s short, spiky waves, and replied gently. “I know you did, and I always loved you. You always were the love of my life, despite your faults, despite the times you broke my heart.” Her voice trailed off and her gaze lowered to the ground. “I knew, but I loved you too much to let you walk away, so I kept quiet. Now you have Kathy and this is your one true chance. You’re the love of her life, so don’t let her down. Give her what she deserves and put the past behind you. I always loved you, and I forgive you.”

Helen turned and looked into the beautiful eyes as if it was for the first time.

“Just take care of yourself, things aren’t over yet. You need to take care of both of you.” She lifted Helen’s hand to her lips and kissed her palm before her gaze returned to the skies. “You need to go back now. Follow the gull; he’s waiting to take you home.”

Helen tried to reply but the words wouldn’t come as Meg’s image faded. She tried to reach out, tried to fight to get back to her but it was futile. The world flashed back into colour as her eyes flew open and a searing pain burned through her stomach, into her back. Kathy’s concerned face above her.