The sight of the surfer girl was the final straw.
She began to cry.
Jason stopped pushing her. “Hey, Charley, what’s the matter?”
“I—I’m not meant to be trapped in a chair!” she sobbed. “I can’t dress or wash myself or even go to the bathroom on my own. And I can’t walk, can’t surf—can’t do anything! I can’t stand another day of this. I simply don’t have the strength!”
Jason knelt down beside her, placing a hand on her knee. She could feel it now—just.
“Charley,” he said softly. “You have more strength and courage in your little finger than all of us boys together. What was it that philosopher said . . . ? Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“If that’s true,” she retorted through clenched teeth, “I should be stronger than reinforced steel!”
But she certainly didn’t feel that way. Inside she felt as brittle and fragile as Styrofoam.
“You are,” said Jason, his gaze unwavering. “You overcame everyone to be the best in bodyguard training. You overcame every threat in every assignment. And you will overcome this setback. Nothing has stopped you before. Why should this?”
Charley didn’t answer him. Jason couldn’t possibly understand what she was going through. Only those suddenly paralyzed could.
The two of them fell silent, and Jason continued pushing her along the pier, the wheels of her chair rattling over the wooden boards. Charley felt every bump and jerk as she sat immobilized, a prisoner in her chair. She was surprised and touched that Jason had made the effort to visit her. But she was also stung that Blake hadn’t come—he’d sent her a get-well card, but that was it. Jason had been right. She was better off without him . . . better off without anyone.
“I hear once you’re fit, Colonel Black’s asked you to return and head up Alpha team,” he said casually as they reached the end of the pier. “I think that would be good for you. Give you a focus. Have you thought about it?”
Charley gave a barely perceptible shrug.
“For what it’s worth, I’ve asked to be part of Alpha team if you take up the offer.”
“What? So you can be my legs for me?” she said, more harshly than she intended.
“No,” said Jason, brushing off the sting in her words. “Because I think you’d do a great job, with all your experience.”
Charley glanced up at him. “I thought the colonel was going to put you in charge of your own squad.”
“He was, but I want to be on the best team. Led by you.”
“Listen, Jason, that’s very flattering of you. And I appreciate you flying over to see me. But . . . can I have some time alone?”
“Sure,” said Jason, flicking on the chair’s brake. “I’ll get us a drink.”
As he headed back down the pier, Charley gazed out at the shimmering blue ocean. She studied the thin line of horizon that separated sea and sky and waited for the telltale ripple that would swell into the perfect wave to ride.
It wasn’t long before a glistening ridge of sea rose up in the distance. Subtle at first but approaching with ever more promise. As the wave rolled toward the shoreline, Charley desperately wanted to jump in the water and surf her way in. But that was impossible.
IMPOSSIBLE . . . I’M POSSIBLE.
The opening to Ash’s show flashed before her eyes, and a small voice in her head spoke up. Who’s to say you’ll never surf again? It’s only yourself putting up barriers.
Charley pushed away the false seeds of hope. As the wave drew nearer, she took out the badge from her bag and clasped it in her palm: the gold winged shield of a guardian angel.
Who needs wings . . . to be an angel?
She’d come full circle. This was where her journey had begun—and where it would end.
She’d lost her best friend and her parents, and now the use of her legs. What more could life take from her?
Charley drew back her arm to toss the badge into the sea, but stopped in midthrow. She stared once more at the gleaming gold badge, then pinned it to her shirt. Fiercely, she flicked off the wheelchair brake and used the strength of her own arms to turn and roll herself back down the pier. One thought in her head . . .
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My books have always included strong yet feminine heroines: Akiko and Miyuki in the Young Samurai series, Cho in my Ninja series, and of course Charley and Ling in my Bodyguard series. But Target and Traitor are my first opportunities to write entirely from the perspective of a female lead character . . . and what a heroine Charley proved to be! I hope you enjoyed reading her adventure as much as I did writing for her.
So, with Charley in mind, I’d like to thank all the women who have had a major influence in my life. First and foremost, my mum—thanks for all your support, love and sacrifice. I am blessed to have you as my mother. Next and equally as important, my beautiful wife, Sarah, and the mother of my two whirlwind sons, Zach and Leo—I truly appreciate all the patience, love and tenderness you show me and the boys. And of course my dear departed Nan—you gave me a head start, steered me in the right direction and left me with words of wisdom that will last a lifetime. Your light forever shines in my heart.
Karen, as you know, I consider you a sister—thank you for being there for me through thick and thin, joy and sadness, and being a constant friend in my life.
Sam Mole, my awesome sister-in-law! And Sue Mole, a dream of a mother-in-law!
The first book of Charley’s adventure is dedicated to my gorgeous goddaughter, Lucinda Dyson. May you grow up strong, confident and happy. I’ll always be there for you.
I’d also like to thank my friends Emma Gibbins, Hayley Drew, Katharine Ravetz, Alessia Sardella, Abbie Moore, Georgie Farmer, Fiona Findlater, Lisa Martin, Barbara Horsfield and Clare Hatfield—each of you have had a significant and positive influence on my life.
Then there’s my Bodyguard squad at Puffin: Jessica Farrugia Sharples, Hannah Sidorjak, Wendy Shakespeare and Helen Gray.
And, finally, one person I must thank and who is an exception to the female rule: Brian Geffen, my awesome editor in the U.S.—I couldn’t ask for a more enthusiastic, hardworking and dedicated editor. Keep up the good fight!
Stay safe,
Chris
Any fans can keep in touch with me and the progress of the Bodyguard series on my Facebook page or via the website at www.bodyguard-books.com.
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Traitor Page 14
