Turned

by Clare Revell

  

  Amy stood in the bathroom and rinsed her face. She looked a sight. She didn’t want to believe it was Saunders. She’d been so careful. There was no contact with anyone from Filely. She had fake ID. A new phone and number. She was safe here. The time for living in fear and jumping at every shadow was over. The more she thought about it, the more she came to the conclusion that Jodie was right. It was probably that kid from the school. Perhaps he really did have a crush on her.

  She allowed herself a slight smile. If need be, she’d get Dane to go do a talk on stalking to the kids in Jodie’s year. Warn the boys against doing it, and tell the girls how to protect themselves and what to do if it actually happened.

  Hoping the evidence of her so very public breakdown wasn’t too obvious, Amy went into the kitchen. Despite her fears, she felt as if she were walking two feet off the ground. Dane’s kisses had placed her very firmly on cloud nine, every part of her body singing.

  Nate glanced over at her as she came into the room. “You OK?”

  She nodded, hoping he hadn’t said anything to the others about seeing them.

  “Where’s Dad?” Jodie asked.

  “He’s on the phone. I’m sorry about earlier. Didn’t mean to panic or upset everyone.”

  Pastor Jack turned to her. “It’s fine. We were about ready to come over anyway. Are you really OK?”

  Amy nodded. “Yeah. Dane’s changing the number so we don’t get any more calls like that. He originally wanted to put a trace on the line, but then decided he didn’t want Jodie answering the phone to some obscene caller.”

  “Good point,” Nate said. “But a trace would have been better.”

  “There speaks a cop,” Adeline said. “Sometimes that’s not always the best way.”

  Vicky signed quickly.

  Amy frowned, not sure what she’d said. “I didn’t get all of that.”

  Adeline translated. “She wants to know if the number’s being changed so you won’t get upset anymore.”

  “Oh, right.” Amy nodded. “Yes, that’s why.”

  Nate grinned at Vicky. “So, where’s this cake you’ve been raving on about?”

  Her grin matched his as she signed a response.

  “Yes, the huge fairy castle one.”

  “It’s in the dining room on the table, ready for tea,” Jodie said. “But Amy wants us to play games first.”

  Pastor Jack smiled. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”

  “We had to buy buns and apples,” Jodie said. “And some fancy glass pens.”

  “I got some tea light holders for you to decorate,” Amy explained. “You need special pens to write on the glass with, as ordinary ink just rubs off.”

  “Cool,” the girls chorused.

  Amy nodded. “First up are buns on a string.”

  Vianne looked puzzled. “What’s that?”

  “I have lots of buns tied onto pieces of string. And you have to eat them without using your hands.”

  The girls looked at each other. “That’s not possible unless they are on the table.”

  “Nope. I hold the string.”

  “Show us.” Jodie demanded.

  Amy smirked, picking up a bun. “Then I need a volunteer.”

  Dane walked in, brushing his hands against his jeans. “OK, all done.”

  “Dad volunteers,” Jodie said, with a huge grin.

  He looked at her. “Dad volunteers for what?”

  Amy chuckled. “Kneel down and put your hands behind your back.”

  Vicky signed rapidly at him.

  Amy looked confused as everyone bar Dane laughed. He just rolled his eyes and poked his tongue out at his daughter.

  Adeline looked at her. “She says he’s under arrest.”

  Amy laughed. “Just kneel,” she told him.

  Dane grumbled, but knelt and put his hands behind his back. “No cuffs, Nate.”

  “I left them at home,” Nate laughed. “But I can always go and get yours.”

  “Don’t even think about it. Now what do I have to do?” Dane asked, his gaze never once leaving Amy’s face.

  She grinned and dangled the bun in front of him. “Eat this without using your hands.”

  “Easy,” he said. He moved his face towards it, mouth open.

  Amy laughed and moved the string.

  “Hey, no fair,” he complained as the girls shrieked with laughter.

  “Perfectly fair,” Amy said. “Wait until you demonstrate apple bobbing.”

  He shook his head. “Oh no, Nate can do that one. Just hold that string still.”

  Amy laughed, swinging it. “Nope.”

  Dane poked his tongue at her and tried again, missing, much to the delight of those watching. “This is impossible.”

  “Bet I can do it,” Jodie said. She held one out to Nate. “Please.”

  Lara looked at Pastor Jack. “Do one for me, Daddy.”

  “And me,” the others chorused, Vicky signing it.

  

  Clearing up after everyone had left, Amy picked up the glass pens and slid them back into the case. Decorating the tea light holders and making their own candles had definitely been a hit with the four girls, as well as the adults.

  “That was a success,” Dane said, coming back into the kitchen with the last of the dishes. “Thanks to you.”

  “Not just me. Everyone helped.”

  “Yes you. I’d never have thought of all the games and so on that you came up with. And that cake was amazing.”

  She shrugged. “The games were ones that we played as kids. We weren’t allowed to go trick or treating. Not that it was as popular then as it is today.”

  Dane stacked the dishes in the dishwasher. “It’s coming from the US in a big way unfortunately. The kids think witches and ghosts are fun and don’t see the danger in the whole thing.”

  “Yeah. Anyway, Grandad was a lay preacher, so Halloween was a banned thing. We went to their house and played games and had a candlelit tea instead.”

  “Yes, the candles at tea time were a touch of brilliance. Vicky’s already asked if we can do it again. I told her maybe Sunday teatime, if she’s good.”

  She wiped down the surfaces. “Sure.”

  “Everyone enjoyed themselves. Not just the children.” He opened the cupboard and pulled down two mugs.

  “Despite the fact I almost ruined the evening before it had even begun. Is the phone company going to charge you for the new number?”

  “No, they aren’t. Not for harassment calls. And you didn’t ruin it.” He turned to her, taking the cloth from her hands.

  “I almost did. Freaking out like that over a stupid phone call. Jodie’s probably right about it being that kid from school. I scared the girls…”

  She shivered, hearing his voice hissing in her ear again. Seeing that grim reaper standing outside the house, staring at her, in his oh-so-apt costume, had scared her more than anything had in a while. What if Saunders did find her? What would she do?

  What do I do, Lord, run again? I want so much to be safe and I thought I was safe here.

  Dane’s hand cradled her face. “Amy?”

  She struggled to focus on him.

  “It’s OK.”

  “Never OK…” she whispered. Then his lips were on hers, and she kissed him, losing herself in the feelings his touch produced. His fingers wound through her hair, sending ripples of pleasure running through her. Time seemed to stand still as his hand pressed against the small of her back, almost burning her.

  Dane pulled away. “I, uh, sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize,” she whispered.

  “I should. Nate walked in on us earlier. It could have been one of the girls and I—”

  Amy bit her lip. She’d crossed a line. Again. She took a step backwards and picked up the cloth. “Yeah, you’re right.”

  “Amy, listen to me a minute. I’m not saying we can’t do this at all. I’m saying we just need to be careful. Make sure we know this is wh
at we want before the girls find out.”

  She caught her breath and nodded slowly. “What were you doing with the cups?”

  “I was going to make cocoa.” He turned to them. He took a deep breath and huffed it out. “Anyway, it’s month end, and I ought to pay you. Did you want cash or a check? Or I can just transfer the money directly from my bank account to yours if you give me the details.”

  Amy thought fast. The one thing she hadn’t got was a bank account in this name. She didn’t want to risk her fake ID being found out. “Cash is fine, thank you.”

  “OK. I’ll let you have it tomorrow. Speaking of paying things…did you say the gas man read the meter?”

  “Yeah, ages ago. It was my second week here I think.” She watched Dane frown. “Why?”

  “I haven’t had the bill yet. I might chase it up on Monday. Make sure they sent it out.”

  “OK.”

  He put milk into the cups. “Jodie seems happier.”

  “Yeah. No more grave stones, and she’s singing a lot now, too.” She looked at him. “Although she is going to need a slightly bigger allowance than the one you’re currently giving her.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. Like I said she’s not a little girl anymore, but honestly, you could have warned her. Or at least asked Adeline to explain a few things to her if you were too embarrassed to do so yourself. She thought she was dying the last three months.”

  Dane looked puzzled, and paused as he put the mug into the microwave. “Why? She didn’t seem sick. I’d have noticed if she was.”

  Amy groaned. “How long were you married? You’ve got kids, for goodness’ sake, you know how things work. She got her period and had no idea what was happening. She was scared witless.”

  Color flushed his cheeks. “Oh.”

  “Yes, oh. Anyway, I’ve sorted her out. I explained how things work and took her to a chemist to show her what to get and bought her enough for now. So just give her a slightly bigger allowance to cover her expenses and she’ll be fine. However, you didn’t get this from me. She’s too embarrassed about the whole thing still and didn’t want me to tell you. But if she’s shopping for herself she needs a raise in her allowance.”

  “I’ll do that from the weekend. Thank you. It seems I’m in your debt again.”

  She smiled faintly. “Only until you pay me. Seriously, I’m just glad I could help.”

  Dane nodded, handing her a cup of steaming chocolate and putting his into the microwave to heat. “As it’s Friday, the new number won’t come into effect until Monday evening. So just don’t answer the phone until then. If I need you, I’ll text or ring your mobile. Unless I do what Nate has been suggesting for years and get an answerphone.”

  She shook her head. She was worrying for no reason. “I’m sure the new number will fix it.”

  “Hopefully, it will, yeah. I’m tempted to still get a trace put on the line, anyway.”

  “See if the new number works first, save bothering your work place with this.” She looked at her cup, inhaling the sweet scent. She really didn’t want the police, other than Dane, getting involved in this.

  He leaned against the counter and sipped his drink. “If there is something bothering you, you can talk to me about it.”

  “Like what?” she asked cautiously. Did he know? Or suspect there was something going on?

  “Oh, I don’t know. Anything. No matter how small, or what it is.”

  “OK, thank you.” Amy finished her cocoa. “I might call it a night. It’s been a long day.” She rinsed her cup and put it in the dishwasher. “Good night, Dane.”

  “Good night, Amy.”

  The way he spoke her name was unlike anyone else. She closed the door behind her, trying to stop the shiver running down her spine. Dad had always made her feel special, but this, this was something else altogether.

  And she liked it.

  It was just a shame it could never be.

  She headed up to her room, checking on the girls before shutting the door behind her. She crossed to the window, peeking from behind the closed curtains. There was no one there. She was certain she’d misinterpreted the man from before. Maybe he was merely escorting children trick or treating. Or going to a party. Not spying on her.

  Maybe…

  12

  Monday arrived with no more harassing calls, but then Dane had made a point of answering the phone whenever it rang. Jodie went off to school, with her phone and a grin and a promise not to use it. Amy walked Vicky to school, noticing the child’s steps grew slower and slower the closer they got.

  They reached the gate, and Vicky stopped. She shook her head, signing frantically and crying.

  Amy couldn’t keep up, but could guess that it was something about not wanting to go to school. “I know, sweetie, but those girls aren’t going to be here this week, remember?”

  Pastor Jack and Lara appeared next to them. “Good morning.”

  Amy looked up. “Morning.”

  “Problems?” he asked, seeing Vicky's tears.

  “She doesn’t want to go to school. I can understand it, but she can’t stay off.”

  Lara looked at Vicky, gently touching her arm. “Daddy tolth me they pick on you,” she said slowly.

  Vicky nodded.

  “Me too, becawth I can’t talk pwopewy. Maybe we pway with eath othew, and pwotect eath othew fwom the bad giwlth.”

  Vicky nodded.

  Lara held out a hand, smiling as Vicky took it.

  Amy looked at Pastor Jack. “Thank you.”

  “It was Lara’s idea. Her speech is a lot better than it was. She still has problems with her R’s and a couple of other letters, along with a slight lisp, but since I married Cassie, she’s really worked with her and it’s improved in leaps and bounds. As soon as I said Vicky was being bullied too, Lara decided they should band together and join forces against the bullies.”

  Amy smiled. “It’s a great idea.”

  Vicky tugged on Amy’s hand and waved.

  “Bye, sweetie. See you after school.” She watched the girls head in to the playground.

  “So how are you?” Pastor Jack asked. “I didn’t get a chance to ask you yesterday after the service.”

  “I’m OK.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded, knowing she wasn’t fooling him. “Yeah. I just overreacted on Friday. Thank you again for coming when you did. And for fixing my wrist and the curtain pole.”

  “You’re welcome.” He pulled up his collar against the wind. “Jodie rang me. Apparently Dane told her to. We wouldn’t have been much longer anyway. Lara had been champing at the bit to come over all day. She’d have been ‘round at nine in the morning if we’d let her.” His phone rang. “Excuse me.”

  Amy nodded. She glanced across the road, taking in the cars parked there. No black ones like back in Filely, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t there watching her. He could have changed his car.

  “Can I give you a lift home?”

  “Thank you, but no. It’s not far and it’s a nice day.” She began walking, sliding her hands into her pockets, keeping an eye on the traffic. Pastor Jack was very much like Ray. A man full of the spirit of the Lord which bubbled over into everything he said and did. That made her think of Rosalie and the baby. She’d promised she’d be there and she wasn’t. She was hundreds of miles away. In fear for her life. And probably going to pull Dane and the girls into the mess she’d made as well.

  A black car passed. She increased speed, her heart pounding. Reaching the house, she ran up the path and let herself in, locking the front door before deactivating the burglar alarm. She pulled all the curtains at the front of the house. Was she putting them in danger by being here? Should she leave? What would they do if she did? They needed her.

  But more importantly she needed them. And with her feelings for Dane growing, how would she live without them?

  

  Dane pulled his swivel chair closer to the desk and put o
n his thick rimmed reading glasses. Glancing over at Nate, he then brought up the internet window and clicked on the search engine. He flexed his fingers, cracking his knuckles and then began typing.

  “What are you doing?” Nate asked.

  “Looking something up.”

  “No, really?”

  Dane looked over the top of his glasses at him. “What is it with you today? You have been in a funny mood since you got in.”

  “Since Friday actually, but you’re too stressed to have noticed.”

  Dane pulled a face at him. He turned back to the computer and peered at it through his glasses. After this he needed to ring the gas board.

  “Maybe you should get your eyes tested again.”

  “Maybe you should do some work,” he retorted.

  “I’d rather tell you why I’m in a funny mood.”

  “I’d rather you work and let me get on,” Dane said.

  Nate rolled his eyes and picked up the file from his desk. “Fine. We got the tox screen results back on the Clarkdale murder. It tested positive for crack…”

  Dane tuned him out as he read the screen. Pastor Ray Malone. Several listed but only one in the UK. He clicked on the link. He was pastor of Hillsdale Christian Fellowship, in Filely, North Yorkshire. The church website had a short biography along with a picture of him, his wife and baby. He slowly perused the rest of the site, looking at the photos posted showing some of the congregation.

  “’And the cow ran away with the spoon,’” Nate said, more than a hint of exasperation in his tone.

  Dane glanced over. “Actually the cow jumped over the moon. It was the dish that eloped with the spoon.”

  “I didn’t think you were listening.” Nate scooted his chair across the short space between desks. “What’s so interesting?”

  “Amy mentioned some friends the other night at dinner. It sounded like they were close, but she hasn’t been in touch since she started working here.”

  “Maybe she has her reasons.”

  “Maybe. Anyway I thought I’d look them up. See if maybe once I find them, I can convince Amy to contact them. Or ring or email them on her behalf, find out what went wrong between them. Try to help her like she helped us.”