Closing In
Page 23
‘Donovan.’ She tried to lift her hand to touch him, to make sure he was real but her limb was heavy and unresponsive.
‘Hello, angel,’ he said. A smile stretched across his face. ‘Nice of you to join us.’
The nurse spoke again. ‘I’ll get you something to ease the pain. Won’t be long.’
Ellen’s memory started to filter the events back through. Images of the beach huts, Ben lying unconscious, guns and armed police officers filled her mind. Suddenly, she thought of Izzy. She looked at Donovan. ‘Izzy?’
He smiled. ‘It’s okay. Izzy is fine. She’s at home with Carla.’
‘And Ben?’
‘Ben’s okay too. In fact, he’s here in the hospital, on another ward. They are keeping him in for observation. He’s a bit concussed but that’s all.’ Donovan stroked the side of her face.
‘Tell me everything, Donovan.’
‘Okay, but very briefly. Not good news about Toby. He’s dead. I’m sorry. He broke his neck when he fell back onto the stones.’
Ellen was surprised by the feeling of sadness this brought. Yes, he was a bullying, violent and evil man, but she had never wished him dead. She had only ever wanted him to stop. To leave her alone. She mulled the news over several times but other than the sadness, no stronger feeling raised its head. However, she couldn’t deny the relief that had sneaked its way to the fore. He was dead and there was absolutely no way he could harm her again. She was finally free. Not in the way she had wanted but, nevertheless, she knew she had nothing to fear any more. She looked at Donovan. ‘Anything else?’
‘Amanda. She’s been arrested and faces a whole host of charges – perverting the course of justice, aiding and abetting, withholding information and so the list goes on.’
‘Oh my God, she was involved. That is terrible. How could she?’
‘I know. I can hardly believe it myself,’ said Donovan. ‘Whatever happens to her, she won’t be getting custody of Izzy, that’s for sure.’
Ellen’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Kate?’
‘Don’t cry, angel, it’s okay,’ Donovan wiped the tear from her cheek. ‘Kate’s in ICU but she’s going to make it. She’s got multiple broken bones and some internal injuries. It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but the doctors are pretty sure she’s going to be all right.’
Ellen couldn’t put into words the relief and joy Donovan’s words brought to her. She sobbed. ‘That’s simply the best news ever. Oh, Donovan. I’m so happy.’
He was grinning back at her. ‘I know, it’s the best.
‘So it wasn’t that Lampard bloke, after all,’ said Ellen.
Donovan shook his head. ‘No, but he’s been charged with attacking Stella Harris. She’s even been able to give a positive ID on him, so he’ll be locked away for a long time.’
‘That’s good.’
‘See, everything has worked out okay.’ He leaned over and kissed her. ‘I love you, Ellen.’
Joy doubled itself within her. ‘I love you too.’
The door swished open and the nurse returned. ‘Someone looks happy,’ she said. ‘That’s good to see. Now, do you think you can take these tablets? They will help take the edge off the pain. You’re going to be quite sore for a few days.’
The feeling was coming back into Ellen’s body and she was able to lift her hand and take the container with the tablets from the nurse. Swallowing was a bit more difficult but she managed, washing them down with some water.
The nurse carried out her routine observations on Ellen and completed the chart at the end of the bed. ‘All done. I’ll leave you alone with your husband now. Ring the bell if you need anything.’
‘Husband?’ said Ellen to Donovan once the nurse had left the room. ‘Not only have I managed to get myself shot, but it appears I’ve got myself married too.’
‘Would that be such a bad thing – being Mrs Donovan? Married to me?’
‘That would depend.’
‘On what?’
‘I’d have to know your first name before I could marry you.’
‘There’s only one way you’re going to find that out.’ Donovan looked deadly serious.
‘Really. How’s that then?’
‘When you meet me at the altar.’
‘Assuming I agree to marry you,’ countered Ellen.
‘And will you?’
Ellen grinned as she looked directly at Donovan. ‘What do you think?’
Donovan held her gaze for a moment. ‘It’s in the eyes, Ellen. The eyes don’t lie.’ He leaned over and kissed her.
Don’t miss Sue Fortin’s heart-warming debut, United States of Love,
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First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2014
Copyright © Sue Fortin 2014
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