by C. J. Lau
Chapter 30
Perhaps it’s the champagne, or the delicious lack of sleep. But I feel light as a feather. He blows another kiss my way before getting into his car, and I wave until his tail lights are two little red eyes winking out of view. Loving kisses still on my lips.
It’s Sunday night. The day spent relaxing in the parklands near the hotel, before he drove me home to Goulburn. The night before being everything I’ve dreamed for, but never had the courage to ask.
Then I’m inside. Floating over to my couch, taking a few moments to smile and store the happy memories.
I love you, Solo. And now, I know I can trust you, with everything.
I squeeze out the last of the reverie with a deep sigh. Now I need to focus on Newcastle. Tomorrow’s problem makes me rub at my temples, knowing that Solo can’t help me with that one. But other people can.
I pick up the phone. The time’s right for another call to Kathy.
The ringing gives an unexpected window to think about last night. Process the problem it might present on Sunday morning.
The phone rang and rang.
Who do I tell? Cat, yes, but Carol? Anyone else?
After a minute without an answer I hang up. Cat will be a wealth of knowledge on Newcastle, even if her perspective differs.
But first I decide to make another call.
“Hey, Maggie, what’s up?” Sam answers unexpectedly.
I wonder what she’s doing up so late before a big game. “Hey, Sam, not a lot. Is Carol there?”
My face grim in the newest silence. May as well let Carol in, trust she won’t judge me.
“Hey, Maggie. How was your weekend?”
I answer with detail, know I’ve said enough when she stops asking questions.
“Are you coming up tomorrow?” I ask.
“Err,” I picture her mouth agape at the other end. “Definitely. But…”
“Come on, Carol. Just say it,” I coax. Trust her.
“Nothing to say, Maggie. Maybe don’t go around telling everybody.” More silence. “And call Cat. She was worried sick about you last night.”
A smile at the picture of Cat staring at her phone, protective instincts honed. “I’m calling her next. See you tomorrow.”
“Yep. One win to the final.”
A small nod she can’t see, “Bye Carol.” No doubt she’ll have more to say later.
Cat’s reaction is more the excitement I expect. “I’m excellent. How was your date?”
The hair stands up on the back of my arms, even though I knew this is the first question she would ask. Decide to tease Cat a little.
I giggle, picture Cat by her phone, primed to defend.
“It was wonderful. I thought you’d never ask.” I grin though she can’t see. “Today we spent the day chilling out in the Parklands. But last night was the most beautiful thing—”
Cat couldn’t have cut me off any faster. “—you two, finally?”
My smile is so wide now, I’m sure she can sense it over the line.
“You can’t see the goose bumps. I’ll give you all the gory details tomorrow, okay? Right now I just want to rest up for the game.”
Cat’s squealing with excitement. “Oh no, you don’t. I’ll be there in five minutes,” she practically screams.
I chuckle. Short of barricading my door there’s no way I’ll be able to stop her coming over.
“Okay. What time are the girls meeting?” I ask, attention turning towards tomorrow’s battle.
“8:30 at the school.”
“Why so early? We aren’t playing ‘til 2pm?”
“Francis didn’t know that. It’s too hard to change things now. We’ll just settle into the hotel again and make sure everyone’s okay. But none of that matters right now because you have some explaining to do, Missy!”
Fatigue sets quickly in. It’s going to be an early start.
“Hey, Cat. Do you mind if I tell you about it tomorrow?”
“What’s wrong?” I hear her tone drop, imagine the pout that normally goes with it.
“Nothing. I’m just really tired, and now with the early start, I just want to go to bed.”
A worrying moment of silence follows.
“Having any second thoughts?” Cat asks, so softly I press the phone to my ear. “I know… err…”
My free hand rubs tired eyes. “I don’t regret anything. But please, Cat, let me explain it later, okay?”
Cat’s voice is still soft over the line. “I just don’t want you crying yourself to sleep.”
“I won’t. I don’t regret it. I will marry him someday.”
“Hope so. Then I won’t need to break his face if he breaks your heart again. Not necessarily in that order.”
I burst out into laughter. Still in a teasing mood. “Even as best friend, you’re not getting any more answers out of me.” I go to pre-empt her questions. “I know how to look after myself, cheeky. Don’t forget I’m a PE teacher, so I give those awkward sex education classes.”
We both laugh until I start yawning.
“Rest up, Maggie. I’ll come by tomorrow and pick you up,” Cat’s still laughing as she says goodnight.
“Okay. See you soon, Cat.”
I hang up. Don’t bother to shower again before I change for bed. Aching in strange places I didn’t realise were possible. Certainly a new experience.
They can call me a hypocrite, can say what they want, but I’ve never felt this good in my entire life.
I drift off to sleep with the smile on my face.
What the heck’s that noise?
Eyes opening to darkness, my body immediately seizing up. Senses screaming. Someone else is here.
The noise again, shuffling and creaking. Moving closer.
My right hand flies to the Maglite beside the bed. Fingers around the cold metal shaft when the dark shadow charges forward.
In the dim light I see a ski mask hiding all but rage filled eyes. Then hands, around my neck.
“I promised I’d kill you!”
Fist gripping the cold metal. No! Stop!
I swing wildly with all my might. The shaft connecting with something.
Then stars. Brain screaming for air.
The hands loosen and I kick out hard. Sit up to a thud of body hitting ground.
Gasping a huge mouthful of air.
Then I’m running for the phone.
I trail the two officers in as they enter my room, guns drawn. My own breathing back to normal, using the safety of the officers’ presence to convince myself not to scream.
The dark figure lay where he fell, unconscious. One of the officers handcuffs him, asks his colleague to call for an ambulance.
I look down at the person who tried to kill me. Familiar. So familiar the shock rises from my wobbly legs.
Surely not.
My hands shake. But I reach to remove the mask. Legs scrambling back at the sight, pinning my back against the wall and trying to shrink further. A sick feeling fills my stomach, but I take another look. Need to be sure.
His face, despite the large bruise forming—
Francis Cole.
I hold the sick down. Force myself to think. Heart beating frantically in my chest. My colleague just tried to kill me.
Why?
“Miss. Do you know this man?” someone asks.
My heart hammers in my chest. Breaths short. The lack of oxygen going quickly to my head. My arms around my stomach.
“Miss?”
Now the shakes take hold. Heart going so fast it will burst.
Francis tried to kill me.
From far off, another someone says, “Get a Medic. She’s going into shock.”
The vomit rises fast, and making it outside isn’t possible.
I swallow down hard. Then pass out.
