It Started with a Kiss

by Lisa Heidke

  It was probably nothing, most likely the naturopathic supplies I’d ordered. It was small though. I ripped open the paper. It was a bottle of tablets with a note wrapped around it.

  For you, Friday. Take these and feel like a million dollars… or dead. Dead would be preferable.

  I glanced at the bottle. Jesus! Sleeping pills. And the label?

  Friday Jones. Rohypnol. Directions: Take all; wash down with vodka, 500 mls.

  Oh. My. God. I raced to the bathroom. My insides were heaving. Who was doing this to me and why?

  The girls!

  Shaking, I ran to Liv’s room and pushed open the door, flinging it against her wall.

  She bolted upright out of her bed. ‘Okay, okay. I’m up.’

  ‘Did you see anyone last night or this morning? Anyone knock on the front door?’

  She shook her head.

  ‘Ring? Anyone ring?’

  ‘Mum, I promised you Brodie wouldn’t come over again unless you were home.’

  ‘It’s not about… oh, never mind.’ I walked out of her room, determined to remain calm, not that I was doing a good job of it. My hands were still unsteady. I checked on Evie. She was dressed and brushing her hair, singing along to her iPhone.

  I quickly texted Rosie, saying I needed to see her, then drove the girls to school.

  ‘Why are you driving us?’ asked Evie. ‘You never do, unless…’

  ‘Unless what?’ I asked impatiently, my eyes darting in all directions.

  ‘The last time you drove was when Daddy moved out. Or is this because of Ben? He loves me, you know. I can tell.’

  Liv sighed. ‘Grow up, baby.’

  I didn’t answer, too stuck in my own thoughts. I was driving because I was worried about letting them walk to the bus stop.

  As I reversed onto the street, my eyes were more focused on hapless pedestrians than the road. I was driving distractedly, not concentrating at all.

  I drove past the supermarket, knowing I had a mountain of shopping to do. But the thought of walking into a shop filled me with dread. I’d spend the whole time feeling anxious and suspicious of those around me. The way I was feeling, even if Pat the newsagent asked how my day was going, I’d feel like she had an ulterior motive.

  After dropping off the girls, I rushed home, frightened that in the half hour I’d been gone, my house would have been broken into, the perpetrator now rifling through my underwear drawer, smashing crockery and spray painting the furniture. That’s when I noticed a car following me, especially as I had seen that car before in the neighbourhood. I was certain of it. But maybe I was being paranoid. Just to be sure, I took a detour, hoping it was all in my imagination. As I accelerated, my driving became more erratic, but I was desperate to get away from the white car trailing me.

  It was the stalker, no doubt about it. I wasn’t concentrating and when a cat ran out onto the road, I swerved to miss it, before slamming on the brakes and ending up in a ditch. It was terrifying. Veering off the road, the screeching halt. Thank God no one had been coming in the opposite direction.

  I was trembling so hard I almost didn’t notice the white car pull up behind me. Crying, I really thought my life was about to flash before my eyes. This was not the way I’d envisioned it ending.

  And then I saw who it was stepping out onto the road from the driver’s side.

  I opened my door. ‘What the hell are you doing?’ I yelled.

  ‘God, Friday. Are you okay? I could ask you the same thing. What’s going on?’

  ‘Liam, you were following me. Stalking me.’

  ‘Following you, yes. I was coming over to see you. I left work early, especially. Then when you turned off the road, I followed.’

  ‘What’s with the car?’ I was still shuddering, tears threatening.

  He shrugged. ‘Station’s. Mine’s being serviced. What’s the big deal?’

  I couldn’t speak. It was all too much.

  ‘What do you mean stalking?’

  I looked down at the ground. ‘Nothing.’

  ‘It’s not nothing. Tell me. You’re as white as a ghost.’

  ‘It’s nothing, really. It’s just that someone’s been sending me gifts.’

  ‘The flowers?’

  I stared up at him. ‘There’ve been other things as well.’

  ‘Such as?’

  ‘Cake. Then this morning, I got a bottle of pills, Rohypnol. I think someone’s trying to freak me out.’

  ‘Why would anyone want to do that?’

  I wiped my eyes. I couldn’t tell Liam about Tommy, about Blake or the KissMeCupid dates. I was too embarrassed and ashamed. But when he insisted on following me home, I was too emotionally drained to argue.

  Car safely in the garage, I walked across the front yard. Eyes darting, I scanned the garden and beyond. No one but Liam. The neighbourhood was unusually quiet.

  Shakily, I unlocked the front door, all the time looking around, certain I was being watched, all the while feeling like my heart was about to leap out of my chest. The anxiety was unbearable. But I pushed through, stepping inside the house with Liam close behind.

  In the kitchen, everything was in exactly the same place as I’d left it, right down to the vegemite, butter and toast crumbs on the bench.

  ‘Here they are.’ I handed Liam the pills and the note.

  He scanned the paper, then looked up. ‘We need to call the police.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘No? What are you afraid of?’

  Everything, I wanted to scream. ‘I don’t want to talk about it.’

  ‘You don’t want to talk about a death threat or call the police? Friday, what’s going on? Please tell me this isn’t about Blake.’

  Having held it together for a good ten minutes, my shoulders slumped and I burst into tears again.

  ‘I can’t believe you.’ He slammed the pills on the table and turned to go.

  ‘Because you’re so virtuous.’

  Liam stopped. ‘No, I’m not, Friday. That’s why I was coming over. I’ve done some dumb things. Really dumb and I wanted to talk to you about them. I knew it was your day off, so I took an early mark from work, hoping we could spend some time together to sort things out. I want to give our marriage another try, but—’ He blinked, his voice flat when he spoke again. ‘If I were you, I’d be calling the police and until you sort out this mess, I’ll be taking the girls. I’ll pick them up from school today.’

  ‘Liam, you can’t.’

  ‘I can because you have some sicko thing going on with a wanker who wears a black overcoat. Someone who’s threatening you, but you don’t seem to think it’s a police matter.’

  ‘Wait, Liam. It’s not like that.’

  But he was too furious to listen.

  I was too upset to speak.

  He walked out of the house, got in his car, slammed the door and drove away. I’d never seen him so angry.

  It was a shocking mess. I sat by the lounge-room front window, peering outside for what seemed like hours. I watched as cars drove down the street, neighbours walked their dogs, joggers jogged.

  I glanced towards the letterbox. The idea of walking outside and checking it gave me chills, but I knew I had to before the girls came home. I couldn’t bear the thought of them accidentally stumbling upon something worse than what I’d already been sent.

  I was in the kitchen when a knock at the front door sent my heart racing. Crouching down so that the caller couldn’t see me, I crept to the front window, then poked my head up. Tommy! I immediately exhaled, relieved it was him.

  ‘You haven’t been returning my calls,’ he said, sweeping me into a bear hug after I opened the door.

  ‘I’ve been busy,’ I said in between him trying to kiss me.

  He pulled back. ‘You always say that.’

  ‘What are you doing here, anyway?’

  Tommy frowned. ‘Isn’t it obvious? I miss you.’

  I led him into the kitchen. ‘Have you been sending me gifts?’


  His expression changed. ‘What? No. Is this about the roses? Did you get more? Who’s sending you presents? I demand to know.’

  I stared at him. ‘Pardon?’

  Ignoring me, he said, ‘Are you trying to make me jealous?’

  His tone had an edge. I looked at the time: it had just gone ten o’clock. It was probably best he left. ‘Tommy, I need to go to work,’ I said, thinking of the first plausible excuse. ‘We’ll talk about this later, okay?’ I was moving towards the front door, trying to take him with me.

  He stopped in the hallway. ‘No! We’ll talk about it now. I demand to know what’s going on.’

  Anger had surpassed my fear. ‘You can’t speak to me like that. I think it’s best you leave.’

  He grabbed me by the arm. ‘I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.’

  Thank God for the knocking at the front door. I broke free to answer it.

  ‘Friday, we need to talk,’ said Blake, pushing past me.

  It was true. This nightmare could get worse.

  ‘Join the queue, buddy,’ said Tommy, walking up beside me.

  Blake looked him up and down. ‘Who’s this joker?’

  Tommy glared at him. ‘I could ask the same about you.’

  Blake waved him away. ‘I’m here to talk to Friday.’

  ‘Is this him?’ Tommy was seething. ‘Is this the guy who sent you the roses?’

  Blake glared at him. ‘No, dickhead, I didn’t.’

  ‘One of you must have!’ I screamed.

  They both looked at me in stunned silence.

  I walked back into the kitchen. They both followed. ‘Which one?’ I asked again. ‘Did either of you send me a cake?’ I could feel my voice getting weaker as tears threatened.

  They both looked confused.

  I retrieved the pills and note from the bench where Liam had put them down not half an hour ago. ‘What about these?’

  Tommy glanced at the bottle. ‘You’ve got to be joking.’

  Blake grabbed them. ‘Where did you get these?’

  I threw my hands into the air. ‘That’s what I’m trying to find out.’

  ‘Well, it’s not me,’ said Blake huffily. ‘Seems you’ve got enough going on without me adding to it.’

  Blake marched to the front door, with Tommy following close behind.

  ‘But…’ I started, unable to finish because I had no idea what to say next.

  ‘No need to say anything,’ said Blake as he opened the door and walked out. ‘I’ll leave it with you.’ Tommy and I both watched as he opened his car door and climbed in.

  ‘I thought you might be different to the others,’ said Tommy, visibly upset.

  ‘Tommy, I can explain.’ But could I? I didn’t know what the hell was going on.

  ‘I hope you find the guy who sent you the pills. It looks like you’ve really pissed someone off, but I’m not your dude. I’m just a loser when it comes to love.’

  ‘Don’t say that.’ I went to put my arms around him, but he flinched, pulling away.

  ‘Or maybe I just make bad choices. See you around, Friday.’

  I watched as he, too, left in his car. I retreated inside and closed the door. I’d barely made it to the kitchen when the knocking started again.

  I opened the front door to find Blake waiting impatiently. He pushed past me to get inside again.

  ‘I thought you’d gone.’

  ‘Nope. Just waiting for the teenager to leave. Do you have a thing going with him?’

  ‘No,’ I answered truthfully. ‘Not anymore.’

  ‘Good, because I want you.’ He lunged forward. I pushed him away.

  ‘I don’t think you do. Besides…’

  ‘I know. I’m married. I’m not perfect, but I still want you.’

  ‘Blake, I’ve got bigger problems. The insane person who sent me these, for starters.’ Again, I showed him the bottle of pills I was still clutching.

  He stared silently at them a few moments. ‘Tell you what,’ he said, glancing at his watch. ‘I’ll come back later. You’re obviously distressed.’

  Was he being serious? ‘Of course I’m distressed. Was it you?’

  ‘Did I send you these pills?’

  ‘That’s what I’m asking. Yes.’

  ‘Why would I? I want to fuck you, Irish. Not kill you.’

  ‘Would you leave your wife for me?’

  He sighed, his frustration obvious. ‘We’ve been through this before.’

  ‘You show up at the restaurant where I’m having dinner with my husband, you barge into my house, my life…’

  ‘I told you from the outset, I’m not leaving my wife. Okay?’ His voice was loud, rough. ‘Can you imagine? A divorce would cost me thousands… millions.’

  ‘You never told me that.’

  ‘You’re a smart woman. If nothing else, it was implied.’

  ‘That’s not true. You chased me. You said we were soulmates, that it was destiny.’

  Blake looked away from me, sighed and then looked back. ‘We had a connection, yes, absolutely, but I can’t leave my life for you.’

  ‘I thought you liked me.’

  ‘I do.’ He took a moment. ‘I do, really, but long term? No. I have too much to lose.’

  I felt winded, was struggling for breath. How could I have let him into my life?

  I turned away from him. ‘Just go.’

  ‘Fri, I really do like you.’

  ‘But not enough.’

  ‘Hey, you seemed to be doing fine without me. Tommy—’

  ‘Blake, please leave.’

  ‘Okay,’ he said evenly, directing his attention to the pills again. ‘Fri, take care of yourself. You never know what loons are out there.’

  He tried to kiss me on the lips but I put up my hand. ‘Please!’

  I closed the door on him and slumped down against it.

  What a clusterfuck!

  I’m not sure whether I passed out for a moment, but the next thing I knew my phone was ringing.

  ‘Mrs Campbell?’

  I was taken aback. No one ever called me that. ‘Yes,’ I said tentatively.

  ‘It’s Sister Liane from Evie’s school—’

  I felt my heart leap out of my chest. ‘Is she okay?’

  ‘Actually, Evie fainted in class. She was okay and then she collapsed again so we’ve called an ambulance.’

  ‘I’ll be right there.’

  ‘Best you go directly to the Northern Beaches Hospital.’

  ‘Of course.’ I hung up and dialled Liam’s number. It went straight to voicemail. I left him a message and drove to the hospital, zooming through every orange light and only slowing for fixed speeding cameras.

  32

  I arrived at emergency expecting to see Evie straightaway but was told she was still being examined by doctors. At least I had spoken to Liam and he was on his way. It seemed an age before the doctor came out but was probably no more than fifteen minutes.

  ‘Mrs Campbell?’ he said, extending his hand to shake mine.

  ‘Yes,’ I said, jumping up. ‘How’s Evie? What’s happened? Is she okay?’

  He had a serious look on his face. ‘Evie will be fine. She’s got very low blood pressure and is dizzy. We’ve put her on a drip and taken some blood—’

  ‘What do you think—?’

  ‘I think she’s underweight for her height and build. What’s her diet like? Does she eat?’

  ‘Of course she eats,’ I said, feeling tears welling.

  Just then Liam arrived. ‘I got here as soon as I could,’ he explained. ‘How’s Evie? What happened?’

  The doctor turned to Liam. ‘Your daughter fainted and the school nurse said she then collapsed a second time, which is why she was brought in.’

  Liam looked stunned.

  ‘I was just asking your wife about Evie’s eating habits. She’s underweight.’

  ‘Meaning?’ said Liam.

  ‘Meaning, could Evie have a
n unhealthy relationship with food? Could she have an eating disorder?’

  Shocked, we both looked at the doctor. Evie? No. At least I didn’t think so. But looking back over the past few months…

  ‘When can we see her?’ I asked, panicking but doing my best to hold it together.

  ‘I’ll check. She’s anxious to see you, too.’ He turned and walked behind a screen several metres away.

  ‘It’s my fault,’ I said to Liam. ‘Just last night I noticed she hadn’t eaten her lunch but I didn’t think anything of it, and then the vegetarian thing. I thought she was trying to be healthy. I was always asking her to finish her dinner but I still didn’t get it.’

  Liam stared around the ward. ‘I can’t believe we’re here. Evie doesn’t have an eating disorder.’

  ‘But what if she does, Liam, or she’s developing one? Stephanie said she was looking thin just the other day.’

  ‘Don’t take any notice of what that woman says.’

  ‘I didn’t. Maybe that’s the problem.’

  Liam hugged me. ‘Whatever the problem is, it’s not your fault. I’m Evie’s parent, too. I should’ve been watching her as well.’

  I was grateful to have him here with me. His presence reminded me of all the good times in our marriage. But, then, the last time I was here was when I’d miscarried and our relationship went to hell.

  ‘Mr and Mrs Campbell?’

  We both looked up at the nurse who had called us.

  ‘You can see Evie now.’

  We followed her behind a blue screen where Evie was lying on a bed, dressed in a white hospital gown, looking pale and sad. Her left arm was attached to a drip.

  ‘Evie,’ I said, bursting into tears as I bent down to hug her.

  ‘You gave us quite a scare, darling,’ said Liam, stroking her hair. ‘How about you tell us what’s been going on?’

  Evie turned away from him, tears in her eyes. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…’ She trailed off.

  ‘I know you didn’t mean to, sweetheart,’ I soothed. ‘But what happened? Why did you faint at school?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she replied in a tiny voice.