Mr. Right All Along

by Jennifer Taylor

  ‘Most kids do,’ Eve agreed. She glanced at Brian Lawrence, who was still looming over his wife. ‘Why don’t you sit down, Mr Lawrence? I’m sure Charlie would feel a lot happier if you tried to calm down.’

  ‘I don’t need advice from the likes of you,’ Brian Lawrence snarled. He took a step towards her and Eve had to force herself not to back away. She knew that if she showed even a trace of fear, the situation could spiral out of control. She could see other parents turning to watch what was happening and could only pray that Security would arrive soon.

  ‘Maybe not but you will either have to calm down or leave. I won’t have you upsetting the children.’

  ‘I’ll do exactly what I choose.’ He moved closer, bending so that his face was just inches from hers. ‘It’s people like you who cause all the trouble, busybodies who poke their noses in where they’re not wanted.’

  He jabbed a finger into her chest. ‘It’s you lot who’ve got social services involved. They came round to the house today, asking all sorts of questions. What I do in my own home is my business, nobody else’s, and I told them that before I threw them out. They then had the cheek to tell me they’d be coming back but with the police next time. I won’t stand for it, do you hear me? You’ll regret calling them in. I’ll make sure you do!’

  Before Eve could say anything, he grabbed hold of her arm, pushed her into the glass-fronted nurses’ station and slammed the door. Eve felt a wave of fear wash over her because it was obvious that he was completely out of control. She backed away, putting the width of the desk between them as she ran through her options, which were all too few. If she tried to force her way out, he would probably retaliate with violence. However, if she tried to stay calm there was a chance that he would calm down too. All she had to do was not antagonise him until Security arrived.

  It sounded simple in theory but Eve knew that it wasn’t nearly as straightforward as it appeared. There were no certainties when dealing with a man like Lawrence. As she knew to her cost, it would take very little for the situation to escalate.

  All of a sudden she wished that Ryan was there. Ryan would know what to do; he’d be able to handle the situation. But Ryan wasn’t there. He was out on a date and she was on her own.

  * * *

  Ryan was scrambling some eggs for his supper when the phone rang and he sighed. How typical that the minute he tried to make himself something to eat, he was interrupted. Picking up the receiver, he jammed it between his shoulder and his ear as he continued to stir the eggs. ‘Sullivan.’

  ‘Ryan, it’s Penny. I’m sorry to phone you at home but we have a major problem on our hands.’

  ‘Why, what’s happened?’ He scooped the eggs onto a slice of toast and took the plate over to the table.

  ‘Brian Lawrence has shut himself in the nurses’ station. Security’s here but they’ve had no luck persuading him to come out.’ Penny took a deep breath. ‘That’s not the worst of it, though. He’s got Eve with him and he’s refusing to let her go.’

  ‘What?’ Ryan exclaimed. He sat down abruptly as all the strength went out of his legs. ‘Tell me what happened right from the beginning.’

  He listened with mounting horror as Penny filled him in, barely able to believe what he was hearing. His heart was pounding when she came to the end, the blood rushing through his veins as he thought about Eve being in danger. He couldn’t bear it if anything happened to her. He really couldn’t bear it!

  ‘I’m coming in,’ he told Penny tersely. ‘Has anyone called the police? If not, you need to phone them immediately. I’ll give Rex a call, too. We may need to evacuate the children so he can sort that out.’

  He cut the connection and phoned Rex Manning, briefly explaining what had happened. Rex immediately offered to phone Roger Hopkins, the hospital’s manager, which saved Ryan having to do it.

  Five minutes later he was in his car and heading to the hospital. He gripped the steering-wheel, sending up a silent prayer that Eve would be all right, but he knew how scared she must be after everything she’d been through in the past.

  If only he’d hung around to explain that he’d been lying about his supposed date, none of this might have happened, he thought, and that was the worst thing of all, to know that he could have prevented it if he’d not been such an idiot. He wasn’t interested in other women. He was only interested in Eve. And by heaven he was going to make sure she understood that!

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  ‘THIS WON’T ACHIEVE anything, Mr Lawrence. In fact, you’ll only make the situation even more difficult for yourself.’

  Eve tried to keep the tremor out of her voice but it wasn’t easy. They’d been holed up in the nurses’ station for almost an hour and Brian Lawrence wasn’t showing any signs of giving up. He was pacing the floor, pausing every few seconds to glare at the small crowd gathered outside. Penny and Tamsin had started to clear the ward and the sound of beds being trundled across the floor provided a constant background noise.

  ‘Shut up!’ Lawrence turned and glared at her. ‘This is all your fault. If you hadn’t got social services involved, none of this would have happened!’

  Eve almost laughed out loud. It was so typical of a man like Lawrence to blame everyone else rather than himself. She managed not to react, however, aware that it would take very little to trigger a violent response. She gave a little shrug. ‘You’ll be able to give your side of the story when the social workers interview you.’

  ‘Why should I have to explain myself to them?’ he snarled. ‘How I treat my own child is my business. It’s got nothing to do with them or anyone else.’

  Eve forbore to say anything, knowing that anything she did say would only antagonise him. She stared through the glass, watching what was going on. Most of the beds had been moved now. There were just a couple left and they would be shifted very soon, she guessed. It was a major disruption and she knew there’d be an investigation into what had happened.

  Could she have handled things better if she hadn’t been so wound up about Ryan and this date he had? She sighed, uncomfortable with the thought that she might have allowed her emotions to affect her judgement. She had to accept that Ryan wasn’t interested in her, not as she wanted him to be.

  As though thinking about him had conjured him up, he suddenly appeared. Eve gasped when she saw him stride into the ward. Rex Manning was with him and they both looked very sombre as they approached the nurses’ station.

  ‘Mr Lawrence, I have to inform you that the police have been called,’ Ryan announced. ‘It will be a lot easier for you if you come out of there before they arrive.’

  ‘I’ll come out when I’m good and ready,’ Brian Lawrence snapped. He swung round so fast that Eve had no chance to evade him as he dragged her out of the chair and propelled her closer to the glass. ‘If you try to force your way in here, she’ll be the one who suffers.’

  ‘Threatening Dr Pascoe will only make the situation worse for yourself.’ Ryan’s voice was like steel but Eve heard the underlying fear it held and felt warmed to the core. He cared about her, he really did, and that made her feel so much better. ‘Let her go and I’ll make sure the police know that you were willing to co-operate. It will go in your favour.’

  ‘Oh, yes?’ Lawrence laughed scornfully. ‘Pull the other one, Doc. We both know the police will throw the book at me, which is why I have no intention of letting her go. Dr Pascoe is going to help me get out of here… Oh, and you may as well know that I intend to take my son with me when I leave.’

  He reached for the cord on the Venetian blind and lowered it before letting her go. Eve bit her lip as she went and sat down. She had no idea what Lawrence was planning but clearly he wasn’t going to release her. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She had to sit this out and hope that he saw sense eventually. Her heart lifted. At least Ryan was here and she knew that he would do all he could to get her out safely.

  * * *

  Ryan could barely contain his
fear as he explained to the police officer what had happened. Eve was in danger and all he could think about was getting her out. The officer went to confer with his colleagues and Ryan had to stop himself calling him back and demanding to know what he intended to do. Obviously, the police needed to work out a plan, one that would ensure Eve’s safety. If that was possible.

  His heart contracted as he turned to Rex Manning. ‘There must be something we can do to get Eve out of there.’

  ‘I wish there was but you heard what Lawrence said.’ Rex shook his head. ‘If we try anything, Eve could get hurt. We’re going to have to leave it to the police and hope they can make him see sense.’

  Rex moved away to speak to Roger Hopkins. Ryan turned to Penny. ‘How are the children? Did you manage to find room for them all?’

  ‘Just.’ Penny sighed. ‘We had to scatter them around the hospital, wherever there was space. It isn’t ideal but it’s the best we can do.’

  ‘How are Charlie and his mother? Did you put them in PDHU, as I suggested?’

  ‘Yes. Charlie’s very quiet but he seems OK. His mum’s more upset, in fact. I’ll take her a cup of tea and see if that will calm her down.’

  ‘Good idea,’ Ryan agreed. ‘I’ll go and have a word with her while you make it.’

  He left the ward and headed to the high dependency unit. There was a policewoman stationed outside the door but she allowed him to pass after he showed her his identity badge.

  ‘What’s happening?’ Mrs Lawrence demanded when he went into the room. ‘Is that young lady doctor still in there with him?’

  ‘I’m afraid so.’ Ryan beckoned her over to the door so that Charlie couldn’t overhear what they were saying. ‘Your husband is refusing to let her go. He intends to use her as a bargaining tool so that he’s allowed to leave. Apparently, he plans to take Charlie with him too.’

  ‘No!’ Amy Lawrence’s face turned ashen. ‘You can’t let him take Charlie. Who knows what he’ll do to him.’

  ‘Was your husband responsible for the injury to his leg?’ Ryan asked quietly.

  ‘Yes. That and umpteen other injuries.’ Amy Lawrence’s face crumpled. ‘I should have left him when he first started hitting Charlie. He kept promising that he wouldn’t do it again but he never kept his word. If Charlie did anything to upset him, he’d lash out.’

  ‘Does he hit you too?’

  ‘No. It’s only ever Charlie. He’s jealous, you see, thinks that because I love Charlie, I don’t love him. It wasn’t as bad when Charlie was a baby. I used to put him in his cot when Brian got into one of his moods. But now that Charlie’s getting older, it isn’t possible. I’m on pins every time Brian comes home from work in case Charlie does something to upset him.’

  Ryan sighed. It was impossible to understand that kind of attitude. If he had a child, he would love it unreservedly and know that Eve would love it just as much. The thought caught him unawares. It was the first time that he had ever considered having a child, considered it as a possibility, not as something to avoid. His heart was racing as he excused himself. For all these years he had ruled out the idea but now it didn’t seem so impossible.

  If he and Eve had a child they would love it no matter what. They would work together to ensure that even if their son or their daughter did inherit LQTS, he or she would have a long and happy life. After all, there were drugs available to control the condition, weren’t there? His cousins were managing very well on their regimes.

  Ryan’s head was reeling as he went back to the ward. It was as though every single objection he’d had about having a family had melted away. He could have it all, he realised in amazement, the happy marriage, the kids, everything he’d always believed he had to deny himself…as long as Eve was willing to take the risk.

  His heart sank because only Eve could make that decision.

  * * *

  Nine o’clock came and went and they were no closer to resolving the situation. Eve’s head was throbbing from all the tension. She closed her eyes, blotting out the flickering glow from the strip lighting. Brian Lawrence had stopped pacing and was standing by the door. She had no idea what he intended to do and didn’t bother asking. It was enough that he seemed to have calmed down at last.

  ‘I need to get out of here!’ he suddenly exploded, and her eyes flew open.

  ‘Does that mean you’re going to give yourself up?’ she asked, trying not to show how relieved she felt that the end might be in sight.

  ‘No, it doesn’t.’ He came over to the desk and dragged her to her feet. ‘It means I’m leaving and I’m taking you with me.’ He gave a nasty laugh. ‘You’re going to be my get-out-of jail-free card.’

  He clamped his arm around her neck, half dragging and half carrying her to the door. Eve tried to free herself but soon realised how pointless it was when his arm tightened. Flinging open the door, he glared at the people waiting outside. Eve could see several police officers as well as Roger Hopkins and Rex Manning. However, she couldn’t see any sign of Ryan and her heart sank. Had he left? Gone back to his date perhaps? The thought that he hadn’t cared enough to stay brought tears to her eyes.

  ‘If anyone tries to stop me, she’ll be the one who suffers,’ Brian Lawrence announced. One of the police officers stepped forward but Lawrence shook his head. ‘Forget it. I’m leaving and I’m taking her and Charlie with me.’ He looked around the empty ward, only seeming to realise then that the children were no longer there. ‘Where is he?’

  ‘Your son is perfectly safe,’ Rex Manning assured him. ‘If you let Dr Pascoe go, I shall take you to see him.’

  Brian Lawrence laughed scornfully. ‘Do you think I’m a complete idiot? If I let her go, that’s it.’ His grip tightened and Eve gasped as her air supply was cut off. ‘You’d better tell me where he is and quick if you don’t want her getting hurt.’

  ‘He’s in the high dependency unit,’ one of the policemen said hurriedly.

  Eve sucked in a lungful of air as Lawrence’s grip slackened. There were black dots dancing before her eyes and her throat felt bruised. It was hard not to show how scared she felt as he dragged her to the door. He obviously knew the layout of the department because he immediately turned right. Out of the corner of her eye Eve saw a flash of movement and then the next moment she was sent sprawling across the floor. Dazed, she stared in amazement at Ryan, who was grappling with Lawrence. There was a short scuffle before the police appeared, a couple of officers quickly subduing the man.

  Ryan dropped to his knees beside her. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘I…’ It might have been shock, but Eve couldn’t seem to get any words out and she saw his eyes darken in concern.

  ‘Eve, darling, talk to me!’ He cupped her cheek and she could feel his hand trembling. ‘I just need to know that you’re all right.’

  Eve felt a wave of relief wash over her, not just because she’d escaped from Lawrence but because it was clear how wrong she had been. Ryan did care about her. More than cared. He loved her.

  ‘I’m fine,’ she said huskily. Tears slid down her cheeks but they were tears of joy and she smiled through them. ‘I’m absolutely fine now.’

  He obviously understood what she was saying. Pulling her into his arms, he held her close, held her as though he would never let her go, which was what she wanted more than anything. She stared into his eyes, oblivious to the fact that they had an audience.

  ‘I love you, Ryan. And no matter what problems we face, I shall always love you.’

  ‘I love you too.’

  He kissed her then, his mouth telling her everything she needed to hear. Maybe they would have to compromise and she might need to think again about having a family. But she knew that she could do it as long as he was there beside her. He meant the world to her and she couldn’t bear to lose him.

  The kiss might have lasted even longer than it did. However, a discreet cough finally brought them back to earth. Ryan laughed as he helped her to her feet. ‘I think this is one
of those scenes that should have To be continued tagged onto it.’

  Eve chuckled. ‘Sounds good to me.’

  One of the police officers came over at that point and told her that he needed to take a statement from her. They went into the office while Eve explained what had happened. Once that was done, Roger Hopkins also wanted to know what had gone on so she went over it all again. By the time she’d finished, she was worn out but she still had to finish her shift. She sighed as she stood up. She wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep.

  ‘Right. It’s all sorted.’ Ryan suddenly appeared. He grinned at her. ‘Off you go. I’m going to stay here while you go home.’

  ‘Oh, but I can’t let you do that,’ she began, but he stopped her in the most effective way possible. Eve sighed as his lips claimed hers. She could get used to being ordered around in this fashion!

  He drew back and looked at her. ‘You’ve been through a horrible ordeal tonight, Eve, and you need to go home and rest.’ He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb and she shuddered.

  ‘It doesn’t seem fair that you should have to work, though,’ she protested.

  ‘It isn’t a problem and if I’m honest you’ll be doing me a favour,’ he countered, his voice sounding very deep.

  ‘How come?’ she said huskily, because it was hard not to respond when he looked at her this way.

  ‘Because I’ll only worry about you if you insist on working. If I know you’re safely tucked up in your bed it will be much easier.’

  ‘In that case, I suppose I don’t really have a choice.’ She smiled up at him, surprised by how confident she felt all of a sudden. It was as though all the uncertainties had melted away and she felt sure about what she was doing, knew it was what she wanted, knew it was what Ryan wanted too. ‘All right, I’ll go home on one condition.’

  ‘And that is?’

  ‘That you come and join me after you finish here.’

  * * *

  Sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, casting a golden glow over Eve’s skin. Ryan lay on his side, watching as his hand traced the soft curves of her body. He had driven straight to her flat after he’d finished work, using the key she had left beneath the doormat to let himself in. He’d expected her to be asleep but when he had gone into the bedroom she had been waiting for him. Their lovemaking had been quick and urgent, but none the less profound because of that. They both knew how close they’d come to losing each other and relief had added an extra dimension as they had reaffirmed their love.