I take my time to eat. Then head back. As soon as I enter the boutique Christina is animatedly chatting to a passenger. Until I look closely he happens to be one of our resources. I walk in. Christina excuses herself as she is due for her break.
“I take it you were on your break, Miss Nixon. Nice job by the way on the displays. It sure does look immaculate.”
“I sure was on my break. I thought it was good to change things up a bit. How are you Mr Richardson?”
“Please Nadine call me Daniel, I am sure you've come to know we'll be working together soon.”
“Erm I was not aware until today. Where are you flying out to? Any where exotic?
“I'm going to a fund raising event to Canada as well as seeking out any new products which we could invest in. Soon that will be your job too. I must say I am looking forward to working with you Nadine. As much as I would like to stay and chat I need to board my flight. Hope both you and Christina enjoy your evening.”
“Thank you. Have a safe flight.”
Mr Richardson leaves the boutique. Seeing whom I'll be working with soon puts things into perspective. I must admit I am slightly nervous. I could not imagine working with anyone but Christina. I notice a leaflet that has the latest products which was not there before. I assume Daniel had left it there for us to see what could be potential new products. I take a peek at it and there are precious stones. I guess these are the potential items that Daniel is deciding on. I tend to like the precious stone/birthstones. I think that these items would be popular. Just then Christina comes back.
“Did you have a nice break?”
“I did. I heard from Tom. He'll be coming over. What did you think of Mr Richardson? He seemed nice. He will be your new business partner Nadine.”
“To be honest, he seemed friendly enough. But who knows. Would we really be working together?”
“Well from what he told me, the two of you will be. You would work on your own merits looking for things to invest in for finest jewels to sell but I think you would have to inform each other of your findings. He said though his job is more fun than work. He travels a lot, going to all the fund raisers.
“Christina, I do not think I could or would want to work with someone else. It would be strange. Do you get where I'm coming from? We started working together from the beginning.”
“I totally understand but you have to give it a go. You can't just quit without trying it.”
“I know. But it is such a big change. I don't know how I will adapt to not working in this environment.”
“Same here.”
“Mr Richardson told me how you should be informed of getting the promotion shortly. I think we both would be leaving around the same time.”
“Please tell me you will consider moving in with me.”
“Nadine, my answer will be yes. I don't need to consider it. I have already made up my mind. Just tell me when I can move in and how soon.”
“Say in a week’s time?”
“Sounds good to me Nadz.”
It’s nearing on 9:30pm. There have not been any customers in the boutique since. I decide to do the till checks with Christina witnessing me. We close the shutters with our key which also turns off the lights. It’s been an eye opener of a day. I still cannot fathom not working here. The whole news of getting the promotion has made me somewhat on edge even though it should have had the opposite effect. We both link arms and walk to the office together. I had completely forgotten to bring my flats but I am thankful that my feet are not killing. We both collect our bag and coats. We make a quick exit past security. As I am older than Christina I feel the need to make sure she gets on the bus safe and sound. I walk her to the bus stop and wait with her. The bus comes.
“It’s going to feel strange not having you at mines tonight. Could get used to the company”
“I know. But we will be flat mates soon.”
“Take care of yourself and message me when your home please. Oh and also that reminds me try and have a good time with Tom no matter what he says.”
“I will try to.”
As the bus drives off, I briskly walk back to the train station to catch Gatwick express back to Victoria. I realise it’s just gone past 10:30pm and I am aware the train will be departing shortly. I run in the heels that I am wearing. I make it just before the train door closes. Slightly out of breath, I realise that the train is fairly quiet. A few people I can tell are travellers have dozed off. I sit for the next half an hour thinking of the events that unfolded at work. I cannot believe the managers did not make me aware. I think about this morning being on the tube when I saw that mystery guy. I wished I had the nerve to talk to him. Just then I received a text message from Chrissie: Hey Hun, just reached home. Looking forward to moving in with you. Take care of yourself and enjoy your 3 days off.xx
After receiving the text from Chrissie, I shortly reach Victoria. The trains were slightly busy even at this time of the night. I manage to push myself in the train going towards Oxford circus. I remain standing where the doors are as it is much easier to get off. Two stops later I am walking to get central line. Central line is not as busy as Victoria line. I locate a seat. I can hear music playing loud even though the person beside me has headphones on. I can tell other passengers look slightly annoyed especially a lady who was engrossed in her book. The trains seem to run faster at night. I have just reached Holland Park. It is now pitch black despite the street lamps are all on. I glance at my watch it’s just reached midnight.
The weather has changed just as I exit the station. It’s drizzling slightly. I cross the road to get on to the side roads leading to my house. I can't hear any cars driving by. It’s silent. The rain is coming down much harder. I did not even bring an umbrella with me. I am drenched from the rain. I quicken my pace. Pushing all my strength into my legs. I can hear the sound of my heels. As I am walking. I hear something. I see the flash of lightening in the far distance. A rumble of thunder. Hailstorms are pelting down on me. I hear voices from another side road to where I am. It’s muffled. I can hear men shouting. It sounds like they were arguing. I contemplate going in that direction to where I hear the voices. As I'm nearing closer I make out the sentences from one of the men.
“How could you let him get away with murder?! She meant the world to me.”
I try to listen closely, straining my hearing to hear the response. I hear a shuffling but cannot make out what it is. There's silence now. The wind is picking up. I hear the sounds of a rumble. The silence of the night has changed and it feels so menacing, I shiver to myself. At that precise moment I hear the sounds of thunder. I'm walking so fast that I can hear the sounds of my own breathing. The thunder has stilled and a flash of lightening crashes around me. A millisecond later, a bellowing sound of a gunshot resonates through me. I still, I feel incapacitated, the air has been sucked out of my lungs, but adrenaline is coursing and pumping through my body. What do I do? I just can't ignore the fact that someone has been injured. I run to the direction where I heard the gun shot.
Chapter 6
As I reach the road, I hear the footsteps distancing away, and notice a silhouette of man running in the opposite direction. Who was he? Why was he here? I still at the scene that's right before me. A guy is on the floor in a pool of blood. My focus hazes and I feel like I am about to pass out. I get my phone out and call the ambulance service as quickly as possible despite my hands are uncontrollably shaking. Dialling 999. They answer immediately.
A young woman answers. “Emergency services.”
“I need an ambulance please, it’s an emergency. Someone has been shot.” I yell down the phone, on the point of being hysterical. I cannot control the surge of emotions gnawing at me.
“The address please.”
“Abbotsbury road, Holland Park. Please hurry.” I scream and hang up.
Something is calling me to this stranger, to aid him in any way I can. He is dressed in jeans, a blue check shirt and patent black shoes which are now soaked in
his own blood.
“Oh god! No.” I shout to myself.
I bend down to check his pulse, it’s barely there but I can feel his life in my hands. God no! I'm beside myself, I'm kneeling, I have managed to get him to lay across my lap whilst I am cradling his head in my hands. I admire this stranger and feel I somehow know him or have seen him before. Fair skinned, 6 feet tall, his hair is dark, spiky yet messy; he has a dent in his chin, stubble, a chiselled jaw line, a sculptured nose and such thin lips. My mind is working overtime and the realization dawns on me. It can't be. It can't be him.
I am a soaking mess, my blouse is plastered to my skin, my hair is a tumbling cascade and I am shivering to the core. I am partially covered in his blood. Realising that my blouse, skirt is covered in crimson red. My teeth are chattering yet I somehow manage to summon the will to say something.
“Please whoever you are try and open your eyes.” I shout.
Tears are streaming down my face. I feel the faint movement in my hands; feel the flutter of his eyelashes brush against my hand. I look down and it’s those green eyes that have tortured me so much, those green eyes that I have been searching for. I notice then he has been punched as I can see a slight bruise appearing. He looks at me and smiles but somehow those eyes are now haunted. But it’s definitely him. My mind can't think straight. I'm still cradling this man. I am embracing him; trying to give him as much body heat as possible whilst my hands are stroking the stubble on his face. I have this need to want to take his pain away, to alleviate the pain that I could see in those eyes. I can't believe my luck but somehow I know this is not how it was meant to be. I can see he is losing a lot of blood. I can't stop the tears.
“What is your name?” I whisper. I can barely talk and phrase a sentence together.
“Name is Blake, Blake Saunders.”
Before I know it, he is unconscious, a dead weight in my arms. The ambulance arrives within a few minutes but just before they reach, I check to make sure he has some sort of identification. I check his pockets to find a pass from work and his wallet and his ID card. I look at the picture that is in my hands and decide to keep both his wallet and his pass from his work leaving his ID card; I place it in my bag despite my hands shaking uncontrollably. There is no way I'm going to risk losing him or seeing him again. It’s a promise I intend to keep.
It’s raining even harder now, I can hear the sirens from a distance. The blue flashing lights are becoming visible and I am thankful that the ambulance has arrived in the nick of time. I am emotionally drained and I look down at this stranger who has somehow captured my heart. How and why would someone want to take his life? Who would have such a vendetta against him? The paramedics acknowledge me.
“Miss.” One of the paramedics says.
“Nixon.” I respond back.
“We have to take him to hospital but before that, we need to relocate him in our ambulance to do a few tests. It’s just a general routine and we should be off to the hospital.”
I nod solemnly. My mind has gone blank. I feel at a loss. Two of the paramedics lift him off me, and put him on the stretcher, next thing I know he is already in the ambulance. I want to be with him.
“Can I please escort him there?” I ask.
“Once we have carried out the routine checks, then you can.”
“Thank you.”
It’s still raining. I am absolutely cold, my clothes are evidently ruined and due to the rain I am aware that my clothes are partially see through. I happen to notice another guy with the ambulance. He looks at me and motions towards me.
“Miss Nixon, We need to take a statement from you, if you don't mind. I'm a Police constable, call me PC Stevens.”
I glance at him. I turn to face this man, he looks in his mid twenties.6 feet tall, dark haired, pale skin, brown eyed, his nose is sculptured, lips slightly more fuller. He is towering over me. I feel much intimidated. I feel his eyes on me, feasting on my poor condition that I am in. It makes me somewhat uncomfortable, realising that my blouse is soaked and stuck to my skin, it’s pretty much see through. My hair is a cascade of curls, and not to mention the fact that my entire attire has turned crimson red. I feel immensely tired.
“Erm sure.”
“We would have to take you to the police station to get your statement.”
I feel agitated. I did not want to go to the police station. I glance in the direction of the ambulance hoping that the paramedics would call me.
“Miss Nixon, we have carried out the tests. You can jump in the ambulance.” one of the paramedics calls out to me.
“I'm coming.”
I turn towards Pc Stevens.
“Can you take my statement later? It has been a long night for me and clearly I am still in shock. I would not want to give a statement right at this moment in time.”
“Miss, I understand. I will come to the hospital and take your statement if you wish to do so. You have to understand that because you are the main witness to a crime, its standard procedure that we are required to take statements.”
“I will adhere to it. But right now my priority is making sure that, that man does live.”
As I walk away from Pc Stevens, a chill runs down my spine. I enter the ambulance and take a seat beside the bed that Blake is laying on. So many wires are attached. The other paramedic closes the door. I can hear the sirens again. I know it is urgent that we reach the hospital in time. I hold on to his hand for the first time. I hear the paramedics stating that it was imperative to take him St Thomas hospital instead.
Once we reach the hospital, I am the first one out of the ambulance. The two paramedics are rolling out Blake on the stretcher. Once in the hospital, I realise that there are not many people. As the paramedics take him in to the A&E department, they are insisting that he needs to be operated on. There is only one doctor who is on the night shift tonight, as soon as we have reached, a young doctor approaches me.
“Miss.”
“Nixon.” I respond
“You are aware, Mr Saunders needs to be operated on, and we’ll be taking him straight into the operating theatre.”
I nod, again not knowing what to say.
“We will be operating on him now, we cannot take any chances.”
As the stretcher passes me by, I plant a kiss on Blake's cheeks. I pray a silent prayer that he will be fine and that the operation will be successful. I am left alone in the waiting area not knowing what is taking place in the room next door. Silence fills the air, and there are so many emotions I'm feeling right now. I close my eyes and let the tears fall. I feel tired, exhausted, shocked, yet overwhelmed with the fact of seeing my mysterious man, I now know his name. It’s a breakthrough I think to myself. As I am alone in the waiting area, I happen to see that police officer. What was his name again? PC Stevens. I can see him searching the premises. He makes his way to the waiting area where I am sitting.
“Miss Nixon, I was just looking for you. I will need to take your statement now. I can drop you back here. But I will have to bring you to the police station right now.
I get a sense of unease around Pc Stevens. Can't he see what state I am still in? Never the less I have to oblige.
“Sure. Let’s get this over and done with.”
As we make our way out of the hospital, he places his hand on my lower back ushering me to the police vehicle. I hate the feeling of his hands on me. It sure does put me on edge. I head straight to the back seat. The feeling of sitting in a police vehicle is intimidating. As Pc Stevens sits in the driver seat, I get the feeling he is watching me through the rear view interior mirror. I decide to look out of the windows. He clears his throat whilst he drives to the police station.
“So Miss Nixon, How are you feeling?”
I can tell he is trying to make small talk but I am not in the mood.
“I am exhausted.”
Thankfully Pc Stevens did not say much for the rest of the journey. But it sure was awkward. I knew that when the car had stoppe
d we had reached the police station based in Notting hill. I jump out the car and wait to be taken in. I notice that he is looking at me. And for the first time he has my attention.
“I hope you did not mind Miss, but I was trying to reassure you. I know that it can be a daunting experience for anyone who comes to a police station.”
I listened. I could hear a tinge of empathy.
“I thank you for trying to reassure me, but as you are aware I happen to be exhausted.”
“This should not take long, I can assure you.”
Again he places his hand on my lower back to usher me inside. Once inside the police station I glance at my reflection. My hair has gone immensely curly, my blouse is crimson red which is now see through and my eyes have gone red from crying. If anyone would have guessed I looked like a right state. I feel so uncomfortable just standing around and waiting. Thankfully Pc Stevens does not take long, whilst I see him I also notice there's another police officer with him. They lead me to a room. I start to shiver and rub my hands up and down my arms to build some warmth whilst I take a seat. The other police officer looks much older and introduces himself as Pc Franco. I remain quiet. I notice that Pc Stevens has a pad and a pen in his hand.
“Pc Stevens will be writing down everything that you will say whilst I will be the one questioning you Miss Nixon. We will appreciate it if you can be as honest as possible.”
I nod. The questions start.
“Miss Nixon, at approximately what time did you reach Holland park?
“I would say a few minutes past midnight.”
“Why were you at Holland Park?”
“I live in Holland Mews; I was making my way home.”
“Did you notice anything strange?”
“I did not notice anything strange.”
“Did you hear anything whilst walking home?”
“Whilst walking home, I thought I heard voices which is why I made my way to Abbotsbury road. I could make out two male voices. I sensed an argument was taking place.”
“How could you be so sure there was an argument taking place?”
Vanished: What Would You Do If The Love Of Your Life Disappeared Without A Trace? (Nadine's quest to unravel the truth Book 1) Page 5
