“Chrissie, I am telling you, something is not right about him. I can sense it. He gives me the chills.”
“Well just be careful. Do you have any plans today?”
“I am meant to be visiting Blake at hospital today. I need to quickly shower and get ready.”
“Ok. Try and have a good day and please be safe.”
“Love you Christina.”
“Love you too Nadine.”
I hang up. I check the miscalls. I now see that Christina had called me over 20 times. And an unknown number called. I saw that I had a voice mail. I listened to it.
“This message is for Miss Nixon, it’s Doctor Lawson. Blake Saunders has regained consciousness so whenever you’re available to visit please do.”
Once I listened to it. I jumped out of bed and headed straight to the shower. It felt refreshing after the nightmare I just had. I still wondered what that nightmare was about. I had to stop trying to figure things out. I put it down to the recent events that had taken place. Once out of the shower I get dressed wearing jeans with a polo top and my flats. I head downstairs as my stomach growls loudly. I decide on having tea with toast. I turn on the television. As I put the news on. There are headlines of the crime that took place.
The news reporter states that someone had been shot at Holland Park. No suspects have been found. But if anyone had noticed anything strange please come forward. I shiver just then and it feels like someone has walked over my grave. The realisation dawns on me. Someone wanted Blake dead and I had saved him. They must have a strong vendetta to try and get rid of him but thanks to me, I managed to prevent that from happening. Surely that must mean that whoever wanted to kill Blake may come after me for saving him. I did not contemplate on that idea and pushed it to the back of my mind. I saved someone I had fallen for. Certainly that is not a crime in my eyes. I was a Good Samaritan but I guess now Christina may have had a point. You try to do good but somehow things can get so out of hand that now my own life is at risk. No wonder why Pc Dane insisted for me to be careful.
I call my local cab to take me to St Thomas hospital. It should cost £45. They would shortly be here in 15 minutes. That gives me more than enough time to finish having my tea and toast and to put a touch of make up on. I decide to keep my hair up. I turn off the television. The same news is on again. It dawns on me how serious this is. I may have put my own life in danger by doing good by saving someone else's life. Just then my phone rings and I know my cab has reached. I turn off the television. Grab my bag, my phone and my house keys and head out. Once seated in the cab I reflect on my nightmare, being a witness to a crime scene and most importantly seeing Blake again. I just hope that he does recognise me. My palms start to sweat as we are nearing the hospital. The driver stops and I know we have reached. I hand him the money and head out the car. I glance at St Thomas hospital. I admire the building from outside knowing that there is someone in there that has changed my life in a matter of hours. I take a deep breath and head inside.
Chapter 8
As I head inside the accident and emergency department, I go to the reception. Just then I spot Doctor Lawson. I make a beeline towards him.
“Doctor Lawson, How are you?”
“Miss Nixon, I am well thank you. How are you feeling?”
“I am ok. Is Blake awake?”
“He sure is. I will take you to him.”
I feel slightly nervous not knowing how to greet him and how he must look after the last time I had seen him. I walk behind Doctor Lawson as he takes me to a room on 2nd floor, north wing. He stops and I walk straight into him.
“Sorry.” I make a feeble attempt.
“It's fine.” He smiles at me.
“This is his room.” He gestures for me to go inside.
I take a deep breath and walk inside. I realise that fragrance of a man that I had smelt on the tube a couple of times happens to be the same one I can smell now. It has engulfed me. I am basking in the smell of it. I silently walk in the room. My heart beat has gone up a notch. I need to remain calm. I glance around and see Blake lying on the bed and notice that his still had slight bruising around his eyes and was dressed in the hospital gown. My heart is literally in my mouth. I look at him. I am speechless. I close the door behind me. He does not seem to realise that I am in his room until I stumble on the chair right beside his bed; the chair had made a screeching sound. If the ground could swallow me up it would be at this precise moment. He looks up at that moment. Those green eyes have captivated me. I remain silent completely bewildered. I cannot look away. My lips are so dry that I lick my lips subtly. This catches his attention.
“I am sorry for disturbing you.” I state. My voice has gone incredibly raspy. I cannot allow him to see what effect he seems to have on me.
He looks at me even more intensely. I feel like I have been stripped. He makes me feel naked. It’s like he can see into my soul.
“I was told I may have a visitor but clearly you weren’t what I had in mind.”
Without thinking I blurt out. “So what did you have in mind?”
He smiles then. I exhale my breath that I did not realise I was holding. His smile makes him look youthful. A man that surely has charm.
“Very forward aren't you? I was expecting a nurse.”
“Shall I call for one?” I ask him.
“No, No its fine. So tell me what brings you here?”
The realisation dawns on me he does not remember what happened the following the night or unless he happens to be fooling me.
“I have seen you on a few occasions. I saw you on the pier at embankment, then on the tube one morning. It was me who found you the following night.”
I let it sink in.
Silence filled the air. The tension in the room was so much. I wanted to walk away but my feet felt stuck.
“Can I ask you something why did you not let me die?” Blake asked.
What kind of a question was that I thought to myself. For once I had to think how I would respond.
“I did not want to see you suffer.” Was all I could say.
He looked directly at me.
“I can tell there's more you’re not telling me.”
He shifts on his bed and winces.
“Are you ok? Maybe you need more rest.” I concur.
“I have rested enough believe me. I don't even know your name and I would not want you to leave in such haste.”
I shake my head. I had not anticipated the conversation to head in this direction but then again I did not have any preconceived ideas how this would go.
“My name is Nadine Nixon.”
“Nice name. Married? Kids?”
“What?! Excuse me?!”
“I just want to know more about you that is all.”
“No I am not married and I certainly do not have kids.”
“Do you want kids?”
“What kind of a question is that?”
“Well it’s either yes or no. Which one is it to be?”
“I cannot believe you’re asking me these kinds of questions. The answer to your question is obviously yes I would like to have kids one day.”
“Are you single then?”
“Yes I am. Are you done with the questions?”
“Far from it Nadine. I hope you do not mind.”
I feel like I am being questioned again and I feel it’s about time I turned the tables on him.
“It’s your turn to be questioned Mr Saunders.” I state matter of factly.
“How do you know my name?”
“Whilst I was cradling you in my lap and before you lost consciousness, you told me your name was Blake Saunders.”
“Are you married with kids? Or single?”
He raises his eyebrows at me.
“Do you really think I would be married? A married man would not have had his eyes on that woman who was dressed in scarlet on that night at the pier. Does it ring any bells?”
I feel my cheeks turning red.
> “So I take it, that it was you who was watching me?”
“You really do know how to dance. That red dress surely did catch my attention.”
“Thank you.” Is all I can muster.
“Your shawl smells sublime by the way. I tried to find you to give it back to you but you had disappeared. I decided on keeping it for old time’s sake.”
“Old time’s sake?” I echo what he just said.
“It’s for me to keep, for me to realise that it was not a dream. I wanted to be reminded of you. That surely must sound strange.”
Could he be serious? I could not believe what I was hearing.
“I have to admit it does sound strange.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you would not have been bothered had our paths not crossed?”
“Oh why do you keep on putting me on the spot?”
I certainly did not think this conversation would have heading in a strange direction.
“Because I want to know why couldn't you just let me die? I know you are hiding something.”
“Will you stop saying that?! I was not going to let you die on me. My heart had got the better of me. I had to make sure you were ok. I had not expected to have met you again in the circumstances that we did. Call it luck or a misfortunate coincidence.”
“You want to know what I call it. Fate.”
“Fate? You believe in fate?”
“Why wouldn't I?”
Now I am left speechless. Having a discussion about fate and god knows what else. Blake Saunders sure knows how to get under my skin. I am sure he is aware of what he is doing and most likely enjoying this debate.
“I do not know what to say. You really do believe in fate?”
“I do. I have seen you on a few occasions and I was keen to see you again.”
“Why?” I wait anticipating his response.
“You want to know why? Is it not obvious? I liked what I saw. I had not bothered to make the move as I am not the forward type. Though I do wish I had the nerve to say something to you that morning when I saw you on the tube.”
“At least we have finally met. That reminds me I got a couple of questions to ask you. Hope you won't mind.”
“Shoot.”
“I am sure I happened to have seen you around Holland Park, one morning when I was heading to work in my cab. It must have been the early hours of morning. You seemed out of it. If that was you, you had crossed blindly into the street.”
“I do not have any idea what you're talking about.”
“I am so sure it was you, unless you were completely drunk that night.”
“I am afraid Miss Nixon; I really do not have a clue what you’re on about.”
“Hmm, that is odd. I could have sworn it was you.”
“I am sure you are mistaken.”
I shake my head and look in his direction. I can see he has a smirk on his face.
“What are you smiling about?”
“It seems to me, I may be haunting you. Or you're wishing you were seeing me when it happens to be someone else.”
“You think?” I say in the most sarcastic voice.
“Ohh, Miss Nixon, I hear a hint of sarcasm.” Blake says with a hint of amusement and that smile that seemed to melt my heart.
“I really would like to get to know you better though. Tell me more about yourself Nadine. I do apologise if I have made you feel irate.”
As much as I felt Blake was getting under my skin, I know I could not remain upset with him for that long especially when he smiles like that. Oh I feel like I am drowning in his eyes every time our eyes meet and that smile takes my breath away.
“What would you like to know?” I inquire.
“Everything.” He says.
“Well everything is just too much but here goes. I was born here in London. I used to live in shepherds bush with my family. I am the only child. Both my parents passed away and I could not afford to live in shepherds bush. I got a few jobs here and there and in my parents will; I learned that they had bought a property in my name in Holland Park which is where I am residing right now.”
“That must have been a hard struggle not having family and being the only child. How did you cope?”
“I have to say being the only child taught me how to deal with loneliness. But I was fairly close to my both my parents and when they passed away, it had hit me hard. I had to go into a sheltered accommodation but I did not have to remain there for that long.”
“How old were you when they passed away?” I can hear the sadness in his voice.
“I was 15. In the eyes of the law by the time you are 16, you are an adult.”
“Did you not have any family?”
“My family are not close. I was the only one at the funeral. It was the most depressing day of my life. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
“I am sorry Nadine. It’s hard when you lose people you love. I am sure it has made you a much stronger person.”
“At first, it was tough. I had no one to turn to. Had jobs all over the place to take my mind off it. Then when I turned 20 I moved in my own place at Holland Park and got the job at the airport which is where I work now. Life had thrown me a lifeline.”
“It takes a strong person to get through those events in life.”
“I guess I honestly did not know that I was mentally strong. But working at the airport and being in that environment really helps. When I witness the sunrise on my early shift it makes me reflect on life. It’s so awe inspiring. It makes me realise how thankful and blessed I am to be still alive.”
“You sound like you have been through a troubled life but you have got through it.”
“Blake, sometimes when life has been hard on you, or when you have experienced tough times, a distraction goes a long way. It can take your mind off things. And maybe it was a way of suppressing my grief. I don't really talk about it.”
“Maybe no one has asked you about your life in general?”
“Honestly Blake, people tend not to ask many questions especially if they know it’s a sore topic. Not many people would like to know about someone's past.”
“That is true.”
“Once I started working in the airport, I met my best friend there but she is more like a sister I have never had.”
“She was the one that night at the bar with you right?”
“Yeah.”
“So how about your love life?”
“Honestly, it’s nonexistent.”
“So you are trying to tell me that you have not been with anyone?”
“I was with someone, but things did not work out. I decided to focus more on my career which is why I have remained single for long.”
“That makes sense.” I can tell Blake is thinking about more questions to ask me. I have not felt this important whereby someone had focused on me for once.
“So which airport do you work for?”
“I work for Gatwick airport.”
“I would have thought you would work for Heathrow airport considering you live in Holland Park.”
“I did try to get a job there, but it did not quite happen. Gatwick had then employed me and I thought why not. I needed the money to pay off my bills.”
“That makes sense.”
“Satisfied with all the questions? Or would you like to know more?”
“I want to know more, I want to know your fears, your likes and dislikes, also what attracts you to men. I could get used to hearing your voice Nadine.”
I started to blush. My cheeks were heating up.
“Are you blushing Miss Nixon.”
“Erm maybe. Any ways you said you wanted to know more. So here goes. I have many fears such as being hurt, I am afraid of losing someone I love. Other fears are the smaller things like I have a fear of insects. I like simplicity when it comes to most things and I seem to like a certain man's fragrant when I stepped in, which I am sure I have smelled it before whilst on the train. I like food and love to eat.
I would not say I am much of a drinker. I cannot really go into all I likes otherwise I would be here all day. There are not many things that I dislike. I hate the feeling of being in a train that is packed. Again to talk about what I dislike I would be here for a while. In regards to men well I hate men who are vain, or men that use women for a greater good. I tend to like honest men who know what they want and do not play on women's emotions.”
“Are you talking from experience?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“I think you have had so much bad luck or getting with the wrong guys. You would not know who’s decent from the rest.”
“I could not argue with that.” Is all I can say.
I looked at him at the precise moment. Our eyes met. I could see there was a storm of emotions that those green eyes had witnessed.
“I want to be near you. Would you mind sitting beside me?” Blake states.
I move from the seat that I had earlier on crashed into and sat on the bed beside Blake. Being this close to this man was lethal. I could not even sit still. I was fidgeting so much, that I thought I was going to fall of his bed. I felt I was tumbling down until I felt a strong grasp on my hand. I could feel the electricity as soon as his hand firmly grabbed onto mines. He pulled me up and I was sheer embarrassed. My cheeks were bright red. I needed to get a grip on myself. If Christina was here she would say it’s down to the fact I have become somewhat inexperienced or there has been a lack of contact from men.
“Are you ok?”
“I'm ok thanks.”
His hand had firmly grasped mine. He has not even let go despite the fact that I am propped up on his bed sat right beside him. It feels like years since someone had held my hands. I cannot even remember when someone had held my hand. It felt reassuring having him hold my hand. There was a comfortable silence.
“I have a tendency to be a bit clumsy.”
“I would not have noticed.”
“Now you have learned more about me, I would like to know more about you Mr Saunders.”
“What would you like to know?”
“It would be fair to say everything?”
I can feel at that precise moment he was gently stroking my hand. It’s so comforting.
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 7
