by Jade Winters
Lauren nodded.
‘In that case, lead the way.’
Though Emma was glad for the opportunity to peek into Lauren’s life, the distraction couldn’t last forever. She needed to find Louise and talk to her as soon as possible. The question was: How could she do that without jeopardising her job?
Chapter Fifteen
Lauren had spent the night tossing and turning, her mind frantic with fear and concern for what the future held for her, both personally and career wise. By the time dawn had risen over the city, she knew she had to stay in London despite her anxiety. Her exhibition was the opportunity of a lifetime, and there was no way she would throw it away.
Though anxious, Lauren tried to act as normal as possible. Whatever stress had befallen Emma at work, she didn’t want to add her worries to the mix. She glanced at couples holding hands or embracing as the taxi carried them to their destination, and it saddened her to think of all the good times she might have missed out on with Emma, all because a stranger had taken it upon themselves to target her and send her into hiding.
As Lauren glanced sideways at Emma, she knew, given half a chance, she would take things further with her. Something about her just clicked and felt right. Lauren hazarded a guess that the feeling was mutual. She’d have to be blind not to see it in Emma’s eyes when she looked at her. But it would be a big mistake to get involved with her romantically, especially with history repeating itself.
Lauren thought about the letter that had arrived yesterday, and her stomach knotted. Fear was a noose around her neck, and it would be the same for anyone close to her.
No, Emma’s got her own life. Don’t start messing with her. You’ll only hurt her. She had to think with her head. Don’t go dreaming of the impossible.
Her stern advice did nothing to stop the warm little globe of hope from lodging in her heart as Lauren watched Emma’s brandy-coloured eyes flash with humour as Emma pointed out a cute dog poking its head out of the car window next to them. Lauren smiled in return and promised to enjoy the moment for what it was and not build castles in the air.
Emma’s phone rang and she answered the call. The look of concern gradually faded from Emma’s face after speaking with the caller for a couple of minutes. By the time she hung up, it was obvious the call had been a positive one.
‘Good news I take it?’ Lauren asked.
Emma nodded. ‘Not as such. My boss was just checking up on me to see if I’m all right.’
By the time the taxi dropped them off outside the gallery, Lauren had learnt more about Emma’s job and colleagues. They all sounded like a sincere bunch of people, except for a woman called Wendy. The way Emma had described her, she sounded like the last sort of person who should have been working in a customer-facing role.
Lauren led the way up to two large glass doors with ‘Cotes House Art Gallery’ printed on them in flowing letters.
‘How chivalrous of you,’ Emma joked when Lauren opened the door and stepped aside to allow Emma to enter first.
‘I try my best,’ Lauren said and gestured for Emma to walk straight ahead.
To Lauren’s surprise, the gallery was empty. At that time of day, she’d expected to see Frankie and his staff frantically getting the place in order. Tables and chairs were piled in the centre of the room. Unopened boxes were laid out on the floor, blocking doorways. The place was a mess, which was totally out of character for Frankie.
Emma let out a low whistle as she eyed the framed images on the wall. ‘Are these yours?’
‘Yes,’ Lauren said.
‘Very impressive. I can see why you’re the star attraction.’
‘I don’t think people will be coming to see me, just my work.’
Emma stopped before a photo of an elderly man and woman sitting on a bench in the park. The craggy faces looked like they could have told a thousand stories. Next to them a young teenage couple sat, wrapped in each other’s arms, oblivious to the world around them. The photo was in black and white, making the contrast more striking. The image mesmerised Lauren, even now.
Lauren pointed out the printed title below the photograph. ‘Alpha and Omega - The Beginning and the End. That young couple doesn’t realise that the elderly figures sitting just a few centimetres away could be them in several decades. That’s not the way we look at things though, is it? We like to think we won’t become some tragic figure, that it’ll always be someone else. Then it happens to us and we realise we weren’t that invincible after all. Life will get us, no matter how hard we evade it.’
Emma frowned. ‘Yes it’s sad when you think about it. That’s why we have to make the most of our lives now and not worry about things that may or may not happen in the future.’
Lauren turned to look at her and smiled. ‘Is that directed at me?’
‘You’ve got to let this intruder business go. It’ll drive you insane if you don’t.’ Emma lightly stroked Lauren’s forearm.
‘There’s more to it than that.’
There wasn’t any point in keeping the truth from Emma any longer. If she didn’t tell her, Emma would no doubt think she was obsessing over nothing.
Lauren needed air, and the controlled temperature in the gallery was making it hard for her to breathe. ‘Let’s get out of here.’
‘Huh? I want to see the rest of your work. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? To look at your exhibition?’
‘There’s something I have to tell you. It’s about—’
‘Vikki,’ Frankie said from behind.
She turned around to see Molly and Frankie exiting his office. Molly gave her a quick wave as she headed for the exit and Lauren waved back. ‘Hey, Frankie.’
Emma glanced from Lauren to Frankie, then back to Lauren.
‘I didn’t think I’d be seeing you today, you know, after—’ Frankie said as he neared.
‘I thought I’d bring Emma over and show her my work,’ Lauren cut in.
‘Oh yes, your old friend from school.’ The disdain in his voice did not go unnoticed, and Emma’s forced smile was evidence of her true feelings.
‘Will this place be ready in time?’ Lauren asked, gesturing around the room.
Frankie followed her gaze. ‘Yes. There was a mix up with the employment agency. I’ve been on the phone with them, and I have a crew coming tomorrow to get things shipshape.’
‘Okay, but if you need my help, let me know. We’ll let you get on with it, shall we?’
‘No.’ Frankie stepped forward to block her way and placed his hand on her shoulder. ‘Now that you’re here, stay. I’ve got a few things I need to discuss with you.’
‘We have plans. Can I call you later?’ Lauren wanted to get out of the gallery. She was feeling closed in by the chaos surrounding her.
‘No, not later, now. I’m sure your friend can look after herself while we talk,’ he said with all the warmth of an iceberg.
Lauren opened her mouth to object but changed her mind. She was forgetting why she had returned to London. Frankie wanted to talk business, and that was what she was here to do. She turned to Emma, silently asking her if it was okay that she excuse herself to talk with Frankie.
Though her jaw was tense, Emma nodded. ‘I’ll be all right. I’ll immerse myself in your work.’
‘If you’re sure.’
‘Go on,’ she insisted. Emma flashed Frankie a humourless smile and turned back to the photo of the two couples.
Following Frankie to his small office, she closed the door behind her. In a low, angry voice, she said, ‘What the hell was that about?’
In all the years Lauren had known Frankie, she had never seen him act so rudely. He had even kept his cool on numerous occasions in Paris when a buyer had spoken down to him. As a rule, Frankie did not lose his temper—ever.
‘What?’ he asked innocently and slipped into his seat behind his desk.
‘Out there. All of the emphasis on “friend”. The hostile looks.’
‘Can you blame me? I’m lo
oking out for you and this is how you treat me? As if I’m the enemy when it’s her you should be worried about?’
‘What’re you talking about?’
‘It’s obvious, isn’t it? Your friend, Emma.’ His voice dipped heavily on her name.
Lauren frowned. ‘What about her?’
‘Don’t you think it’s a bit strange that your “friend” finds you by looking through a pair of binoculars on the same night your stalker reappears?’
A short laugh escaped Lauren’s lips. ‘Have you gone mad? You think Emma’s the one who sent me that letter?’
He leant back in his chair and lifted his chin defiantly. ‘Yes, I do.’
‘Well, you’re wrong. Why would she do something like that?’
‘So you would play right into her hands, which you did straight away.’ When she remained silent, he continued. ‘Think about it. As soon as you got the letter, what did you do? I’ll tell you what you did. You went running straight over there as if she were some great protector.’
His eyes gleamed with anger.
‘You’re being ridiculous, and you know it. Emma and I—’
‘Are just friends. Yes, so you keep saying.’
‘And friends don’t hurt each other. If she wanted me all to herself years ago, why would she have done something that sent me into hiding in another country?’
‘Who said she was the original stalker?’
‘Then that’s where your theory falls apart, I’m afraid. Emma has no idea why I left for Paris, not yet anyway.’
His tone softened. ‘All I’m saying is be careful of who you trust.’
‘Does that include you?’
‘No, Lauren. I’m your real friend, someone you can trust with your life.’ His dark, thick eyebrows knitted together, belying the sentiment of his words.
‘I appreciate that, Frankie. I really do. But I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.’
All the talk about her stalker was freaking her out. For all she knew, Frankie could have been the one to write the note. He’d had ample opportunity to slip it in with the pizza delivery leaflets and pretend they’d come together. The thought was as ludicrous as Frankie blaming Emma, and therein lay the problem; her stalker could be anyone.
She found Emma on the opposite side of the gallery, in front of a photo of a woman looking longingly at a pregnant woman.
‘Do you mind if we leave?’ Lauren said, a deep weariness overcoming her.
‘Okay, but these images are—’
‘I mean now,’ Lauren said and headed towards the entrance.
Emma quickened her pace and caught up with her. ‘Are you okay?’
‘No, I need some air.’ Lauren pushed the doors open and inhaled the fresh air deep into her lungs. She took a few steps along the pavement and then leant back against the gallery wall, closing her eyes to stop her senses from swimming. When will this ever end?
‘Lauren, or should I call you Vikki? What the hell is going on with you?’ Emma’s concern penetrated through her thoughts, and Lauren opened her eyes to see Emma looking at her intently. ‘Do you suffer from panic attacks?’
Lauren pushed off the wall, willing her heartbeat to slow. ‘Can we talk when we get to your place? I need to get somewhere I feel safe.’
***
‘So let me get this straight,’ Emma said incredulously as they sat on the sofa together. ‘Someone was stalking you at school? Jesus Christ, do you know who it was?’
Hearing the compassion in Emma’s voice unleashed the memories from the mental dam she had erected. ‘No idea. That’s why I started using the name Vikki when I became a photographer. I couldn’t make my name public.’
‘What did they do to you?’
‘It started off with notes on my parents’ car windscreen. Stupid comments like, “I know what you did last Tuesday”. Then I started receiving photographs of me in my house, in my bedroom, in the bathroom. I also had coffin brochures delivered to me with blank sympathy cards.’
‘Oh my God, you must have been so frightened.’
‘I was, so were my mum and dad. We kept everything I was sent and took it all to the police, but they didn’t take my claims seriously. They had the gall to blame it on my looks. An officer even said, “It’s normal for a lad to retaliate when a girl as attractive as you knocks him back.”’
Lauren paused. She hadn’t realised how raw she still felt about the policeman’s dismissive comment. Recounting the rest of the police interview was difficult, but she told Emma how the police officer had dismissed the notes as nothing, even when the wording and photographs were an obvious invasion of her privacy and proved that someone was following her wherever she went. He’d claimed there was nothing the police could do until the alleged stalker actually harmed her.
Tears welled in her eyes as she recalled seeing her dad cry for the first time in her life when he realised he was powerless to help her.
‘So the next day, my dad bought me a one-way ticket to Paris to live with his sister, and that’s where I’ve been ever since.’
‘I really am speechless. I am so sorry that happened to you, Lauren. You are so strong.’
‘No, I’m not. I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Believe me, I’d rather be weak than have gone through all that. The whole experience has scarred me.’
Emma glanced up at the ceiling then back at Lauren. ‘And you have no clue at all about who it might be?’
‘No. That’s what makes it ten times worse. It could be anyone.’ Lauren dropped her head in despair. ‘Everyone feels like a threat to me, you know?’
‘And do you think the person who sent you the note yesterday is the same person who stalked you at school?’
‘It must be. I’ve never received anything in France but every year since I left my parents have had “gifts” delivered to their house on my birthday. That’s how I know the person hasn’t gone away or given up.’
‘Have you run into anyone you know since you returned to London?’
‘No.’ Lauren ran her fingers through her hair. ‘Hold on a minute, yes. Mike, Mike what’s his name from school?’
‘Creepy Mike Foster?’ Emma asked.
‘Yeah, him.’
‘Where did you see him?’
‘Outside my apartment building.’
‘Well it’s got to be him then. It’s a bit of a coincidence, isn’t it?’
‘I suppose, but where does that leave me? I don’t have any proof it’s him.’
‘You should report it to the police.’
‘No way. Not again. Not after the humiliation I suffered last time,’ she said with a sour note.
‘Things are different now. Give me a minute.’ Emma left the room. She returned shortly after with her laptop and booted it up. She put it on the coffee table and sat next to Lauren.
Emma waited for the homepage to load then typed ‘stalking laws UK’ into the search bar. 469,000 hits came up. She scrolled down the page.
‘There you go,’ she said, clicking on a BBC news link. She read aloud from the article. ‘“New laws were introduced in 2012. The new offences created under the Protection of Freedoms Act means a charge can be brought when an alleged stalker’s behaviour causes serious alarm or distress.”’
‘What will I say to the police? That a letter asking if I’m asleep caused me distress?’
‘It did, didn’t it?’
She clasped her hands on the sides of her face. ‘Yes, but I’d feel stupid taking the letter to them. I know what you’re saying about things changing, but I can’t forget how pathetic the police made me feel when I went to them.’
‘I understand where you’re coming from,’ Emma said, ‘but it has to be an option. Have your parents kept everything they’ve been sent over the years?’
‘Yes, I think so.’
‘Well there you are, that’s even more evidence. Maybe the police will pay Mike a visit and scare him off. Hang on, let’s see what we can find out about him.’
She brought up Facebook and typed in Mike’s name. In a split second, his page appeared.
‘I know I shouldn’t be judgemental, but look at his profile picture—he’s still creepy,’ Emma said and clicked on his employment history. ‘Here you go. He works at Tesco in Lewisham.’
Lauren leant forward and stared at his picture. She had to admit, it wasn’t very flattering, but that wasn’t what caught her attention. His eyes—they were dark, almost black, as if he had no soul.
‘I’ll also see if he’s on the electoral roll and we can get his address.’ After a few minutes of searching Emma looked up from the screen. ‘Damn, doesn’t look like he is.’
‘Not to worry, at least we’ve got somewhere to start.’
‘I’d bet my life he’s responsible, Lauren. You’ve got nothing to be afraid of,’ Emma said.
Did Lauren dare believe Emma was right? That Mike would reveal himself as her stalker after all these years? It was at least something to consider. What else could she do? She was fresh out of ideas.
‘What do you suggest we do?’
‘We go to his workplace and confront him. Tell him if he doesn’t leave you alone, we’ll inform his manager what he’s been up to.’
‘And you think that will do the trick?’
‘Look at it this way. When he was stalking you at school, he didn’t have any responsibilities. Now he has a job and he lives in a shared house by the looks of it, which tells me he has rent to pay. Do you think he’ll want to lose his job over a prank?’
‘Okay, we’ll go and see him,’ Lauren murmured.
Emma drew her against her chest in a warm, comforting embrace.
Barely two hours ago, Lauren had promised not to get emotionally involved with Emma, and here she found herself in her arms and enjoying it thoroughly. Though her thoughts were a million miles away from anything physical, she relished the feel of Emma’s hand on her back while the other smoothed her hair. Tender touches that intoxicated her with …
A door slammed shut in the apartment next door and they jolted apart. They stared at each other and then broke into laughter.
‘You’re gonna be a bigger wreck than me when this is all over,’ Lauren said, guilt already plaguing her for putting Emma on edge.
