“Kind of, but I hadn’t realised these were here. I just felt a bit achy, and I bruise easily.”
Jon stepped closer and examined her body that was exposed. He shook his head before lifting her chin so that she was looking up at him now. “You need to get your arse out there and tell me exactly what has happened to you because my mind is going into overdrive right now and I have a horrible feeling I am going to be beyond pissed off with you before either of us hit the sack.”
She knew he was right and simply followed his orders to sit on the sofa, nursing the cup of tea that was waiting for her. He stared at her for only a few seconds before she dropped her glance and began to speak.
“I got to my dad’s in time to take him for his appointment, him and Janice. There was a backlog in the clinic so I left them waiting and went to sit outside to send a few emails when Simon appeared from nowhere. He had been to see my dad, but obviously he’d been discharged so never found him,” Steph started nervously.
“Go on.” Although there was anger in his tone, that was outweighed by concern.
“I told him to go away and to leave us all alone, especially my dad. That he knew some things that had happened between us and was unlikely to be pleased to see him. He started shouting and asking why I’d told him all of the terrible things I had, so I explained that they were the truth and that he’d been the one to draw my dad into it, that’s why. He took that remarkably well and calmed down enough to suggest that we should grab a coffee and talk some more.”
“Tell me that you did not have coffee or anything else with that fucking psycho!” said Jon still staring coldly, and although his glance was focused on her, she knew the lack of warmth was not directed at her.
Steph shook her head, “No. I made my excuses and went back to Dad.”
“Then how is it you’re covered in bruises?” The fear in his voice was tinged with anger as he appeared to brace himself for the next revelation.
“There was an emergency on the ward so the clinic was even further behind. My dad insisted I should go home and him and Janice would get a cab home. I was leaving the hospital when Simon appeared again and asked me rather calmly to have a coffee with him again, and to talk.”
“You didn’t? Tell me you didn’t? You did, didn’t you? You agreed to have fucking coffee with him? After everything he has done to you!” Jon only sounded angry now.
“It just seemed easier than arguing again, sorry,” Steph said weakly. “We sat drinking coffee in that coffee shop place and he told me that his secretary had agreed to a DNA test and he is Simon’s, but she still wants to stay with her husband and bring the baby up with him.”
“Maybe that would be for the best, for the baby at least,” muttered Jon.
“Perhaps, if a little unfair as the baby is Simon’s son and he wants to be a dad. Anyway, he still has this crazy notion that I will somehow validate his attempt to gain custody or access and of course help to fund the whole thing.” She sighed. “I told him that it was a non-starter and that I was happy without him and then he started getting agitated and shouting. I got up to leave and was just walking across the car park when he grabbed me and started pulling me and shouting. He completely lost it. A couple of people looked at us, but steered clear, although I think they alerted someone inside to what was going on; he grabbed me by the shoulders, pulling me and then he tried to get me to go with him and when I wouldn’t he put his arms around me and picked me up,” she said tearfully showing Jon the bruisesaround her middle and ribs. “I started screaming and then security came along and pulled him off me as Angus came across the car park with Chris on their way back from the ward. Simon managed to break free of security and legged it.” Steph stared across at Jon’s stony face.
“How did he know about your dad?” asked Jon.
“He’d heard about him from a mutual acquaintance. Us being there was a coincidence,” revealed Steph.
“What did the police say?” He stretched across to hold her hand in his.
“I didn’t call them and after Angus suggested that it was a random thing with a psych patient I didn’t dispute it, but he called psych outpatients in case.”
“This is unbelievable, Steph. I told you that if he came anywhere near you I wanted to know immediately and yet you kept it from me. Then when I find out from my dad it turns out that you have buried your head in the sand again where Simon is concerned. Look at you, yet again he has left you bruised and battered and yet again you have refused to report it. This is not normal behaviour and if you want me to be completely honest with you, Steph, it scares me. He tried to kidnap you! What is he actually capable of?” said Jon angry more than anything now, but she was unsure who with.
“I know and I was going to tell you when we got back, but I would have told you before we went out had I known your dad was aware of it. I am sorry for not calling you when it happened, but I don’t like all of the drama, which is why I allowed Angus to believe it was all a misunderstanding and avoided the police, but I will if anything else happens,” she promised.
“So, did the dashing Dr Smarmy come rushing to your rescue again?” he sneered.
“That’s unnecessary, but he did make sure I was okay and wanted to drive me home.”
“Where is your car now?” asked Jon confused.
“Downstairs. Dylan appeared at that point and he drove me home in my car and got Joe to take him back later,” said Steph.
“Show me your bruises again.” He was already getting down onto his knees and studying her before him. “Oh, darling, just when the night was going so well,” he muttered as he gently ran his hand over her ribs and then brushed his hand up and over her shoulders. “It has been a long night and we both have busy days planned for tomorrow, so let’s go to bed.” Jon got to his feet and gently pulled Steph up too.
“I was thinking that I might put my vest and knickers on again,” she said, grinning up at him.
“Steph, I can’t, not while you’re hurt and bruised,” replied Jon seriously.
“I am fine,” she protested, although she did feel sore.
“Stephanie, let’s go to bed,” he said firmly, leading her to her own bedroom. “Perhaps you could tell me why you decided to confuse the history of the Church of England with Blackadder whilst discussing eating babies with my brother-in-law the vicar?” laughed Jon as he shook his head at her making her laugh too.
The figuresand files were spreading across Steph’s desk and beyond as she tried to find legitimate ways of making extra money for the research SuLyn was planning and as they talked, Steph was struggling to find further funding within the Brooker Foundation without it being at the expense of their own work. They discussed the options over and over, limited as they were until Rosie called through.
