Seeing her dad’s stupefied expression, his hands pressed to his throat, Kim’s mouth curved into a satisfied smile. If ever she’d wanted revenge on him – and she had, many times – this was it, and it tasted so very sweet. He would never have imagined that people like Adam and Cassie, driving an expensive car and clearly well off, would have anything to do with the likes of her. How wrong he was. Despite their rocky start, they were growing fond of her, as evidenced by them coming to her rescue.Perfect.It was all going exactly as she’d hoped it might. She felt bad that Adam, who’d shot up several notches in her estimation, was caught up in the middle of all this, but needs must. She’d made a promise to Josh. In living up to that promise, she’d guessed there might be casualties along the way. Shooting her dad a triumphant glare, she lifted her chin and turned towards Cassie.
An hour later, though, she’d begun to wonder about Cassie’s fondness. Coming back from the car with one of the boxes of pretty ornaments and bright pictures the woman had thoughtfully bought for the cottage – she heard Adam and Cassie talking. They were in the conservatory, looking out over the garden. Cassie’s arms were folded, her body language tense. ‘I just can’t help thinking it’s terribly risky,’ she was saying, attempting to keep her voice low. ‘If that animal has access to her, God only knows what might happen.’
Adam ran a hand across his neck. ‘She said she hasn’t given him the address,’ he pointed out. ‘I doubt she’s likely to, don’t you?’
‘There are ways and means of finding people, Adam, especially in this day and age. Have you any idea about how much we give away about ourselves on social media?’ Cassie asked. ‘How many people post pictures of themselves right outside their house? With their geographical location right there on their profile? It doesn’t take a genius to work out where they live.’
‘I suppose,’ Adam agreed.
‘I would be happier if we had a contingency plan in place, that’s all, for Samuel’s sake,’ Cassie went on, causing Kim’s heart to stall in her chest. ‘At least then we would know where we stand.’
Yes, and now Kim knew where she stood too, with Cassandra at least.
Fifteen
Cassandra
Cassie eyed the grey skies as she waited outside the Parkside Café. She and Kim had decided they would treat themselves to a calorific coffee and cake before going to the shop on the trading estate where you could buy ex-season top brands for surprisingly low prices. They were supposed to be going to Boots afterwards to stock up on essentials for Samuel, but with rain threatening, Cassie was wondering whether it might be better to do it the other way around.
Assuming Kim had been delayed, she fished her phone from her shoulder bag and was about to call her when it rang. The girl was obviously psychic. ‘Hi, Cassie, I’m so sorry but I’m not going to be able to make it,’ she said apologetically. ‘It’s nothing to worry about, but Samuel has a bit of a sniffle.’
‘Oh no.’ Cassie’s pulse quickened. ‘Bless his heart. Is he all right? He doesn’t have a temperature, does he?’
‘No, I’ve taken it,’ Kim assured her. ‘He’s just a bit miserable, poor thing. I thought with rain forecast, though, it might be better to keep him tucked up indoors.’
‘Of course,’ Cassie agreed. She had been so looking forward to seeing him, but Kim was doing the right thing. She’d probably been unfair in her estimation of Kim’s ability to cope with a small baby, but she couldn’t help but be concerned after the appalling episode with her father. She felt a shudder run through her at the thought of the man being anywhere near her grandchild. ‘I’m here in town anyway. Is there anything you need me to grab from Boots?’ she offered. ‘I could pop round on my way home.’
‘Nappies,’ Kim said. ‘I’m running low on those. And would you mind getting some baby wipes while you’re at it? I’m not fussed which ones as long as they’re fragrance-free.’
Cassie swallowed back a lump of guilt. She had definitely judged the girl too harshly. She was obviously extremely conscientious. She had managed up until now without anyone’s help, after all. ‘Will do,’ she said. ‘And I’ll bring you some cake from the café as well, since you’re missing out. You’ll need it for energy.’
‘Ooh, I’d die for a slice of chocolate gateau.’ Kim sighed longingly.
‘Josh’s favourite,’ Cassie replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
‘I know.’ Kim laughed fondly. ‘He would eat the whole cake if you let him.’
‘Washed down with vanilla milkshake,’ Cassie added.
‘And half of mine,’ Kim said, and sniffled.
Cassie waited a beat while her heart stilled. ‘I’ll be there with supplies as soon as I can,’ she said, drawing in a breath.
‘Thanks, Cassie,’ Kim murmured, making an obvious effort not to cry.
‘My pleasure,’ Cassie said, her heart palpitating as she ended the call.
Her thoughts were elsewhere as she made her selections in the café and stowed the cake in her shoulder bag. Her mind was on her beautiful boy and his reaction the first time he’d eaten chocolate.
She was coming out of the café when her phone beeped. Wondering whether it might be Kim remembering something else she needed, she paused and fumbled it from her pocket, then froze, panic knotting her stomach.
The text was from the same anonymous caller as before – the woman, she assumed, who’d emerged from her past. Why?After all these years? Goose bumps prickling her skin, she opened it.You took everything that was worth anything away from me, it read.Now you need to pay.
Cassie didn’t reply. Her fingers trembling with a combination of fear and anger, she swallowed back the apprehension rising inside her, switched the phone to silent and dropped it back in her pocket. What did the woman want?Money, clearly. But what if it didn’t stop her?
Sixteen
Cassandra
