On the other side, she debated for a second and then called Adam, who she knew wouldn’t hesitate to come to her rescue. ‘Adam?’ she said tearfully when he picked up. ‘I’m really sorry to bother you while you’re working, but—’
‘What’s happened?’ Adam was immediately concerned. ‘Are you all right? Is it Sam?’
He’d grown attached to the baby, shortening his name affectionately. Kim was both touched and saddened by that. ‘Sam’s fine,’ she assured him. ‘I checked with Cassie as I left the gym. I was on my way back, but…’ She gulped in a wretched breath.
‘Jesus. What? Is it Cassie?’ Adam’s voice was a combination of wary and fearful.
‘No, nothing like that,’ she said quickly. ‘It’s just… I’ve got a bit of a problem. I was running from this man and—’
‘What man?’ Adam stopped her, his tone shocked. ‘When?Where?’
‘In the playing fields at the back of the gym. I was taking a shortcut. I heard him behind me, and I—’
‘Are you still there now?’ Adam cut in, his tone tight.
‘I’m on the road outside, leading into town.’ Kim sniffled, and wiped a hand under her nose.
‘Are there people around?’ Adam asked, clearly worried.
‘Yes. Lots. I’m just heading to the roundabout by Morrisons.’
‘Go to the supermarket entrance,’ he instructed her. ‘Wait there. I’ll be ten minutes. Try not to worry.’
Kim heard his hurried footsteps, a door opening and closing. Wherever he was, he was clearly exiting fast. ‘I won’t,’ she assured him shakily. ‘Not now I know you’re on your way.’
Forty
Kimberley
Kim watched, impressed, as Adam screeched to a stop in the car park directly opposite the supermarket doors. A second later, he was thrusting his door open and climbing hurriedly out to meet her as she ran towards him.
He’d obviously noticed her torn top. She saw his eyes flick to her torso. She guessed her make-up would be smudged, tear tracks wending their way down her face. She must look a right state.
Noting his concern, she launched herself at him, pressing her face hard into his shoulder. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. ‘I didn’t know who else to call.’
Seeming uncertain what to do as she clung to his neck, Adam hesitated for a second, then wrapped his arms gently around her. ‘There’s nothing to be sorry for, Kim,’ he assured her.
‘I shouldn’t have dragged you out of work.’ Kim eased away from him, gulping back a sob and wiping a hand across her cheek. ‘It’s just, when I realised I’d lost my bag and that my purse was inside it…’
‘It’s fine.’ Adam gave her a reassuring smile. ‘What’s that?’ he asked, his eyes darkening as he looked at her throat.
Kim’s fingers fluttered towards the raw scratch she knew he was referring to. ‘I got caught up in some brambles near the hedgerow,’ she said, her hand trembling as she wiped at a fresh tear spilling down her face. ‘I was trying to get away from him and—’
‘He was following you?’ Adam’s eyes darkened to thunder.
‘Yes,’ Kim said in a small voice. ‘I might not have noticed, but he started whistling behind me, as if he wanted to scare me. I started to walk faster, and then he walked faster. And then I panicked and ran, and he ran, and…’ She stopped, averting her gaze and swallowing hard.
‘And?’ said Adam.
‘He was shouting something. I’m not sure what,’ she went on, wrapping her arms around herself. Noticing her shivering, Adam tugged off his jacket.
‘I looked over my shoulder to see how far away he was,’ Kim went on as he draped the jacket protectively around her, ‘and that’s when I realised he was almost on top of me.’
‘Jesus Christ.’ Adam wiped a hand angrily across his mouth.
‘I was all tangled up in the thicket by then, and he…’ She faltered and drew in a breath. ‘He…’ Closing her eyes, she stopped.
Her eyes sprang open as Adam placed his arm around her. ‘It’s okay,’ he said softly, drawing her closer and guiding her towards the passenger side of his car. ‘Let’s get you inside and warmed up a bit, shall we? You’re shaking fit to rattle something loose.’
