And by the sight of Jake with two women hanging off him when Abby spotted him at a breakfast bar, she figured there had been a lot of love.
“He just doesn’t know when to stop.” Alex shook his head. Then his eyes narrowed. “I’m not convinced those two are anything but an act. Look who’s watching him.”
Abby followed her gaze to where he was looking and saw Lainey Green watching Jake with her hands on her hips, an expression of sheer disgust on her pretty face.
“This is for her benefit. He’s trying to piss her off.” Alex folded his arms and stared at his cousin. “Next thing you know, he’ll be pulling her plaits and putting frogs in her bed.”
“I’d like to see how she gets him back.”
“Me too. Want to grab a seat over there?” Alex pointed to a spot just out of the way, where a large oak would provide some shade from the sun if they stayed later than they’d planned. The edges of the field were crowded with trees, poplars, birches and oaks, making a natural boundary and also giving some privacy. This was one of the fields that shared a boundary with Lainey Green’s land.
“Sure.” Abby headed over there, stopping when she heard voices, familiar ones.
“You’re being ridiculous.” The tone was the same as what one would use with a small child. “Get over yourself, Zack. Alex has already said that if Abby moves, he’ll go with her.”
Abby froze, knowing that had she been hearing this conversation a week or so earlier, she’d have slumped to the ground in tears at the havoc she was causing.
Alex strode over to her, frowning. He was carrying a picnic blanket to sit on that he’d sourced from somewhere – possibly Jake.
She gestured for him to stay quiet, not knowing if they should make themselves known to Sorrell and Zack or not. She was trying to stop her head from reeling at what she’d just heard.
Alex would’ve moved away with her. Rayah had said as much the day before, but Abby had taken it as an exaggeration. But now she believed it. He’d have chosen to leave his family, his colleagues. He’d told her this morning that he loved her – now she knew just how much.
Zack groaned. “I don’t want Alex to leave Severton. I want our kids to grow up together and have a big family to look after them. I just don’t want to be sat there worrying about you and our daughter. And if someone’s looking for her…”
Alex stepped behind the tree where Zack and Sorrell were sitting, making himself very known.
“The people looking for her know where she is.”
Zack was immediately quiet.
“Why do they want her? What’s she done?” Zack stood up. He looked tense. Worried.
Abby stopped hiding.
“My sister went missing just over two years ago. She was seeing a man who was connected to one of the gangs in Manchester. I started looking for her, but I was scared that if they knew I suspected them, they’d come after me.” She glanced at Alex, looking for approval, and saw him nod.
“Is your sister alive?” Sorrell asked, her red hair even redder in the sunshine.
“We think so.” She gave another glance at Alex.
“It’s possible that another Manchester gang is looking for Tilly – Abby’s sister – to take revenge for something that her boyfriend did. They’d be looking for Abby to find Tilly.” Alex moved closer to his brother. “If I thought that Sorrell and your daughter would come to any harm, I’d act on it, Zack. I wouldn’t let anything happen to what you love most because I know it would kill you, which means it would kill us both.”
Zack nodded and looked away
“Is Abby safe here? And why did you come to Severton?” Zack’s eyes went to her.
“Because of the cult. It has links with the gang that Kenny – my sister’s boyfriend – was in. I figured it was a good place to hide someone, so I moved here thinking I’d find something out. I haven’t done. Failed at that.” She smiled sadly. “But Alex has managed to get some information.”
“I saw Kenny Gallagher last night.”
Alex’s words quietened everyone, even though Abby was pretty sure neither Sorrell nor Zack knew who he was.
“When?”
“His cousin, who’s called Kenny too, was involved in the fight I went to break up. I think it was the cousin you met when you first started looking for Tilly.” Alex had turned slightly so he was facing Abby. “He warned not to go looking for her as you might lead Tony Jones’ lads to where she is. He also said that you don’t need to worry – Jones’ boys won’t touch you.” He paused. “I wouldn’t take it at face value. If they’re looking for Tilly or Kenny, you’re still a target. But there are things we can do to make sure she’s safe, Zack.” He went back to his brother. “Because like you don’t want any harm to come to Sorrell, I don’t want anything to happen to Abby.”
Abby knew what Alex had just said. He’d announced to Zack how he felt about her. Telling her was one thing, making it known to his brother was another.
