“Mummy, what toys do you have under your bed and why can’t we play with them?”
That made the laughter start again.
Cassian came into the room, looking shocked – probably at the group of women who were now convulsed with stupid laughter and at the state of the place. It really had been turned over.
“Did you know Mummy’s got secret toys under her bed?” Of course, Heidi stopped laughing and managed to tell him that.
He raised his eyebrows at me. “Really?”
I managed to find a grin from somewhere. “Yes, but she’s really hoping she isn’t going to need them anymore.”
Then he laughed too.
We needed that laugh, because the reality was grim. Even though they’d only been in the house for ninety seconds, the damage was horrific, but I couldn’t think about that now. Someof the things they’d ruined had been mine and Joel’s, wedding gifts and things we’d collected. They weren’t replaceable, but I still had the memories. It was going to take days to get the house straight for the girls again, if we were allowed back any time soon. If we could go back.
“Roe suggested we all stay at the schoolhouse,” Cassian said when we were in Beryl’s living room, seventies kitsch splattered across the walls and over the sofas.
I didn’t care - I had a cup of tea, everyone was safe, and two girls sat watching Disney’sMoana, cuddled up together underneath a very floral blanket.
“There’s no room at the Puffin Inn,” he carried on. “And it might be best for the girls to be close enough to get to school in the morning. Roe can set up security there for the night. I can sleep on the couch and it’s a super king bed so you could have that with the girls.”
I nodded, not needing any more details. I trusted Roe and Liv, and the two had been talking furiously with lots of nodding. “That would be great. I’m not happy you’re on the coach though.”
He didn’t smile, which worried me. Cassian was nearly always smiling. “I’ve slept on that couch more times that I’ve slept in the bed. It’s really comfy.”
“I’m not going to argue. I don’t have it in me right now.” I really had nothing left, the adrenaline crash proving spectacular. “Joel’s mum is going back home. A police car’s going to follow her back to make sure she gets there okay and herfriend’sstaying over so she won’t be on her own.”
“We’re all good for now?”
“For now.” I managed a nod. “Let’s get these two wannabee princesses into bed.”
It was after eleven by the time the two girls were asleep. Mia had been clingier than Heidi, which didn’t surprise me in the least and I felt lacking in skills I maybe should’ve had. Her mother was gone, her home wasn’t her home anymore, and she knew that bad men were looking for her, so it was a surprise she fell asleep at all.
Heidi had been quiet, probably processing everything, working out what had happened to her home and why we were now in a strange house with lots of people round that she didn’t really know.
I slipped out of the room, leaving the door ajar and the hallway light on so if either of them woke they weren’t in darkness. I was too wired to sleep myself, too full of anxiety, of impossible scenarios running through my head that didn’t seem improbable anymore.
Liv had been here with us, performing the role of a family liaison officer that she had been trained for. Roe and some of his security colleagues had been about, and apparently were still about but we weren’t likely to see them. I’d asked how that was being funded, and apparently it wasn’t – Roe had called it in because shit was going down in his town.
He’d always been the quieter twin, his expression rarely giving away what he was feeling. I’d seen him studying people though, watching with a stillness that’d reminded me of a bird of prey surveying the landscape, looking for the slightest move of a mouse or a vole.
Tonight he’d felt distant, pre-occupied, but he’d helped make me feel secure.
The other man doing that was sat on the sofa he was going to use as a bed, blankets ready, wearing shorts and T-shirt that he’d brought with him, given that most of his clothes were at Beryl’s.
“How are they?” He hunched up on the sofa so I could sit down.
“Asleep. I expect they’ll wake up at some point, unless they’re so shattered they sleep through.” I sat down and sighed, some of the worries and stress of the day exhaled with the air.
“I’d say they should stay at home tomorrow, but I don’t think that’d help.” He stretched out his arm. “I think they need the normality.”
“I think you’re right. I know they’re safe there too, and I can sort out where we can stay until we can go back home.”
“Stay here. It’s only for a few days and from what Roe says, this is easier to set up security because there’re a limited amount of access points from the road. Easier to see who’s approaching.” He reached down to pick up his mug. “Do you want a drink or something to eat? Freya dropped off a veggie stew.”
I hadn’t realised I was feeling hungry until Cas mentioned food. “I wouldn’t mind actually. I’ll come and sort it though. We’ve disrupted your life enough.”
He stood up with me. “Hardly. We could say it’s Mia’s fault life has been disrupted, but it’s absolutely not, so it’s definitely not yours.”
