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‘Right, well, let’s go home. I’m having Roger contact the security firm. Tomorrow morning, I’m afraid we’re having a new alarm system fitted, locks put on all the windows, a new front door, CCTV at the gate and…’ he began.
‘Oh no, Nick, no. I don’t want our home turned into a fortress. Please.’
‘I’m sorry. I’m not taking any chances anymore.’
Having somehow heard about the car attack on the journalists’ grapevine, there were scores of photographers outside their home when they arrived back in Mayleaf.
‘I’m going to get a bigger, higher gate put up and there will be no more making tea for the photographers either. You just don’t know who you can trust.’ He drove the car through the front gate and pulled up outside their door.
Freya didn’t respond. She was still trying to take in the day’s events. It was all too much to think about and she was tired. She just wanted to curl up in her own bed and go to sleep.
‘So, did the doctor give you the all clear?’ Nicholas asked.
‘Yeah. I’ve had episodes like this before. I used to get them quite often when I lived with him.’ She opened the car door.
‘And you haven’t told me that either. Why are you keeping this stuff to yourself? We’re a team.’ He followed her up the steps.
‘I didn’t tell you because it’s embarrassing. You know the sort of person I am. I like to think I can take on the world and win. But the truth is, when the going really gets tough. I freak out. Remember when Emma nearly lost the baby? I spent an hour at the hospital waiting for news about her, blowing into a paper bag, trying to keep a grip on things. That same night, when I told you who my father was, it was all I could do to get the story out without passing out.’
‘Come on, let’s get you inside and I’ll make some tea.’ He opened the front door.
Willis came bounding down the hallway to greet them both and started to weave himself in and out of Freya’s legs as she tried to walk towards the kitchen.
‘Hi, Willis,’ she greeted.
Nicholas stopped in the doorway and turned around to face Freya. She knew just by looking at him, something wasn’t right.
‘Hey, why don’t you go and put on one of those trashy dramas you like watching and I’ll make the tea.’ He took her hand and started to lead her back up the hall.
‘What’s the matter? Why don’t you want me going in the kitchen? I want to feed Willis.’ She stood her ground.
‘I’ll feed him. You need to rest.’
‘I need things to be normal again. That’s what I need.’ She brushed past Nicholas and entered the kitchen.
All around the room, there were photographs. They covered all the worktops of the kitchen units.
Some were stuck to the walls and the appliances and even the windows. They were photographs of her and Nicholas. Except they had been altered. Freya’s face had been cut out of each and every picture.
‘Oh my God!’ Freya exclaimed. She put her hands to her face.
19
The bright light coming through the bedroom window woke Freya the following morning. Willis jumped up from his position at the bottom of the bed and walked all over her body to get to her face and lick it. Freya reached for her glasses and put them on. The bedside clock told her it was nine-thirty.
Shocked by the time, she pulled back the duvet and leapt out of bed. She grabbed her robe and hurried out of the bedroom.
She ran downstairs and rushed into the kitchen, Willis struggling to keep up with her.
Nicholas was sat at the breakfast bar, reading through his script.
‘Why didn’t you wake me? I’ve got an appointment this morning.’ She pulled open a cupboard and got out the cat food.
‘I thought you could do with the sleep. It was gone two when the police left.’
‘Well, that isn’t going to change my appointment time, is it? I’m never going to make it to the office in thirty minutes. I’m not even dressed.’ She dropped the tin-opener on the floor.
‘Hey, come on. I’ll call Sasha. I’ll tell her you’re not coming in today. She can see to the appointments.’ He stood up and picked up the tin-opener.
