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‘Hi.’
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Was I shot or something? Because I feel like I’ve been shot… in the head.’
‘No, no shooting. Just another collapse.’ He stroked the hair off her face.
‘I had a horrible, horrible dream.’ She tried to sit up.
‘Dr Stone says you’re to lie still. He’ll be here soon. Tell me about the dream.’
‘Well, it was kind of The Wizard of Oz but without the singing and dancing. And my father was the wizard, so I think I was doomed from the outset.’ She gave half a smile.
‘Freya, about what Jonny told you tonight…’
‘Can you go and hurry up Dick Van Dyke? I’d really like to go home and finish the Ben & Jerry’s I started,’ she interrupted.
‘He isn’t lying about being your half-brother. It’s the truth.’
‘I can’t believe he’s fooled you. Who d’you think is behind all this? My father. And my father will pay anyone to say anything just to piss me off. This is all part of some elaborate master plan to make my life shit. Although he really didn’t need to employ Jonny again. The dead birds were kind of freaking me out anyway.’
‘Eric told me himself.’
Freya inhaled a breath and held it there.
‘Going to see him was the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do.’
‘You were going to keep it a secret from me. You lied to me about going to an interview! All those things we said about trust. All the guilt you made me feel about keeping my meeting with Jonny from you and days later, you were lying to me about my father!’
‘Freya, please, calm down.’
‘No, I won’t calm down. You know how I feel about that man. You know how dangerous he is and you didn’t listen. And now he’s playing you. Now he’s created this ridiculous story about Jonny to hurt me and push us apart and you’re falling for it.’ She began to pull at the drip, trying to disconnect herself.
‘What are you doing? Don’t be stupid. Come on, lie back down.’
‘You’ve played right into his hands.’ She started to untie her hospital gown.
‘Freya, stop. Just stop and sit down. Just for a minute.’ He grabbed her arm.
‘I don’t want to stop. I want to get out of this place.’
‘I don’t think your father’s behind the break ins.’
‘My God, he really took you right on in, didn’t he? What did you expect him to say to you? “Yes, Nick it’s me who’s been terrorising you both. It was me who half-killed your driver and broke into your home.” Offer you brandy and cigars, did he?’
‘He as good as held his hands up about Mike. But I really don’t think he’s behind the other stuff.’
‘And did you come to that conclusion before or after he told you this bullshit about Jonny being my half-brother?’ She started to dress.
‘I know you’re upset but it doesn’t really change anything for us. It doesn’t change anything for you and me.’
‘No, of course it doesn’t. Because it isn’t true.’
‘I don’t see what your father had to gain by telling me if it wasn’t the truth.’
‘He’s trying to mess with my head. That’s what he does. I keep telling you that, Nick. Why don’t you believe me?’ She pulled her top over her head.
‘It isn’t that I don’t believe you. I just think…’
