Page 16 of Scarred Sunrise

“That’s good.”

Lizzie wanted to know more, to devour every bit of information about the man she loved, but she had to stop herself. He didn’t want her, how many times did he have to say it before she got it through to her head. Except her head wasn’t the problem, her heart was.

“How about after this we go to Ludlow and have a walk around the Castle?” Daniel said loud enough for Mateo and Paige to hear.

A chorus of yes’s followed, and Lizzie smiled at the look of joy on her son’s face. He was what mattered most, his happiness, not her own. Love for him filled her and squeezed a tight warmth into her heart when he smiled at her.

At eleven, he was still affectionate towards her, and she knew that it wouldn’t be long before she started to lose him, especially when he started senior school in September. For now, though, he was content to let her hug him and still be her little boy.

Meg tipped her head back to look at Daniel. “Do you have time?”

“I always have time for my girls.”

Lizzie loved that her sister had that, but it was hard not to let the pain of seeing it affect her. She’d done everything in her power to love Marco, but how could you give your heart to one man when it already belonged to another?

As they wandered around the Castle and the picturesque village of Ludlow, with its black and white homes and cute street market, she found herself relaxing and enjoying the moment. Passing a stall selling homemade chutneys, she stopped to buy a couple for her dad.

“Mum, can we get these for Katarina?”

Lizzie cocked her head at Mateo’s question as she looked over at the wooden beaded bracelets on the stall next to them. Mateo had always been a sweet boy, but this was different, and the blush that stole over his innocent cheeks made her cough to cover the smile hovering on her lips. “We sure can, buddy. Have you seen one you like?”

A frown married his handsome face as he gave it careful consideration. He pointed at a yellow wooden bracelet with blue, glass beads. “This one.”

“Nice choice, buddy.” Lizzie went to take her purse from her bag but stopped when her son laid a hand on her arm.

“I want to buy it with my pocket money.”

“Okay.”

Lizzie stepped back a little and let her son handle the entire transaction on his own. Gifted with precious moments like these, it was hard to be down, especially when she’d once thought she’d never see him again.

* * *

With a sigh of exhaustion,Lizzie sat back in her favourite chair and tipped the glass of Merlot to her lips. Today had been a funny one with mixed emotions, but ultimately it had ended well. Mateo had his first crush, although he couldn’t have a picked a more dangerous girl for it with Roz as her mother. Her father had travelled to see some friends from his fishing club, the first trip since his heart attack, and Smithy was getting the help he needed.

Massaging her thigh where it ached from all the walking, she leaned back against the cushion. Her physical therapy was a constant work in progress, the damage done to her pelvis so extensive it was a wonder she’d survived. Picking up her phone, she sent a text to Mara to see if she had space for her this week.

Realising it was probably too late for a reply, she put the phone down next to her and flicked the TV on. As her phone rang beside her, she smiled and answered without checking the caller ID. “Hello.”

“Liz?”

Lizzie sat up straighter, not recognising the voice as a shiver of fear wormed its way down her spine. “Yes,” she said slowly, standing and going to check the front door was locked.

“This is Nazareli. I need to meet you.”

Lizzie’s heart pounded faster, the beat almost in her throat as she walked up the stairs to the back door and made sure it was secure too.

“Why me?”

“Because you’re the only person I trust.”

“What do you want?”

“Meet me in two hours at the entrance to Haugh woods and come alone.”

Lizzie needed to stall. “I can’t. I have my son with me.”

“No you don’t. He’s with his father. Two hours, Liz.”

A shiver passed over her as she realised someone had been watching her and knew she was alone. Without thinking, she dialled a number she knew well.