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“I hope so. Bye.”
Chatting with Grant had lifted my spirits and I was no longer shaking. I would go and see Dorothy and make sure the stupid drivers had not done the same there.
Dorothy answered the door, and I followed her inside.
“What a pest that person was last night, revving up their car. I was about to call the police when it stopped,” Dorothy said.
“They threw rocks at my place.”
“Oh, you poor thing. It’s more than likely silly young men with too much time on their hands. They get a thrill out of annoying people.”
“If it happens again, I’m calling the police,” I said. “I would have been happier if Ryan had been here. Has it happened before?”
“We have had kids being foolish before but not that bad. I noticed Ryan’s pickup isn’t there. Has he gone away?”
It wasn’t my business to share things, but it seemed Dorothy knew some things about Ryan’s past anyway. “He’s gone to Melbourne. Said there was a family situation.”
“It will be his mother. She’s had a sad life from the little I know. Been sick recently, but a lot of mental issues, too.”
I would do what I could to help when he got back. He was going to talk to me about it anyway, so it would not be snooping. If there was a physical problem, I could explain it to him, and if it was a psychiatric issue, I could look into what counseling facilities were near his mother. He might tell me to mind my own business, though. I would respect that if it was the case.
“Well, I need to get to work now. Let me know if you want anything or if those car hoons come back again.”
* * *
The morning flew by with appointments, and I hadn’t had time to check my phone. When I did, there was a message from Ryan.
Ryan: Got to Melbourne safe. Saw my brother and we are sorting out where Mom can live. Will call you tonight and let you know how it’s going. Miss you.
I missed him too. I would tell him tonight about the rocks and the branch. There was no point in worrying him when he had enough on his plate with his family. I sent a message.
Autumn: Crazy busy at work but should be home by six. Look forward to it. Miss you too.
The afternoon went as fast as the morning, and I was exhausted by the time I arrived home. Plus, my broken sleep from the night before did not help. I would have tea, chat with Ryan, and hit the sack. Then I had a naughty idea. Just because we were away from each other did not mean we couldn’t still have some fun. Maybe we could have phone sex. I had never done it before but being in Australia was all about trying new things.
Two hours later, he still hadn’t called. He had to be busy, and I didn’t want to bother him. At least there were no more rocks on the front doorstep or crazy driving on the street. It was like I thought and just young guys trying to impress people with their cars. I watched a documentary on television, but then my eyes were closing. I would even be too tired for phone sex at this rate. I popped my cell phone on charge beside the bed.
I was just about to take off my prosthesis and change into my pajamas when a loud bang made me jump. I made my way to the bedroom window. What the hell was going on? More noises came from the back of the house as if someone was throwing the garden furniture around. Had I locked the door? I couldn’t remember. Okay, I would try to stay calm. I just had to convince my body that as I trembled. I would check the doors and call the police.
I rushed to the back of the house to lock up, but the door swung in before I could even get there. It hit my forearm and I lost my balance and fell on the floor with a thud. My hand went into spasm, and a jolt went up my good leg.
I shook my head to try and focus. I could see the shape of a man standing in the doorway. It was dark outside, and he hadn’t entered the light enough for me to make out his features.
“Hello, Autumn. I’ve missed you.”
I’d know that voice anywhere. It sent a cold feeling of dread up my spine. It had been over a year since I had taken out the restraining order, but I still had nightmares about him. How the hell did he find me here? I needed my phone to call the police, but it was beside my bed. Kevin could be erratic at the best of times but had not physically hurt me in the past. The car accident had been just that. An accident. He had smashed up my apartment but had never touched me. I would count on that until I managed to call the cops.
“Why are you here, Kevin?” I grabbed the side of the sofa to pull myself up. He rushed in to help me. At his touch, I couldn’t help it, my whole body stiffened. I had witnessed his strange sense of caring for me before, from the accident, through to his stalking me. I sat on the couch as the dizziness wore off. Kevin went back, slammed the door, and then came over to tower above me.
He was a large man, at least six feet, and well-built. Even when he was pleasant, his size was intimidating. His hair was cropped close to his head, and he wore glasses and a permanent smirk on his face. You could be fooled at first into thinking his expression was a smile, but it held contempt. Contempt for anyone who got in the way of what he wanted. I had first seen that look when he peered at his mother.
He peered around the cottage. “You deserve better than this, Autumn. I don’t understand why you would come to the other side of the world for this. I offered you such a lovely home.”
“Why are you here, Kevin?”
“Now, don’t be like that. I’ve come such a long way to see you. This is just some backwoods. It can’t compare with London and being with me.” Kevin moved over to the sideboard, opened the bottle of brandy, and poured two drinks.
I pretended to sip it when he handed it to me. I had to play this game carefully. I needed my wits about me to get out of here and alcohol would not help me.
