Kate was missing out on the joy of sharing her life. Of a loving relationship that brightened joy and dimmed sorrow. The strength that could come from being with someone who could understand. Who could give – and receive – love.
And so was he.
They could both get so much more out of life by taking that risk.
And maybe… just maybe… they could take it together.
He didn’t get a chance to get near Kate on Monday morning because he’d had such an early start for that bone-marrow collection procedure, and he’d felt far worse afterwards than he’d expected so had had no choice other than to go home for the day.
He’d come back this morning only to be told how awful he looked and, if he was limping that badly, there was no way he’d stay on his feet long enough to be able to operate safely.
So he’d slept. He’d taken the painkillers and slept well enough for the healing process to get properly under way. He might still be limping a bit but he could move.
He was moving. It was late in the day but, if he was in luck or it was meant to be, maybe Kate was working late. More slowly than he would have liked, Connor made his way down to the pathology department.
* * *
The look on Kate’s face would have frightened anybody.
This had been a bad idea, after all, but it was too late to do anything about it. Kevin Graham had followed her directions and turned up, after hours as instructed, to visit his daughter.
He was a much bigger man than Bella had anticipated and he looked nothing like she had expected. His clothes were scruffy and his face was hard, and he smelled like… like…
‘You’ve been drinking,’ Bella gasped. ‘You told me you were doing the twelve steps. That you hadn’t had anything to drink for years.’
‘Hadn’t.’ Kevin walked further into the lab, his gait only mildly unsteady. He waved a paper bag he was holding in one hand, screwed up at the top so he didn’t lose his grip on the bottle it contained. ‘Just needed a bit of, you know, Dutch courage.’
He was smiling but it didn’t do anything to make him a more appealing figure. ‘Hello, Katherine. Long time no see. How’s things?’
‘Get out,’ Kate snarled. ‘Bella, get on the phone over there and call Security.’
‘Don’t do that.’ Kevin’s eyes narrowed as he walked closer. ‘That wouldn’t be very friendly, would it? Didn’t the girl tell you that I just wanted to say I was sorry?’
Kate took a step back. ‘Sorry? What for? Murdering my mother?’
Bella’s jaw dropped. ‘Oh, my God… you’re amurderer?’ She turned to Kate. ‘I didn’t know. I’m sorry, Kate. I really didn’t know…’
‘No.’ The word was clipped. ‘But now you do.’
‘I’m sorry. Alright?’ Kevin raised his voice. ‘I’ve done my time. You have to at least let me say that I’m sorry.’
‘I don’t have to do anything.’ Kate’s voice was cold. ‘I don’t want to hear you or see you ever again. Get out of here. Get out of my life.’
Kevin swore loudly and viciously. ‘I might have known,’ he said. ‘I’m wasting my time, aren’t I? You’re not going to listen to a thing I say. You’re just like your mother. Won’t listen. Won’t do as you’re told.’
Kevin was moving again. Walking towards Kate, who was edging behind an island bench in the middle of the lab. She looked terrified.
Bella had had enough. She had caused this horrible situation and she was going to do something about it. She darted in front of Kevin.
‘Get out,’ she said. ‘You can’t stay here. You shouldn’t have come.’ Bella glared at the man. Her grandfather? No. It was unbelievable.
Kevin’s hand shot out so fast Bella didn’t see it coming. The slap was enough to knock her off her feet and make her ears ring. She pushed herself up. Kate was trying to reach the phone on the wall near the door. Kevin was clearly planning to prevent her. Bella stepped behind him but Kevin must have heard her coming because he turned and gave her a shove that sent her flying again.
‘Get out, Bella,’ Kate shouted. ‘Get help. Now.’
* * *
Connor was halfway along a deserted corridor in the basement of St Pat’s when he saw a figure hurtle through the department door and fall to the floor, uttering a cry of pure fear. Ignoring the stab of pain, Connor picked up speed until he was running.
