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‘Natalia?’ I shout up the stairs. ‘You home?’
Nothing. She’s probably fetching Amber from her day camp.
‘Belle, love, are you here?’
Again silence, though I thought I heard something – but it could just be the house creaking, almost as if it’s welcoming me back.
Shrugging, I head for the kitchen, badly in need of a cup of tea. Today has been a mishmash of problem-solving at the office as well as putting together a new proposal for C-Tech, and I’d sent Leanne on her way with a slightly less heavy heart than she’d come in with. Some people deserve a break in life, and Leanne is one of them.
There – definitely a noise coming from upstairs.
‘Rob, is that you?’ I look up from the kitchen counter where Natalia has left the mail – several credit card statements, an eye test reminder for Amber, pizza delivery flyers and a water bill.
At the sink, I fill the kettle, vaguely aware of someone entering the room, opening the fridge behind me as I put the kettle on its base and flick it on. When I turn, I let out a gasp, seeing a man’s bare legs beneath the open fridge door. The rest of him is hidden behind it.
‘Rob?’ I say, even though I know immediately they’re not his legs.
Slowly the door closes and a man, dressed only in black underwear, stands there staring at me. He has a carton of milk in one hand.
‘Hello, Hannah,’ Jack says as if it’s perfectly normal for him to be in my kitchen, virtually naked.
‘What the hell areyoudoing here?’ I’m unable to help the glance up and down his body. He’s certainly filled out since I last saw him without clothes, leaving no doubt that he visits the gym regularly. His chest is deep and broad, tight from built-up pecs, and his arms are similarly muscular. A fine covering of dark hair runs from his chest and down his flat stomach, disappearing beneath the Calvin Klein waistband of his trunks. The sight of him makes me feel sick.
‘That’s no way to greet your future son-in-law, now, is it?’ He laughs, knocking the cap off the milk carton and swigging directly from it. When he’s finished, he wipes the back of his hand across his mouth.
I stand there, gawping, at a loss for words.
‘Nice house you’ve got,’ he says. ‘I’ve had the full tour this time. Your bedroom is…particularly impressive. You’ve come a long way. Averylong way.’
My teeth clamp together and my jaw tightens. The kettle bubbles behind me though it’s not tea I feel in need of now – it’s a stiff drink.
‘Don’t worry, I wasn’t snooping. Belle showed me round. I like the fairy princess wallpaper in her bedroom.’
‘It’s been there since she was young. And you’re aware that she stillisyoung, right? She’s not much more than achild, for Christ’s sake.’
‘Of course,’ Jack says with a laugh that raises my hackles. ‘You know me – she’s the perfect age. And a looker. She reminds me a little of you, though I’d say she’s got more…potential.’
‘What is it you want?’ I fold my arms. ‘Forget the games and just tell me.’ My eyes shoot to the door, aware that Belle is upstairs.
‘I think you know that…Hannah.’ I hate the mocking way he says my name, as though he despises me. He turns back to the open fridge and studies the contents, pulling out a foil tray of food left over from the party. He drops it onto the island worktop, peeling back the lid. ‘Don’t mind, do you?’
I don’t speak or move – rather, I just watch what he’s doing. It’s true – Idoknow what he wants. He won’t have forgotten what I did.
‘How much?’ I say. ‘To make you go away.’
He sprays out sausage roll crumbs as he laughs. ‘You’re offering me money to keep your secret?’ He laughs, his eyes darting around the kitchen, taking it all in. His gaze settles on the noticeboard, stuffed with family pictures. ‘You wouldn’t guess they were sisters,’ he says, tearing off a photo of Amber. ‘Not as pretty, but she’s cute. How old?’
‘Fuck off,’ I hiss at him, marching over. I swipe the picture from him, catching the warmth and scent of his virtually naked body. ‘Tell me how much you want, then get out.’
He shrugs and steps around me, helping himself to more food. ‘It’s not whatIwant though, is it? You know what Vaughn’s like when he’s pissed off. And trust me, he’s been pissed off a long time now.’
I imagine his rage when he’d found out what I’d done. Though he rarely showed his face in public, getting his scummy hangers-on to do his dirty work. Grudge was his middle name.
‘How did you find me?’
He laughs again, chewing slowly as he paces about, showering crumbs down his chest. ‘Got lucky,’ he says, tapping the side of his nose.
I drop down onto a stool, suddenly feeling light-headed. Everything I’ve worked so hard for, everything I hold dear, is at risk. Part of me has always known this time would come, though; as the years have slipped by, I’ve become lax about looking over my shoulder, not been as vigilant as I should have been. I’d convinced myself we were free. I hear another noise upstairs – Belle going from her bedroom into the bathroom. I can’t stand to think what the pair of them have been doing up there, his hands on my daughter.
