“Here. Eat your chicken roll. You’ll feel better with a full stomach.”
“Thanks, Andy. You’re good at this mum gig.”
Ben joined us in the kitchen after he brushed off about a kilo of sawdust and washed up. It was the quietest meal I’d ever shared with them. My head was elsewhere, planning how to put a smile back on Veronica’s face, and let her know that she had me now, and always. Ben and Andrea were having a grinning contest with their full mouths. They had something big to look forward to. Maybe that was what Veronica needed.
I had an idea. I had no clue how I was going to make it happen, but it was going to happen. She needed this. And she needed me, whether she knew it or not. Whether she wanted to or not.
Ronnie
“Beverly …”
My normally vibrant and vivacious boss sat behind her desk, hair in a haphazard pony tail, dark circles under her eyes, and hollows in her cheeks.
“… you don’t look so good. Should you be here?”
In answer, she leaned over, grabbed the bin and dry heaved into it. I sprinted to the small staff kitchen, ripping out a few paper towels, wetting a tea towel, and filling a disposable cup with cold water. Seconds later, I was back in the room, making sure to close the door behind me. She hunched over in the chair, gasping into the bin that caught nothing but the tears dripping from her cheeks.
“I’m just going to put a cool cloth on your neck, is that okay?”
Her head bounced once, eyes not moving from the bottom of the bin as I moved around to place the towel. There was no mess to clean up as far as I could see, so I put the paper towels and the cup on the desk. “Are you due for your nausea meds?”
“Useless,” she gasped, still trying to catch her breath.
“Have they got you on the basic motion sickness one or the serious, kick-cancer’s-arse one?”
“Arse.”
“Damn.” My heart sank when I brushed her hair out of the way, and some of it came away in my hand. Her skin burned hot. “I think I might have to call John to come and get you. You feel feverish.”
“Kay.”
She pushed her phone towards me, unlocking it so I could search the contacts. John answered immediately, and I heard his keys jingle as I relayed the situation. She had good support at home. That eased my worry a little.
“Can you sip a little water? It might help.”
Her hands tightened on the bin, as if she was scared I was going to take it from her.
“Nuh,” she grunted.
I grimaced as she dry heaved again. It must be an effort just to breathe, let alone speak, and here I was asking her twenty questions.
A brusque knock at the door gave no warning before the door started to swing open. My temper spiked at light speed. Anyone who knew Beverly was aware that if her door was shut, it must be for a bloody good reason. I bolted around the desk, pushing my weight behind the door before the person behind it could see her. A low grunt sounded from the hallway. I slipped out, prepared to unleash my anger on the unsuspecting visitor.
The anger spat and fizzled on my tongue, turning into fear at the sight of Lindstrom. I was somewhat appeased when I caught him rubbing his nose. At least until his eyes pinned me to the wall, turning dark with hatred.
I knew I should apologise. I ordered my voice box to cough up the words, but it refused to do so.
“Ronnie. How lovely to see you … again.” His practiced smile said, ‘Gotcha’. I bet he used it in the courtroom all the time.
“Lindstrom. Sorry about the door, but Beverly is unable to take visitors at the moment. You should’ve waited for the okay before barging in.”
His nostrils flared, eyes narrowing to deepen the creases at his temples. I just poked the devil. Me and my stupid sharp tongue.
“I saw you. With your boyfriend, in the city. Were you spying on me, Veronica?” His harsh tone was a drill, poking holes in my feeble attempt at bravery. “Did you enjoy the show?” His finger traced a slimy path from my temple to my chin, hovering just above the skin. My head smacked the wall as I jerked to get away from him. “If you want to come and visit me, all you have to do is ask. But, I don’t take kindly to unwanted guests barging into my space.” His fingers dropped to run along the air above my collarbone. Where Brad’s touch made me tremble, Lindstrom’s phantom touch made me shrivel inside from fear. “Next time you want to see me, let me know. I’ll be sure to let you in.” He let his teeth clash together near my ear as his hand slid down near my breasts, still not touching, before he released me.
I sagged against the wall when he turned his back.
“Oh, and Ronnie?” He continued walking, not bothering to look back as he spoke. “Keep your nose out of my business. I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt. Those old buildings can be hazardous. Tell Beverly I need to speak with her, please?”
Holy shit. Did he just threaten me? My instincts were right. Why haven’t I learned to listen? I shivered in the wake of Lindstrom’s words, and the way he made me feel violated without actually touching me. I couldn’t even report