“You’re right,” said Caleb. “We do need to put a stop to this. I just wish it wasn’t Eclectic’s opening night. Me, Vance and Faith are expected to be there. I think it would be a good idea if we didn’t open Pulse tonight, just in case. We’ll say there’s a burst pipe or something. That means you two,” he told his brothers. “Can help us keep an eye on Eclectic.”
“Don’t you think it would be best closing that tonight too?” said Matthew.
“There’s a lot riding on this evening and Jules wouldn’t like it if we cancelled.”
“Maybe you should call her, see what she thinks? She might not.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“Give me an invitation. I can help you keep an eye on things if you do decide to open.”
“I’ll put you on the VIP list, if Jules says we should still open.”
Matthew glanced at his watch. “Right. I’d better get home. I need to go and beg Alice’s forgiveness.”
“Good luck with that,” said Caleb not unkindly.
He nodded. “Thanks. I’ll see you this evening then.”
Matthew returned to his car and drove home, stopping at an all-night supermarket to pick up a bunch of flowers.
The house was silent and dark when he walked in, so he removed his shoes and coat and crept up to the bedroom. Quietly he opened the door, the glow from the hallway light enabling him to see inside. He paused when he saw she wasn’t in bed.
“Alice?”
There was a note on her pillow. Dumping the flowers on the bed, he switched on the light and snatched up the note, which said she was sorry but she couldn’t be what he needed her to be. The note said she loved him but this wasn’t the future she wanted.
He let the note flutter to the floor and flung open her wardrobe, which was empty.
“Shit,” he sighed, sinking onto the edge of the bed and burying his face in his hands.
Faith barely woke as she was wheeled up to the ward and she slept solidly, roused the next morning by her family assembling at her side. She opened her eyes to see Caleb, Kevin and Abi.
“Hi,” she said, giving them a weak smile.
“How are you feeling?” Abi asked her.
“Better for some rest. Have you seen Vance?”
“Jason, Mum and Michael are with him,” said Caleb. “We split into two groups so the nurses wouldn’t whinge at us for having too many people around your beds.”
Abi dumped a holdall on the bed. “I got some clothes and toiletries from your flat. Maintenance have given you a temporary front door and boarded up the balcony until you can get a proper replacement after the old doors were battered in.”
“Good,” replied Faith. With everything going on it hadn’t occurred to her that her flat had been left wide open to burglars. “Was anything taken?”
“Not that I could see. Do you know if they’re discharging you?”
“I haven’t seen my doctor yet.” She grimaced. “God I need a shower, I still stink of smoke. Are you all okay after last night?”
“Don’t worry about us for God’s sake,” said Kevin. “And yeah, we’re all fine.”
“Any word on you know who?”
“Voldemort?” said Caleb, unable to resist a grin.
She scowled at him.
“No,” he said. “We’ve not heard a thing. The news said no casualties were found at the fire on Division Lane and they know it was arson but they don’t have any leads. So I’m guessing they won’t have got much sleep last night. Terrible eh?”
“Just awful,” Faith grinned back. She coughed and attempted to reach for the glass of water on her bedside cabinet.
“Here you go,” said Abi, picking it up and holding it out to her.
“Thanks,” she said, drinking it down, the tepid liquid the most glorious thing she’d ever tasted. “Right, I’m getting up and taking a shower, then we can get out of here.”
“Not until your doctor says you can leave,” said Caleb.
“I’m fine.”
“Smoke inhalation is very dangerous. It’s not worth risking yourself for the sake of a few hours’ wait.”
“He’s right,” said Kevin. “And if you try discharging yourself we won’t give you a lift back.”
“Then I’ll get a taxi,” she retorted.
“Do you have any cash on you?”
“No,” she muttered sulkily.
“Just have some patience. It won’t take long.”
“I hate hospitals,” she sighed. “I never wanted to be admitted to one again.”
“You’ve got to admit sis,” said Caleb. “This is much better than last time.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I suppose it is.”
When Caleb, Kevin and Abi went off to visit Vance, Rose, Jason and Michael wandered in.
“How is he?” were Faith’s first words.
Rose’s eyes flashed. Was Faith obsessed? “He’ll be fine dear,” she gently replied. “His doctor’s seen him and said he can go home this morning.”
“That’s great news,” she breathed with relief. She didn’t think she’d ever forget Vance covering her body with his own to protect her from the bullets that had been flying about that warehouse. “I’ve not seen the doctor yet.”
“He said he’ll get to you soon. How are you feeling?”
“Oh, fine. Pissed off to be back in hospital but like Caleb said, it’s better than the last time I was here.”
“That is very true. We must thank the Lord for small mercies.”
Faith fought the urge to roll her eyes.
“I’ve been told about what happened last night,” said Rose. “And I’m just relieved you all got out in one piece.”
“So are we.”
“What happens now?”
“I don’t want to discuss it here. Are you still staying at the safehouse?”
“Yeah,” said Jason. “We thought it safer that way.”
“You thought right. None of us can go home yet.”
The family was ushered out while Faith
