Yes. She—not Nat—had killed Stalo. Although Stalo had been a sadistic murderer, and would have killed her and Nat without hesitation, Anouk couldn’t quite come to terms with cutting him in half with her katana. The memory of his mutilated body on the factory floor made her stomach twist. She gripped the windowsill and took a deep breath, forcing the churning sensation to calm down. She hadn’t had a choice, if she wanted to live… and that is what she wanted.
Without saying anything, Anouk had handed her katana to Nat. There was just too much blood on the blade for her to keep it. Nat had taken her sword and said, “Understood.”
Anouk’s heart ached. That was it. Nat did understand her, and she missed him so much it hurt. They had been partners and friends who had shared an adventure. It would take time, more than four weeks to settle back into her old life. Her boring life. How did one readjust? Maybe she should seek advice online.
She sighed and walked back to the computer. The screen had gone black. She shook the mouse and typed the password. The clock on the screen showed a quarter to six. Time to wrap up and go home via her mother’s grave, of course.
A knock on the doorframe made Anouk look up. Alison lingered by the threshold and smiled at her.
“We are going for a quick drink in the pub across the road. Fancy joining us?” She wore a hopeful expression on her face.
Anouk grimaced. Since she had come back, she had made vague excuses to ward off all of Alison’s invitations. She knew Alison would ask questions about her time with her dad in Amsterdam. Alison also wanted to see pictures of the city. How would Anouk explain the lack of photos when she always had lots after her travels? She hated lying to Alison, but she knew she would have to go out with Alison soon. She needed to come up with a believable story first.
“I’m sorry, but I have to get home. Still have much to do.”
Alison’s face fell. “Oh.”
Anouk winced. “Look…” she started, but Alison waved her hand with a smile on her face. It didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Don’t worry, honey. We’ll go out when you have all your father’s things sorted out.” Alison spun on her heels and chirped over her shoulder, “See you tomorrow.”
“See ya.”
Anouk buried her face in her hands. She wanted so much to confide everything to Alison, but how could she? No one here knew another world similar to theirs existed, or that contraptions like the Gadget could open doorways between them. Alison would think she had lost her mind. No, as much as she hated it, she had to come up with a believable story for her two weeks in Amsterdam and stick with it.
With a sigh, she turned off the computer. She pulled her coat on, threw her bag over her shoulder and headed out to join the masses on Uxbridge Road. She popped in the florist shop and bought a bundle of yellow roses—her mother’s favourite.
She walked down the street to Hanwell cemetery, thinking again how strange it was to be back. How the people, the buildings, and the traffic looked different. Even the smells and the sounds were not quite right. She shook her head. No, everything was as it had been before that Tuesday afternoon over a month ago. Only she had changed. She felt almost alien now…
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is my world, my town, my street and my home. This is where I belong,” she muttered, marching through the cemetery gate.
She took the path leading to her mother’s grave. Her pace slowed of its own accord when she approached the familiar sarcophagus. The lid that had blown off when Stalo and Nat had entered her world sat fast and undamaged like a seal. The memories of Nat and their first meeting poured into her mind like a fountain, and her throat tightened. She lifted her hand to touch the grave, but stopped and let it drop back to her side.
Fighting against her tears, she resumed walking and took a shortcut to her mother’s graveside. After changing the flowers, she headed home, taking another route to avoid walking past the Victorian monument once more.
Her keys clanked in the bowl where she threw them. She went to the kitchen and scooped the last piece of lemon cheesecake onto a plate and poured the remaining champagne in a glass. The treat she had promised herself if she survived had become a weekly ritual. She walked to the living room and turned on the television. After lifting her feet onto the coffee table, she started to sip the cool liquid, not bothering to watch the show, thinking of her last day in Anglea.
How she had looked forward to returning to London, but when the time came, she… hadn’t wanted to leave.
“Now, now, don’t be daft. You’re going home,” Nat had replied with a cheery tone when she had told him her reluctance.
They made the last trip together. After deactivating the Gadget in her hall, she tried to talk Nat into staying as her guest a little longer, but he shook his head.
“Unfortunately, I have to get back. As a bounty hunter, I can’t afford to stay away long.”
Disappointment twisted Anouk’s heart. But what had she expected? Business came first for Nat. Always.
“But before I go, I want to give you something.” Nat held out his closed palm and opened it. “Here.”
Anouk stared at a small round parcel wrapped in brown paper. “What is it?”
“A little memory.” Nat reached for her hand and placed the package on it. “Open it.”
Tears burning her eyes, she tore off the wrapping. A silver pocket watch glinted in the midmorning sun. Delicate floral ornaments decorated its cover, forming
