Blood Loss by Kerena Swan (good beach reads .txt) 📕

back aches but I won’t move her. I’ll take any amount of pain for her. She’s woken up my heart and now it’s swelled so much it won’t fit inside my chest. My love for her is almost tangible. I see it wrap around her like a fine gossamer blanket, warming, nurturing.

We lie there for what must be an hour or more until my stomach gives a loud rumble and wakes her up. She pulls away then looks at me blankly for a moment before her face transforms with a warm smile as she remembers. ‘I’m sorry, my love. You must be very uncomfortable.’

I shift my position and feel the tingle of pins and needles in my hand. ‘Can I get you anything?’ I ask.

‘Could you help me to the bathroom? Then I insist you get yourself something to eat and drink. I want to ask you so many questions. Do you want me to still call you Grace? Did you choose that name?’

‘I did. Please don’t call me Sarah. She doesn’t exist anymore.’

‘I can’t believe I’ve got you back at last.’ Her eyes fill with tears again. ‘I’ve dreamed of this day for so many years.’

It’s been a long, tortuous journey but I’m finally home.

Chapter 62

Early October | DI Paton

Paton replaced the receiver and leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. His weekly call to the Milton Keynes force had proved to be as futile as ever, but he wasn’t prepared to give up yet. When he’d learned the name of Rex’s owner he’d been convinced the Milton Keynes team would have something on him. Not that Paton knew why. Derek just seemed off somehow and he was clearly lying when he said he didn’t know Trina.

Paton had watched his house from a distance and even followed Derek a couple of times, but the journeys had been to a betting shop and harmless excursions to a supermarket for dog food. In the end Paton had admitted defeat and returned to Perth. He cringed every time he recalled the meeting with DSI Metcalfe, but that was nothing to the disappointment he’d seen on his son’s face when he’d told him the villain had so far escaped.

Paton leaned forward and picked up his mug of tea. His photo was printed on the side with the words: Wanted – Have you seen this man? A gift from Tommy. He would have loved to get some printed with the E-Fit of Trina that was currently staring down at him from the wall. He’d like to distribute them around Milton Keynes and wait for his phone to ring with news of sightings.

He sighed, took a long draught of strong coffee and waited for the caffeine to spark his brain into action. Paton still thought there was a link between Trina and the forger of documents and number plates, but he couldn’t find it. The Milton Keynes investigation into stolen cars had proved fruitless, and four months on there were no new leads. Trina had simply vanished. He’d been busy chasing other criminals but this case still rankled with him. It was the first one where he’d deputised for the Senior Investigating Officer and had been his chance to prove himself. But he’d failed. So far. He was determined not to give up hope. Even if it took years to find her.

When he arrived home, he was greeted by the delicious smell of roast chicken and his spirits lifted. Wendy was feeling stronger, and he had a lot to be grateful for. He shouldn’t forget that. He changed out of his work clothes then offered to carve the chicken, a job Wendy disliked. Tommy hovered nearby, asking for pieces of crispy skin.

‘Let’s pull the wishbone, Dad,’ he said with enthusiasm. Tommy was a great believer in good luck charms, the tooth fairy and wishing wells.

Paton washed the wishbone and dried it. They linked their little fingers around it and pulled. Tommy tugged too hard and snapped off the smaller piece.

‘You win, Dad. You make a wish.’

Tommy watched with rapt attention so Paton shut his eyes to add to the drama and let his lips move silently. I wish we could find the Tay Killer and bring her to justice.

Chapter 63

Early October | Jenna

The wind sends tufts of white cloud scudding across the sky and binds my skirt around my legs, but Nisha and I don’t feel cold. The sun warms the top of our heads and shoulders, and, even though it doesn’t have the power of high summer, it’s enough to keep us comfortable. We saunter with linked arms along the promenade and look out at the metallic blue sea. Joggers and cyclists pass us and seagulls screech overhead then swoop to fight over a bag of discarded chips.

‘It’s so good to breathe in fresh air,’ Nisha says. ‘I spend too much time cooped up in the travel agents. It’s ironic really. I dedicate my working day to planning amazing holidays for people yet I don’t go anywhere.’ She stops abruptly and I stop too. ‘Oh God, sorry, Jenna. That was really tactless of me.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You’ve put all your travel plans and even your life on hold to look after your mum, and here’s me whinging about being at work.’

‘It’s fine.’ I give her arm a squeeze.

‘Do you think you’ll visit all the places of your dreams after… You know. When this is all over?’

‘I can’t think about afterwards yet. I’m just living a day at a time.’ I’d left the house this morning and walked to the little train station in Bow Brickhill with a sense of adventure and mounting excitement, but now I can’t help wondering if I should have stayed. What if Mum takes a turn for the worse and I’m not there to look after her? Grace is great with Mum but she isn’t family.

‘Do you mind if I call home? I won’t be long. I just want to check Mum’s okay.’

‘Go ahead. I’m going to