Elsie's Place by Kerrie Paterson

Author:Kerrie Paterson [Paterson, Kerrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Seasoned romance, Australian
Publisher: Kerrie Paterson
Published: 2017-08-15T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

The next afternoon at Elsie’s Place, Pat hummed to herself as she sorted through a box of Elsie's clothes, separating salvageable from rags. She'd needed a few hours break from sitting at the hospital with Susan. Sorting as she unpacked, she put aside what she felt would be useful when she opened up the house as a retreat. She wasn't exactly sure what form it would take at the moment, but the more she thought about it, the more it felt right.

She'd known Andy wouldn’t be at the house today — she remembered him saying he had to pick up supplies in Sydney. She wasn't ready to face him yet, wasn’t ready to have that conversation.

A creaking floorboard in the hallway made her whirl around.

She’d locked the door, hadn’t she? A shadow of a man loomed in the doorway. She stifled a cry and looked around for a weapon. Her fingers closed over an umbrella handle and she pulled it free from the pile. Not great, but it would have to do.

The man stepped forward and stood in the centre of the room, hands on hips. Cecil Langham.

What did he want? Her fingers tightened on the umbrella. “Can I help you?” She put on her principal’s voice, the one designed to make students and parents alike quake in fright.

He looked around with a sneer, then stepped forward and picked up a silk dress, rubbing it between his fingers. Holding Pat's gaze, he let it drop on the wooden floor.

“I see you haven't wasted any time getting started.” He rummaged through an open cardboard box, pulling out a silver teapot and holding it up to the light from the window. With his sleeve, he rubbed at the pot then threw it negligently back into the box. His eyes were feverish.

Pat backed away, holding the umbrella in front of her, her fingers slippery on the leather handle. She stumbled a little over something on the floor but didn’t take her eyes off him. Would someone hear her if she called?

“You know I haven't given up, don't you?” He stepped in front of her and ran a hand slowly down her cheek. “I'd be wary of being here by myself if I were you. It's an old house, accidents can happen...”

A chill slithered down her spine. Her heart fluttered somewhere higher than where it should normally be.

She couldn't move, could do nothing but watch him, listen to his hypnotic voice.

Trapped. Backed into a corner. She had to make a move, had to force her leaden arms to swing the umbrella. Aim at the groin. That's what she'd been told in a self-defence for women course she'd done with Kathleen some years ago.

Knock, knock, knock.

Distracted by the knocking, Cecil glanced away. Pat took a deep breath and swung the umbrella hard between his legs. The jolt reverberated in her arms. His face contorted and he sank in the middle, clutching at his groin. “You little bitch.” He hissed the words through gritted teeth.

Pat sidestepped his doubled-over frame and raced for the front door.

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