Secrets, Lies & Sacrifice by Ben Andrews

Author:Ben Andrews [Andrews, Ben]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Problem Child

FLORENCE SLAMMED ON the brakes as an old man walked across the road. Rain poured down as her windscreen wipers went at full speed. She turned the heating to high to demist the car windows and glanced down at her phone again, checking if Regina had sent anymore information. The phone call was brief, void of information — all Florence knew was she had to rush to the salon: there had been an accident. Thoughts rushed through Florence’s head — things she knew couldn’t be true, but she thought of them anyway. Regina said her kids were safe. That was all that mattered.

She parked round the back of the salon, shallow puddles splashing the cuffs of her trousers as she ran through the alleyway to the front of the shop. She froze at the door before she entered. Inside, she saw Regina leaning down over a body on the floor. Blood spilled down the walls in the staff room. She thought of Oscar and the blood-filled swimming pool before she noticed Mike lying on the floor. Rushing over, she tripped on her own feet as she tried to make it to the backroom, dropping her keys and bag as she ran. “Regina, what’s happened here? It’s like a bloodbath,” Florence said, kneeling beside Mike and lifting his head onto her lap. “Mike, Mike, it’s me.”

Regina put one hand on her knee, and the other on her shoulder. “He’s still breathing. He’s alive.”

“What happened? Have you called an ambulance?”

Regina sighed and looked around the salon.

“What is it?” Florence asked.

“God, this is such a mess. Lucas is here. I asked him to call an ambulance when I called you. They still haven’t arrived. I’ve tried to stop the bleeding on his leg. The stupid sod pulled the scissors out.”

Florence's eyes rested on his face, pale and dewy. His breathing was shallow, and his skin was so pale it seemed almost transparent.

“You will have to explain better. How did a pair of scissors get into Mike’s leg? What does this have to do with Lucas?”

Regina was not exhibiting her usual calm demeanour. Her hair was a dishevelled state, with bloodstains on her shirt, perspiration pouring off her face. Florence was desperate to grab Lucas and ask him why he was part of this crazy situation.

“It’s why I wanted to call you before the police… he’s your son, Flo; it’s up to you.”

“No, you’re not telling me he did this?”

“He walked in on me and Mike arguing. Before I knew it, it was chaos in here. Mike’s been playing you, Flo, twisting things — more than you realise.”

Florence stood up. Lucas was standing by the reception desk, hands shaking. “What have you done? Someone tell me what’s going on!” Florence shouted. “Where is the ambulance?”

“I didn’t call them Mum. He deserves to die.”

Regina stood up beside Florence and grabbed hold of her, stopping her from charging at Lucas. “Christ, I cannot be going through this again. I can’t lose someone else. Regina, tell me what happened.

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