Peppercorn Street by Anna Jacobs

Author:Anna Jacobs [Anna Jacobs]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749017071
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2014-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

There seemed to be no one lurking near Nicole’s flat. Kieran wanted to go in with her, but she insisted she’d be all right. There was a security number pad on the door and she didn’t think William was good enough technically to bypass that.

Kieran rolled the car window down so that he’d hear if she called and watched her as she went inside. She seemed to be walking steadily now, thank goodness.

He kept an eye on the street, but nothing moved and no one passed by on foot. It wasn’t as well lit here as near his house, because there was no reflected glow from the brightly lit shop windows in the main street.

In a very short time Nicole came out again, her face a pale blur as she moved towards the car.

‘You all right?’ he asked.

She nodded and winced. ‘I must remember not to nod. It hurts.’

He drove back down the street, relieved when he got the car safely into the garage without them being attacked, though he didn’t tell her that. He was glad of the back door that led from the garage into his flat.

Once inside, he showed her the spare bedrooms. ‘Choose whichever you prefer and I’ll help you make up the bed.’ While she was looking, he went into the kitchen to find his own painkillers.

She came in just as he was swallowing a tablet. ‘Is your leg hurting a lot?’

‘A bit. It’s not used to so much activity. But I feel good about driving again. Um – I may get a bit dopey when this kicks in. It’s quite a strong painkiller and I only take them at night to help me get comfortable enough to sleep. Just help yourself to anything in the kitchen or fridge if I fall asleep on you.’

‘Let’s both sit down. My head’s thumping and I’m having that other painkiller as soon as I’m allowed. I’m sorry you got caught up in my troubles, Kieran. I hope your insurance will cover the damage to the hall windows.’

‘It should do. And it’s not your fault. You’ve nothing to apologise for.’ He let the silence flow for a few seconds then added, ‘Your son is seriously disturbed.’

‘Yes. I realise that. I’ve been trying to think where I went wrong with him.’

‘I doubt it was your fault. Mental illness can happen in the best of families.’

‘Mental illness.’ She couldn’t speak for a moment or two, shocked at that label being put on a lad of almost eighteen, a lad whose life should just be moving into a rich and happy phase. ‘That sounds so terrible.’ She couldn’t help it. Tears overflowed again and she mopped her eyes with a crumpled tissue.

He picked up a box of tissues and dumped it on the coffee table, hesitated then sat next to her on the couch. As she tried desperately to stop weeping, his heart went out to her and he put one arm round her. With a sigh, she leant against him and they stayed there for some time without speaking.

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