The Actuary in Trouble by K. T. Bowes

Author:K. T. Bowes [Bowes, K. T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: comedy, England, russian, Mystery, british, stepbrother romance, Romance
Goodreads: 30179275
Publisher: Hakarimata Press
Published: 2016-05-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

The hammering on the front door accompanied the ringing of the bell and Emma wiped her nose on the back of her hand. She sniffed and rose, shoving the chair back with a loud scrape on the floorboards. The stairs to the ground floor felt endless, her feet heavy and her body leaden. Without checking the peep hole, Emma flung open the front door, no longer caring what greeted her.

“Geez, sweetheart!” Christopher exclaimed at the look of thunder Emma faced him with. He closed the door with his heel and gathered her into his arms. “You didn’t disconnect the phone properly. I couldn’t warn you I was near.”

Emma said nothing, closing her eyes and drawing in the Irishman’s familiar scent. He smelled earthy and of home, with the faint tang of spray deodorant and she pushed her face into his armpit. Christopher rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. “We’ll find him, sweetheart,” he promised, his biceps firm against Emma’s temple. She sniffed and he pulled her face up, his palms cupping her cheeks so he could look at her.

His dark eyes narrowed in sympathy and he placed soft lips against her forehead. “Let’s sit down and you can tell me everything they said.” He looked around him as though unsure where to go.

Emma set off ahead, stumbling her way down the staircase to the kitchen, her shoulders hunched over in defeat. Christopher followed, not stopping to remove his shoes. Emma’s psyche linked in with his safe male presence, forcing a chink in her armour. As she stepped off the bottom stair into the kitchen, Christopher looked around him at the mess. Shards of wood covered the floor, the remains of her father’s box nothing but smithereens and the meat tenderiser laid in the middle of the damage. “What the hell?” Christopher narrowed his eyes and stared at Emma. “Did they do this? I thought they took him off the street.”

“I did it.” Emma swallowed, the lump in her throat still there, threatening her with its painful exit. She slumped into a kitchen chair, defeat etching her slender frame into a twisted branch of hopelessness. There were wood shards in her hair and Christopher shifted on his feet, filling the room with nervousness and uncertainty.

“Talk to me, Em,” he said, keeping his voice soft. “Help me find him.”

She lifted her face to him, her eyes filled with tears. “It’s all a lie. I don’t know anything anymore.”

Christopher squatted next to her as Emma writhed in the chair, rocking it back on its rear legs. “Is this about Rohan, sweetheart?” he asked, his voice caressing her soul. “Or somethin’ else?”

“He’s not here!” Emma balled her small hands into fists. “He should be here for this but he never is.”

Emma took a gulp of air and covered her face with her hands. Christopher pulled her forwards until her forehead rested against his shoulder and he balanced there, holding her as she sobbed. “It’s ok,” he soothed into her madness and Emma shook her head, not believing him anymore.

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