The Guest House by Morgan-Bentley Robin

Author:Morgan-Bentley, Robin [Morgan-Bentley, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Suspense
ISBN: 9781409194255
Publisher: Hachette UK
Published: 2022-06-22T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Jamie

Saturday, 6 March, 7.43 p.m.

There’s a metallic taste in my mouth, like I’ve taken a bite out of a paracetamol. My eyes are heavy, the lids pinned down, and as I open them, I see the blurred outline of a ceiling fan above me. I’m fully clothed, on top of the covers, and Victoria isn’t beside me. Below me, I hear the muffled bleats of a baby crying.

My baby.

Our baby.

I sit up and look around me.

I’m in a bed. How did I get here?

I rub my wrists and feel an ache at the top of my left arm. Images flash before me, the kitchen floor, skin, fists and blood. I go to lever myself out of bed and every muscle is aching, my hips sore and my left leg throbbing. I head out onto the landing and shuffle down the stairs, grabbing hold of the banister, taking one step at a time.

As I approach the bottom, I can hear voices coming from the kitchen – two women in calm conversation – and one of them is Victoria. I walk across the hallway through the threshold into the kitchen and see my wife sitting at the table, Danny at her breast, Fiona opposite her.

‘That’s it, gently does it. Tummy to Mummy, nose to nipple. Sometimes it helps just to tickle the chin and then … yes, that’s it. Oh no, his mouth isn’t wide enough. Let’s just try—’

‘I can’t do it. I can’t do this. I thought I could, but I can’t.’

‘Try not to get frustrated, dear. You did wonderfully the first time. It’ll come. I remember with our Harrison, it was a good week before I’d got the hang of it. That’s it – guide the nipple towards him and … oh, Jamie! Good evening.’

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. I don’t know where to look, because this scene seems too ordinary, as if this were just a hospital and Victoria had given birth in a safe medical environment. Why is she so calm, so willing?

‘Don’t worry if it feels like it’s just a few drops sometimes. It’ll get easier.’

‘Shouldn’t we be topping up with formula? I mean, how do we know he’s getting enough?’ Victoria asks, trusting Fiona, obeying.

‘His stomach is so tiny at the moment, Victoria,’ Fiona answers, looking earnestly into her eyes. ‘He doesn’t need much. Let’s monitor it over the next day or so and see how we go. Jamie, why don’t you come and sit down?’

I can’t stop looking at Victoria, staring at her, longing for her to explain what’s going on, even if just with an expression. Why is she so calm? What am I missing here?

‘What do you fancy for dinner, Jamie? Good that you had a proper rest.’

I don’t remember going to sleep, or even going upstairs. The last recollection I have is of a struggle, a desperate attempt to set myself free. I look down at my wrists and see that they’re red and as I press my fingers against them, they’re sore, crushed by the handcuffs.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.