Retribution

Chapter 28 - The Next Level

I woke the next morning with a refreshing feeling of happiness and hope flowering inside me. As had become a common thing, Jake was already awake and watching me.

"Hey," he said, smiling. "You want some good news?"

"Always."

"You didn't have a bad dream last night."

I took a moment to soak that information in. "Really?"

He nodded, his smile turning into a beaming grin. "Really. Look," he said, touching my arm. "You're not even sweating."

I patted myself all over, realising he was right. "Wow. That's the first time I know of."

"I'm sure it's only a sign of the good things to come." He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose. "I'm so proud of you."

Heat rushed to my face. Remembering our deal on compliments, I grinned. "Thank you."

Chuckling, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest. "You're very welcome."

We laid like that for a while, just resting with one another, balancing on the edge of dozing. It was so peaceful, so relaxing—until Jake's alarm sounded the start of another day. He groaned before rolling out of bed and scooping up a change of clothes. I hadn't had the privilege of seeing him without clothes yet. Brushing my cheek with a feather light kiss, he said his goodbyes and left.

I stretched out across my king size bed, sighing in contentment. Not feeling like going back to sleep, I reached for my phone and turned it on, intent on reading the latest news. Before I could even open my news app, my phone pinged with a new message.

05:45 – Adam: I want to see my son this evening. I will pick him up from school.

Immediately, my heckles were up. Who did he think he was telling me, rather than asking me, when he could see Harvey? Frowning, I acted off my impulses and sent a reply.

Manners cost nothing. It would be nice if you asked if it's ok, instead of presuming it's ok.

As soon as I hit 'Send', a vice of apprehension closed around my heart. Had I just prodded the hornet's nest a little too hard? I sat there for what seemed like hours, waiting for the reply. It took over half an hour to arrive.

06:18 – Adam: I apologise. Do you have plans with Harvey this evening? I would appreciate seeing him x

I smiled. I bet that nearly killed him to send that. Maybe this was a sign of progress. Perhaps yesterday at court had finally given him the kick he needed.

No, I have no plans. Please have him home by 7pm as normal.

He confirmed straight away, yet again signing off with a 'x'. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was good at the moment, but would that change this evening after he'd stewed on it all day? I had some reservations, but for the sake of thinking positive and wanting a trouble-free life, I ignored them.

Feeling more than accomplished with my minor victory, I hopped out of bed and headed downstairs for some breakfast. Looking through my cupboards, I turned my nose up at my usual cereal or toast—I fancied something different.

Seeing a bag of flour peeping at me from behind some cooking oil, an idea pinged to mind—pancakes. Almost drooling at the thought, I whipped up the quick mixture within minutes, my stomach growling at the smell of heat coming from the frying pan.

A couple of minutes later, after sprinkling sugar and a drop of orange juice on my hot food, I was taking my first mouthful. I congratulated myself on such a delicious meal, already making my mind up I was having seconds.

But it didn't stop there. I was out of control, finally finishing after I'd gobbled up my fourth. The waistband of my pyjamas digging into my stomach reminded me I was putting on weight quicker than a pig in a grain store.

I started to panic, already thinking I'd have to hit the treadmill hard and not eat for the rest of the day. But then I double checked myself. I enjoyed that food. After being restricted to salad and vegetables, carbs and meat only allowed three times a week, that had tasted amazing. Even the past few months without Adam here had seen me still keeping my regular habits, except for a Saturday night treat.

In that instant, I decided to indulge in Jake's idea of putting on weight. Even if it didn't help me mentally, it would be a tasty, fun way of trying. I was definitely up for that. Besides, getting bigger would make me less attractive to Adam. Grinning to myself, I was about to head upstairs to wake Harvey when the landline phone rang.

Who the hell is that at seven am? Instantly, I thought of Adam. He'd obviously chewed over my text for the last forty minutes and exploded.

To hell with you, I thought, heading upstairs anyway. I'm not playing your mind games anymore.

If I didn't answer, he couldn't say anything to upset me, unnerve me, or strip my confidence away again. We'd said all we needed to say by arranging this evening and that was that.

Marco opened his bedroom door from next to Harvey's room. He was suited and booted, ready for the day.

"Good morning, Miss Simmons. Would you like me to answer the telephone for you?"

I shook my head. "No, thank you, Marco. It will only be Adam because I put him in his place this morning." I gave him a beaming smile. "I would hazard a guess he's not having a good morning."

He raised an eyebrow. "Should I be concerned?"

"No, it'll be fine. There's some pancake mix left over downstairs. I'm going to make some for Harvey if you want to join him?"

The glint in his eyes gave him away, despite his words. "No, thank you, Miss Simmons. I will eat once Master Harvey is at school."

I sighed. "Marco, for goodness sake. You're human, just like anyone else. I'm cooking anyway, and you need food. Just accept the offer will you, please?"

A sheepish look crossed his face before he nodded his acceptance.

Giggling to myself, I woke Harvey, who shrieked in delight at my offer of pancakes for breakfast. The landline then stopped ringing. I smirked. This evening would be fun, but, in the nature of thinking positive, I would deal with that when the time came. I was going to have a good day.

My mobile than began ringing. Sighing and rolling my eyes, I went to my room, intending to switch it off or put it on silent. It fell silent just as I got to it. Glancing at the screen, I was mortified to see I had five messages and nineteen missed calls. Before I could unlock it to see what abuse I was receiving already, my phone flashed up with yet another call. Seeing Charlie's name flashing at me, I answered it.

"Morning," I said, excited to tell her of my little victory. "You'll never guess what I've done already."

Frantic sobs sounded down the line. "I need you here," she said, taking a breath between each word. "I'm at the vets with Tyson."

Hearing my best friend in such a state, emotions swamped me in a split second. "Oh no, Charlie, what's wrong? Let me get dressed and I'll be there. Can you give me twenty minutes?"

She burst into tears again, whispering a yes. "He's really sick, Lou. I...I don't know what I'd do without him. I..."

"I know, I know. Try and stay calm, I'm trying to get my fat arse into a pair of jeans now, alright? Is Jonny with you?"

"Yeah," she said. "Here."

The noise of a phone being passed around crackled down the line. "Miss Simmons," Jonny said, his husky voice cracking. "Mrs Moreton would be extremely grateful of your presence. The dog isn't in good shape."

"Jonny, drop the pleasantries. What's happened? Has one of the horses kicked him or something?"

"No," he said. "The vet is saying he's been poisoned."