Shattered Perfection

Twenty Five

Sorscha and Carly were sat in the nursery talking quietly. The lights were dimmed as they had made a bed for Jamie in the corner. He was excited to be having a sleepover at the nursery but was missing his mum. They had given him some dinner and settled him down. Neither knowing how long they would have to be there. He had snuggled down after a story and was now breathing slowly and deeply, his little fingers grasping a teddy Sorscha had found amongst the toys.

'Do you think Mia is ok?' Carly whispered, not liking the woman initially but she'd grown on her partly because of the driving lessons she had paid for but mostly for the care and attention she gave Charlotte.

Sorscha shrugged, 'I think so, she's tough. I just hope Siobhan is ok. That's something I never thought I'd say,' she smiled grimly.

'I think people like Siobhan and Mia have a hard outer shell because of the things they've endured but actually have a soft gooey centre.' Carly said softly.

Sorscha grinned, 'when did you become so wise?'

At the country house, Reece had found some electrical cable and was busy tying up the three men when the police cars skidded to a halt on the drive. Winter's car followed at a more sensible pace. DI Crown and fellow officers jumped out and ran into the building, some came around the back. When they saw Reece they started yelling to get down on the ground. He held his hands up in surrender and knelt on the floor. They forced him face down and placed him in handcuffs. They also cuffed the others. Reece was trying to explain who he was, but he didn't want to inflame the situation so he was doing his best to remain calm.

On the drive, Winter jumped out of the car followed closely by Marjorie and Vivian. A policeman tried to stop them entering the house so they ran around the back.

'Reece!' Winter shouted. The policeman bending over Reece tightening his handcuffs looked up in surprise.

'Who are you?' He said sharply.

'I'm Winter, married to Autumn and that's my brother in law you are incorrectly arresting.' He pointed to Roger and the two men who were groaning. 'Those three charming chaps are the bad guys.' The policeman looked sceptical but his colleague who had been with DI Crown confirmed Winter's information. He undid Reece's handcuffs and helped him up. Reece brushed the dirt from his jumper. Suddenly his arms were full of Marjorie who threw her arms around him.

'Thanks Winter,' he grinned at his brother in law.

'No problem, now where is my love?' he followed Vivian into the house.

Marjorie's voice was muffled against his chest. 'What was that?' he asked her.

'I said, if you do anything like that again, I'll kill you.' She glared at him.

'Love you too,' Reece replied kissing her forehead.

Autumn came up the stairs slowly supporting a shaking and bloody Siobhan. DI Crown ran into the kitchen, relief flooded her face. 'Thank goodness,' she breathed although she was slightly shocked at Siobhan's bruised and bloody features.

Autumn spoke quickly, 'My father is outside with two of his 'assistants' but Janice has gone.' Siobhan cut in, 'she's going for Viv and Jamie!' she was starting to panic, they needed to move faster. DI Crown reassured them that the three men had been arrested and immediately got on her radio to call for help to find Janice and protect Jamie.

'Where would she have gone?' she asked.

'Jamie is at the nursery with two colleagues,' Autumn replied quickly.

Siobhan turned at the sound of her name being called. She saw a flash of dark hair and a blue shirt before she was enveloped in strong and comforting arms.

'Oh thank God,' Viv breathed in her ear, 'I've got you.'

Siobhan wanted to sink into her arms and forget, everything ached and she was desperate just to lie down somewhere quiet and warm but she knew she couldn't. 'Viv listen it's important, it's Jamie.'

At the nursery, Sorscha was in the kitchen making herself and Carly a cup of tea while they waited. She heard the front door open and high heeled shoes walk quickly down the corridor. She knew only someone with a key and the code could get through the door. She stuck her head out of the kitchen and saw the back of Janice walking into the toddler room. She wondered what she was doing here. Perhaps she had news about the others? Sorscha fished the t-bags out of the mugs before sploshing some milk in. Grabbing both mugs in one hand she made her way back to the room. As she got near the door she heard Janice say, 'So if you move out of the way, I'll take him to Vivian.'

Carly was stood between Janice and Jamie. The atmosphere was tense and Carly looked worried.

'I don't think I should wake him up, why don't we wait until his mum gets here?' Carly replied. Janice was giving off some weird vibes, she was obviously stressed out but there was something more.

'Vivian has literally just rung me asking me to bring him to her,' Janice continued. 'She'll be cross if I take too long, she wants to get him home.'

'Why didn't she ring us? Have they found Siobhan?' Carly had a bad feeling in her stomach.

'Yes they've found Siobhan, she's fine.' She lied, she hoped by now Roger would have finished and Siobhan wouldn't be a problem anymore.

'What about Roger?' Carly questioned.

'Oh for goodness sake, what's with all the questions?' Janice's sickly-sweet voice changed. It became hard and forceful. 'Move out of the way.' She ordered sharply. Carly jumped but she didn't move.

'No.' She replied. 'Why do you want him so badly?' she asked. 'I want to call Marjorie.'

'Marjorie!' Janice exclaimed suddenly, 'That buffoon wouldn't know what was going on if it bit her on the arse.'

Carly folded her arms. 'You can't take him.' She said firmly. No one insulted her work mum in front of her and got away with it.

Sorscha's hand was on the door ready to go in and try and diffuse the situation when her phone vibrated in her pocket. Keeping her eye on Janice and Carly she answered in a low voice.

'Autumn, what's going on? Have you found Siobhan?' she could hear sirens through the phone.

'Sorscha listen.' Autumn spoke quickly. 'We've got Siobhan, Vivian is with us and they've arrested my father. But Janice is the brains behind the whole operation. She left before we got here. While she was with Siobhan she said she was going to harm Jamie to get back at her.' It felt as if someone had poured icy water into Sorscha's stomach.

'Autumn, she's here.' She whispered. Her eyes hadn't left Carly and Janice, thankfully Jamie hadn't woken up.

'Sorscha, stall her, we'll be there soon. You cannot let her leave with Jamie.' Autumn sounded as serious as she'd ever heard her.

'No problem.' Sorscha tried to sound confident but she wasn't sure she pulled it off.